Beth Kissileff is the author of the forthcoming novel, Questioning Return. She is at work on a second novel and a scholarly study of Biblical misunderstandings between humans and God. She has received fellowships from the Corporation of Yaddo and the National Endowment for the Humanities and has taught at Carleton College, the University of Minnesota, Smith College and Mount Holyoke College.

Renowned Jewish thinkers present varied readings of the first book of the Hebrew Bible.

This anthology fills Genesis with meaning, gathering intellectuals and thinkers who use their professional knowledge to illuminate the Biblical text. The writers use insights from psychology, law, political science, literature, and other scholarly fields, to create an original constellation of modern Biblical readings, and receptions of Genesis.

Looks at Genesis from viewpoint of reception and cultural impact

Table of Contents1. Introduction - Beth Kissileff2. The Creation and Its Aftermath (Genesis 1-3) - Steven J. Brams3. The Apple and Eve: A Neuropsychological Interpretation (Genesis 2-3) - Harry R. Kissileff (PhD)4. God's Serpent (Genesis 2-3) - J.H.H. Weiler5. "It Is Not Good For Man To Be Alone" (Genesis 2-3) - Dr. Ruth Westheimer and Jonathan Mark6. Bloodlust (Genesis 4) - Russell Jacoby7. On The Tower of Babel (Genesis 11) - Ilan Stavans8. Hesed: Feminist Ethics in Jewish Tradition (Genesis 12, 24) - Susan Schept9. Famines, Feasts and Fraternity: Food (and Drink) in the Book of Genesis (Genesis 18) - Joan Nathan10. Why Genesis (Genesis 18) - Alan Dershowitz11. Looking Back at Lot's Wife (Genesis 19) - Rebecca Newberger Goldstein12. The Face of the Other: Sarah - Hagar Then and Now (Genesis 16, 21) - Alicia Suskin Ostriker13. The Binding of Isaac and the Arts of Residence (Genesis 22) - Ronald R. Krebs14. Writing: A Jewish Paradox - Sander L. Gilman15. "The Matter is from God": Retold Narrative and the Mistakes of Certainty (Genesis 24) - Beth Kissileff16. Jacob: Some Notes on Character Development and Repentance - Dara Horn17. Contracts of Genesis (Genesis 27) - Geoffrey P. Miller18. Judah and His Brothers: Becoming the Leader of His Pride (Genesis 37-50) - Renan Levine19. Imperfect Forgiveness: Joseph and His Brothers (Genesis 37-50) - Moses L. Pava20. "That We May Live and Not Die": Judah as Life Force of Genesis (Genesis 38) Jacqueline Osherow21. Zaphenath, Kugelmass, and Milton (Genesis 41) - Jeffrey Shoulson22. "They Did Not Recognize Him": Failed Facial Recognition in the Family of Joseph (Genesis 42) - Seth Greenberg23. The Death of Jacob: Responding to the End of Life (Genesis 47-50) - Steven AlbertList of ContributorsIndex of Biblical PassagesIndex of Biblical CharactersIndex of Names and Concepts

Deuteronomy 32:47 says the Pentateuch should not be 'an empty matter.' This new anthology from Beth Kissileff fills Genesis with meaning, gathering intellectuals and thinkers who use their professional knowledge to illuminate the Biblical text. These writers use insights from psychology, law, political science, literature, and other scholarly fields, to create an original constellation of modern Biblical readings, and receptions of Genesis: A scientist of appetite on Eve's eating behavior; law professors on contracts in Genesis, and on collective punishment; an anthropologist on the nature of human strife in the Cain and Abel story; political scientists on the nature of Biblical games, Abraham's resistance, and collective action. The highly distinguished contributors include Alan Dershowitz and Ruth Westheimer, the novelists Rebecca Newberger Goldstein and Dara Horn, critics Ilan Stavans and Sander Gilman, historian Russell Jacoby, poets Alicia Suskin Ostriker and Jacqueline Osherow, and food writer Joan Nathan.