3.27.2009

A Heroine of The Exodus: Serach Bat Asher

In the Passover Haggadah we say “the more one talks about the Exodus, the more praise one deserves.” With this in mind, the following texts will examine a little known figure from the Exodus story, Serach the daughter of Asher. As you will see, Midrashic literature links Serach to the Exodus story and the rest of Jewish history. Serach offers a wonderful female character to incorporate into the Passover story. As her character is developed in the midrashic sources, she also raises important questions about Jewish memory.

Serach, in Rabbinic literature is the female Elijah, helping out at critical times throughout the generations, for it is written in the midrash--

Her mouth is full of wisdom (Proverbs 31:26) -- This refers to Serach the daughter of Asher who did not taste the taste of death.

For more midrashim on the wonders of an Eishet Chayil: Clck here.

1 comment:

  1. I came across your blog in preparing my own post at bettyannsbestbets.blogspot.com and see we share interests in many of the same blogs (Jeffrey Goldberg is one of my all-time heroes!). I invite you to visit and share your thoughts on any of my posts.
    I also see your last posts appear to be in September of 2009, and hope you are OK.
    Betty Ann

    ReplyDelete