Kol Isha: The Voice of the Woman

Kol Isha means "voice of the woman." Although the Bible as a work of literature is replete with colorful characters who help define certain moral and ethical characteristics, most of the memorable main characters are male. In truth, many women people the pages of this story as well. In this work of poetry, I give a voice to major and minor female characters, some of whom are only mentioned in passing or not named at all. These poems express feelings of loneliness, alienation and disenfranchisement as well as wonder, hope, love, and joy. Although Biblical women lived thousands of years ago, I imagine that their feelings when confronted with the circumstances of their lives are universal. Women need to have these Biblical models just as men do. It is time for the voices of women in the Bible, as well as the men, to be heard.