Prof. Yael Shemesh is an Associate Professor in Hebrew Bible at Bar-Ilan University. She holds a Ph.D. in biblical studies from Bar-Ilan University and is the author of Mourning in the Bible: Coping with Loss in Biblical Literature (Hebrew), “The Stories of Women in a Man’s World: The Books of Ruth, Esther, and Judith” (in Feminist Interpretation of the Hebrew Bible in Retrospect), “‘And Many Beasts’ (Jonah 4:11): The Function and Status of Animals in the Book of Jonah”(JHS 10), and Elisha: The Holy Man of God (Leiden: Brill).
Last Updated
November 5, 2025
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With a miracle of an overflowing jar of oil, Elisha saves a widow’s sons from debt-slavery. He then grants the Shunammite woman a child and later resurrects that child from an untimely death. Both stories craft a portrait of a prophet exercising powers usually reserved for God. Is this prophetic hagiography or criticism of his encroachment on God’s domain?
With a miracle of an overflowing jar of oil, Elisha saves a widow’s sons from debt-slavery. He then grants the Shunammite woman a child and later resurrects that child from an untimely death. Both stories craft a portrait of a prophet exercising powers usually reserved for God. Is this prophetic hagiography or criticism of his encroachment on God’s domain?
In contrast to Descartes’ theory of animals as automatons, the Torah and rabbinic text express deep concern for animal suffering. One vivid example is the donkey’s rebuke of Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me?” (Num 22:28).
In contrast to Descartes’ theory of animals as automatons, the Torah and rabbinic text express deep concern for animal suffering. One vivid example is the donkey’s rebuke of Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me?” (Num 22:28).
