Dirshuni

Dirshu­ni is a step for­ward; it carves out a place for con­tem­po­rary women to see them­selves in the sacred texts. It focus­es on the courage, the heart­break, and the fight of bib­li­cal women and it brings them to life. ... What would Judaism look like if women had been read­ing, study­ing, inter­pret­ing, and com­ment­ing on our sacred texts all this time? Dirshu­ni gives us a glimpse of that, and the view is spectacular.

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.

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. I will be studying it and referring to it for years to come.

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.

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.

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.

In its two 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.

Jerusalem-based author and teacher Tamar Biala birthed a contemporary oeuvre of midrashim that could legitimately stand alongside those of the ancient rabbis in their canon of Midrash. With a capital M. Biala... collected contemporary midrashim written by a group of exceptional Israeli women. Curated in anthology form, unadorned, these luminous pieces addressed the needs and truths of the female half of the world....Not only is the world of Dirshuni now available to English-language readers, but there is a new twist: Biala has added framing and commentaries to each piece.

Dirshuni is the long-anticipated English edition of a collection of midrash composed by Israeli women. Scholars will relish the book’s nuances, it is the less experienced Torah student who will learn most from this wealth of new insights into the tradition.

Dirshuni is powerful, playful, joyful and sometimes painful. Its words and insights will be making many 'guest appearances' in my sermons and teaching in the coming year. ....Get a copy of “Dirshuni.” As we begin a new cycle of Torah for the year, it should be at your side — for your own learning and teaching. It will yield numerous insights. With a solemn caveat: Don’t lend it out. You might never see it again.

Biala’s commentary... sparks further questions and insights. Her remarks are a testament to the effort, thought, consideration, and time that not only went into writing the commentary, but also into the midrashim themselves.

This text is a gift - a profound exploration of both ancient text and the modern world all through the lives of women and their experiences...this volume should be required reading.