Published December 2007

ORDER THIS GROUND-BREAKING WORK HERE!

"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 incorporates these perspectives:

CONTEMPORARY:

New critical approaches such as literary criticism, sociology, and feminism not found in traditional commentaries; new research and information about the biblical world; topics important for our world today.

JEWISH:

Issues important to Jews as well as insights from important rabbinic and other Jewish sources.

WOMEN:

Matters that concern women, concentrating on passages that reflect biblical constructs of female experience, gender issues, or individual women. In addition, the Commentary will showcase the scholarship of Jewish women, using their insights to shed light on the Torah.

While there have been various commentaries published in recent years that address women in the Bible and women's perspectives on the Bible, The Torah: A Women's Commentary is the first to cover all individual Torah portions featuring the following types of commentary: 

• A central commentary of each Torah portion written by a biblical scholar, concentrating on issues that involve women (either because they appear in the text or because they do not) and explaining unclear passages and words.
• A second, shorter biblical voice, focusing on a specific element, complementing, supplementing or challenging the central commentary.
• A post-biblical text interpretation, highlighting how traditional Torah portions addressed issues pertaining to women.
• Contemporary reflections, addressing philosophical, theological, and other approaches relevant to the Bible and Jewish life today.
• Creative voices, offering imaginative responses to the text in the form of poems, modern midrash, and other artistic expressions.

Praise for The Torah: A Women’s Commentary –

"A 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 - Jewish Institute of Religion

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Distinguished Women Scholars Comprise the Editorial Board

EDITOR:
DR. TAMARA COHN ESKENAZI
Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, Los Angeles

CO-EDITOR:
RABBI ANDREA WEISS
Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, New York

EDITORIAL COMMITTEE
DR. RACHEL ADLER
Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, Los Angeles
DR. JUDITH BASKIN
University of Oregon
DR. SHERRY BLUMBERG
Congregation Shalom, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
RABBI SUE LEVI ELWELL
Union for Reform Judaism, Pennsylvania Council
DR. TIKVA FRYMER-KENSKY
University of Chicago Divinity School

RABBI LAURA GELLER
Temple Emanuel, Beverly Hills, California
DR. CAROL MEYERS
Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
DR. CAROL OCHS
Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, New York
DR. JUDITH PLASKOW
Manhattan College, New York, New York
CANTOR SARAH SAGER
Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple, Cleveland, Ohio
RABBI JUDITH SCHINDLER
Temple Beth El, Charlotte, North Carolina
RABBI RUTH SOHN
Los Angeles, California
DR. ELLEN UMANSKY
Fairfield University, Fairfield, Connecticut

MANAGING EDITOR:
RABBI HARA PERSON
URJ Press

PROJECT MANAGER:

RABBI DAVID STEIN