Saturday, March 6, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
Why Read About Women in the Bible?
A while ago, I participated in a symposium on women of the Bible at which a lady in the audience asked: Why should we be interested in biblical women? They were concerned mainly with marriage and bearing sons, while we, today, have so many more ambitions for our lives.
But this is very challenging question, is based on a misconception. While the women of the Bible lived thousands of years ago, in essence we are still similar to them in our hopes and anxieties. Hence listening to their voices may have an empowering effect on us.
For one thing, although they lived in a male dominated society, in which they were downtrodden, most of them were strong women. They did not merely sit around, meekly accepting fate. Instead, they took destiny into their own hands and shaped it to do their bidding. What we can learn from biblical women is that women are strong and capable. That, no matter what the obstacles, we can draw on our feminine strength to achieve what we aspire to.
Also, contrary to their image, biblical women were NOT concerned solely with marriage and bearing sons, but also with a whole variety of other issues. In this sense they are particularly close to us today, an era in which we celebrate diversity, and each woman realizing herself in her own way. For instance, Tamar in the book of GENESIS struggled successfully to become a single mother. Deborah in the book of JUDGES "broke the glass ceiling" and became a religious and national leader. And there are many more examples.
Hence, what today's women can also learn from women in the Bible is: "I don't have to fit into a trend. Whatever is right for me, I can achieve it."
I decided to turn the spotlight on these amazing women, and amplify their voices, so that they could be heard loud and clear across the generations. I wrote some of their stories in a manner that is faithful to the Scripture, but makes for light, entertaining reading and can be enjoyed no less by people who have never held a Bible in their hands.
But this is very challenging question, is based on a misconception. While the women of the Bible lived thousands of years ago, in essence we are still similar to them in our hopes and anxieties. Hence listening to their voices may have an empowering effect on us.
For one thing, although they lived in a male dominated society, in which they were downtrodden, most of them were strong women. They did not merely sit around, meekly accepting fate. Instead, they took destiny into their own hands and shaped it to do their bidding. What we can learn from biblical women is that women are strong and capable. That, no matter what the obstacles, we can draw on our feminine strength to achieve what we aspire to.
Also, contrary to their image, biblical women were NOT concerned solely with marriage and bearing sons, but also with a whole variety of other issues. In this sense they are particularly close to us today, an era in which we celebrate diversity, and each woman realizing herself in her own way. For instance, Tamar in the book of GENESIS struggled successfully to become a single mother. Deborah in the book of JUDGES "broke the glass ceiling" and became a religious and national leader. And there are many more examples.
Hence, what today's women can also learn from women in the Bible is: "I don't have to fit into a trend. Whatever is right for me, I can achieve it."
I decided to turn the spotlight on these amazing women, and amplify their voices, so that they could be heard loud and clear across the generations. I wrote some of their stories in a manner that is faithful to the Scripture, but makes for light, entertaining reading and can be enjoyed no less by people who have never held a Bible in their hands.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
THE TRIUMPH OF DEBORAH - what is it all about?
Published by Plume/Penguin, it offers a daring interpretation of the riveting tale of one of the most beloved biblical figures: the revered leader, judge and prophetess Deborah, who led her people to war and also to peace.In ancient Israel, war is looming. Deborah has convinced warrior Barak to launch a strike against the neighboring Canaanites, who threaten their people with destruction. Against all odds he succeeds, returning triumphantly with two daughters of the defeated king as his captives. But military victory is only the beginning of a personal turmoil, of which Deborah becomes part.
Despite setbacks in her own life, she gropes her way toward her greatest triumph: the attainment of peace. Will she be able to persuade Barak to be her emissary of peace, as he had previously carried out her design for war?
Following the lead in the bible (Judges, 4-5) the novel pays tribute to the feminine strength of Deborah from which women today may derive inspiration. Despite the difficult conditions for women prevailing at the time, she "cracked the glass ceiling" over three thousand years ago. What all women can learn from Deborah is that no matter what the field in which they choose to realize their potential, no matter what is right for them, they can draw on their inner strength to achieve it.
THE TRIUMPH OF DEBORAH follows my two previous biblical novels, THE SONG OF HANNAH and THE GARDEN OF RUTH, which have had six printings, each).
The novels are not just for those with an affinity to the Scripture. They all have intriguing plots, have frequently been referred to as "page turners" and are written in a light style, first and foremost for reading pleasure. Yet, in a rather painless way, they impart some knowledge of history in biblical times.
For more information, see www.women-in-the-bible.com
With best regards,
Eva Etzioni-Halevy
Despite setbacks in her own life, she gropes her way toward her greatest triumph: the attainment of peace. Will she be able to persuade Barak to be her emissary of peace, as he had previously carried out her design for war?
Following the lead in the bible (Judges, 4-5) the novel pays tribute to the feminine strength of Deborah from which women today may derive inspiration. Despite the difficult conditions for women prevailing at the time, she "cracked the glass ceiling" over three thousand years ago. What all women can learn from Deborah is that no matter what the field in which they choose to realize their potential, no matter what is right for them, they can draw on their inner strength to achieve it.
THE TRIUMPH OF DEBORAH follows my two previous biblical novels, THE SONG OF HANNAH and THE GARDEN OF RUTH, which have had six printings, each).
The novels are not just for those with an affinity to the Scripture. They all have intriguing plots, have frequently been referred to as "page turners" and are written in a light style, first and foremost for reading pleasure. Yet, in a rather painless way, they impart some knowledge of history in biblical times.
For more information, see www.women-in-the-bible.com
With best regards,
Eva Etzioni-Halevy
Thursday, February 11, 2010
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