Waiting for Rain Reflections at the Turning of the Year

Levy, Bryna Jocheved

ISBN 10: 0827608411 / ISBN 13: 9780827608412

Published by Jewish Pubn Society, 2008

About this Item

252 pages. 9.50x6.25x1.00 inches. In Stock.

Seller Inventory # x-0827608411

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Waiting for Rain Reflections at the Turning of the Year
• Publisher: Jewish Pubn Society
• Publication Date: 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0827608411
• ISBN 13: 9780827608412
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: Brand New

About this title

Synopsis

In Israel, the High Holiday cycle marks the transition from summer to the rainy season.

In Waiting for Rain, the acclaimed teacher Bryna Levy offers a compelling collection of meditations that examine the biblical and liturgical readings associated with the High Holidays, from Rosh Hashanah to Simhat Torah. Based on a series of lectures given in Jerusalem at Matan - the Women's Institute for Torah Studies, and known as "The Hoshana Rabbah Lectures," Levy's readings of the traditional texts echo the natural and spiritual tenor of this season.

Waiting for Rain joins the field of biblical interpretation known as parshanut ha-mikrah. It offers fresh insights into traditional rabbinic interpretation, together with the author's perspective as a modern Orthodox woman bible scholar. Levy explores the psyches of the biblical characters and addresses issues such as our connectedness to others, the tragedy of wasted opportunity, confronting evil, the denial of death, faith and doubt, personal and communal responsibility, universalism versus particularism, the challenge of leadership, sin and atonement, and the efficacy of prayer. The result is a highly personal approach to the meaning of the High Holidays that resonates with our own modern lives. Stories about heroes and heroines, love, faith, hope, and dreams make this book a moving and engaging source for study and reflection as well as an excellent companion to the traditional High Holiday prayer services. To read more about Bryna Jocheved Levy and her work, visit her website.

About the Author

Dr. Bryna Jocheved Levy is one of the most esteemed Bible teachers in Israel and a leader in the movement for Torah studies for women. She was the first woman awarded a doctoral degree in biblical studies by Yeshiva University. She has taught at the Jerusalem College for Women, founded the Israeli branch of Touro College, and been a guest scholar for the Wexner Heritage Foundation and the Gesher Foundation. Currently she teaches at Midreshet Moriah and serves as the director of the joint graduate program in biblical studies of Matan - the Women's Institute for Torah Studies and the University of Haifa.