> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.lifeisasacredtext.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Jude-Art - URL: https://www.lifeisasacredtext.com/judithart/ - Published: 2024-12-23T10:00:38.000Z - Updated: 2024-12-23T13:43:42.000Z - Description: The Book of Judith, interpreted across the ages - Author: Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg - Tags: holidays, heronies *This is *Life as a Sacred Text* đŸŒ±, an everybody-celebrating, justice-centered voyage into* ancientstories *that* canilluminateour *own lives. It‘s* runon *a* nonprofit*, so* it’s 100% NAZI FREE. *More about the project* [*here*](https://www.lifeisasacredtext.com/about/)*, and *to subscribe, go** [***here***](https://www.lifeisasacredtext.com/higher-up-the-mountain/#/portal/signup)***:*** [Subscribe!](#/portal/account/plans) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/00/99/0099f63a-257a-401e-b764-2ea218bf9990/content/images/2024/12/darker-field-with-buttercups-3.png) ## Sign up for Life is a Sacred Text Life is a Sacred Text is about truth & transformation, with ancient stories serving as mirrors & lights. Collective liberation. Everybody-celebratory. Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. Happy almost Hanukah/Erev Erev Erev Hag Urim Sameach! Merry almost Christmas! Heri Za almost Kwanzaa! Belated Yaldā and Solstice Blessings! As you may know, the Book of Judith is regarded as a Hanukah tale (real or mythic, it's thought to be "[about](https://www.lifeisasacredtext.com/beware-of-confident-women-with-swords/)" the Maccabee war) and a couple of years ago, I annotated a version of the story, which is fan favorite for good reason. (The post, yeah, but the Book, really.) Who doesn't love a a feisty heroine, a sharp blade, a multipurpose snack bag and a happy ending? Honestly. [Beware of Confident Women with SwordsA Tale of Beheadings and Cheese![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/00/99/0099f63a-257a-401e-b764-2ea218bf9990/content/images/icon/life_is_a_sacred_text_icon_only--1--15.png)Life is a Sacred TextRabbi Danya Ruttenberg![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/00/99/0099f63a-257a-401e-b764-2ea218bf9990/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2024-12-12-at-12.15.24-PM.png)](https://www.lifeisasacredtext.com/beware-of-confident-women-with-swords/) No, but really: We should also celebrate reusable tote bags on Hanukah. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/00/99/0099f63a-257a-401e-b764-2ea218bf9990/content/images/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-15-at-9.24.09-PM-1-1.png)](https://www.redbubble.com/i/tote-bag/Judith-Tote-Bag-by-danyaruttenberg/167127298.PJQVX?ref=lifeisasacredtext.com) I truly meant for the note above about celebrating tote bags to be just that, a snarky comment--but of course I couldn't let it go. Reader, [I went and did the thing](https://www.redbubble.com/i/tote-bag/Judith-Tote-Bag-by-danyaruttenberg/167127298.PJQVX?ref=lifeisasacredtext.com). So, uh, there's now a whole entire [Life Is A Sacred Text Store](https://www.redbubble.com/people/danyaruttenberg/explore?asc=u&page=1&sortOrder=recent&ref=lifeisasacredtext.com) with more swag coming out.. who knows when. (Image is a tote bag with a picture of Judith with a sword in one hand and a decapitated head in the other, while her maid holds open her snack bag and the words: "Never forget your tote bag, it may always come in handy.") And because of the enduring fascination for her as both a Hanukah heroine as well as in Christian culture, we've got *tons* to draw on over the years for this story. So today we're going to look at some artistic interpretations of the story. (Go to the original post above to get the basics, first.) Primarily, we'll have a look at a killer, if incomplete, Old English poem that was found in the same manuscript as *Bēowulf,* dating to 975–1025CE. It's often thought to be by a guy named Cynewulf, or one of his students. Thanks to S.I. Rosenbaum for introducing me to this beaut of a text! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/00/99/0099f63a-257a-401e-b764-2ea218bf9990/content/images/2024/12/image-5.png) Judy, from a 16th c. illustration. Possibly from **Vie des Femmes Celebres, (The Life of Famous Women),* a book from ca. 1506 illustrated by Jean Pichore for Anne, duchess of Brittany and queen of France. In any case, Holofernes looks comfortable for someone who just got beheaded, that's nice. (A late-Medieval artwork depicting a man in a bed, his head severed from his body. The wound appears as a visible split on his neck. The man's torso is bare chest. A woman, dressed in a gray-purple gown with a pink skirt and a pearl necklace stands beside the bed. She holds a long sword in one hand and a head in the other. A second woman with dark hair and a blue robe is slightly visible, holding a bag into which the head is being placed. She is looking up at the woman holding the sword.) I'll include first the poem in modern English, and then the *old* Old English version, since it's kinda cool to see. Then I'll share a couple of other Judith Art Things. Just because it's so fun. Clearly, we're missing parts 1-8 of this poem; I've heard say that it would be undoubtedly the greatest contribution to Old English literature, had we gotten our hands on the whole thing. This is very very much not my lane, so I'll just pass on this note, without personal evaluation. Needless to say, we see Judith reflecting the many eras and times in which she is enshrined in art– here, unsurprisingly, the setting is knightly and courtly. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/00/99/0099f63a-257a-401e-b764-2ea218bf9990/content/images/2024/12/image-3.png) **Judith* (London, British Library, MS Cotton Vitellius A XV, f. 202r) You can read the poem in the original Old English after, or concurrently, [**here**](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Poem%5Fof%5FJudith?ref=lifeisasacredtext.com)**:** [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/00/99/0099f63a-257a-401e-b764-2ea218bf9990/content/images/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-12-at-11.30.39-AM.png)](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Poem%5Fof%5FJudith?ref=lifeisasacredtext.com) [Or click here!](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Poem%5Fof%5FJudith?ref=lifeisasacredtext.com) And if you'd like to see the meaty heart of it performed, that can happen here– the beginning and ending of the poem is omitted, and it's a slightly different translation than the one we've got below, but Nora Garrett does a lovely job animating the text: # And here's the poem: #### IX. 
 She doubted not his gifts in this wide earth. Then she readily found there protection from the famous God, when she had most need of favor from the Highest Judge, the Wielder of Creation so that he should protect her, against the highest terror. For that reason the glorious Parent in heaven performed her boon, so that she always possessed strong faith in the Almighty. I have heard then that Holofernes eagerly made invitations to wine and prepared a magnificent banquet with all sorts of wonders—the lord of men summoned to it all the eldest thanes. They obeyed him very speedily, the shield-bearing warriors, they came traveling to that powerful prince, the leader of the people. That was on the fourth day when Judith, wise in her thought, a woman elf-brilliant, first sought him. (1-14) Then they went to sit down to the feast, proud at the wine-drinking, all his woeful companions, bold byrnied warriors. There were deep bowls frequently borne along the benches, likewise cups and pitchers filled for the floor-sitters—they received them, doomed to die, brave shield-warriors, though the powerful one did not believe this, the terrifying lord of earls. Then Holofernes, the gold-friend of men, became joyful at carousing— he laughed and bellowed, he sounded and resounded, so that the children of men could hear him from afar, how the ferocious one stormed and yelled, proud and flushed with mead—he frequently exhorted the bench-sitters that they rejoice themselves well. (15-27) So the wicked one, for the entire day, drenched his own retainers in wine, the stern dispenser of treasure, until they lay in a swoon, all of his troop for drunken, like they had been struck by death, drained of every good. So the lord of men ordered his hall-sitters to be served, until the dark night approached the children of men. Then he ordered, mixed up in evil, the blessed maiden to be swiftly fetched to his bed, adorned with bracelets, decorated with rings. They quickly performed, the serving men, as their lord commanded them, the leader of byrnied warriors, stepping into the revelry into the guest-hall where they found spirit-wise Judith, and then quickly the shield-warriors began to lead that bright maiden to the high tent where the powerful one, Holofernes, always rested himself during the night, hateful to the Savior. (28-46a) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/00/99/0099f63a-257a-401e-b764-2ea218bf9990/content/images/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-12-at-10.21.44-AM.png) **Judith and Holofernes,* AndrĂ© Masson, 1974 (A vibrant abstract print with a dynamic composition, with fragmented, overlapping forms that suggest human figures or other stylized elements. A nude woman with a bloodied blade is visible, as is another, more ambiguous figure holding a rectangular image. A pear-shaped object or figure appears to be on the floor. Colors are a mix of bold, contrasting hues, including shades of yellow, red, orange, and blue. The artwork is predominantly created with black ink, giving a sense of depth and shadow contrasted by the areas of color. There was a fly-net there, all-golden and fair, hung up around the bed of that general, so that the baleful one could peer through, the lord of warriors, onto each of the sons of men, who came within there, and none of the kindred of men could look upon him, unless he, mindful man, should command one of his malicious and bold warriors to come nearer to him for secret consultation. (46b-54a) Then they swiftly brought to bed that wise lady— Then the hard-hearted heroes went inside to reveal to their lord that the holy woman had been brought into his tent. Then the notorious one lord of cities, became happy in mind—he intended to defile that bright lady with pollution and with stain. But the Judge of Glory, Warden of Power, did not wish to consent to that deed, but steered him from that thing, the God, the Sovereign of Hosts. (54b-61a) Then the devilish man, that wanton and evil warrior, departed with a troop of men to seek his bed, where he must lose his life at once, within that one night—when he had attained his violent end on this earth, such as he had striven after before, this severe prince of men, while he dwelt in this world under the roof of clouds. Then the powerful man fell so drunk with wine in the middle of his bed so that he knew no counsel in his mind-lock. The warriors stepped out from within with great haste, wine-sated men, who had led the pledge-breaker, the abominable tyrant to his bed for the last time. (61b-73a) Then was the Savior’s glorious servant sharply mindful how she could deprive most easily that monster of his life before that stained and impure one awoke. Then the curly-haired maiden of the Shaper seized the sharpened sword, hardened in battle-showers, and tugged it from its sheath with her right hand. Then she named the Guardian of the Skies by name, the Savior of all worldly dwellers, and she spoke these words: (73b-82) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/00/99/0099f63a-257a-401e-b764-2ea218bf9990/content/images/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-12-at-2.20.55-PM.png) “Judith with the Head of Holofernes,” Alfred Kubin, 1904\. (A detailed sketch. A woman, dressed in elaborate, flowing, patterned clothing stands in profile view. Her hairstyle is stylized and dark. She holds strings that dangle downward, to which are attached a severed head, depicted realistically with facial features, a nose, mouth, and a long, full beard.) “I wish to ask you, God of Origins and Spirit of Comfort, of the All-Wielding, Glorious for your mercy to a needy me. Severely is my heart inflamed now and my mind is troubled, greatly afflicted with sorrows. Give me, Lord of the Skies, victory and true belief so that I might cut down this dispenser of crimes with this sword— grant me my prosperity, Stern Ruler of Humans. I have never had more need for your grace than now. Avenge now, mighty God, illustrious Dispenser of Glory, what is thus miserable in my mind, blazing in my heart.” (83-94a) Then the highest Deemer inspired her at once with courage, as God does for every single of the mortal dwellers who seek God out as help with good sense and right faith. Then abundantly in her mind hope was renewed for the holy woman— then she seized the heathen man fast by his hair, dragging him towards her with her hands shamefully, and skillfully laid out the baleful one, the hateful man, as she could most easily manage the accursed one well. Then she, curly-haired, struck her hateful enemy, with the splattered sword. She chopped through half his neck, so that he lay in a daze, drunken and maimed. (94b-107a) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/00/99/0099f63a-257a-401e-b764-2ea218bf9990/content/images/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-15-at-9.45.43-PM.png) Judith holding the head of Holofernes, by [Alexis Berger](https://www.etsy.com/shop/alexisberger/?etsrc=sdt&ref=lifeisasacredtext.com), [IG](https://www.instagram.com/alexis.berger/?g=5&ref=lifeisasacredtext.com).(Close-up of a handcrafted necklace; a metal chain with numerous small, round, red beads. Two pendants are suspended from the chain: A sculpted, off-white ceramic arm and hand, in a clasping gesture, "holding" a closure that holds the top of the second pendant, a decapitated head with closed eyes, dark hair and a beard, red around the bottom of the neck with red glass beads dangling from the neck.) He was not dead yet then, not entirely lifeless— then the courageous lady struck the heathen hound another time so that his head rolled forth on the floor. The foul carcass lay behind dead— his soul departed elsewhere under the deep chasm and was prostrated there, sealed in torment forever afterwards, wound up with worms, bound up with torments, cruelly captived in burning hell after his departure. He had no need to hope at all, enveloped in shadows, that he might go thence from the hall of dragons, but instead must dwell there for ever and ever, forwards without end in that shaded home, deprived of hopeful joy. (107b-21) And so Judith had won an illustrious reward in warfare, just as God had granted her, the Ruler of the Skies, who had given her victory. Then the mindful maiden quickly placed the warrior’s head so bloody into her foodsack which her attendant a pale-cheeked lady excellent in her ways had brought food for them both, and then she gave it, so gory, into her hands, the prudent lady, in order for her to bear it home, Judith’s own young handmaiden. Then they went directly there, both these courageous ladies, until they came out, stout-hearted triumphant maidens, from that army-camp so that they might be able to see clearly the lovely walls of their city Bethulia glisten. (122-38a) Then they, adorned in rings, hurried forth along the footway, until they glad-minded, had reached the wall-gate. Warriors sat there, watching men and keeping guard in the fortress, just as Judith had ordered those misery-minded people before, the clever-thoughted maid, when she departed on her journey, a courageous lady. Then the beloved woman was returned again to her people and then the wise-minded woman soon ordered one of the men from the broad city to come towards her and hastily let them inside through the gate in the walls, and spoke these words to the victorious people: “I can say to you all a memorable thing so that you need not mourn in your minds any longer. The Measurer is happy with you, the Ruler of Glory—that has become revealed throughout the wide world, that the splendid fruit of glory is approaching you and triumph is given to you over those afflictions which you have long endured.” (138b-58) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/00/99/0099f63a-257a-401e-b764-2ea218bf9990/content/images/2024/12/image-6.png) Pointy! Judith with the head of Holofernes, Woodcut from the Nuremberg Chronicle, 1493, what's now Germany (A woodcut featuring a woman with a serene expression in medieval clothing. She wears a double-horned hennin, a tunic in reddish-brown with white sleeves, and a skirt in muted greens. She is holding a long, pointy sword, on the end of which is a severed head with a beard.) Then the city-sitters became elated after they heard how the holy one spoke over the high wall. The army was joyous, and people hurried to the stronghold gates, and men and women together pressed forward and ran, in bands and troops, crowds and throngs, by the thousand towards the Lord’s woman, old and young. The hearts of everyone in the mead-city became gladdened after they perceived that Judith had returned to her homeland, and then hastily and reverently they let her inside. (159-70) The wise woman, fretted in gold, ordered her servant prudent-minded to unwrap the head of that warrior and to display it, all bloody as a sign to the city-folk, to testify how she had found victory in battle. The noble one then spoke unto all those people: (171-76) “Here you can clearly gaze, victorious heroes, upon the leader of his nation, upon the head of the most hateful heathen warrior, Holofernes unliving, who, among men, did us the worst crimes, grievous afflictions, and wished to increase them yet even more, but God would not grant him a longer life so that might torment us with wrongs—I deprived him of life by the help of God. Now I wish to ask each of these men, these city-folk, these shield-warriors, to hurry yourselves swiftly to battle after the God of Creation, the Mercy-fast Ruler, has sent from the east the radiant beam of light. Bear your shields forth, shields before your breasts and mailed-shirts, gleaming helmets, into the troop of your enemies and fell their commanders with splattered swords, the fated first-spears. Your enemies have been adjudged to death, and you shall own the glory, honor in the battle, just as the Mighty God has betokened to you all, through my hand.” (177-98) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/00/99/0099f63a-257a-401e-b764-2ea218bf9990/content/images/2024/12/image-4-1.png) Judith Beheading Holofernes, [Tomoko Nagao](http://tomokonagao.info/?ref=lifeisasacredtext.com)(Multiple stylized cartoon characters are present. One character, positioned to the right of center, is a stylized female figure with brown hair tied up in a style that suggests buns/curls, and wearing light-brown-orange clothing. She is holding a sword and cutting off the head of a second character, who appears to be in distress, with mouth open in an O. Red splotches radiate outward from around the second character's head. A third character, somewhat behind and to the right of the primary female figure, is also stylized and has light-beige/off-white clothing. Their expression is neutral. The background features overlapping rows of yellow plastic shopping bags with the text "ESSELONGA" printed on them in a repeating pattern. The lettering on the plastic bags suggests a shop name related to grocery or retail. The third character holds one of these bags. Red MILKY boxes and white cartons of what could be milk overlap and fill the background area as well. The colors are vibrant.) Then the host, keener and braver, was readied quickly for battle. Noble men and their comrades stepped out, bearing triumphant banners, heroes under helmets faring forth to battle right away, from the holy city, on that same dawn-clash— their shields crashed, resounding loudly. For this reason, the lean wolf in the wold rejoiced, and the dark raven, a bird greedy for slaughter. They both knew that these men intended to provide them a feast from the fated, moreover the eagle flew in their tracks, eager for food, dewy-winged, dark-plumed, singing a battle-song, horn-beaked. (199-212a) The warriors went forward, men to the battle, covered by their shields, their hollow shields, those who had previously suffered the scorn of the strangers, the insults of the heathens. In the play of spears it became fully requited to all of the Assyrians, after the Hebrews had gone under their battle-standards to their camps. Then they boldly let fly forth showers of arrows, battle-serpents from horn-bows, sturdy missiles— they stormed loudly, angry warriors, sending their spears into the press of the cruel. The heroes were angry, dwellers of this land, at the hated race, stepping forth resolutely, determined, and they ungently roused their ancient foes, mead-weary—the retainers tugged with their hands bright-flecked swords from sheaths, their trusty edges, and struck earnestly the Assyrian warriors, those malicious schemers, sparing not one of those battle-men, neither low nor powerful, those living men whom they could overcome. (212b-35) So the retainers in the morning-time chased down the strangers, for the whole time until the lead-warriors of that militant people, who were hostile, perceived that the Hebrew men had shown a severe sword-swinging to them. Wordfully they went to reveal that fact to the most senior of the lordly-warriors, awakening the pennanted soldiers, and fearfully announcing the frightful news—the morning-raid, the terrible play of blades— to the mead-wearied. Then I heard at once that the warriors doomed to die shook off their slumber and the fallen-spirited went thronging in a crowd to the sheltering tent of the baleful one, Holofernes. They intended at once to announce the battle to their lord before the terrible power of the Hebrews. They all thought that the lord of warriors and the bright maiden lay together inside that lovely tent, the noble Judith and the lecherous one, terrifying and fierce. (236-57a) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/00/99/0099f63a-257a-401e-b764-2ea218bf9990/content/images/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-12-at-2.33.24-PM.png) Judith and Holofernes by @[ErenaNaomi ](https://www.instagram.com/erenanaomi/?ref=lifeisasacredtext.com) (Woven out of lace, using real hair for all the figures' hair-- the one guy is in bed, decapitated, the central figure is a woman holding a sword in one hand and a severed head in the other, and the third figure, a woman holding the food bag for the head to be dumped in, as we do.) [subscribe for free or more](#/portal/account/plans) There was not one of the nobles though who dared to wake up that warfaring man or to discover how the warrior had done with that holy woman, the maiden of the Measurer. The armed might of the Hebrew people drew nearer, fighting fiercely with hardened battle-weapons, requiting with blades their ancient quarrel, with splattered swords, their elder grudges. Assyrian glory was diminished by that day-work, their pride humbled. The warriors stood around the tent of their lord, quite troubled, with downcast spirits. Then they all together began to cough, making loud noises and gnashing their teeth, deprived of the good, enduring grief. Then was the end of their glory, of their blessings, and their brave deeds. Then the earls considered how to awaken their friendly lord—it prospered them not a jot. (257b-74) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/00/99/0099f63a-257a-401e-b764-2ea218bf9990/content/images/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-12-at-11.14.11-AM.png) Judith and Holofernes, [Greg Known](https://www.instagram.com/gregknown/?ref=lifeisasacredtext.com), 2023, Russia. (A young girl with red hair and a stern expression stands in the center-left foreground, holding a large saw. Beside her, a mechanical figure, light brownish-gold in color resembling a wooden puppet or figurine, sits on the ground. Its limbs are articulated and bend at the joints, and it holds a vibrant multicolored flower stem. The girl is holding its large, cartoonish, golden-yellow head, which has a long, prominent nose, and a humorous painted expression.) It became later and later; then one of the warriors became so bold that he ventured daringly into the tent, their need so drove him. He found then on the bed his pale lord lying deprived of spirit, void of life. Then he fell at once, trembling to the earth, beginning to tear at his hair, troubled at mind, and his garments too, and he spoke these words to the warriors who stood dejected outside: “Here is revealed our very own destruction, the future prefigured, so that it is approaching the time with malice which we must by necessity be lost, perishing together in strife: Here lies, hewn by the sword, our lord, beheaded.” (275-89a) Then they, sad-hearted, cast their weapons down, turning themselves, weary-souled, to hasten in flight. They fought them in their tracks, a mighty people, until the greatest part of that army lay, abased by battle in the field of victory, hewn by swords, as a pleasure to wolves, a comfort as well to the slaughter-greedy birds. (289b-96a) Those who lived fled away from the shield-warriors of the enemy. In their track came the army of the Hebrews, worthied by victory, glorified by judgment— The Lord God, the Master Almighty helped them fairly. Then quickly they, the mind-brave warriors, wrought a war-path with splattered swords through the scrum of their enemy, hewing shields, rending their shield-wall. The archers were enraged in war, the Hebrew men— the thanes at that moment greatly yearned for the struggle of spears. There in the sand fell the highest number of the head-count of the lordly multitude of Assyrians, that hateful stock—few of them returned alive to their kinfolk. (296b-311a) The very brave warriors turned back upon their retreat, within the carnage, the reeking corpses. There was room for the native-dwellers to take from the most hated, their olden-foes unliving, gory trophies, lovely ornaments, shields and broad swords, shining helmets, valued treasures. The wardens of their homeland had gloriously conquered their foes, the ancient enemy, on that place of the people, put them to rest with swords. They rested in their swath, those who in life had been the most hateful of living men. (311b-23a) Then the entire generation, the greatest of nations, proud and curly-haired, for the space of one month carried and led into their bright city of Bethulia, helmets and short swords, grey byrnies, the battle-armor of men, fretted with gold, greater treasures than any clever-minded could tell—all that was obtained by the force of men, keen under the banners in the battle through the prudent counsel of Judith, the brave lady. The spear-brave earls brought as a reward from that venture the sword and bloody helmet of Holofernes, and also his broad mail-shirt, adorned with red gold, and all that the arrogant lord of warriors owned of treasure or moveable goods, rings and bright treasures—they gave that to the bright and clever-thoughted woman. (323b-41a) For all this, Judith spoke glory to the God of Hosts who had given her this honor, fame in the realm of earth, likewise reward in heaven, victorious recompense in the glory of the skies, because she had true belief always in the Almighty. Indeed, at the end she doubted not in the rewards for which she had long yearned. For that let there be glory to the width of life to the beloved God, who shaped the weather and the wind, the heavens and the roomy earth, likewise the fierce sea-currents and the joys of heaven through God's own grace. (341b-49) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/00/99/0099f63a-257a-401e-b764-2ea218bf9990/content/images/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-12-at-11.11.54-AM.png) **Holofernes by Judith, blue* by [EGOR / Eilish (Aelish)](https://www.eilish.art/about?ref=lifeisasacredtext.com), 2018 (A young woman or older girl is depicted in a bold, graphic style, wearing a navy blue beret, and her dark hair is styled in a slightly angled bob. Her skin is a deep brown or chocolate color. She wears a contemplative or thoughtful expression and a navy blue garment. A large red backpack is prominently featured on her back, and we can see through the backpack to notice that a head is held within it.) [The Old English Judith: A Student Doodle EditionFor a bonus point on the exam, I asked my students to draw a scene from the Old English Judith. The results are amazing!![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/00/99/0099f63a-257a-401e-b764-2ea218bf9990/content/images/icon/cropped-cropped-new-logo-3.jpg)Thijs Porckthijsporck![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/00/99/0099f63a-257a-401e-b764-2ea218bf9990/content/images/thumbnail/blog-judith2.jpg)](https://thijsporck.com/2017/01/16/judith/?ref=lifeisasacredtext.com) Important!!!!! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/00/99/0099f63a-257a-401e-b764-2ea218bf9990/content/images/2024/12/darker-leafy-forest-1.png) ## Sign up for Life is a Sacred Text Life is a Sacred Text is about truth & transformation, with ancient stories serving as mirrors & lights. Collective liberation. Everybody-celebratory. Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. Girls in Trouble is the musical project of the extraordinarily talented [****Alicia Jo Rabins**](https://www.aliciajo.com/?ref=lifeisasacredtext.com). This is a song from Judith's perspective, of course. Lyrics [****here**](https://www.girlsintroublemusic.com/songs/who-sent-the-heat/?ref=lifeisasacredtext.com)****.** [Paul Tran](https://iampaultran.com/?ref=lifeisasacredtext.com) is a contemporary poet based in Madison, WI now. Their first collection is called *All the Flowers Kneeling.* I'm sharing this as a screenshot in order to best preserve their line spacing. You can find a non-jpg version of the piece [here](https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/poems/148383/like-judith-slaying-holofernes?ref=lifeisasacredtext.com), and audio of it (read by the poet themselves) [here](https://www.poetryfoundation.org/audio/148589/paul-tran-reads-like-judith-slaying-holofernes?ref=lifeisasacredtext.com). ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/00/99/0099f63a-257a-401e-b764-2ea218bf9990/content/images/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-12-at-11.53.22-AM-1.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/00/99/0099f63a-257a-401e-b764-2ea218bf9990/content/images/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-12-at-11.53.31-AM-1.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/00/99/0099f63a-257a-401e-b764-2ea218bf9990/content/images/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-12-at-2.37.45-PM.png) "Kill Your Old Self" by [Hannah Epstein](https://www.instagram.com/gdgrlhanski/?ref=lifeisasacredtext.com). (Art out of rug: A white woman with black hair and a blue shirt holds a knife to the throat of her doppelgĂ€nger, whose head and arms are raised in a gesture of submission, while a third doppelgĂ€nger holds a bag, poised to catch the head when it falls, looking at the viewer.) # đŸŒ± ## **And, once again, a reminder that Life is a Sacred Text subscriptions are on a special through the rest of the month:** Offer someone(s) you love [**gift subscriptions**](https://www.lifeisasacredtext.com/gift-subscription/)– 10% off through December! [Give a Gift Subscription! ](https://www.lifeisasacredtext.com/gift-subscription/) Get in on [**group subscriptions!**](https://lifeisasacredtextghostio.outpost.pub/group-subscriptions/url/dc37ym86?ref=lifeisasacredtext.com) For 20% off. [Get a Life is a Sacred Text 4-Pack for 20% off! ](https://lifeisasacredtextghostio.outpost.pub/group-subscriptions/url/dc37ym86?ref=lifeisasacredtext.com) And [**personal subscriptions**](https://www.lifeisasacredtext.com/december-delight) are also 10% off through the end of the month: [You matter, and you deserve this time and community. ❀](https://www.lifeisasacredtext.com/december-delight) ### # A note on the subscription model: I want my work to be as accessible to as many people as possible, in as many ways as possible. That's why the Monday essays are free, and why we donate subscriptions to anyone for whom paying is a barrier to the House of Study posts. I also believe people should be paid fairly for their work. **Needless to say, these two values sometimes seem to be in conflict, but I do what I can to find a fair balance**. I offer many resources for free, and charge for others. When you donate generously or pay at the top of our scale, that helps support the work I do, provides access for those who have fewer resources, pays for the infrastructure and the technical and practical support that it takes to do this, and helps us keep the work sustainable. **And as always,** if you want in to the Thursday space but paying isn't for you now, just email support@lifeisasacredtext.com and **we'll hook you up.** And if you’d like to **underwrite one of these donated subscriptions**, you can do so by signing up at one of the higher subscription points. And if it resonated with you, please **share this post**. Sending a big pile of blessings and goodness your way. 💕 ## A couple of other Hanukah posts from the archives: The history: [Bravely Facing TruthOn History, Heroes, and What’s Possible![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/00/99/0099f63a-257a-401e-b764-2ea218bf9990/content/images/icon/life_is_a_sacred_text_icon_only--1--16.png)Life is a Sacred TextRabbi Danya Ruttenberg![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/00/99/0099f63a-257a-401e-b764-2ea218bf9990/content/images/thumbnail/https-3a-2f-2fsubstack-post-media-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic-2fimages-2ff6cc2308-c65f-4843-998e-8c8c4089f208_818x1198-jpeg.jpg)](https://www.lifeisasacredtext.com/bravely-facing-truth/) And then what it means to integrate the history into an adult relationship with Judaism that's willing to go beyond facile answers and into the Big Bigness: [Hanukah and Adult FaithMoving Past Two-Mindedness![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/00/99/0099f63a-257a-401e-b764-2ea218bf9990/content/images/icon/life_is_a_sacred_text_icon_only--1--18.png)Life is a Sacred TextRabbi Danya Ruttenberg![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/00/99/0099f63a-257a-401e-b764-2ea218bf9990/content/images/thumbnail/https-3a-2f-2fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic-2fimages-2faa1067f0-51a5-4c89-be91-e0c94299445d_5760x3840-jpeg.jpg)](https://www.lifeisasacredtext.com/hanukah-and-adult-faith/) And there's also this wild ride about how we get from the miracle of an unlikely military victory to the miracle of miraculous oil: [Oil Miracles and Textual PuzzlesSpace to say true things, with ancient stories serving as mirrors and lights. Now living at LifeIsASacredText.com đŸŒ±![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/00/99/0099f63a-257a-401e-b764-2ea218bf9990/content/images/icon/life_is_a_sacred_text_icon_only--1--19.png)Life is a Sacred TextRabbi Danya Ruttenberg![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/00/99/0099f63a-257a-401e-b764-2ea218bf9990/content/images/thumbnail/https-3a-2f-2fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com-2fpublic-2fimages-2f52e92665-47b1-4582-b995-d0a9f4774c41_2119x1414.jpg)](https://www.lifeisasacredtext.com/oil-miracles-and-textual-puzzles/) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/00/99/0099f63a-257a-401e-b764-2ea218bf9990/content/images/2024/12/darker-leaf-with-droplets-.png) ## Sign up for Life is a Sacred Text Life is a Sacred Text is about truth & transformation, with ancient stories serving as mirrors & lights. Collective liberation. Everybody-celebratory. Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.