UGH THIS IS SO GOOOOOD!!!! All of it!! And a cherry on top with Grohl and Karen O’s “Heads Will Roll” hot damn that was fire. Thank you again, Rabbi, for your wit and wisdom and sass and sanctuary in this space. Chag sameach.
Didn't know anything about the salty cheese before reading your commentary. Is this widely known and Am I just out of it. Also didn't know that the 8th night if Hannukah is associated with the story of Judith!
It has taken me a little while to figure out some of the things troubling me about the Judith story and the various ways it can be approached.
Before that I want to thank you for sharing the links to Kehinde Wiley's artwork, also Karen O's music for the Hanukkah Sessions 2022, and the other paintings.
A minor point, but I don't think using Assyria as the evil kingdom was about being circumspect. Judith 4:4 seems to establish that the people of Judea (at least those taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar) were newly returned to Judea after the Babylonian captivity. So mentioning Nebuchadnezzar at all seems a bit chancy. By then Assyria had already carried off the ten tribes of the North Kingdom ( and they don't get a chance to return ). So Assyria fits the bill for a scary kingdom. (Assuming the Judeans have forgotten their uneasy relationship with the Northern Kingdom.)
Some of my awkwardness, comes from realizing that Judith is a superwoman and clearly designed for the male gaze, even without considering Jan Sanders van Hemessen's artwork. It would be nice to have a story where the woman does not have to be beautiful, rich, and powerful to help save her people. And I have to wonder about Judith never remarrying someone in Manasseh's family to have an heir for Manasseh. It may be another reason Judith doesn't make the cut for the TaNaKh.
Another downside is that Judith is the very definition to privilege. Her servant, her right-hand woman was a slave. If I am reading it correctly, she is still a slave until Judith frees her on her deathbed (or maybe in her will). Was her servant Jewish, or a slave acquired in Babylon. She certainly was loyal to Judith and clearly extremely competent.
I don't have access, but just the Extract of "Chapter 7. What Shall We Do with Judith? A Feminist Assessment of a Biblical ‘Heroine’" caught my attention.
I do hope that we don't reach the point where quoting authors, who have disappointed us in some ways, is no longer acceptable. All authors that move us have the capacity to disappoint us. And yes, I thought putting the comment in a footnote was appropriate.
I appreciate the patience of anyone who is read this far.
the paintings included throughout made my art history brain happy and the text/commentary made my religious-feminist nerd brain happy. all-around amazing piece.
Omigosh, I loved everything about this article, Rabbi! The art, the humor...everything. (I, too, recognized the author you alluded to and share your opinion on the smug picture she shared after the demise of Roe v. Wade.) I am always enlightened and captivated by your writing. Thank you!
I appreciate the link to the article. That helps put your comment into context. I agree that it's not an expression of empathy. However, not for nothing, for me, injecting it into your otherwise fun presentation of Judith was a distraction. But, hey, others might find it spot on. Meaningful writing provokes and evokes so I'm cool with it, especially with your sharing the link about where the comment about smugness came from. Happy 8th day of Hanukkah.
Oh and additional moral of the story: don’t hang your sword near your bed while you’re asleep. (And don’t leave guns lying around the house.)
Awesome! And you mentioned Artemisia Gentileschi too 💖
Look, I've been saying for years that Fig Newtons are the best.
UGH THIS IS SO GOOOOOD!!!! All of it!! And a cherry on top with Grohl and Karen O’s “Heads Will Roll” hot damn that was fire. Thank you again, Rabbi, for your wit and wisdom and sass and sanctuary in this space. Chag sameach.
Sometimes some heads need to roll ;)
Fantastic writeup! Excellent -- 10s across the board.
I love this so very much. Thanks!!
Great story, great art, great writing: Maybe my favorite to date
Didn't know anything about the salty cheese before reading your commentary. Is this widely known and Am I just out of it. Also didn't know that the 8th night if Hannukah is associated with the story of Judith!
It has taken me a little while to figure out some of the things troubling me about the Judith story and the various ways it can be approached.
Before that I want to thank you for sharing the links to Kehinde Wiley's artwork, also Karen O's music for the Hanukkah Sessions 2022, and the other paintings.
A minor point, but I don't think using Assyria as the evil kingdom was about being circumspect. Judith 4:4 seems to establish that the people of Judea (at least those taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar) were newly returned to Judea after the Babylonian captivity. So mentioning Nebuchadnezzar at all seems a bit chancy. By then Assyria had already carried off the ten tribes of the North Kingdom ( and they don't get a chance to return ). So Assyria fits the bill for a scary kingdom. (Assuming the Judeans have forgotten their uneasy relationship with the Northern Kingdom.)
Some of my awkwardness, comes from realizing that Judith is a superwoman and clearly designed for the male gaze, even without considering Jan Sanders van Hemessen's artwork. It would be nice to have a story where the woman does not have to be beautiful, rich, and powerful to help save her people. And I have to wonder about Judith never remarrying someone in Manasseh's family to have an heir for Manasseh. It may be another reason Judith doesn't make the cut for the TaNaKh.
Another downside is that Judith is the very definition to privilege. Her servant, her right-hand woman was a slave. If I am reading it correctly, she is still a slave until Judith frees her on her deathbed (or maybe in her will). Was her servant Jewish, or a slave acquired in Babylon. She certainly was loyal to Judith and clearly extremely competent.
I don't have access, but just the Extract of "Chapter 7. What Shall We Do with Judith? A Feminist Assessment of a Biblical ‘Heroine’" caught my attention.
https://www.bloomsburycollections.com/book/tobit-and-judith-the-feminist-companion-to-the-bible-second-series/ch7-what-shall-we-do-with-judith-a-feminist-assessment-of-a-biblical-heroine. I'm sure I've heard this anecdote before, maybe even here in Life is a Sacred Text.
I do hope that we don't reach the point where quoting authors, who have disappointed us in some ways, is no longer acceptable. All authors that move us have the capacity to disappoint us. And yes, I thought putting the comment in a footnote was appropriate.
I appreciate the patience of anyone who is read this far.
Has anyone done a good side-by-side comparison of the Judith/Holofernes story with the Yael/Sisera story (which IS in the Tanakh)?
the paintings included throughout made my art history brain happy and the text/commentary made my religious-feminist nerd brain happy. all-around amazing piece.
Omigosh, I loved everything about this article, Rabbi! The art, the humor...everything. (I, too, recognized the author you alluded to and share your opinion on the smug picture she shared after the demise of Roe v. Wade.) I am always enlightened and captivated by your writing. Thank you!
I appreciate the link to the article. That helps put your comment into context. I agree that it's not an expression of empathy. However, not for nothing, for me, injecting it into your otherwise fun presentation of Judith was a distraction. But, hey, others might find it spot on. Meaningful writing provokes and evokes so I'm cool with it, especially with your sharing the link about where the comment about smugness came from. Happy 8th day of Hanukkah.
"Worth the ride" for sure!
omg judith!!!!!! love her ❤️