The Talmud tells us, “when the month of Adar enters, we increase in joy” (Taanit 29a). This month contains the holiday of Purim, when we celebrate the miracle of our survival. If you’re looking for ways to celebrate or learn more, explore this Adar reading list.
Along with being a happy, lucky month, Adar is also considered to be a month of miracles. It was the last month that the Jewish people spent in Egypt. It’s seen as an opening to the miracles of Nisan—the Exodus. As we turn to the Exodus and the parting of the sea, the season melts from the cold, dark winter months into the warmth of early spring.
Adar also brings the date of Moses’ death (and birth!), 7 Adar. Some Chevra Kadisha groups fast on this day. They gather to recognize the sacred work they do. In Israel, this day is a day of remembrance of the IDF soldiers who have died in battle but have not been found or identified. A memorial service for these soldiers takes place each year in the Garden of the Missing in Action at Mount Herzl.
This month is a great time to read about strong Jewish women or the heroic soldiers of the IDF. We’ve put together an Adar reading list of books to do just that.
If you’re in the mood for some Adar reading about strong Jewish women:
When We’re Born We Forget Everything: A Memoir by Alicia Jo Rabins
Some say the name of this month is related to the Hebrew word “adir.” This word can mean “strong” or “majestic,” as seen in Psalm 93 and in Isaiah 33. On Purim, we read about the strength of Esther. Purim is a feminist holiday, reminding us of strong women in our history. Rabins’s memoir explores her Jewish identity and braids it with her musical journey and spiritual seeking. She searches for her place in Judaism, finding solace in feminist interpretations of Biblical women and with kindred souls.
If you’re looking for a contemporary twist on the story of Esther:
The Book of V.: A Novel by Anna Solomon
Solomon’s novel weaves together the stories of three women across history. Lily, a mother and wife in 2016, doesn’t feel like she fits in with the other moms. Watergate-era Vivian puts up with her husband’s sexual forcefulness even though she knows it’s wrong. The Purim story’s protagonist, Esther, lives in ancient Persia. When Vivian’s husband humiliates her and crosses a line, she finally stands up to him. She changes her life (and others’) forever. As these stories overlap and intersect, Solomon illustrates what strong women throughout time have faced, especially when people (namely, men) feel threatened by them.
If you want some academic Adar reading about women in the Bible:
Reading the Women of the Bible: A New Interpretation of Their Stories by Tikva Frymer-Kensky
This book isn’t an easy read, but it’s well worth it. A National Jewish Book Award–winner, Frymer-Kensky explores women’s experiences in a patriarchal society, as well as the Bible’s relevance to today’s everyday life. Her close reading of Biblical texts and insights is nuanced, and she brings in traditional approaches and contemporary ideas to create a book that is accessible and thought-provoking.
If you want some Adar reading for the whole family:
The Koren TanakhAn acronym for the name of the Hebrew Bible: Torah, Neviim, and Ketuvim. Read more Graphic Novel: Esther by Jordan Gorfinkel, illustrated by Yael Nathan
This beautifully-done graphic novel contains the unabridged Hebrew text of Megillat Esther, alongside richly colored illustrations and English text of the Purim story. Gorfinkel and Nathan have captured it all, while still making it appropriate for the entire family to read together. Kids will love seeing the characters come to life and adults will appreciate the artistry and craft that’s evident in this oversized book. This Adar, reading about Esther can bring the whole family together.
If you want some Adar reading about the IDF:
Beaufort by Ron Leshem, translated by Evan Fallenberg
Drawn to 7 Adar and honoring the soldiers of the IDF? Simply interested in the experience of being in the IDF? Check out this Sapir Prize-winning book. (There’s also a movie.) Leshem, an Israeli journalist, has created a historical novel about soldiers at the fortress of Beaufort, in the buffer zone in southern Lebanon, before the withdrawal. He writes honestly about the horrors of war and brings up difficult topics and questions in a way that readers will appreciate.
Which book from this Adar reading list will you start off with this month?
