The Seven Prophetesses of Israel
The Talmud in Megilla 14a-b lists seven women and their prophecies (Sarah, Miriam, Devorah, Chana, Avigail, Chulda, and Esther). What did the rabbis have to say about these women? How can we understand them through the midrashic explanation in the gemara? What is added by reading their stories in the context on the Tanakh? Learn with Mrs. Aviva Stern and by the end of this series, we will have a multifaceted appreciation for these seven women, both as individuals who achieved greatness, as well as leaders and role models for personal and national connection to God.
The Seven Prophetesses of Israel: Lesson 1
THE SEVEN PROPHETESSES OF ISRAEL #1: INTRODUCTION, SARAH AND MIRIAM: Hello everyone! Tomorrow we begin our series on the Seven Prophetesses! The series will start off with, and periodically return to, the Gemara in Masechet Megilla 14a. We will learn that gemara together tomorrow and begin our study with the first two nevi’ot mentioned, Sarah and Miriam. Source sheets with all of the texts will be uploaded to view during the class. The majority of the sources will be from Tanakh, so if you prefer to learn from a book rather than the screen, I recommend keeping a Tanakh close by. Please feel free to email me with any questions or comments. Looking forward to learning together, Aviva
The Seven Prophetesses of Israel: Lesson 2
THE SEVEN PROPHETESSES OF ISRAEL #2: MIRIAM: Hi everyone, I am looking forward to continuing our study of the nevi’ot with you today. We will spend a few moments reviewing and reflecting on our discussion of Sarah from last week, and then we will continue on and learn about Miriam and Devorah. Best, Aviva
The Seven Prophetesses of Israel: Lesson 4
THE SEVEN PROPHETESSES OF ISRAEL #4 – AVIGAYIL: Hi everyone, Slight change of plans, in today’s class we will learn about Avigayil, and I anticipate she will take the full hour. Next week we will start off with Chulda, and then finish off the series with our study of Esther, right in time for Adar. Looking forward, Aviva
The Seven Prophetesses of Israel: Lesson 5
Aviva Stern is a Yoetzet Halacha for the Efrat community and master Jewish educator. She is a head limudei kodesh teacher at Orot Etzion Banot in Efrat and is an experienced kallah teacher. She holds a BA in Jewish Studies and an MA in Bible, both from Yeshiva University, as well as a teaching certificate in Tanakh from Herzog College. She lives in Efrat with her husband and six children.