Blog

Off to Rochester and Cleveland

I'm about to enbark on a short author tour to the chilly northwest (midwest?). On Wednesday evening, March 29 I'm speaking in Cleveland, Ohio and the next afternoon I'm doing a program in Rochester, NY. The last I looked the high temperature was 40 degrees, which I'm told is mild for this time of year. The fun part will be taking the train from Cleveland to Rochester at 4 am on Thursday morning. Hey, it's actually more convenient (and a whole lot cheaper) than flying.

Medieval Jewish Superstitions

When I lecture about Rashi's Daughters and medieval Jewish women, someone always asks me with surprise about the "superstitious" stuff in my book; either where did I find it or did scholars like Rashi really believe it. Here's a short answer:

In the Rashi's time, all Jews (and Christians too) whether educated or not, accepted demons as a part of creation. Nearly all of my demonology and "superstitions" are right from the Talmud, and from his commentaries, it's clear that Rashi "believed" in these things as did the Talmudic sages. For example: Rashi writes that the way a mezuzah is attached is very important, because if it's done wrong, the house will not be protected against demons.
The medieval kabbalists wrote even more of what we would call magical or superstitious subjects, and these were among the most educated Jews of their time. Today it's nice to think of the sheydim as germs, but that gives germs a malicious intent that properly belongs to the demons.

Astrology WAS science in those days, and the main reason medieval scientists developed trigonometry and astronomy was in order to track the planets and stars, and thus determine the future. Jews hoping to discover when the messiah was coming were particularly into these studies. In his commentary on tractate Shabbat, Rashi gives a lengthy explanation of lucky and unlucky days, which days and times are ruled by which planet and when are the proper times to do various activities (leave for a journey, move to a new home, blood letting, etc).

Happy Purim

Be Happy - it's Adar. Well, tonight was Purim and we another raucous ruckus at my synagogue, BCC (Beth Chayim Chadashim) in Los Angeles. As is our tradition, folks read the megillah in as many different languages as we can find people to do them. Of course I read chapter six in Klingon (translation curtesy of Mark Okrand, my old high school classmate). Others read in Japanese, Latin, Yiddish, Farsi, Mandarin Chinese and sign language, not to mention Spanish and French. No Portugese this year - Merav moved to DC, and no Swedish - Aaron is on a flight to Sweden even now. Of course the highlight of the evening was my husband Dave chanting chapter nine in Hebrew using the traditional cantillation for the Book of Esther.

US News and World Report

I am so amazed to be in U.S. News and World Report; somebody from the magazine called me and asked for a copy of the book, but I never expect my cover to be on the first page. Frankly I have no idea how they found Rashi's Daughters; my publicist didn't do it. My website has never had so many hits in a day and my Amazon ranking has never been higher either. It's very exciting. Interesting that I can't find any mention in the article itself but who cares? A picture is worth a thousand words. WOW!!

Book Two teaser

Many readers have worried about what happens to Miriam and Benjamin after the end of the teaser included in Book One - Joheved. I want to assure everyone that, even though the scream is Miriam's, Benjamin will rush back to rescue her in time and they will be instrumental in capturing the local gang of highway robbers.