The Women's Torah Commentary

The Women's Torah Commentary: New Insights from Women Rabbis on the 54 Weekly Torah Portions,
by Rabbi Elyse Goldstein (Jewish Lights Publishing)

Reviewed by Rabbi Larry Raphael, (author of Mystery Midrash: An Anthology of Jewish Mystery and Detective Fiction)

A basic tenet of theories of creativity note that to see the old in a new way is fundamental to one's creative insight. This volume of commentaries to each and every parashah is a tool that can give every reader insights and stimulate their creative thinking. The Women's Torah Commentary is a terrific resource with essays from a wide range of women colleagues (Reform, Conservative, and Reconstructionist) including the first woman ordained by each of these movements.

There are many gems in the book, but the essay at the beginning on "What You Need to Know to Use This Book" and the excellent bibliography make it a priceless resource for any home or library.

Familiar as I am with many contemporary commentaries on the Torah, I recommend this book without reservation.

Read Jack Riemer's review in the San Francisco's Jewish Bulletin