Books in Review
Couldn't load pickup availability
A new wave of Jewish feminist scholarship is transforming biblical interpretation by amplifying the long-silenced voices of women in classical texts. Three contemporary works exemplify this evolution: Marsha Pravder Mirkin's *The Women Who Danced by the Sea*, Penina Adelman's *Praise Her Works*, and Vanessa L. Ochs's *Sarah Laughed*. Mirkin applies relational therapy principles to biblical narratives, unveiling the psychological dynamics and emotional growth patterns in stories of Eve, Sarah, Rebecca, and other matriarchs. Adelman builds ritual content from a 13th-century Yemenite midrash, creating vivid dialogues between biblical women and modern readers through innovative connections to Proverbs 31. Taking the most personal approach, Ochs describes how biblical women emerged as guides during her own life crises, offering wisdom on friendship, parenting, and healing, complete with practical rituals. These works share core feminist principles of reclaiming voice and power while nurturing authentic relationships. Their methodology expands sparse biblical narratives about women through creative reinterpretation, drawing meaning from textual subtleties to address contemporary spiritual and psychological needs. Together, they advance the feminist project of making Torah accessible as *torat hayyim*—living instruction that speaks directly to women's modern experiences.

More Information
-
Physical Description
-
Publication Information
Published 2006
ISBN
-
Publication Credits
Jonathan Slater