Joshua and the Judges

Eve, Sarah, Rachel, Miriam, Batsheva . . . From the outside, the women of the Bible appear to play only a supportive role in a drama dominated by men; from the inside emerges a very different story . . .

Rahab reassured the strangers of her willingness to protect them. She told them that she was ten years old when the Jews left Egypt, and had followed all that happened to them with the greatest admiration.

Deborah used to sit under a palm tree and speak to the people who flocked to hear her words of wisdom and encouragement.

Hannah was married to Elkanah, but they faced a challenging situation as she was unable to bear children.

Deborah was there because Rebecca was fulfilling a promise she made to Jacob 36 years earlier.

Joshua Sends Spies to Jericho A major part of the portion of Shelach is occupied with the story of the spies sent by Moses to the Land of Israel. Forty years later, now at the threshold of entry into the land, Moses’ successor, Joshua, sends two spies of ...