The Beginning of Desire

About Avivah Gottlieb Zornberg

Avivah Gottlieb Zornberg is the author of The Mumuring Deep: Reflections on the Biblical Unconscious, The Beginning of Desire: Reflections on Genesis and The Particulars of Rapture: Reflections on Exodus. She lectures widely in Israel, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. She lives in Jerusalem.

Praise

“Deserves to be the most widely read book on the Bible in years, perhaps decades.”
—Jewish Exponent
 
“Not only is Zornberg’s book leagues removed from popular trivializations, it also does what all successful midrash is meant to do: open up new perspectives on ancient texts.”
 —Commonweal
 
“A sinewy, powerful, and hauntingly beautiful reanimation of the ancient text of early Israel and of their heroes and heroines.”
—Publishers Weekly
 
“Spectacular readings . . . A beautiful and arresting exercise in biblical literary criticism; highly recommended.”
—Library Journal
 
“Zornberg brings a brilliant mastery of psychology, literature, and Judaismto bear on the Bible . . . This is an extraordinary book.”
—The Jerusalem Report