Description
Book SynopsisBiblical Women Speak employs midrash (interpretative techniques) to discover ten biblical women’s stories from a female point of view and provide insights beyond how ancient male scholars viewed them.
Trade Review"Women in the Bible are often unnamed, defined solely by their relationships with others. Take Judah’s wife, for example. She is known as Bat Shua, or 'daughter of Shua.' This labeling, or lack thereof, makes it easy for stories like hers to be subsumed by those of men. Feldman, by contrast, dives into these women’s stories, bringing them to life with depth and insight. Feldman’s analysis of Miriam’s story is a standout of the book."—Jewish Book Council
"An inspirational book, which speaks to us of the issues of our times . . . through Jewish classical, modern and feminist lenses. . . . A masterpiece of scholarship, creativity and exquisite writing."—Rabbi Dr. Ron Kronish,
Jerusalem Report"Readers looking to better understand midrash will particularly enjoy the sections on classic commentary, while those interested in new ways of understanding the text will find the contemporary midrash of interest.
Biblical Women Speak would also make an excellent text for Torah discussion groups."—Rabbi Rachel Esserman,
Reporter"For the most part the sages neglected these minor [female] characters or viewed them negatively. . . . Feldman brings this conversation into the modern era: She composes midrashim that turn these biblical characters into real human beings, facing problems familiar to those of women (and men) today. . . . Who deserve our attention and our respect, and who should never be cast out of our community."—
Moment Magazine
"I am very impressed by the author’s creativity and in-depth understanding of her characters. . . . There are ten retellings (or stories) in this stunning collection. . . . Most of the stories focus on characters that we don’t usually think about. . . . What is most interesting to me is how she enables us to empathize with these marginal biblical women. The book is arranged meticulously and is clearly well-researched. . . . I plan to use Feldman's fascinating midrashim . . . in my future classes."—Naomi Graetz,
Times of Israel blog
“Meeting these new role models of Jewish womanhood—some famous, others voiceless or infamous and nameless in the Torah—left me both enlightened and delighted. Reading the biblical text, rabbinic commentary, modern midrash, and Rabbi Feldman’s contemporary commentary illuminated four dimensions of these remarkable women.”—Maggie Anton, author of
Rashi’s Daughters“Rabbi Marla J. Feldman is a marvelous teacher, and in
Biblical Women Speak she proves to also be a weaver of ancient, modern, and original texts that give voice to women of the Bible who were often ignored or nameless, filling a void that has existed for centuries. Accessible for both beginner and advanced students,
Biblical Women Speak should be required in any class of midrash.”—Rabbi Ellen S. Wolintz-Fields, executive director, Women’s League for Conservative Judaism
“Rabbi Marla Feldman has created a dynamic and compelling conversation among the generations. Both individuals and groups will admire her captivating modern midrashic interpretations and her expert navigation of traditional texts. Feldman shows us how fresh and relevant our sacred tradition can be!”—Rabbi Mary L. Zamore, executive director, Women’s Rabbinic Network
“Rabbi Marla Feldman has added an imaginative, insightful contribution to our collective Jewish library. As she creatively gives voice to both familiar and lesser-known female biblical characters, she shows why their stories matter for us as contemporary readers.”—Rabbi Andrea L. Weiss, Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Provost, Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments
Introduction
1. Keturah: Abraham’s Last Wife
Biblical Text: Genesis 25:1–6
Modern Midrash: Keturah, The Great Mother of Many Generations
Classical Commentary and Midrash: Devoted Wife or Concubine?
Author’s Commentary: Keturah’s Missing Story—Filling in the Blanks
2. Leah and Rachel: Devoted Sisters and Bitter Rivals
Biblical Text: Genesis 35:16–21
Modern Midrash: Leah’s Eulogy
Classical Commentary and Midrash: Sisters, Wives, Rivals, and Matriarchs
Author’s Commentary: A Tale of Two Sisters
3. Bat Shua: Judah’s Unnamed Wife
Biblical Text: Genesis 38:1–12
Modern Midrash: The Woman Who Mourns
Classical Commentary and Midrash: Judah’s Family Misfortune
Author’s Commentary: Bat Shua’s Tragic Tale of Lust and Loss
4. Bilhah: The Loving Handmaid
Biblical Text: Genesis 50:15–17
Modern Midrash: A Letter to My Beloved Son Joseph
Classical Commentary and Midrash: Bilhah the Servant, Sister, Surrogate, Spouse
Author’s Commentary: Emissary of Forgiveness
5. Pharaoh’s Daughters, Part 1: Potiphar’s Unnamed Wife
Biblical Text: Genesis 39:1–19
Modern Midrash: Zuleikha, the Prison Mistress
Classical Commentary and Midrash: Potiphar’s Wife in the Joseph Narrative
Author’s Commentary: A Name and Narrative for Potiphar’s Wife
6. Pharaoh’s Daughters, Part 2: Puah, Shiphrah, and the Sacred Sisterhood
Biblical Text: Exodus 1:8–22
Modern Midrash: The Sacred Sisterhood
Classical Commentary and Midrash: The Subversive Midwives
Author’s Commentary: The Midwives’ Tale
7. Pharaoh’s Daughters, Part 3: The Princess and the Slave Girl Who Rescue Moses
Biblical Text: Exodus 2:1–9
Modern Midrash: Amat-Bat-Ra, the Servant Savior
Classical Commentary and Midrash: Princess, Protector, Prophet
Author’s Commentary: A Conspiracy of Women
8. Shelomith Bat Dibri: The Blasphemer’s Mother
Biblical Text: Leviticus 24:10–14
Modern Midrash: Testament of Shelomith
Classical Commentary and Midrash: The Biblical Tale of the Blasphemer
Author’s Commentary: A Mother’s Anguish
9. Miriam: Exiled by God, Dwelling beyond the Camp
Biblical Text: Numbers 12:1–16
Modern Midrash: Miriam’s Fringes
Classical Commentary and Midrash: Crime and Punishment
Author’s Commentary: Outcasts and Angels
10. Noah: Daughter of Zelophehad
Biblical Text: Numbers 27:1–8, 36:1–12
Modern Midrash: Noah and Elishama—A Love Story
Classical Commentary and Midrash: Five Righteous Women
Author’s Commentary: Rights Given and Taken Away
Appendix: Overview of Midrash
Glossary of Classical Sources
Notes
Bibliography
