Rashi's Daughter, Secret Scholar - Softcover

Anton, Maggie

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0827608691 ISBN 13: 9780827608696

Publisher: JEWISH PUBLICATON SOCIETY, 2008

Synopsis

Rashi’s Daughter, Secret Scholar was adapted from the first book in this series, Volume 1: Joheved. The tale of a young girl who challenges conventions to engage in Jewish learning;

Set in 11th-century Troyes, France, Rashi’s Daughter, Secret Scholar tells the story of Joheved, eldest daughter of Salomon ben Isaac (known as Rashi), one of the great medieval Jewish Bible commentators. At a time when women traditionally were barred from studying Jewish texts, Rashi secretly teaches first Joheved, then her sister Miriam. By day, Joheved helps in running the household and the family winemaking business, and by night she studies Talmud with her father. As she nears marriageable age, Joheved finds her mind and spirit awakened by religious study, but she must keep her passion for learning and prayer hidden. When she becomes betrothed to Meir ben Samuel, she is forced to choose between marital happiness and being true to her love of the Talmud. Will she fulfill the expected role of a Jewish woman or pursue a path of Jewish learning?

About this title

From the Publisher:

Rashi's Daughter:Secret Scholar Readers' Discussion Questions 1.How does the bond between Joheved and Salomon develop and change with time? 2. The Talmud is a collection of Jewish laws, followed by detailed commentary on those laws by different rabbis. Did the quotes from the Talmud's tractates aid your understanding of the religion and its laws? Did any of the laws or customs surprise you? 3. Joheved's world is filled with demons. Were you surprised that such an educated man as Salomon believed in them? What about the other superstitions her family accepted? 4. Rashi's Daughter: Secret Scholar is filled with carefully researched historical anecdotes that the author uses as inspiration for her own imagined scenes. Did you wonder what was fact and what was fiction? How could you find out? 5. Rivka is upset with her daughters learning Talmud. Are her objections reasonable? Why would men not want women in a position of knowledge? Do women today still try to hide their intelligence? 6. Joheved and Meir have an arranged marriage, as do Salomon and Rivka. How does Joheved and Meir's relationship compare to Salomon and Rivka's? To Miriam and Benjamin's? What the pros and cons of arranged marriage vs. marrying for love?

7. Relations between French Jews and Christians were fairly tolerant during this time. Was this lack of overt anti-Semitism surprising? What other myths about medieval times did Rashi's Daughters debunk?

8. Religion was a powerful force for both Jews and Christians in medieval times. Is religion as powerful now? How does your religion, or lack of one, influence your life?

9. The author includes a glossary of terms at the end of her novel. Was it essential to your comprehension and enjoyment of the novel? Consider the ways in which Anton weaves the Hebrew words into her characters' dialogue, and determine how many (and which) of the terms can be learned strictly through context

From the Author:

"Rashi's Daughter - Secret Scholar" is not the third book in my adult historical trilogy. It is a reworking of "Book I - Joheved" for 9-14 year olds, or for adults who prefer less explicit sexual content. The Talmud scenes are also simpler than in the adult version. "Rashi's Daughters: Book III - Rachel" should be available in late Summer 2009, published by Plume

About this edition

• Publisher: JEWISH PUBLICATON SOCIETY
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0827608691
• ISBN 13: 9780827608696
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 160