By Rabbi Rachel Esserman
Religions change and develop across time. That is certainly true of Judaism, although it can be difficult to understand its earliest manifestations since they greatly differ from the religion practiced today. In his fascinating and complex “Israelite Religion: F…
By Rabbi Rachel Esserman
Biblical times
The debate continues in scholarly circles over whether the Exodus from Egypt actually occurred. For many writers that debate is irrelevant: the Exodus has inspired storytelling from ancient to contemporary times. Maggie Anton, whose novels focus on t…
By Rabbi Rachel Esserman
Ever really look forward to a book and have a mixed reaction after finishing it? That’s what occurred while reading “Smashing the Tablets: Radical Retelling of the Hebrew Bible” edited by Sara Lippmann and Seth Rogoff (Excelsior Editions). I find different int…
By Rabbi Rachel Esserman
What exactly is a ritual? Wendy A. Horwitz contemplates that question in the introduction to her book of essays, “Milkweed and Honey Cake: A Memoir in Ritual Moments” (Red Lightening Books). The difficulty for Horwitz is that most definitions see ritual as a rel…
By Rabbi Rachel Esserman
Some novels offer a simple plot, at least, at first glance. For example, readers might be excused for thinking that “The Anatomy of Exile” by Zeeva Bukai (Delphinium Books) is only a story of forbidden love between a Jewish Israeli and a Muslim Palestinian. Howe…
