After not being referenced to at all during the previous Parasha Miketz, Bilhah and Zilpah are drawn into the final parasha of their story moment only at the end literal recounting of the children they have produced. The Torah references wealth explicitly through the acquisition of cattle and slaves, and mentions of silver, but the currency that is never explicitly named are children.
Together, Bilhah and Zilpah birth one third of the Twelve Tribes namesakes. Beyond that as a focal stopping point, this inventory highlights that Bilhah and Zilpah left legacies that remain largely as invisible as they are. Zilpah and Bilhah would have been remembered by their children and grandchildren. Surely too, by great-grandchildren whose names have been severed from the record. Similar to the ways we say kaddish for those who have none, the Bilhah Zilpah Project dreams of remembering their names… not only for Bilhah and Zilpah, but also for ourselves.
Beyond the main narrative of Yaakov, Rachel, Lavan, and Leah, this foundational story of the Jewish people tells the stories within stories of Dinah and Yoseph. Growing up, leaving home in search of ourselves, and returning… if that is possible. Maybe going home is not about being back to be back, but to see and understand where we have gone, so we may continue. Bilhah and Zilpah’s story within the story is a crucial lens through which to see and understand our past, present, and future in order to better know ourselves, where we have been and where we are going.
Reflection Questions
• What makes a Jewish matriarch?
• How can we honor and celebrate Bilhah and Zilpah?
• What home do you need to leave in order to find yourself, or how does returning home help illuminate where you are going?
• Are children still our unnamed currency?
• Do we value women for more than just their ability to create life?
• How will you continue to listen for the silenced wisdom of Bilhah and Zilpah and other named and unnamed women of Torah?
Thank you for making this inaugural Bilhah Zilpah Homecoming such a sweet and memorable series. Your openness, heart, and wisdom helps to connect the ancient stories of Torah to the modern stories of our lives today, with a special invitation to reflect on the voices and experiences of the biblical characters we see as non-player-characters and their modern invisible counterparts. It’s an epic journey and it’s delightful to be accompanied. As we were all there at Sinai, so too Bilhah and Zilpah are connected back to us.
This is the last weekly email of Bilhah Zilpah season, but fear not… emails will switch to monthly for those who registered. Meanwhile, if you joined us along the way, check out the Vayeshev, Vayishlakh, Vayeitzei, and Miketz reflections… and keep listening for their voices. You can learn more about my journey with them in Bilhah and Zilpah Made Me Yearn For Torah published in the Jewish Women’s Archive.
May the light we kindle during the winter holiday season help us to draw near the wisdom of biblical women like Bilhah and Zilpah and see the Bilhah & Zilpah’s of today!
Jews of Color Sanctuary 