Women rabbis are changing the face of
Judaism.
Discover how their interpretations of the Prophets, Writings,
and Megillot can enrich your perspective.
Discover how their interpretations of the Prophets, Writings,
and Megillot can enrich your perspective.
The Haftarah is a potent tool for
understanding the values, ethics, and moral lessons contained
in the Torah readings. In this first-of-its-kind volume, more
than eighty women rabbis from the Reform, Conservative, and
Reconstructionist movements offer fresh perspectives on the
beloved texts that make up the Haftarah—the Prophets and
Writings—and the Five Megillot.
Based on readings that are rich in
imagery—some poetic, some narrative, some dark and
brooding—their commentaries include surprising insights
on the stories of Deborah and Yael, David and Goliath, David
and Bathsheva, and the witch of Endor, among many others.
Themes such as Jerusalem as woman, the story of Jonah and the
fish, and other prophetic images are informed and challenged by
this groundbreaking work.
A rich resource, a major contribution to
modern biblical commentary, and the ideal companion to The
Women’s Torah Commentary, The Women’s Haftarah
Commentary will inspire all of us to gain deeper meaning from
the Hebrew scriptures and a heightened appreciation of Judaism.
Contributors include:
Judith Z. Abrams • Analia Bortz •
Sharon Brous • Sue Levi Elwell • Susan P. Fendrick
• Karen L. Fox • Shoshana Boyd Gelfand • Laura
Geller • Rachel Sabath-Beit • Halachmi • Jill
Hammer • Karyn D. Kedar • Valerie Lieber •
Sheryl Nosan-Blank • Debra Orenstein • Barbara Rosman
Penzner • Hara E. Person • Geela Rayzel Raphael
• Laura M. Rappaport • Ilene Schneider • Rona
Shapiro • Shira Stern • Pamela Wax • Nancy
Wechsler-Azen
“This companion to The Women’s
Torah Commentary will be welcomed by all those committed to the
incorporation of women’s voices into the ongoing process
of Jewish textual interpretation. The volume is also an
excellent pre-bat mitzvah present, providing girls with
exciting new tools with which to prepare for that
event.”
—Judith
Plaskow, author, Standing Again at Sinai:
Judaism from a Feminist Perspective
Judaism from a Feminist Perspective
“Here is a treasure trove of
thoughtful and skillfully written commentaries to the Haftarah
tradition of Judaism. Combining the diversity of authors’
views with their encounter of traditional interpretations makes
sparks fly and new insights leap off the pages.”
—Rabbi
Harvey J. Fields, author, A Torah Commentary for Our Times
“Brimming with insight and versatility.... Male and female readers across a spectrum of religious affiliations can find not only explanation, but hope and renewal within these pages.”
—Publishers Weekly
“The essays in this book expanded my
mind and my heart. The references to women in the weekly
haftarah readings are greater in number than anyone might have
imagined and keener in insight into women’s psyches and
life experiences. The writers’ provocative comments will
linger in your mind for days, forcing you to rethink what the
prophets were saying to their own audience and to men and women
today.”
—Judith
Hauptman, author, Rereading the Rabbis: A Woman’s Voice;
professor of Talmud, The Jewish Theological Seminary
professor of Talmud, The Jewish Theological Seminary
“These commentaries on our sacred
prophetic readings are a great gift to men and women alike.
Readers will find many to be positively luminous. All of them
resonate with deep human wisdom and fine interpretive
skill.”
—Gordon
Tucker, rabbi, Temple Israel
Center, White Plains, New York; adjunct assistant professor of
Jewish philosophy,
The Jewish Theological Seminary
The Jewish Theological Seminary
“This book of thought-provoking
commentary is fascinating reading that belongs in all Judaica
collections.”
—Association
of Jewish Libraries Newsletterr
“Elucidate[s] the [Haftarah] text
for today’s girls and women…. A beginning point for
further study and discussion.”
—Jewish
Book World
“Offers diverse and thoughtful
reflection on Jewish piety, practice, and history, evidencing
concerns for social justice, violence, gender equity, and peace
in the context of religious contemplation…. Very
accessible and quite enjoyable.”
—Library
Journal
