Rachel is the youngest and
most beautiful daughter of medieval Jewish scholar, Salomon ben Isaac,
or “Rashi.” Her father’s favorite and adored by her new husband,
Eliezer, Rachel’s life looks to be one filled with peaceful
scholarship, security, and love. But events beyond her control will
soon threaten everything she holds dear as the marauders of the First
Crusade massacre nearly the entire Jewish population of Germany, and
her beloved father suffers a stroke. Eliezer wants their family to move
to the safety of Spain, but Rachel is determined to stay in France and
help her family save the Troyes yeshiva, the only remnant of the great
centers of Jewish learning in Europe.
“With only scraps of
information about Rashi’s daughters, Anton has brought these three
women to life. A stunning achievement. You will not be able to put this
book down and you may even find yourself rushing off to study Talmud.
So curl up in your favorite chair and savor every moment.”
--Judith Hauptman, Professor of Talmud and Rabbinic Culture, Jewish
Theological Seminary; author of Rereading the Rabbis, A Woman’s Voice.