
The Matriarchs in Genesis Rabbah
Katie J. Woolstenhulme(Author)
T.& T.Clark Ltd (Publisher)
Published on 30. June 2022
Book
Paperback/Softback
296 pages
978-0-567-69684-7 (ISBN)
Description
Katie J. Woolstenhulme considers the pertinent questions: Who were 'the matriarchs', and what did the rabbis think about them? Whilst scholarship on the role of women in the Bible and Rabbinic Judaism has increased, the authoritative group of women known as 'the matriarchs' has been neglected. This volume consequently focuses on the role and status of the biblical matriarchs in Genesis Rabbah, the fifth century CE rabbinic commentary on Genesis.
Woolstenhulme begins by discussing the nature of midrash and introducing Genesis Rabbah; before exploring the term 'the matriarchs' and its development through early exegetical literature, culminating in the emergence of two definitions of the term in Genesis Rabbah - 'the matriarchs' as the legitimate wives of Israel's patriarchs, and 'the matriarchs' as a reference to Jacob's four wives, who bore Israel's tribal ancestors. She then moves to discuss 'the matriarchal cycle' in Genesis Rabbah with its three stages of barrenness; motherhood; and succession. Finally, Woolstenhulme considers Genesis Rabbah's portrayal of the matriarchs as representatives of the female sex, exploring positive and negative rabbinic attitudes towards women with a focus on piety, prayer, praise, beauty and sexuality, and the matriarchs' exemplification of stereotypical, negative female traits. This volume concludes that for the ancient rabbis, the matriarchs were the historical mothers of Israel, bearing covenant sons, but also the present mothers of Israel, continuing to influence Jewish identity.
Woolstenhulme begins by discussing the nature of midrash and introducing Genesis Rabbah; before exploring the term 'the matriarchs' and its development through early exegetical literature, culminating in the emergence of two definitions of the term in Genesis Rabbah - 'the matriarchs' as the legitimate wives of Israel's patriarchs, and 'the matriarchs' as a reference to Jacob's four wives, who bore Israel's tribal ancestors. She then moves to discuss 'the matriarchal cycle' in Genesis Rabbah with its three stages of barrenness; motherhood; and succession. Finally, Woolstenhulme considers Genesis Rabbah's portrayal of the matriarchs as representatives of the female sex, exploring positive and negative rabbinic attitudes towards women with a focus on piety, prayer, praise, beauty and sexuality, and the matriarchs' exemplification of stereotypical, negative female traits. This volume concludes that for the ancient rabbis, the matriarchs were the historical mothers of Israel, bearing covenant sons, but also the present mothers of Israel, continuing to influence Jewish identity.
Reviews / Votes
[The author] has achieved an analogous raising of the profile of 'the matriarchs' by this fine study of their role and status within Genesis Rabbah. * Journal for the Study of the Old Testament *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Edinburgh
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
ISBN-13
978-0-567-69684-7 (9780567696847)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Katie J. Woolstenhulme
The Matriarchs in Genesis Rabbah
E-Book
12/2020
1st Edition
T.& T.Clark Ltd
€35.49
Available for download

Katie J. Woolstenhulme
The Matriarchs in Genesis Rabbah
E-Book
12/2020
1st Edition
T.& T.Clark Ltd
€35.49
Available for download
Person
Katie J. Woolstenhulme completed her PhD thesis at Durham University, UK. Now, she teaches.
Content
Preface
Acknowledgments
Abbreviations
1. Introduction
2. Rabbinic Midrash: An Introduction
3. 'The Matriarchs'
4. Preface to Part II: The Matriarchal Cycle
5. Barrenness
6. Motherhood
7. Legitimacy and Succession
8. The Rabbis and the Matriarchs as Women
9. Conclusions
Bibliography
Index
Acknowledgments
Abbreviations
1. Introduction
2. Rabbinic Midrash: An Introduction
3. 'The Matriarchs'
4. Preface to Part II: The Matriarchal Cycle
5. Barrenness
6. Motherhood
7. Legitimacy and Succession
8. The Rabbis and the Matriarchs as Women
9. Conclusions
Bibliography
Index