Product Description

"Hammer breathes a woman’s breath into ancient narratives … her collection of new midrashim draws on her knowledge of the Bible, the rich tradition of classical midrash, and on her own imagination." – Lilith

This exceptional anthology of 24 stories about the women in the Bible is now available in paperback. Drawing from the ancient tradition of midrash, the author brings to life the inner world and the experiences of these women, weaving rabbinic legends and her own imagination into the biblical texts.

Readers will discover Lilith -- not as the night demon alluded to in Isaiah, but as another aspect of Eve herself. Sarah is a moon priestess and as great a prophet as Abraham. Miriam is not merely a figure of song and dance, but also one of revelation, a source of Torah.

These new stories were written to give biblical women the honor they deserve – due them as prophets, rulers, and teachers. The Introduction to Sisters at Sinai offers the rationale and the need for midrash – the writing in the margins – expressing how it can be liberating as well as deeply comforting. Perfect for women’s studies courses, adult study groups, confirmation classes and book groups.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #173957 in Books
• Published on: 2004-07-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 294 pages

Review
"Hammer breathes a woman's breath into ancient narratives... her collection of new midrashim draws on her knowledge of the Bible, the rich tradition of classical midrash, and on her own imagination." - Lilith "As I read... these tales I found myself saying: you're right! That's the way it must have been!" - Rabbi Jack Reimer "A unique, amazing anthology... a welcome contribution to the growing library of Judaic literature." - Midwest Book Review"

From the Publisher
Now available in paper!

From the Back Cover
Sisters at Sinai New Tales of Biblical Women

Jill Hammer

In this marvelous anthology of 24 stories about women in the Bible, Rabbi Jill Hammer draws from the ancient tradition of Midrash—creative interpretation that elaborates upon the sparse details of the biblical text—and brings to life the inner world and experiences of these unforgettable characters. The stories reintroduce Lilith, Sarah, Leah, Miriam, and many other notable women of the Bible as the author weaves together the rabbinic legends and her own vivid imagination. Hammer’s commentary includes a list of biblical texts and an explanation of how each story came to be written and why.

Praised for its originality and expressiveness, this book gives biblical women the honor they deserve—an honor due them as prophets, rulers, and teachers.

Customer Reviews

A welcome contribution to Judaic Studies literature.
Sisters At Sinai: New Tales Of Biblical Women by Jill Hammer (licensed clinical psychology and an ordained Conservative rabbi) is a collection of 24 fascinating, illuminating, and inspiring short stories based on the women of the Torah, and the men they shared their lives with. These original and engaging stories reveal a new look at Lilith and Eve, Sarah, Hagar, Rachel and Leah, Miriam, Lot's Wife, and many more. A unique, amazing anthology that reinterprets ancient parables in a new light, Sisters At Sinai is a welcome contribution to the growing library of Judaic literature and recommended supplemental reading for students of the Torah in general, and the role of women in Israelite history in particular.

An amazing book
I loved Sisters at Sinai. The book consists of 23 short stories with a wide range of themes. But these aren't just any short stories; these are Midrashim, tales which weave in and around the text of the Bible. With some, Hammer takes a well-known passage in the Bible (Lot's wife is turned into a pillar of salt) and brings it to life. Others take a passage which even close readers of the Bible have probably overlooked and turns it into a gripping narrative. While Hammer writes from a woman's perspective, both the men and the women in the stories are treated with respect and are three-dimensional. The notes section at the end of the book grounds this modern rethinking of Bible with traditional (and modern) Jewish thinking about the Bible. This is Hammer's first book, and I can't wait to see more from her fertile imagination.

Fantastic Re-readings
This is an amazing book, a must-read for all fans of Biblically-based fiction. Hammer's readings are wildly creative and revisionist but at the same time grounded in classical Jewish Biblical interpretation. Her background in Midrash gives this book a depth rarely seen in modern rewritings of Biblical stories. The stories work as stories, though - the Midrashic grounding is almost invisible unless you know the works she's quoting from. Her Biblical characters are compelling and memorable. If you are reading The Red Tent or Queenmaker, read this instead.