The Torah: A Women's Commentary [Hardcover]

Tamara Cohn Eskenazi (Editor), Andrea L. Weiss (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 10, 2007 | ISBN-10: 0807410810 | ISBN-13: 978-0807410813

"The five daughters of Zelophehad in the Book of Numbers approach Moses, the leaders of the people, and the entire community. They draw near because they see a problem that needs a solution: they have not been given an inheritance that they believe is due to them. They refuse to be left out and demand their rightful share. And so they dare speak to Moses, the priest Eleazar, all the other leaders, and the entire edah (congregation or formally constituted assembly). They say: 'Give us a holding among our father's kin. Give us a share of our heritage, why should we be left out?' They get what they want a share, a large share I should add. Moreover, as a result of their courage, a new Torah law is created, one that intends to benefit future generations long after them. Their story is the story of the WRJ's The Torah: A Women's Commentary. The Women of Reform Judaism said: 'Give us a share among our brothers. We are no longer willing to be left out.' Instead of land, WRJ asks for something even more enduring - 'Give us a share of our Torah.' The result is a Torah commentary that we trust will benefit all of us. With this commentary we will continue as sisters to empower the women - and men - who come after us for generations to come." Dr. Tamara Cohn Eskenazi Professor of Bible, HUC-JIR/LA The Torah: A Women's Commentary will incorporate these perspectives:

Editorial Reviews

Review

This is wonderful rendition of our most sacred text, the Women's Commentary will bring a fresh perspective to our people's story. It will be an extraordinary resource that will prove both useful and meaningful to all - men and women alike - who delve into its pages." --Rabbi Eric H. Yoffie, President Union for Reform Judaism

For generations, the task of interpreting the texts of Torah has been almost exclusively the province of men. In our generation, this has changed and the voices of women and their understandings of the Torah have enriched our people. This commentary will be a valuable addition to every synagogue, Torah study group, and Jewish home." --Rabbi David Ellenson, President Hebrew Union College

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1416 pages
• Publisher: URJ Press (December 10, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807410810
• ISBN-13: 978-0807410813
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 7.7 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #181,748 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #36 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Bible & Other Sacred Texts > Jewish Texts > Torah

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A "must-have" for all serious Torah students!, January 6, 2008

By 

Virginia Keller (Phoenix, AZ USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Torah: A Women's Commentary (Hardcover)

Almost 15 years in the creation, "The Torah: A Women's Commentary" is a scholarly commentary on the Five Books of Moses, including post-biblical interpretations and contemporary reflections. It is structured in a "user-friendly" way to enable the reader to access the richness of the Jewish Text. It is a beautifully designed, scholarly work that will be, I'm sure, a source for study and learning for many years to come.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A treasure, February 24, 2008

By 

Carol L. Ziegler (Brooklyn, New York) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Torah: A Women's Commentary (Hardcover)

This awesome labor of love combines Torah text, commentary, contemporary reflections, poetry (and more.) Because it focuses on the role of women (or their absence) in Torah, it provides a long needed pathway for women to enter into the biblical world and the teachings of a text that has played so great a part in shaping our views of our relationship with the Divine, and each other. Inside it is beautiful in every sense. It deserved a cover more commensurate with that beauty, but why quibble.

Buy it for every Jewish woman and girl you love. (What an extraordinary Bat Mitzvah present!)

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Torah: A Woman's Commentary, June 4, 2008

By 

Judith D. Cohen - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Torah: A Women's Commentary (Hardcover)

Ardent feminists will love this book. Moderate ones may think it goes too far in emphasizing the significance of women in the Torah. The commentaries and the literary entries are excellent and the format is easily accessible. I would not recommend reading this commentary alone, without a less egalitarian version at one's side. Comparisons are always valid. I especially like the non-gendered usage, which doesn't hammer the reader over the head but makes its point nicely.