With a Mighty Hand: The Story in the Torah by Amy Ehrlich (review)

Whether approaching them through Torah, Old Testament, Bible, or Tanakh, many readers learn the books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy piecemeal, as stories and references removed from the context of the larger Scripture. Here Ehrlich succeeds admirably in an ambitious effort to "write a version of the Torah" by teasing out the narrative thread of Yahweh's covenant with Israel and following it "through thickets of genealogy, law, and ritual." Organized by book and broken into Ehrlich's own chapter demarcations, the stumbling journey from Eden to the borders of Canaan, from a clan to a blossoming nation is retold with an unwavering balance of reverence and fluency. Although a few notes are appended to clarify several arcane points of ancient history and ritual, the retelling is free of interpretation, and Ehrlich even makes a conscious effort to retain some of the odd repetitions, contradictions, and theological bafflements that keep scholars and believers involved in discernment and debate. Nevins' paintings, spare in compositional elements but rich in visual rhythm, highlight scenes not generally selected for standard Bible story illustration: Sarah laughing in disbelief as three strangers predict her imminent pregnancy, Jacob blessing his grandsons with crossed arms, the stoning of the man who dared blaspheme Yahweh. The elegant pair of double-page spreads, however, are ingeniously selected to complement each other—the parting of the Sea of Reeds that launched the journey through the wilderness, and Moses, at the border he will never cross, exhorting the multitude of Israelites to uphold their sacred Covenant. Beautiful craftsmanship makes this an excellent title for gift giving, but consider it also as a wonderful selection for young people who would like to reconnect their scriptural puzzle pieces into one vibrant picture.