Rachel

Rashi’s Daughters #3

by Maggie Anton

The dramatic final book in the epic historical trilogy about the lives and loves of the three daughters of the great Talmud scholar Rashi

Rachel is the youngest and most beautiful daughter of medieval Jewish scholar Salomon ben Isaac, or "Rashi." Her father's favorite and adored by her new husband, Eliezer, Rachel's life looks to be one of peaceful scholarship, laughter, and love. But events beyond her control will soon threaten everything she holds dear. Marauders of the First Crusade massacre nearly the entire Jewish population of Germany, and her beloved father suffers a stroke. Eliezer wants their family to move to the safety of Spain, but Rachel is determined to stay in France and help her family save the Troyes yeshiva, the only remnant of the great centers of Jewish learning in Europe.

As she did so effectively in Joheved and Miriam , Maggie Anton vividly brings to life the world of eleventh-century France and a remarkable Jewish woman of dignity, passion, and strength.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Jewish, Fiction, Judaism, Judaica, France, Religion

420 pages, Paperback

First published July 21, 2009

About the author

Maggie Anton is an award-winning author of historical fiction, as well as a Talmud scholar with expertise in Jewish women’s history. She was born Margaret Antonofsky in Los Angeles, California, where she still resides. In 1992 she joined a women’s Talmud class taught by Rachel Adler. There, to her surprise, she fell in love with Talmud, a passion that has continued unabated for over thirty years. Intrigued that the great Jewish scholar Rashi had no sons, only daughters, she started researching the family and their community.
Thus the award-winning trilogy Rashi’s Daughters was born in 2004, to be followed by National Jewish Book Award finalist, Rav Hisda’s Daughter: Apprentice and its sequel, Enchantress. Then she switched to nonfiction in 2016, winning the Gold Ben Franklin Award in the religion category for Fifty Shades of Talmud: What the First Rabbis Had to Say about You-Know What, a lighthearted in-depth tour of sexuality within the Talmud. In 2022, she returned to fiction with the Independent Publishers’ Silver Award-winning The Choice: A Novel of Love, Faith, and the Talmud, a wholly transformative novel that takes characters inspired by Chaim Potok and ages them into young adults in 1950s Brooklyn. Her latest historical novel is The Midwives’ Escape: from Egypt to Jericho, which describes the Exodus from the point of view of an Egyptian mother and daughter who join the Hebrews to follow Moses to the Promised Land.
Since 2005, Anton has lectured about the research behind her books at hundreds of venues throughout North America, Europe, and Israel. She still studies women and Talmud, albeit mostly online at https://www.conservativeyeshiva.org/l.... You can follow her blog and contact her at her website, www.maggieanton.com. You can also find her on Facebook and Goodreads. And if you liked this book, please give it a nice review at all the usual websites. Maggie has been married to David Parkhurst, her books’ illustrator, since 1970. They have two children, six grandchildren, and one cat.

Reviews

[Brina]

I read this entire series multiple times before joining GoodReads. Added for posterity. This book focuses on Rachel or Belle the business woman. The series is a fictional what if Rashi who had no sons taught Talmud to his daughters. Each of the three books centers on one of the three daughters. Even though fictional, I learned much of everyday life in medieval France. With each book I grew more emotionally involved and needed tissues for this last book. An amazing series.

[penny shima glanz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've waited a long time for this book and it did not disappoint. In this book I see the growth of Anton as an author and scholar of Jewish history. Her learning of Judaism (halachah and minhag) has grown throughout the three books and she does not diminish an observant viewpoint. I feel the entire "trilogy" of Rashi's Daughters, is important for Jewish women today whether they are observant, modern, or whatever (I hate labels). I thank the author for not diminishing or marginalizing taharat hamishpacha. I look forward to her future writings and hope that her writings indeed spark others to question, to learn, and to grow.

[Rina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. It was full of historical (some factual some fantastical) information about Judaism and specifically, Jewish women. Jewish women were not in general allowed (or encouraged) to study the Torah or the commentaries on it called the Talmud. But because Rashi, famous Talmud scholar, didn't have any sons he studied with his daughters who in turn taught other women in their community.

The story was really good - good enough for me to want to read the first two books. I learned a great deal about the religion to which I was born without feeling like I was being preached to.

[Liz :)]

I’ll never know how I finished this series.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished this third book in the trilogy recently. Yes, I enjoyed this trilogy, which had been recommended to me by an SCA friend who also is Jewish. Here we both are with an interest in Judaism and medieval history -- and here is a series about both with a focus on women: Rashi's daughters, the one who, according to legend, were taught the Talmud.

Rachael is Rashi's youngest daughter -- and we have the least details on her. Anton has admitted to embellishing the histories of these women as the details are scarce. However, the bibliography listed on her website is long. Although I'm unsure of some of the historical accuracy, I am hoping that it is fairly valid due to her research. For one, I truly appreciated a novel of the Middle Ages with a Jewish focus.

And, yes, there is romance. There is sex. (One Amazon reviewer was upset by the idea that Rashi's daughters would have sex. Oh my! :) But there is a lot of history as well -- and I found the stories of all three daughters compelling.

[Lmorenoff · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is still interesting and worth reading, but I don't think it's as good as the two that precede it. Somehow, most of the characters aren't very well developed -- even the ones I grew to love in the earlier books seem rather shallow in this one.

Also, the language gets repetitive: Ms. Anton keeps using the phrases "closed the distance between them" and "blood froze in her veins" much too often. And this book doesn't seem to be as well edited either. I found several typos, both extra words and a few places where the content didn't match what they'd said earlier: either in the previous books or in this one.

sigh. It's still an interesting portrayal of Jewish life in mideval France... and the relationship between Rachel and Rashi is very sweet.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This third book is about Rachel, Rashi's youngest daughter. She is the most beautiful of his daughters and his favorite. Her story has many unexpected twists and turns as her husband travels and other men are attracted to her beauty. She becomes a successful business woman on her own. Once again, I appreciate the research that the author put into this book from the history of the region, to how wool was prepared to the rather gruesome description of the crusades. I was a bit suprised at all of the superstition but I suppose that was a big part of the beliefs in that time period. I enjoyed the endnote that included that most Jews of European descent may be descendants of Rashi. My family traces back to France and other European countries so I could be included in that group.

[Lorri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rashi’s Daughters, Book III: Rachel, by Maggie Anton, is a lovely novel, filled with beautiful imagery, and also imagery that is often brutal. The novel is filled with intrigue and historical data from the Medieval period, but also contains much information about the Jewish Talmudic scholar Salomon Ben Isaac, otherwise known as Rashi.

From the moment I began the first page, I was enthralled, and continued reading until I was finished. It was difficult to put down, on the few occasions that I had to. Within the pages emerges a family tapestry of Rachel and her place within the familial unit. She was the youngest of three daughters…and according to much scholarly information, including the content in Rashi’s Daughters, Book III, she was not only the youngest, but Rashi’s favorite daughter. She had a way of winning his heart, and the heart of her beloved, Eliezer.

She and Eliezer marry, and settle in Troyes, France, near her father. Much to her dismay, Eliezer is constantly away for months on end with business dealings and ventures. This upsets her, and much happens during the course of his absences, such as giving birth and losing the baby, for one thing. It seems whenever he is away, something dreadful occurs, whether it be to her or her family, or to Eliezer. Rachel is a woman at odds with her husband’s departures, and although she is strong, it wears on her.

One of Rachel’s greatest traits is her strength, strength under adverse conditions, and strength under extreme pressure. Her courage and powerful mindset during the time when the First Crusade of the Middle Ages basically annihilated all the Jews in Germany, is unsurpassed, and vividly portrayed. She is forthright, passionate, and a woman of clarity and responsibility. Like her sisters before her (Joheved and Miriam), she studied and taught Talmud, during a time period when females who studied were frowned upon. She is a businesswoman, constantly seeking new ways of earning money in order for her husband to fulfill his business endeavors close by, and not have him traveling far from home.

She was a learned scholar in Torah, like her father, Rashi. She could quote by heart, for instance, on most subjects, and this one I found interesting…the subject of fathers teaching only their sons:

“How do we know that others are not commanded to teach her? Because it is written in Deuteronomy: ‘You shall teach them to your sons (benaichem)’. and thus not to your daughters.”

According to Rashi, the word “benaichem” can be interpreted to mean “children”. So, therefore, those who think a father is not commanded to teach his daughter Torah, are misguided. There are times that he is incorrect, though, and he doesn’t fail to mention his own inaccuracies.

One such goal is to open a woolen business, and her thinking is she will earn enough to keep her husband working nearby, and not traveling so often, if at all. Anton fills the pages regarding Rachel’s interactions with those who can instruct her. She is an eager and avid learner (a trait that Rashi instilled in her)and she is constantly trying to find those who can teach her, and work for her. The book is filled with amazing word paintings. The images are incredible, and it is as if we are there witnessing the event/s. I was fascinated by the entire procedure, from mating of the sheep so the wool will be the finest, to the shearing of the sheep, to the finish of the final product…everything is detailed down to the minutest job and endeavor.

During the First Crusade, when the Jewish population was massacred and destroyed, Rashi and his family never thought it would come to the point that the Crusades would reach them in Troyes. But, alas, that wasn’t the case, and Rachel, along with other family members, constantly fought to keep Rashi’s Tamudic Troyes yeshiva safe. Her heroic actions fill the pages, and her willingness to do what is ethical and moral is never questioned. She is there every step of the way. Anton delivers the punches and the forcefulness of the time period vividly, and the book is historically compelling, and a masterpiece.

Rashi’s Daughters, Book III: Rachel, is an amazing accomplishment. Anton is overwhelming in her competence to write historical content, and in her ability to keep the reader’s interest. There are so many awe-inspiring moments, moments that shock the reader. The book flows, from one scene to the next with superb illuminations and brilliant descriptions. She is a master at portraying, not only the Medieval/Middle Ages time period, but in depicting daily life under the harsh conditions of the 11th Century. It was a struggle no matter how you perceive it, but add the Crusades to the structure, and life and what those around Rachel considered to be “normal”, quickly debilitates and diminishes.

Like father, like daughter, Rachel learned from a master, and she was no less a master, herself. During a time when women were kept on the sideline, she made sure she was in the forefront of current events. She watched them unfold before her eyes, and Rashi, her sisters and the other family members, were concerned for humanity, for the injustice that surrounded their environment. The pages flow with that very ideal.

Rashi’s Daughters, Book III: Rachel is the third, and the last sequel in a trilogy by Maggie Anton. It is a beautiful testimony to Rashi and his teachings, his care for all individuals. But, more than that, it a magnificent testament to Rachel and her endurance, fortitude, caring, and concern for humankind, during a crucial and horrific period in history. I highly recommend this well-written historical novel to everyone. It is writing at its excellence, and a brilliant novel, in my opinion. Bravo!

I personally own and have read this book. I read it for the third time at the beginning of November, 2012.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

In "Rachel" we get a closer look at Rashii's entrepreneurial daughter. Granted, according to Anton's notes, little is known about Rachel historically so perhaps that led to some of the disconnect for me. There's always that childish glee when the main character of a book shares your name and a physical feature (we both have green eyes and curly hair). I thought that these pieces would help me connect with her in a way that I hadn't with Miriam in her book. While the book is ok, it's far from the strongest of the trilogy and contains a lot of filler.

I'll start with what I enjoyed. I love the positive light in which Anton casts converts. In stories about people who are born Jewish, Jews-by-choice's voices are not always present or if they are, their stories are not positive. Samson and Anna, while not major characters, are treated as Jews and Samson is even said to be among the "noble converts" who will sit with the born Jews in Eden (problematic I know but still...) Anton doesn't hide the stigma around converts but she creates characters who are open enough that the audience can have positive associations with those characters who all have distinct paths to conversion. The chapters containing the massacres had a huge emotional impact as well. I almost wanted to go back to the earlier books where Europe seemed to be Jewish Happy Land, much like the main characters. I loved that this was tied in with Tisha B'av and that Rachel acknowledges that it had less meaning in previous years but now has major impact.

In "Joheved" and "Miriam" I usually enjoyed the Talmud study discussions that the characters had, but they were less so here. They seemed to be plot interruptions or padding that often caused me to disengage with reading. Given when the books are set to begin, after the preceding book so that we can see where all our other favorite characters are now, it can be a struggle with the youngest daughter to fill a book in the same way one would for the oldest and middle. Still, I think I would have enjoyed the book more with less filler about astronomy and even a bit less extended Talmud arguments. At this point we have established how learned all the characters are, showing it again almost feels like beating a dead horse.

I was also disappointed in the ending. I honestly felt more when Rivkah died than I did when Solomon died. Given my personal history, the latter should have sent me into tears. I was even preparing for it. However, I think I was so irritated about Elizear that my attention couldn't focus on the death of Rashii. I also wanted Rachel to get or stay divorced (some parts of this book felt really unclear) because I really disliked Eliezar. I know I had a complaint about Miriam and Judah but in this novel I came to really like them and see that they do make each other happy. It felt out of character for Rachel, who is very prideful and lives up to her namesake in terms of appearance.

If I take the series as a whole, I enjoyed it and would recommend it. If I looked at this book, I'd say I'd be happy to end at "Miriam". "Rachel" didn't really deliver the kind of satisfying closure I wanted and I felt more annoyed having finished it than I did pleased. All in all, it's a fantastic trilogy, but "Joheved" is definitely the strongest of the three.

[Laurie Hertz-Kafka · Rating 4 out of 5]

This third book in the trilogy had the most action and adventure of the three and gave a true feeling of the dangers of life during medieval times. Like the others in the trilogy, it dealt with the demons, superstitions, religious and cultural practices of the times and gave a sense of the way of life.

While "Johevid", about the eldest sister, dealt with the strength it took for a woman to break from tradition and become a Talmud scholar, praying as the men did, and "Miriam", about the second sister, described the challenges of a female mohel (with a bisexual husband), Rachel, the youngest sister, was portrayed as an entrepreneur. All three sisters were Talmud scholars (in real life as well as these books), and each had her own strength and distinctive character in these stories. In this trilogy, Rachel was the most beautiful and spirited sister as well as her father's favorite. She worked to establish a family business that would encompass all aspects of textile production, from shearing and spinning to weaving, dyeing and fulling the cloth so her husband wouldn't have to travel to earn a living. However, her husband had other ideas and worked against her, although he loved her. As the other stories in this trilogy did, "Rachel" described the intimate details of a marriage, including its joys and challenges.

This story also took place at the start of the first Crusades, and it described the horrors in detail. The author confirmed that this part of the book was based on facts and her in-depth research; entire families of Jews actually did kill themselves to avoid being taken by the Crusaders.

I loved the historical aspects of this story, as I did the others, and the author has done a great job of taking the reader away to a unique time and place. I especially enjoyed the explanations of the Jewish (lunar) calendar vs. the Christian (solar) calendar and how they integrated into each society. The books are well researched and based in fact, although she has taken liberties with the portrayal of the characters. However, the character of Rashi, one of the greatest and most widely studied Talmud scholars and the one who preserved much of Jewish knowledge and tradition during the Crusades, has not been compromised and is based on his journals. Maggie Anton does justice to the dedication Rashi and his family exemplified in preserving the Jewish tradition at a time when their part of the world was once again becoming a hostile place for Jews.

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

Take a journey to France in the eleventh century and witness the life of Rachel, Rashi's youngest daughter. Rashi is a Jewish scholar and he has made sure his three daughters are educated in the Talmud. Rashi has high hopes for favorite daughter Rachel. Rachel has married a worthy man who cherishes her and understands her calling in life. Rachel plans to follow in her fathers footsteps and become a scholar.

When a war breaks out, all thoughts and hopes must be put aside because survival becomes the most important goal. Rashi has a stroke and Rachel is determined to stay by his side even when her husband demands they flee to Spain. Decisions must be made even if it means hurting people you love. Will Rachel make the right choice and live happily ever after?

A beautiful story that will warm even the coldest of hearts. If you believe in the strength of family bonds, I think you would enjoy this book.

[Marissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this entire series. Out of all three of the books, this one was perhaps my least favorite but not because it wasn't good. I personally do not like Rachel as a character as much as I like her sisters. Also, this book takes place over a vast amount of time whereas the other two are a little more succinct. Because this book covers such a long period, it is really about Rashi's whole family and not just about Rachel. In fact, it's arguable whether she's the main character.

There is more focus on mercantilism and politics in this book as well but that gave it something extra that I truly enjoyed. I recommend reading the entire series in order. Maggie Anton is now one of my favorite authors and I'm disappointed that this series has come to an end. I put as much time in between books as I could, trying to make it last longer.

If you haven't read this series yet, get on it!

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

The third book in the series is my least favorite. While it is still beautiful, the chronology of the story can be confusing. There have been a few instances where I felt like the author skipped ahead in time without providing an effective transition or indication. It has been a while since I read the first two volumes, so my confusion may be the result of not remembering the narrative structure used in the previous books. Still, I plan to finish the book because I have enjoyed reading the other works and getting to know the characters.

[Debbie Shoulders · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to finish this trilogy and did enjoy the updates featuring the youngest daughter Rachel. I am guessing due Anton's end notes that there is not much historically related to Rachel that she had to start from scratch to create this story. Unfortunately when the reader is not involved in the family drama, they are treated to many Talmudic lessons. In the first book of the series, this was interesting but by the final installment, I found them distinct interruptions to the plot. Life in Medieval France was fascinating but three books of droll lesson in Talmud was enough.

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my least favorite of the trilogy. Parts read like a trashy novel. The description of the cloth industry was fascinating and also the parts about the relationship between Muslims and Jews and Christians in Spain (Sephardic Jews) and the impact of the Crusades on the German and French Jews was really interesting historical detail. There was almost no record of his daughter Rachel so there was a lot of speculation according to Anton's notes.

[Sue (booknbeachbag) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the first two books in this series. I merely liked this one. There was simply too much going on. The whole Talmud thing plus vineyard stuff, spinning and weaving info, The Crusades and astronomy. Too much for me to take in all in one book.

I find the concept of the series exceptional, though, so I'd recommend all 3 books based on that.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sadly, I was left pretty glad that Rashi didn't have any more daughters, since this one spends 300+ pages trying to build a wool wholesale business while her husband thinks about astronomy and his Spanish concubine. Yawn.

[Colleen Mccreight · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was great! Out of all three of the books of the series the first book is the best, but that's because it introduces the series. This book was quite good! My favorite part was the fact that it talks about the First Crusades; it gives personal account to the horrible period in history.

[Elise · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book seemed very phoned in. The central dilemma--whether Rachel and her husband would live in the same location--was not compelling, since neither character was particularly fleshed out. And almost all the conversation felt like exposition. A lot of telling, not much showing.

[Cathy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I decided to stop reading this book. For some reason, I got tired of hearing how beautiful this woman was, and how difficult her life was, etc. If we could ALL have such difficulties.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent history of medieval Europe and the Jews of France and Spain.

[Jean St.Amand · Rating 2 out of 5]

By far my least favorite of the series. Eliezer and Rachel just aren't the most likable people. There was a hint very early on about Eliezer's true character. Salomon (I think) thought that he wanted to learn Talmud not for spiritual reasons, but because he couldn't stand the idea of anyone knowing more than he did about anything. This was shown in later years when he got obsessed with astronomy and basically abandoned his family AND took a concubine, because God forbid he should ever ignore his freaking yetzer hara, to learn everything he could and in the end, when none of the "experts" of the time believed his theories about the movement (or lack ) of the earth, planets, sun, and moon he basically had a giant pity party and took to his bed to die. No evidence that he was particularly troubled by the death of his honey OR their two babies. Nope, it was ALL about him not being the Sheldon Cooper of his time.
Another thing I didn't like about this book is that it seemed to me that one of it's main purposes was to go on and on and on about how utterly stupid all of the "ones who worship the hanged one" were. I get it, there was a lot of intolerance towards Jews at the time and at the end of the book times were terrible with huge numbers of Jews being murdered or choosing family murder/suicide rather than allowing themselves and their families to be killed in possibly a way that was "worse" than just having their throats slit by a loved one or themselves, or by "converting". But up until that happened relations between Jews and Christians were quite good with some developing friendships but the theme of "you fools that worship the hanged one are idiots" was throughout the book. I guess there wasn't a lot of respecting each other's beliefs at the time.
If I never hear or read the term yetzer hara again it will be too soon. Also, play the game... pretty sick of hearing that one too.

[Lilli · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book may not be my favorite of the series (that’s definitely Joheved), but it IS the most important. The absolute power of loss in this story was overwhelming; of losing a child, of losing one’s spouse, and genocide of the Jewish people during the Crusades, the first act of this kind but certainly not the last. For Jews around the world, it brings a familiar fear.

The historical lens in this story shined. The Jewish details and culture were decadent. But Eliezar really bothered me in this book, in a way he hadn't in others (which I do think was purposeful), making me lose my usual drive to read.

In Jewish history there is a lot of darkness, a lot of loss that cannot be avoided —and shouldn’t—and I understand that. But at this moment it wasn’t what I wanted to read. The romance and familial events just weren't as attention-holding as in other stories from the series. I may revisit at a later date to reread, but for now 3 stars.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't want this world of female knowledge and empowerment to end. Rachel's love story with Eliezar, while very sexy, is very realistic for the time period as well. I was surprised at how much sex was included in this volume, more here than in the earlier two stories. There's a lot of Talmud here as well, as well as medieval French history. The impact of the Crusades on rising anti-semitism and Jewish trade fascinated me. AS a person with a tiny family, I appreciated the family tree provided as the daughters' families grew. Good characterizations, especially considering not much is known about these women besides their names and the fact they existed. To invent these 3 tales of Jewish life in Rashi's household as seen thru female eyes was a precious gift.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

The last book of the trilogy, unfortunately!!! I read it greedily, and enjoyed it as much as the first two books. Rachel, Salomon' s third daughter is in particular focus. Her life will not follow her sisters' pattern... Again, I found extremely interesting all passages about Talmud, the comments and thoughts it led to. In this novel, we witness deeply disturbing events leading to massacres of many Jewish communities following the increase of Christianity and crusades. How will this influence Salomon's family life? I particularly enjoyed the way the author remained as close to to true events surrounding the family, and when not so many details were known, she created her own story showing as well as respecting the social and political situations of those times. Highly recommended!

[Jennifer Heise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rachel is an interesting character here... Anton had less to work with in terms of bones of the story, so she incorporates even more external historical detail, including a good deal about the process of weaving wool cloth; but her characters also have more externally based emotional drain on them. Sadly, this part of the story includes the time of the Rhineland massacres; Anton's retelling of these events is heartwrenching, as it should be.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third and final volume of the Rashi's Daughters trilogy. This novel of love, the Talmud in medieval France continues focussing on the youngest daughter Rachel who confronts her own set of problems as she finds her way through life.

[Eleanor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful trilogy. A must read. Couldn't put any one of these books down until I finished them.

[Marcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Hilary Ryder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the trilogy - feel like I learned so much about Jewry in the French middle ages.