Daniel and Judith

Daniel and Judith: Gender and Jewish Identity in Second Temple Judaism October | November | December | January
October 22, 2000
Daniel #1 - A Jew in the court of many kings
Main texts:: Daniel 1-2, 4
Further reading:: Genesis 40-41 (Joseph as dream interpreter for Pharaoh)
On-line Sources:: The Book of Daniel in Historical Context; Persia and Babylon
Themes:: What virtues are celebrated by the book of Daniel? How does Daniel compare to other biblical heroes? For instance, how does Daniel's wisdom compare to that of Joseph and Solomon?

What is the importance of dreams within these chapters? How does Daniel's knowledge of dream interpretation relate to God, on the one hand, and human history, on the other?

According to the book of Daniel, what were the problems faced by Jews living during the Exile under Babylonian rule? What are the proper responses to these problems? Do these responses seem viable as advice to Jews under foreign rule?

How are the foreign kings depicted in the book of Daniel? Are they portrayed only negatively or do they have some positive characteristics, as well? How does this compare to more familiar biblical stories, such as the book of Esther and the story of Joseph in Pharaoh's court?

November 12, 2000
Daniel #2 - Faith and wisdom in troubled times

Main texts:
Daniel 3, 5-6, 7; Susanna (xerox)

Further reading:
2 Samuel 11 (David and Bathsheba)

On-line Sources:
Prophecies in the Book of Daniel
Some Rabbinic Sources

Themes:
For the book of Daniel, what does it mean to be a good Jew, both in relationship to God and to non-Jews?

How does the book of Daniel depict the situation of Jews living in the Diaspora under Persian rule? In what ways do these stories speak, more universally, to the situation of Jews living among non-Jews? Is its message (or messages) still relevant?

What does the story of Susanna say about the status of women in this time? What makes Susanna a heroine? What does Daniel's role in this story communicate about the proper relationship between women and men? Is the significance of this story only historical (i.e. speaking only to a time in which the status of women was different than it is today) or are there ways of understanding it from a contemporary standpoint, as well?

Although these stories take place during the Babylonian Exile and Persian rule, most scholars believe that these traditions were compiled into the book of Daniel in the middle of the Maccabean Revolt. Does it seem strange to you that the book of Daniel may have arisen from that turbulent time?

December 10, 2000
Judith #1 - Femininity, power, and danger

Main texts:
Judith 5 (Achior's summary of Jewish history)
Judith 8-11 (Judith's plan for saving the Jews)

Further reading:
Skim chapters 1-4, 6-8 and/or refer to summary (xerox) for background
Rabbinic aggadic summaries of Judith (Hebrew; xerox)

On-line Sources:
Judith and Jewish History

Themes:
What stands out about the character of Judith? What makes her a heroine?
How does the relationship of Jews and non-Jews differ here from the chapters that we read in the book of Daniel?

How do Judith's response to problems compare to the responses of Daniel and his friends? In her response to the danger to the Jews from the Assyrians, in what ways does Judith act as a woman and in what ways does she act as a Jew?

January 7, 2000
Judith #2 - A women warrior triumphant

Main texts:
Judith's victory over Holofernes and the Assyrians - chapters 12-17

Further reading:
Judges 4-5, esp. 4:17-23 (The victory of Deborah and Yael over Sisera and the Canaanites)

On-line Sources:
Symbolism in the Book of Judith

Themes:
How does Judith, in her character and actions, combine feminine and masculine characteristics? What is the ideal of womanhood communicated by her character? How does she compare to other women in the Bible (esp. Deborah, Esther)?

The name "Judith" is "Ioudith" in Greek and thus "Yehudit" in Hebrew (both meaning "Jewess"). Many interpreters have suggested that she here symbolizes the Jewish people. Does this seem plausible to you? If so, is it important that the symbol of the Jewish people is here female?; What is the importance of dreams within these chapters? How does Daniel's knowledge of dream interpretation relate to God, on the one hand, and human history, on the other?

According to the book of Daniel, what were the problems faced by Jews living during the Exile under Babylonian rule? What are the proper responses to these problems? Do these responses seem viable as advice to Jews under foreign rule?

How are the foreign kings depicted in the book of Daniel? Are they portrayed only negatively or do they have some positive characteristics, as well? How does this compare to more familiar biblical stories, such as the book of Esther and the story of Joseph in Pharaoh's court?

November 12, 2000
Daniel #2 - Faith and wisdom in troubled times

Main texts:
Daniel 3, 5-6, 7; Susanna (xerox)

Further reading:
2 Samuel 11 (David and Bathsheba)

On-line Sources:
Prophecies in the Book of Daniel
Some Rabbinic Sources

Themes:
For the book of Daniel, what does it mean to be a good Jew, both in relationship to God and to non-Jews?

How does the book of Daniel depict the situation of Jews living in the Diaspora under Persian rule? In what ways do these stories speak, more universally, to the situation of Jews living among non-Jews? Is its message (or messages) still relevant?

What does the story of Susanna say about the status of women in this time? What makes Susanna a heroine? What does Daniel's role in this story communicate about the proper relationship between women and men? Is the significance of this story only historical (i.e. speaking only to a time in which the status of women was different than it is today) or are there ways of understanding it from a contemporary standpoint, as well?

Although these stories take place during the Babylonian Exile and Persian rule, most scholars believe that these traditions were compiled into the book of Daniel in the middle of the Maccabean Revolt. Does it seem strange to you that the book of Daniel may have arisen from that turbulent time?

December 10, 2000
Judith #1 - Femininity, power, and danger

Main texts:
Judith 5 (Achior's summary of Jewish history)
Judith 8-11 (Judith's plan for saving the Jews)

Further reading:
Skim chapters 1-4, 6-8 and/or refer to summary (xerox) for background
Rabbinic aggadic summaries of Judith (Hebrew; xerox)

On-line Sources:
Judith and Jewish History

Themes:
What stands out about the character of Judith? What makes her a heroine?
How does the relationship of Jews and non-Jews differ here from the chapters that we read in the book of Daniel?

How do Judith's response to problems compare to the responses of Daniel and his friends? In her response to the danger to the Jews from the Assyrians, in what ways does Judith act as a woman and in what ways does she act as a Jew?

January 7, 2000
Judith #2 - A women warrior triumphant

Main texts:
Judith's victory over Holofernes and the Assyrians - chapters 12-17

Further reading:
Judges 4-5, esp. 4:17-23 (The victory of Deborah and Yael over Sisera and the Canaanites)

On-line Sources:
Symbolism in the Book of Judith

Themes:
How does Judith, in her character and actions, combine feminine and masculine characteristics? What is the ideal of womanhood communicated by her character? How does she compare to other women in the Bible (esp. Deborah, Esther)?

The name "Judith" is "Ioudith" in Greek and thus "Yehudit" in Hebrew (both meaning "Jewess"). Many interpreters have suggested that she here symbolizes the Jewish people. Does this seem plausible to you? If so, is it important that the symbol of the Jewish people is here female?; According to the book of Daniel, what were the problems faced by Jews living during the Exile under Babylonian rule? What are the proper responses to these problems? Do these responses seem viable as advice to Jews under foreign rule?

How are the foreign kings depicted in the book of Daniel? Are they portrayed only negatively or do they have some positive characteristics, as well? How does this compare to more familiar biblical stories, such as the book of Esther and the story of Joseph in Pharaoh's court?

November 12, 2000
Daniel #2 - Faith and wisdom in troubled times

Main texts:
Daniel 3, 5-6, 7; Susanna (xerox)

Further reading:
2 Samuel 11 (David and Bathsheba)

On-line Sources:
Prophecies in the Book of Daniel
Some Rabbinic Sources

Themes:
For the book of Daniel, what does it mean to be a good Jew, both in relationship to God and to non-Jews?

How does the book of Daniel depict the situation of Jews living in the Diaspora under Persian rule? In what ways do these stories speak, more universally, to the situation of Jews living among non-Jews? Is its message (or messages) still relevant?

What does the story of Susanna say about the status of women in this time? What makes Susanna a heroine? What does Daniel's role in this story communicate about the proper relationship between women and men? Is the significance of this story only historical (i.e. speaking only to a time in which the status of women was different than it is today) or are there ways of understanding it from a contemporary standpoint, as well?

Although these stories take place during the Babylonian Exile and Persian rule, most scholars believe that these traditions were compiled into the book of Daniel in the middle of the Maccabean Revolt. Does it seem strange to you that the book of Daniel may have arisen from that turbulent time?

December 10, 2000
Judith #1 - Femininity, power, and danger

Main texts:
Judith 5 (Achior's summary of Jewish history)
Judith 8-11 (Judith's plan for saving the Jews)

Further reading:
Skim chapters 1-4, 6-8 and/or refer to summary (xerox) for background
Rabbinic aggadic summaries of Judith (Hebrew; xerox)

On-line Sources:
Judith and Jewish History

Themes:
What stands out about the character of Judith? What makes her a heroine?
How does the relationship of Jews and non-Jews differ here from the chapters that we read in the book of Daniel?

How do Judith's response to problems compare to the responses of Daniel and his friends? In her response to the danger to the Jews from the Assyrians, in what ways does Judith act as a woman and in what ways does she act as a Jew?

January 7, 2000
Judith #2 - A women warrior triumphant

Main texts:
Judith's victory over Holofernes and the Assyrians - chapters 12-17

Further reading:
Judges 4-5, esp. 4:17-23 (The victory of Deborah and Yael over Sisera and the Canaanites)

On-line Sources:
Symbolism in the Book of Judith

Themes:
How does Judith, in her character and actions, combine feminine and masculine characteristics? What is the ideal of womanhood communicated by her character? How does she compare to other women in the Bible (esp. Deborah, Esther)?

The name "Judith" is "Ioudith" in Greek and thus "Yehudit" in Hebrew (both meaning "Jewess"). Many interpreters have suggested that she here symbolizes the Jewish people. Does this seem plausible to you? If so, is it important that the symbol of the Jewish people is here female?; How are the foreign kings depicted in the book of Daniel? Are they portrayed only negatively or do they have some positive characteristics, as well? How does this compare to more familiar biblical stories, such as the book of Esther and the story of Joseph in Pharaoh's court?

November 12, 2000
Daniel #2 - Faith and wisdom in troubled times

Main texts:
Daniel 3, 5-6, 7; Susanna (xerox)

Further reading:
2 Samuel 11 (David and Bathsheba)

On-line Sources:
Prophecies in the Book of Daniel
Some Rabbinic Sources

Themes:
For the book of Daniel, what does it mean to be a good Jew, both in relationship to God and to non-Jews?

How does the book of Daniel depict the situation of Jews living in the Diaspora under Persian rule? In what ways do these stories speak, more universally, to the situation of Jews living among non-Jews? Is its message (or messages) still relevant?

What does the story of Susanna say about the status of women in this time? What makes Susanna a heroine? What does Daniel's role in this story communicate about the proper relationship between women and men? Is the significance of this story only historical (i.e. speaking only to a time in which the status of women was different than it is today) or are there ways of understanding it from a contemporary standpoint, as well?

Although these stories take place during the Babylonian Exile and Persian rule, most scholars believe that these traditions were compiled into the book of Daniel in the middle of the Maccabean Revolt. Does it seem strange to you that the book of Daniel may have arisen from that turbulent time?

December 10, 2000
Judith #1 - Femininity, power, and danger

Main texts:
Judith 5 (Achior's summary of Jewish history)
Judith 8-11 (Judith's plan for saving the Jews)

Further reading:
Skim chapters 1-4, 6-8 and/or refer to summary (xerox) for background
Rabbinic aggadic summaries of Judith (Hebrew; xerox)

On-line Sources:
Judith and Jewish History

Themes:
What stands out about the character of Judith? What makes her a heroine?
How does the relationship of Jews and non-Jews differ here from the chapters that we read in the book of Daniel?

How do Judith's response to problems compare to the responses of Daniel and his friends? In her response to the danger to the Jews from the Assyrians, in what ways does Judith act as a woman and in what ways does she act as a Jew?

January 7, 2000
Judith #2 - A women warrior triumphant

Main texts:
Judith's victory over Holofernes and the Assyrians - chapters 12-17

Further reading:
Judges 4-5, esp. 4:17-23 (The victory of Deborah and Yael over Sisera and the Canaanites)

On-line Sources:
Symbolism in the Book of Judith

Themes:
How does Judith, in her character and actions, combine feminine and masculine characteristics? What is the ideal of womanhood communicated by her character? How does she compare to other women in the Bible (esp. Deborah, Esther)?

The name "Judith" is "Ioudith" in Greek and thus "Yehudit" in Hebrew (both meaning "Jewess"). Many interpreters have suggested that she here symbolizes the Jewish people. Does this seem plausible to you? If so, is it important that the symbol of the Jewish people is here female?
November 12, 2000
Daniel #2 - Faith and wisdom in troubled times
Main texts:: Daniel 3, 5-6, 7; Susanna (xerox)
Further reading:: 2 Samuel 11 (David and Bathsheba)
On-line Sources:: Prophecies in the Book of Daniel; Some Rabbinic Sources
Themes:: For the book of Daniel, what does it mean to be a good Jew, both in relationship to God and to non-Jews?

How does the book of Daniel depict the situation of Jews living in the Diaspora under Persian rule? In what ways do these stories speak, more universally, to the situation of Jews living among non-Jews? Is its message (or messages) still relevant?

What does the story of Susanna say about the status of women in this time? What makes Susanna a heroine? What does Daniel's role in this story communicate about the proper relationship between women and men? Is the significance of this story only historical (i.e. speaking only to a time in which the status of women was different than it is today) or are there ways of understanding it from a contemporary standpoint, as well?

Although these stories take place during the Babylonian Exile and Persian rule, most scholars believe that these traditions were compiled into the book of Daniel in the middle of the Maccabean Revolt. Does it seem strange to you that the book of Daniel may have arisen from that turbulent time?

December 10, 2000
Judith #1 - Femininity, power, and danger

Main texts:
Judith 5 (Achior's summary of Jewish history)
Judith 8-11 (Judith's plan for saving the Jews)

Further reading:
Skim chapters 1-4, 6-8 and/or refer to summary (xerox) for background
Rabbinic aggadic summaries of Judith (Hebrew; xerox)

On-line Sources:
Judith and Jewish History

Themes:
What stands out about the character of Judith? What makes her a heroine?
How does the relationship of Jews and non-Jews differ here from the chapters that we read in the book of Daniel?

How do Judith's response to problems compare to the responses of Daniel and his friends? In her response to the danger to the Jews from the Assyrians, in what ways does Judith act as a woman and in what ways does she act as a Jew?

January 7, 2000
Judith #2 - A women warrior triumphant

Main texts:
Judith's victory over Holofernes and the Assyrians - chapters 12-17

Further reading:
Judges 4-5, esp. 4:17-23 (The victory of Deborah and Yael over Sisera and the Canaanites)

On-line Sources:
Symbolism in the Book of Judith

Themes:
How does Judith, in her character and actions, combine feminine and masculine characteristics? What is the ideal of womanhood communicated by her character? How does she compare to other women in the Bible (esp. Deborah, Esther)?

The name "Judith" is "Ioudith" in Greek and thus "Yehudit" in Hebrew (both meaning "Jewess"). Many interpreters have suggested that she here symbolizes the Jewish people. Does this seem plausible to you? If so, is it important that the symbol of the Jewish people is here female?; How does the book of Daniel depict the situation of Jews living in the Diaspora under Persian rule? In what ways do these stories speak, more universally, to the situation of Jews living among non-Jews? Is its message (or messages) still relevant?

What does the story of Susanna say about the status of women in this time? What makes Susanna a heroine? What does Daniel's role in this story communicate about the proper relationship between women and men? Is the significance of this story only historical (i.e. speaking only to a time in which the status of women was different than it is today) or are there ways of understanding it from a contemporary standpoint, as well?

Although these stories take place during the Babylonian Exile and Persian rule, most scholars believe that these traditions were compiled into the book of Daniel in the middle of the Maccabean Revolt. Does it seem strange to you that the book of Daniel may have arisen from that turbulent time?

December 10, 2000
Judith #1 - Femininity, power, and danger

Main texts:
Judith 5 (Achior's summary of Jewish history)
Judith 8-11 (Judith's plan for saving the Jews)

Further reading:
Skim chapters 1-4, 6-8 and/or refer to summary (xerox) for background
Rabbinic aggadic summaries of Judith (Hebrew; xerox)

On-line Sources:
Judith and Jewish History

Themes:
What stands out about the character of Judith? What makes her a heroine?
How does the relationship of Jews and non-Jews differ here from the chapters that we read in the book of Daniel?

How do Judith's response to problems compare to the responses of Daniel and his friends? In her response to the danger to the Jews from the Assyrians, in what ways does Judith act as a woman and in what ways does she act as a Jew?

January 7, 2000
Judith #2 - A women warrior triumphant

Main texts:
Judith's victory over Holofernes and the Assyrians - chapters 12-17

Further reading:
Judges 4-5, esp. 4:17-23 (The victory of Deborah and Yael over Sisera and the Canaanites)

On-line Sources:
Symbolism in the Book of Judith

Themes:
How does Judith, in her character and actions, combine feminine and masculine characteristics? What is the ideal of womanhood communicated by her character? How does she compare to other women in the Bible (esp. Deborah, Esther)?

The name "Judith" is "Ioudith" in Greek and thus "Yehudit" in Hebrew (both meaning "Jewess"). Many interpreters have suggested that she here symbolizes the Jewish people. Does this seem plausible to you? If so, is it important that the symbol of the Jewish people is here female?; What does the story of Susanna say about the status of women in this time? What makes Susanna a heroine? What does Daniel's role in this story communicate about the proper relationship between women and men? Is the significance of this story only historical (i.e. speaking only to a time in which the status of women was different than it is today) or are there ways of understanding it from a contemporary standpoint, as well?

Although these stories take place during the Babylonian Exile and Persian rule, most scholars believe that these traditions were compiled into the book of Daniel in the middle of the Maccabean Revolt. Does it seem strange to you that the book of Daniel may have arisen from that turbulent time?

December 10, 2000
Judith #1 - Femininity, power, and danger

Main texts:
Judith 5 (Achior's summary of Jewish history)
Judith 8-11 (Judith's plan for saving the Jews)

Further reading:
Skim chapters 1-4, 6-8 and/or refer to summary (xerox) for background
Rabbinic aggadic summaries of Judith (Hebrew; xerox)

On-line Sources:
Judith and Jewish History

Themes:
What stands out about the character of Judith? What makes her a heroine?
How does the relationship of Jews and non-Jews differ here from the chapters that we read in the book of Daniel?

How do Judith's response to problems compare to the responses of Daniel and his friends? In her response to the danger to the Jews from the Assyrians, in what ways does Judith act as a woman and in what ways does she act as a Jew?

January 7, 2000
Judith #2 - A women warrior triumphant

Main texts:
Judith's victory over Holofernes and the Assyrians - chapters 12-17

Further reading:
Judges 4-5, esp. 4:17-23 (The victory of Deborah and Yael over Sisera and the Canaanites)

On-line Sources:
Symbolism in the Book of Judith

Themes:
How does Judith, in her character and actions, combine feminine and masculine characteristics? What is the ideal of womanhood communicated by her character? How does she compare to other women in the Bible (esp. Deborah, Esther)?

The name "Judith" is "Ioudith" in Greek and thus "Yehudit" in Hebrew (both meaning "Jewess"). Many interpreters have suggested that she here symbolizes the Jewish people. Does this seem plausible to you? If so, is it important that the symbol of the Jewish people is here female?; Although these stories take place during the Babylonian Exile and Persian rule, most scholars believe that these traditions were compiled into the book of Daniel in the middle of the Maccabean Revolt. Does it seem strange to you that the book of Daniel may have arisen from that turbulent time?

December 10, 2000
Judith #1 - Femininity, power, and danger

Main texts:
Judith 5 (Achior's summary of Jewish history)
Judith 8-11 (Judith's plan for saving the Jews)

Further reading:
Skim chapters 1-4, 6-8 and/or refer to summary (xerox) for background
Rabbinic aggadic summaries of Judith (Hebrew; xerox)

On-line Sources:
Judith and Jewish History

Themes:
What stands out about the character of Judith? What makes her a heroine?
How does the relationship of Jews and non-Jews differ here from the chapters that we read in the book of Daniel?

How do Judith's response to problems compare to the responses of Daniel and his friends? In her response to the danger to the Jews from the Assyrians, in what ways does Judith act as a woman and in what ways does she act as a Jew?

January 7, 2000
Judith #2 - A women warrior triumphant

Main texts:
Judith's victory over Holofernes and the Assyrians - chapters 12-17

Further reading:
Judges 4-5, esp. 4:17-23 (The victory of Deborah and Yael over Sisera and the Canaanites)

On-line Sources:
Symbolism in the Book of Judith

Themes:
How does Judith, in her character and actions, combine feminine and masculine characteristics? What is the ideal of womanhood communicated by her character? How does she compare to other women in the Bible (esp. Deborah, Esther)?

The name "Judith" is "Ioudith" in Greek and thus "Yehudit" in Hebrew (both meaning "Jewess"). Many interpreters have suggested that she here symbolizes the Jewish people. Does this seem plausible to you? If so, is it important that the symbol of the Jewish people is here female?
December 10, 2000
Judith #1 - Femininity, power, and danger
Main texts:: Judith 5 (Achior's summary of Jewish history); Judith 8-11 (Judith's plan for saving the Jews)
Further reading:: Skim chapters 1-4, 6-8 and/or refer to summary (xerox) for background; Rabbinic aggadic summaries of Judith (Hebrew; xerox)
On-line Sources:: Judith and Jewish History
Themes:: What stands out about the character of Judith? What makes her a heroine?
How does the relationship of Jews and non-Jews differ here from the chapters that we read in the book of Daniel?

How do Judith's response to problems compare to the responses of Daniel and his friends? In her response to the danger to the Jews from the Assyrians, in what ways does Judith act as a woman and in what ways does she act as a Jew?

January 7, 2000
Judith #2 - A women warrior triumphant

Main texts:
Judith's victory over Holofernes and the Assyrians - chapters 12-17

Further reading:
Judges 4-5, esp. 4:17-23 (The victory of Deborah and Yael over Sisera and the Canaanites)

On-line Sources:
Symbolism in the Book of Judith

Themes:
How does Judith, in her character and actions, combine feminine and masculine characteristics? What is the ideal of womanhood communicated by her character? How does she compare to other women in the Bible (esp. Deborah, Esther)?

The name "Judith" is "Ioudith" in Greek and thus "Yehudit" in Hebrew (both meaning "Jewess"). Many interpreters have suggested that she here symbolizes the Jewish people. Does this seem plausible to you? If so, is it important that the symbol of the Jewish people is here female?; How does the relationship of Jews and non-Jews differ here from the chapters that we read in the book of Daniel?

How do Judith's response to problems compare to the responses of Daniel and his friends? In her response to the danger to the Jews from the Assyrians, in what ways does Judith act as a woman and in what ways does she act as a Jew?

January 7, 2000
Judith #2 - A women warrior triumphant

Main texts:
Judith's victory over Holofernes and the Assyrians - chapters 12-17

Further reading:
Judges 4-5, esp. 4:17-23 (The victory of Deborah and Yael over Sisera and the Canaanites)

On-line Sources:
Symbolism in the Book of Judith

Themes:
How does Judith, in her character and actions, combine feminine and masculine characteristics? What is the ideal of womanhood communicated by her character? How does she compare to other women in the Bible (esp. Deborah, Esther)?

The name "Judith" is "Ioudith" in Greek and thus "Yehudit" in Hebrew (both meaning "Jewess"). Many interpreters have suggested that she here symbolizes the Jewish people. Does this seem plausible to you? If so, is it important that the symbol of the Jewish people is here female?; How do Judith's response to problems compare to the responses of Daniel and his friends? In her response to the danger to the Jews from the Assyrians, in what ways does Judith act as a woman and in what ways does she act as a Jew?

January 7, 2000
Judith #2 - A women warrior triumphant

Main texts:
Judith's victory over Holofernes and the Assyrians - chapters 12-17

Further reading:
Judges 4-5, esp. 4:17-23 (The victory of Deborah and Yael over Sisera and the Canaanites)

On-line Sources:
Symbolism in the Book of Judith

Themes:
How does Judith, in her character and actions, combine feminine and masculine characteristics? What is the ideal of womanhood communicated by her character? How does she compare to other women in the Bible (esp. Deborah, Esther)?

The name "Judith" is "Ioudith" in Greek and thus "Yehudit" in Hebrew (both meaning "Jewess"). Many interpreters have suggested that she here symbolizes the Jewish people. Does this seem plausible to you? If so, is it important that the symbol of the Jewish people is here female?
January 7, 2000
Judith #2 - A women warrior triumphant
Main texts:: Judith's victory over Holofernes and the Assyrians - chapters 12-17
Further reading:: Judges 4-5, esp. 4:17-23 (The victory of Deborah and Yael over Sisera and the Canaanites)
On-line Sources:: Symbolism in the Book of Judith
Themes:: How does Judith, in her character and actions, combine feminine and masculine characteristics? What is the ideal of womanhood communicated by her character? How does she compare to other women in the Bible (esp. Deborah, Esther)?

The name "Judith" is "Ioudith" in Greek and thus "Yehudit" in Hebrew (both meaning "Jewess"). Many interpreters have suggested that she here symbolizes the Jewish people. Does this seem plausible to you? If so, is it important that the symbol of the Jewish people is here female?; The name "Judith" is "Ioudith" in Greek and thus "Yehudit" in Hebrew (both meaning "Jewess"). Many interpreters have suggested that she here symbolizes the Jewish people. Does this seem plausible to you? If so, is it important that the symbol of the Jewish people is here female?

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Daniel and Judith: Gender and Jewish Identity in Second Temple Judaism

Daniel and Judith:
Gender and Jewish Identity in Second Temple Judaism