Personalities of the Bible

Leah’s Improbable Optimism

The first wife of Jacob endured a loveless marriage, but her story is one of perseverance.

Eshet Manoah: Mother of the Mighty Samson

One of the Bible’s many barren women, she had the grace and grit to become mother to the "Jewish Hercules."

Elisha

Successor to the prophet Elijah, he healed the sick, raised the dead, and made iron float—but he was also a prophet who made serious mistakes.

Miriam the Prophetess

The sister of Moses and Aaron was an important part of the sibling team that led Israel out of Egypt and through the wilderness.

Who Was Bathsheba (Batsheva)?

King David's wife and King Solomon's mother came on the scene because of David's wandering gaze.

Will the Real Esther Please Stand Up?

The heroine of the Purim story is portrayed in contradictory ways in the biblical book that bears her name.

Jonah: The Apathetic Prophet

The real message of the story we read on Yom Kippur isn't about the power of repentance, but about taking responsibility for others.

Nahum: A Prophet Looking Backward

Most Israelite prophets predicted the future to coax better behavior, but Nahum dwelt on the past to valorize Israel.

Who Was Dinah?

Dinah's debut is as quick as her disappearance in the Torah.

The Prophet Jeremiah and His Times

Jeremiah is commonly seen as a prophet of gloom, but at times he delivered words of comfort that are second to none in their eloquence.

Who Was Job’s Wife?

Job’s wife has no name and only a single line in his story, and yet I find her unforgettable — ...

What Job Can Teach Us About Coping with Mental Health Crises

Job teaches us that helping those in overwhelming pain requires a careful balance between listening and understanding their unique agony while not making them feel too different or isolated.