Rabow takes a minutely close look at the Genesis figure of Leah, daughter of Laban, older sister of Rachel, wife of Jacob and mother of 7 of Jacob's children, including Judah, Levi, and Dinah. This seemingly important woman receives scant textual treatment in Genesis itself; rather, it is in the midrash, the body of commentary on scripture which extends from early rabbinic writings to contemporary scholars, that brings Leah to life.
In the end, Rabow's book is as much about this midrashic process as about Leah herself. This is not a criticism; I was grateful, after having read the word midrash many times, to see it in action, as it were. Somewhat formulaic in presentation, but gracefully written and enlightening.
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