Overview

The Hebrew Bible is filled with animals. Snakes and ravens share meals with people; donkeys and sheep work alongside us; eagles and lions inspire us; locusts warn us. How should we read their stories? What can they teach us about ecology, spirituality, and ethics? Author Laura Duhan-Kaplan explores these questions, weaving together biology, Kabbalah, rabbinic midrash, Indigenous wisdom, modern literary methods, and personal experiences. She re-imagines Jacob's sheep as family, Balaam's donkey as a spiritual director, Eve's snake as a misguided helper. Finally, Rabbi Laura invites metaphorical eagles, locusts, and mother bears to help us see anew, confront human violence, and raise children who live peacefully on the land.

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9781725259065

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Reviews

Insightful, authentic, and truly original. Laura Duhan-Kaplan skillfully weaves ancient stories with insights from the lives of animals in the world around us, showing how people can learn lessons of coexistence and sustainability. --Jill Hammer, author of The Jewish Book of Days: A Companion for All Seasons According to scripture, humans are created to be with animals. They greatly outnumber us, and they make our living possible, but we scarcely think deeply about it. Read Laura Duhan-Kaplan's book and be reminded that we have much to gain by giving animals the attention they deserve. Mouth of the Donkey will open your mind and, hopefully, your heart. --Norman Wirzba, professor and senior fellow, Kenan Institute for Ethics, Duke University Divinity School Skillfully balancing the work of scholar, writer, creative rabbinic reader and, as she labels herself, 'urban naturalist, ' Laura Duhan-Kaplan offers us enlightening and delightful insights into biblical animals. This book opens our eyes and ears to what biblical animals can teach us. --Natan Margalit, founder, Organic Torah

Author Information

Laura Duhan-Kaplan is Director of Inter-Religious Studies and Professor of Jewish Studies at Vancouver School of Theology, Professor Emerita of Philosophy at University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and Rabbi Emerita of Or Shalom Synagogue.

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