Study Oct 17 – Michal and Paltiel
When Michal, David’s wife, rescued him from Saul, David fled, leaving her behind (1 Sam 19:12). Saul gave her as wife to Paltiel (1 Sam 25:44). After the death of Saul, David demanded his wife back. When they took Michal from Paltiel, “her husband went with her, weeping as he went.” (2 Sam 3:13-16). Such a poignant story. We wonder if David ever loved anyone.
Welcome to StudyWithPenina
I teach classes at Congregation Eitz Chayim (1st and 3rd Weds, 7:30-9:00 pm). All are welcome: prior text study or knowledge of Hebrew is not necessary. Study is interfaith and gender sensitive. We often share snacks and a bottle of wine. I also lead occasional workshops for Keshet and Nehirim. Classes and workshops I have delivered are here.
Interesting insight into how Biblical Archeology is done
The site is Gath. Video Interview with Tell es-Safi/Gath’s Aren Maeir – Biblical Archaeology Society.
Study of II Samuel is Coming Oct 3
Stay tuned as we pick up our study of King David and all the assorted siblings, soldiers, children, wives and mothers. On October 3rd join us for II Samuel, Chapter 1 & 2. Read David’s poignant lament over the deaths of Jonathan and Saul, and learn about his first days as King over Judah. “David’s story has a way of shifting out from under us. It is a story that refuses to be tamed, secured, or neatly ordered.” -Gunn and Fewell: Narrative in the Hebrew Bible.
Good discussion topic
King David amongst the Philistines, or how to trick your way into power when you don’t have authority. Note: men in the bible do this along with women.
Wednesday July 18 Ruth starting with Ch 2
We will study Ruth in detail. We will read through the text and consider issues of identity (both loss and change), redemption, affliction by YHWH, the role of women in transforming society, love between women, Naomi as a Jobian figure, the significance of the book of Ruth in the biblical narrative, the place of both Ruth and Boaz in the genealogy of King David.
Study with Penina – Ruth – Wednesday July 11
We will study Ruth in detail in two classes. We will read through the text and consider issues of identity (both loss and change), redemption, affliction by YHWH, the role of women in transforming society, love between women, Naomi as a Jobian figure, the significance of the book of Ruth in the biblical narrative, the place of both Ruth and Boaz in the genealogy of King David.
Wednesday, June 20 Rebecca
We will study Rebecca and consider to what extent she is (or is not) shown in the text to be much like Abraham. We did a short study at Shavuot; this will be more intensive.
Wednesday, June 6, 7:30pm, 1 Samuel Chapter 31 and 2 Samuel Chapter 1
——-Marc Chagall The Death of Saul Join us as we finish the first book of Samuel (it really finishes with 2 Samuel Ch 1).Cry with us as we say goodbye to Saul whom we have come to know. As we study David’s famous elegy over the slain Saul and Jonathan, question with us, “Who is David?” “Thy beauty, O Israel,Upon thy high places is slain. How the mighty are fallen.” — 2 Samuel 1:19 “David’s story has a way of shifting out from under us. It is a story that refuses to be tamed, secured, or neatly ordered.” —David M….
Wednesday, May 16, 7:30pm, 1 Samuel Chapters 28-29
The Witch of Endor Raising the Spirit of Samuel, 1800, by William Blake Clipped on 12-May-2012, from Drawing Life by Fred Hatt Chapter 28 is the story of the ghost-wife, or necromancer, also called the Witch of Endor, who conjures Samuel up from the grave in response to Saul’s plea. Some commentators feel this story is the basis for the witches in Macbeth. “This woman has defied the decree against calling the dead [Lev 20-27; Deut 18:10-11] and is still adept at her trade. This story sets the stage for centuries of Jewish women’s spiritual arts that were banished underground…