Serach bat Asher

Among all the men mentioned in lists of Israelite genealogy, Serach, the daughter of Asher, stands out as one of those few women whose cryptic mention seems designed to raise questions. Join Mrs. Sarah Rudolph and examine some of the answers suggested to those questions as we get to know this woman whose role among her nation has captured imaginations for centuries.

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July 8, 2020 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Serach bat Asher: Lesson

Class description

Why is Serach identified in Bereishit 46:17 as her brothers’ sister, rather than as her father’s daughter?

Why is she listed at all, there or in Bamidbar 26:46 – where the only other women listed are those who will receive a portion of land in Canaan?

What does midrashic tradition have to say about this obscure individual, singled out for mention when most names surrounding her are male?

This class will explore several approaches to understanding the character of Serach bat Asher, from the personal to the practical to the national and eternal.

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Mrs. Sarah Rudolph

Sarah Rudolph is a freelance Jewish educator, writer, and editor. She has been sharing her passion for Jewish texts of all kinds for over 15 years, with students of all ages. Sarah’s essays have been published in a variety of internet and print media, including Times of Israel, Kveller, Jewish Action, OU Life, The Lehrhaus, TorahMusings, and more. She is Editor-At-Large, Deracheha: womenandmitzvot.org. Sarah lives in Cleveland with her husband and four children, but is privileged to learn online with students all over the world.