Chanah's Voice

In her first book <i>Life on the Fringes</i> Haviva Ner-David described her quest to become an Orthodox rabbi to serve God the same way men traditionally did. Now Rabbi Ner-David tunes in to an aspect of God she hadn't heard before the voice of Chanah.<p><br>Chanah the Biblical mother of Samuel was considered by tradition to have invented prayer. Her name is also an acronym for the three commandments given to women: Challah the taking of an offering from baking dough; Niddah separation during menstruation followed by immersion; and Hadlakat HaNer lighting the Sabbath candles. <p><br>In this spiritual memoir Rabbi Ner-David explores the spirituality of domestic life while struggling with the strictures of systematized Jewish law. Combining soul-searching honesty and deep Jewish knowledge <i>Chanah's Voice</i> is the compelling voice of a new generation of Jewish feminism.<p><br>A beautiful example of how to wrestle with God Torah and one's self. -Brad Hirschfield author of <i>You Don't Have to Be Wrong for Me to Be Right</i><p><br>New challenges new insights and at times new theological innovations.<br>-Jay Michaelson <i>author of Everything is God: The Radical Path of Nondual Judaism</i><p><br>This profound meditation on spiritual integrity vulnerability and holiness is a must-read for anyone who values Judaism. Haviva Ner-David has once again illuminated the way for us enlivening ancient concepts and imbuing them with deep spiritual meaning.<br>-Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg author <i>Surprised by God: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Religion</i><p><br>Haviva Ner-David is one of the most original thinkers on the Jewish scene today. In Chanah's Voice she takes what have sadly become stale rituals and re-envisions them anew. Ner-David's powerful stories of family tradition and love will inspire readers to find deeper meaning in their Jewish lives. <br>-Ari L. Goldman author <i>Living a Year of Kaddish: A Memoir </i><p><br>I have always admired Haviva. I loved her first book yet <i>Chanah's Voice</i> is more remarkable. It is not only a unique contribution to the literature of feminism and Orthodoxy but also a significant work that better fits the categories of the theology and social anthropology than autobiography. Perhaps this is how all theological works should be: written engagingly in the first person making accessible to the reader the struggle of an individual or community trying to make sense of one's relationship with God.<br>-Blu Greenberg author <i>On Women and Judaism: A View from Tradition</i>