{"title":"Bible Commentary - Book of Esther Megilat Esther","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"the-hidden-and-the-revealed","title":"The Hidden and The Revealed","description":"\u003cp\u003eA stunning art book, but far more. In addition to glittering reproductions, details and working drawings of the ten mammoth pieces in this award-winning series about Esther of the Bible, the book features the artist's own story, illuminating her journey from war-torn Romania to Israel to Canada, what drew her to Esther and mosaics as a medium, and how she employed ancient techniques with a contemporary sensibility. An art historian provides a chapter comparing Broca's interpretation of Esther to that of such past artists as Rembrandt and Artemisia Gentileschi. The book finishes with a provocative, lyrical prose-poem written in the imagined voice of Esther by a prominent rabbi and scholar. An appendix provides the full text of Esther in beautiful calligraphed Hebrew with an accompanying English translation. Seven years in the making, The Queen Esther Mosaics by Lilian Broca contribute to the vital historic task of what the biblical scholar Naomi Graetz called for in S\/He Created Them: Feminist Retellings of Biblical Tales:‘…to put woman's voice back where it should have been in the first place.’ From the Preface Byy internationally acclaimed artist and author Judy Chicago. Lavishly illustrated, The Hidden and the Revealed brings print as close as possible to capturing the shimmering brilliance of artist Lilian Broca's monumental Queen Esther Mosaic Series. In favorably comparing Broca’s depictions of Esther to those of Rembrandt, Artemisia Gentileschi, Gustave Doré, and other artists of the past, art historian Sheila Campbell writes that mosaic is 'a dynamic medium, the image constantly and subtly changing…[that] works together with the content and style of presentation to make the queen a provocative, three-dimensional character.' Created in classical Byzantine style but with contemporary sensibility, Broca’s mosaics literally give light – and life – to the complex personality of Esther: the Jewish queen of Persia who, through sheer courage and genius, rose from shy obscurity to become her people’s savior. Inspired by Broca's mosaics to create a vividly lyrical prose-poem in the queen’s own, now elder-sage voice, rabbi and scholar Yosef Wosk manifests the heart of a multifaceted character: And I am Estr the hidden moon-one, she who swaddles the eclipsed light until its chosen nativity; who hides from king and court, from haremed friend and plotting foe. I am she who must conceal so that others never have to, who hides to avoid confrontation, who hides in the image of God, who hides in hiding… In Broca’s compelling mosaics, what is hidden is now revealed: vibrantly alive, glowing with a rich intensity, radiating meaning and relevance for the viewer of today. Reviews: This is a unique exploration of “The Esther Mosaics” by Lilian Broca. It is divided into three sections. The first is written by the author and charts her journey in making these pieces of art. The reader learns about the techniques used in creating the mosaics as well as the emotional equity that went into them. There is also some background information on the artist. The second part, written by Sheila Campbell, is a historical piece that places Broca’s work into context of other works about Esther. The third is a more literary approach by Yosef Wosk and includes pieces of poems, essays, and narrative conversations. These are quite powerful coming just after the exploration of Broca’s work. The mosaics themselves are stunning, the commitment to place the characters in the correct historical context is wonderful, and the colors are reathtaking. There is also a grand scope to these pieces that feels quite regal. A beautiful Hebrew-English version of the book of Esther (the Megillah) is provided in the back, and there are notes at the end of each section. The book would have been even more effective if images of the mosaics had been isolated in the front of the book. This book would be appropriate for synagogue libraries; it is recommended for Jewish libraries. Debbie Feder Director, Library Resource Center, Ida Crown Jewish Academy, Chicago, IL For centuries, the most serious art in Italy was laboriously crafted in mosaics. It was taken for granted that the Bible’s timeless stories deserved the timelessness of polished stones. It’s an old idea, but Lilian Broca sees the point. She makes contemporary art with the merits of ancient art. John T. Spike author, art historian, art critic, and past director of the Florence Biennale International Exhibitions\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Lilian Broca and Sheila Campbell and Judy Chicago and Yosef Wosk","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54336604668214,"sku":"560-6","price":28.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0993\/2092\/2422\/files\/i94818.49111.jpg?v=1785309492"},{"product_id":"unusual-bible-interpretations-ruth-esther-and-judith","title":"Unusual Bible Interpretations: Ruth, Esther and Judith","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis fourth volume of the Unusual Bible Interpretations series explores the biblical books Ruth and Esther and the apocryphal book Judith, which Jews and Protestants did not include in the Bible. Similar to Joshua and Judges, neither Ruth nor Esther shows any familiarity with the laws in the Five Books of Moses. Remarkably, Judith contains more religious expressions than either Ruth or Esther. Why, then, did the rabbis exclude it from the Bible? After a detailed analysis of the story, this book offers an answer to this age-old question. The volume contains a plethora of unexpected and thought-provoking facts, such as: Although many rabbis suggest that Ruth converted to Judaism, the story stresses repeatedly even at the end that Ruth is a Moabite. No mention is made that she converted. Indeed, the practice of conversion most likely did not exist prior to 125 BCE. Mordecai is the hero of Purim. It is he, not Esther, whom the book praises in its conclusion. According to II Maccabees 15:36, Adar 14 was called the Day of Mordecai. Both Esther's and Mordecai's names, although considered Jewish names today, are Persian names most likely based on the idols Ishtar and Marduk. In the book of Judith, the Judeans prayerfully wait for God to save them from the Assyrian siege. In contrast, Judith devises a plan to kill the general and save her people. Unusual Bible Interpretations offers fresh insight and a comparative analysis of three books with a female protagonist [...] is a worth­while read to explore these sto­ries in greater depth. Jessica Deutsch jewishbookcouncil.org, May 18, 2017 To see the entire review click here.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Israel Drazin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54336731840822,"sku":"9789652298799","price":18.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0993\/2092\/2422\/files\/i225167.47297.jpg?v=1785311550"},{"product_id":"the-book-of-esther","title":"The Book of Esther","description":"\u003cp\u003eFew volumes reflect understandings as varied as that of the Book of Esther. Embraced by many but disliked by others, it has constantly engaged its readers in new dialogue. On each reading, one is again drawn to the issues it confronts: family dynamics intergroup relations celebration armed resistance heroism sexual politics the nature of historical truth and much more. This commentary is framed by the equally fascinating story of the book’s changing interpretations.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Benjamin Segal","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54337182236982,"sku":"7801-09","price":16.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0993\/2092\/2422\/files\/i317089.26064.jpg?v=1785317490"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.gefenpublishing.com\/collections\/bible-commentary-book-of-esther-megilat-esther.oembed","provider":"Gefen Publishing House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}