Dirshuni – Contemporary Women′s Midrash

Dirshu ni is a step for ward; it carves out a place for con tem po rary women to see them selves in the sacred texts. It focus es on the courage, the heart break, and the fight of bib li cal women - and it brings them to life. ... What would Judaism look like if women had been read ing, study ing, inter pret ing, and com ment ing on our sacred texts all this time? Dirshu ni gives us a glimpse of that, and the view is spectacular. * Jewish Book Council * Biala's anthology together puts the writers in conversation across time. Dirshuni (Amos 5: 4) means seek me and this book fulfills its title's promise. * Association of Jewish Libraries * How thrilling to have this rich collection of women's midrashim in our hands. The melding of scholarship, deep insight, and creativity in this brilliantly edited volume yields fresh new feminist perspectives on classical Jewish tradition. We are truly blessed to have this resource for understanding biblical texts and rabbinic commentaries. -- Marcia Falk, author of Night of Beginnings: A Passover Haggadah Opinions regarding the practical conclusions to be drawn from the innovative readings of sacred history offered here will no doubt differ widely, ranging from demand for inclusion in the canon to dismissal as heresy. Either way, the jolt that these feminist midrashim present to traditional sensibilities, highlighting and imaginatively amplifying upon the lacunae of distinctly male perspectives, will leave readers with much food for thought. -- Tamar Ross, author of Expanding the Palace of Torah: Orthodoxy and Feminism Those familiar with feminist midrash primarily in the U.S. context will be surprised and delighted with the richness, range, and erudition of this collection by Israeli women. The conversations with and reworkings of traditional texts are consistently thought-provoking, sometimes brilliant, and always carefully explained. This is an exciting addition to the body of feminist commentary available in English. -- Judith Plaskow, author of Standing Again at Sinai: Judaism from a Feminist Perspective Part classical midrash, short story, poetry and social commentary, these midrashim are a new genre, a treasure to cherish. These voices and texts are bound to leave each student moved and changed. -- Rabbi Avi Killip, Hadar A long-overdue expansion of the sacred Jewish library following centuries of patriarchal hegemony, exclusion and injustice. The texts' profound insights result from the encounter between the authors' lived experience, their creativity, and Torah study. This volume belongs in every Jewish library, in our homes, our schools, and our synagogues. -- Rabbi J. Rolando Matalon, Congregation B'nai Jeshurun, NYC In its 2 slim Hebrew volumes, Dirshuni changed the study of Rabbinic midrash for those fortunate enough to grasp the brilliance, expert knowledge and exquisite language that pays homage to while shattering traditional midrash. Now the English reader has the opportunity to study these masterpieces and to find their own voice in our tradition. -- Rabbanit Devorah Zlochower, Yeshivat Maharat