Dr. Michelle Levine

Dr. Michelle Levine, associate professor of Bible at and faculty member of the , has recently published her article, “” in the final Torah u-Madda Journal, Vol. 18. The article investigates Ramban’s poetic insights into the literary eloquence and structure of this biblical song and elicits general observations about Ramban’s perception of the strategies of biblical poetry. Her study, “,” has now been published in the latest volume of Tradition, Vol. 54:2, which explores Ramban’s literary analysis of the poetic efficacy and versatility of biblical metaphor and simile, in relation to the readings of his exegetical predecessors and in light of modern literary models. In addition, Dr. Levine’s encyclopedia entry on the biblical figure of Naomi as characterized and analyzed among medieval commentators (11th through 16th centuries) has been published in the online Encyclopedia of the Bible and Its Reception, Vol. 20. For the spring semester, Dr. Levine is delivering a five-week lecture series on the Wilderness Narratives of the Books of Exodus and Numbers at Congregation Agudath Sholom in Stamford, Connecticut, studying the Israelites’ struggles for survival and tests of faith as they journey toward the Promised Land, in addition to highlighting the profile of Mosheh Rabbenu, whose leadership skills are continually challenged and tested as he mentors this fledgling nation to fulfill its divinely ordained destiny. As well, for Purim, Dr. Levine delivered a shiur [lecture] in her Queens, New York, community, titled, “From Miracle to Miracle: Purim—The Gateway to Pesach,” which discussed the theological relationship between the hidden miracles of Purim and the open miracles of Pesach. On Shabbat HaGadol [the Great Sabbath], Dr. Levine also spoke in her community on the topic, “Spring into Pesach: A Perfect Time for Redemption,” which developed the motif of time and its significance in the celebration of the Pesach holiday, exploring why the holiday is observed in the springtime, and the importance of the commandment of sanctifying the new moon, along with other aspects of time that are a focus of the seder night and the event of redemption.