Praise Her Works: Conversations with Biblical Women

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Jewish Publication Society, 15.08.2005 - 228 Seiten
This rich collection celebrates 23 biblical women, from the familiar Sarah, Miriam, Ruth, and Esther, to the more mysterious Hatzlelponi mother of Samson) and the unnamed "Wife of Ovadiah." Based on the 13th-century Yemenite Midrash ha-Gadol (literally, the Great Midrash) -- a work only partially translated into English and, until now, virtually unknown to American Jews -- this new volume presents stories, commentaries, original monologues, and discussion topics touching upon the lives of Jewish women today. Penina Adelman became captivated by Midrash ha-Gadol while seeking a new ritual to perform before her daughter's bat mitzvah. She eventually enlisted a group of writers to join her in studying the midrash. These women agreed to step inside the Bible and "become" some of their ancestors. The resulting book is an unusual encounter among remarkable biblical women -- from different time periods and walks of life -- who are able to converse directly with one another and the reader. As the writers probe the hearts and minds of the biblical characters, they provide an insightful, behind-the-scenes look into the relationships of women whose feelings and actions have inspired readers throughout the ages. This book is a beautiful example of the way today's scholars are using midrash to weave together Jewish tradition and modern society. In the original Yemenite midrash, each of the women is linked to a line from the poem in Proverbs, "Eishet Chayil" (Women of Valor) -- the poem often sung at Jewish weddings by the groom to the bride and at the traditional Shabbat table by a husband to his wife, and recited at a Jewish woman's funeral. In this new book, the reader is invited to experience the blending of the familiar poem with the previously unexplored treasure trove of Midrash ha-Gadol and the new voices for each character. This extraordinary combination makes it ideal for Jewish educators, teen and adult study groups, readers of midrash, and scholars in the fields of women's studies and contemporary spirituality. It also makes a lovely gift for brides, mothers, and grandmothers.
 

Ausgewählte Seiten

Inhalt

1 Wife of Noah
1
2 Sarah
8
3 Rebekah
17
4 Leah
25
5 Rachel
33
6 Batya
41
7 Yocheved
48
8 Miriam
56
16 Hatzlelponi
123
17 Elisheba
134
18 Serach
140
19 Wife of Obadiah
149
20 Shunammite Woman
156
21 Ruth
165
22a Vashti
173
22b Esther
181

9 Hannah
67
10 Yael
75
11 Widow from Tzarephath
81
12 Naomi
89
13 Rachav
98
14 BathSheba
105
15 Michal
114
All the Rest of the Women
195
Contributors
198
Notes
204
Commentary on Hayyei Sarah Genesis 231
209
Index of Scriptural Passages
220
Subject Index
224
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Autoren-Profil (2005)

Penina Adelman is the author of Praise Her Works: Conversations with Biblical Women. She is is a writer and social worker. She writes and speaks about women and spirituality, women in the Bible, and women as mythmakers and creators of ritual. Her first book, Miriam?s Well, helped launch the Rosh Hodesh (Jewish New Moon festival) movement which today involves thousands of Jewish women. As a social worker for over 20 years, she has run support and activity groups for Ethiopian Jews, single mothers, Jewish adults with psychiatric conditions, and the mothers of bat mitzvah girls. She lives in Newton, Massachusetts with her family.

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