New Books Network Elliott Rabin, "The Biblical Hero: Portraits in Nobility and Fallibility" (Jewish Publication Society, 2020)
Oct 20, 2025
Elliott Rabin, a scholar with a PhD in comparative literature, explores the complexities of biblical heroism in his book. He analyzes six biblical figures—Moses, Samson, David, Esther, Abraham, and Jacob—highlighting their nobility and fallibility. Rabin discusses how these characters compare to global literary heroes and argues that the Bible depicts them with more nuance and less glorification. He also reflects on the pandemic's emphasis on everyday heroism and shares insights into teaching these ideas in schools.
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Biblical Heroes Are Humanly Complex
- The Bible both distrusts classical heroic divinity and still presents human figures to admire and emulate.
- Biblical heroes are portrayed as fallible mortals who nonetheless can rise to decisive, exemplary acts.
Chiaroscuro Portraits Make Heroes Attainable
- Rabin argues the Bible depicts its greatest heroes in chiaroscuro, showing both nobility and moral darkness.
- Their fallibility is part of the point: it makes their moments of heroism genuine and attainable for readers.
Use Midrash To Fill, Not Replace, The Text
- Focus first on what the biblical text itself shows before layering later rabbinic readings.
- Use Midrash selectively to fill narrative gaps and illuminate character motivations when the Bible is reticent.
