Shalom everyone! I hope you had a meaningful Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah. I hope you enjoy this week's article, which is about a lesser known, yet extraordinary Jewish women of the 17th century CE.

Asenath Barzani
Asenath (Asnat) Barzani is considered by many modern scholars to be Judaism’s first female rabbi. At a time in which few women were afforded access to a Jewish education, Asenath’s depth of learning became legendary throughout Kurdistan, where she was from as well as throughout the Jewish world.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art61801.asp

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