Following is info concerning two publications, Midreshei Bitya Bat Pharaoh & Simkhes Toyre Lid le-Rivkah Tiktiner (Tiktiner's Jahrzeit is in Nisan). Midreshei Bitya Bat Pharaoh: Iyyun Nilve le-Leil ha-Seder (A Seder Companion), Jerusalem 2004 (68 pp.)
In the Be'er Avraham commentary to the haggadah, by R. Abraham Grate of Prague, published in Sulzbach in 1708, several of the simanim of the seder are interpreted as referring to Bitya, daughter of Pharaoh. R. Grate explains the siman rahzah in connection with her bathing in the Nile and rescue of Moses (3c). In his commentary to the siman mozih, he writes, inter alia, that since Moses was considered equal to the sixty myriads of Israel, the rescue of Moses by Bitya is to be regarded as though she took the entire people of Israel out of Egypt (3c-d). Based on the commentary of R. Abraham Grate concerning Bitya, the present compilation offers an annotated compendium of sources from the talmudic and midrashic literature concerning Bitya. This material is intended for study on the seder night or in preparation for the Eve of Passover. The chapters include: Midreshei ha-Ketuvim (midrashim to Exodus 2, 5-10 and II Chronicles 4, 18), The Aramaic Translations, The Lists of Righteous Women, The Entrance of Bitya to Gan Eden in her Lifetime, Midreshei Eshet Hayyil. The introduction includes a discussion of the various sources in the midrashic literature that attribute the Exodus to deeds of female biblical personalities: to the righteous women in Egypt who encouraged their husbands during the bondage; to the women who kept themselves from immoral behavior; to Miriam the prophetess; and to the Matriarchs. Simkhes Toyre Lid le-Rivkah Tiktiner, by Yael Levine, Jerusalem 2005. (31 pp.) [=Simchas Torah Song by Rivkah Tiktiner]. This publication contains presently the most comprehensive scholarly biography of Rivkah bat Meir Tiktiner (d. 25 Nisan 1605) and her works. A Yizkor prayer in her memory is published for the first time from the manuscript "Kuntress Beit Knesset Altneushul bi-Prague" (Jewish Museum of Prague, ms. 113). This prayer is the only known source which makes mention of her husband. Tiktiner was the first Jewish woman to compose a book, the Yiddish musar work for women "Meineket Rivkah" (Rebeka's Nursemaid). Rivkah Tiktiner also composed a Yiddish song, "Simkhes Toyre Lid." which was published for the first time in Hebrew translation, carried out in conjunction with Dr. Boris Kotlerman. References to the motifs appearing in the song are also included. Orders abroad may be placed with Sifrei Yerushalayim. Contact: [EMAIL PROTECTED] or Tel.: 972-2-6433580. The publications are available in Jerusalem at various locations, among them at Lichtenstein Book Store, on Straus St., and at Nisan Levy Store, on 9 Keren ha-Kayyemet St. in Rehavia. Mail orders within Israel may be placed directly with myself. Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) =========================================================== Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: Hasafran @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listproc @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 @ osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html History: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/history.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
