The Deeper Song

Children's Literature - Judy Silverman

One of the problems with writing about Judaism as it was practiced five thousand years ago is that we know very little about it. At the time of this book, Solomon is building his palace and trying to keep his kingdom together. His son Rehoboam is not strong enough to do it. Judith, the daughter of the high priest, has been allowed by her father to study-not much, but she is literate. And not only does she hear the stories, she tells her own. But no one listens to her except her slave Tamar and her cousin Samuel. She is tempted to worship Asherah, a goddess whose rituals appeal to women. When Roman soldiers destroy the sacred grove and kill Tamar, Samuel asks Judith to write down the stories; he hopes that having an actual book will help the people and the government. Judith isn't so sure, and she knows that she will never get credit for the stories, but for the love she has for her god (Yahweh), her father, and Samuel, she will try. Sounds more complicated than it is, but it's well put together and very readable. Recommended.

VOYA - Kathleen Beck

A few years ago, The Book of J by Harold Bloom and David Rosenberg (Grove Weidenfeld, 1990) caused a minor theological stir. Embedded in the first three books of the Bible, the authors contended, was an older manuscript probably written by a woman and reflecting a decidedly non-conformist view of Yahweh. Author Pfitsch bases her novel on this premise. Judith is the rebellious daughter of a high priest at the court of Solomon. Seeking to escape the constraints of a patriarchal religious and social system, she is drawn to goddess worship with its rites of fertility and feminine strength. A chance encounter at the Temple of Asherah rekindles her affection for her cousin Samuel, who soon involves her in a dangerous enterprise. To unify the kingdom when Solomon dies, Samuel tells her, the people need a written version of their history and beliefs. Judith, a gifted storyteller, agrees to write it, weaving in her own views of the patriarchs and subtly incorporating teachings of the goddess. A woman will subvert the male-dominated system and leave her mark on the religion of Yahweh forever. The idea is intriguing but not entirely successful. It is unlikely that Judith's willfulness would be tolerated, given the times and her father's prominent position. Most young readers will be unfamiliar with The Book of J or goddess worship, and so will miss much of the context. There is an undercurrent of bitterness toward men and toward the Judeo-Christian belief system that will put off some readers; unfortunately, the story is not strong enough to compensate and Pfitsch's novel will have difficulty finding an audience. VOYA Codes: 2Q 2P J (Better editing or work by the author might have warranted a 3Q; For the YA with a special interest in the subject; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9).

School Library Journal

Gr 8-10-Judith is the headstrong daughter of one of King Solomon's priests. She is unhappy with the life that Yahweh, the God of her people, offers women. She and Tamar, her slave and best friend, sneak out at night to worship the Goddess, for which they could be killed. They participate in a fertility ritual in which each girl has sexual intercourse, Judith for the first time, and with someone she loves. Her cousin, Samuel, is a priest who also appreciates the Goddess. He is worried about the future of his people, and believes the only way to unite them is to write down the ancient stories, the words of Yahweh. Judith is the best storyteller, but because she is a woman, the credit must be given to Samuel. Judith decides that she will not betray the Goddess by writing only men's stories, but she will also write of women's strength and courage, and increase their role in religion and society. This original and exciting historical novel delves into the issue of who wrote the Bible and of the rights of women in the ancient religion of the Hebrews. In an author's note, Pfitsch explains that this book is a work of fiction derived from theories, facts, and her own speculation. Judith and Tamar are strong female characters, feminists fighting for rights that may be historically out of place but are integrated well into the story. Although some dialogue is forced and embedded with background information, the exciting plot and romantic love story keep the pages turning.-Elisabeth Palmer Abarbanel, Brentwood School, Los Angeles