Episode 120: Dr. Yael Ziegler "Making Sense of Midrash"

In this episode, Dr. Yael Ziegler shares her thoughtful and layered approach to the study of Tanakh. Known for her deep literary readings and her commitment to both peshat and the broader interpretive tradition, she explains how elements like structure, repetition, and intertextuality shape her analysis of the biblical text. We explore her perspective on Midrash—not as a rewriting of the narrative, but as a sophisticated form of interpretation. Hazal, she explains, were keen readers of both peshat and derash, and even midrashim that appear far from the plain meaning often reflect a deep sensitivity to language, themes, and textual echoes found elsewhere in Tanakh. These interpretive moves open up new layers of meaning while remaining anchored in the biblical text. Dr. Ziegler illustrates this approach through striking examples involving Rachel and Leah, Moshe, Eliyahu, and more. She also reflects on the role of classical commentators like Rashi, Ibn Ezra, Radak, and Ramban, pointing out that these thinkers were highly attuned literary readers—even without the benefit of the modern tools we rely on today. Their insights continue to offer profound guidance in how we read and engage with Tanakh. Toward the end of the episode, Dr. Ziegler briefly touches on her book Ruth: From Alienation to Monarchy, and how it exemplifies her broader methodology: combining rigorous textual analysis with a deep respect for tradition. This conversation offers a window into a kind of Tanakh study that is both intellectually grounded and deeply rooted in the interpretive legacy of our tradition.

---*This episode is dedicated to the refua shelema of our dear friend Yaakov ben Haya Sarah Malakh and to the neshama of Meir ben Moshe a'h — Abdolrahim Ilian, the late father of our dear friend, Rod Ilian.

---• Bio: Dr. Yael Ziegler is the Rosh Batei Midrash and Academic Director of Matan and an Assistant Professor in Tanakh at Herzog College. She received her BA from Stern College and an MA and Ph.D. in Bible at Bar Ilan University. Dr. Ziegler has lectured widely on various Tanakh topics in Israel, the United States, Canada, South Africa, Australia, and Europe. Dr. Ziegler is the author of Promises to Keep: The Oath in Biblical Narrative and Ruth: From Alienation to Monarchy, which has been translated into Hebrew. Her book: Lamentations: Faith in a Turbulent World was released in June, 2021 and is currently being translated into Hebrew. She is now working on a book on Exodus.

---Speaker's Resources• Get her books here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B001JOMV9O/allbooks?ingress=0&visitId=ac94d9f2-8a22-4bf3-b6d2-c69c11e40020&ref_=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&ccs_id=c22bbbf3-ea51-4a71-84f2-c838544a8a2e

---• Welcome to JUDAISM DEMYSTIFIED: A PODCAST FOR THE PERPLEXED | Co-hosted by Benjy & Benzi | Thank you to...Super Patron: Jordan Karmily, Platinum Patron: Craig Gordon, Rod Ilian, Gold Patrons: Dovidchai Abramchayev, Lazer Cohen, Travis Krueger, Vasili Volkoff, Vasya, Silver Patrons: Ellen Fleischer, Daniel M., Rabbi Pinny Rosenthal, Fred & Antonio, Jeffrey Wasserman, and Jacob Winston! Please SUBSCRIBE to this YouTube Channel and hit the BELL so you can get alerted whenever new clips get posted, thank you for your support!