The story of Jephthah’s daughter is a “text of terror” in the memorable phrase of a feminist scholar. This woman remains one of the nameless victims of a patriarchal society. Jephthah, as is the way of abusers, blames the victim. Daughter, you have struck me down and brought calamity upon me. When the Rabbis comment on this passage they do not primarily fault Jephthah. He was a low-life thug acting in character. They blame the High Priest at the time, Phineas, who should have spoken up and denounced the illegitimacy of the vow that Jephthah had made. He knew better and did not act. The plight of women is again in the news with fall of Afghanistan. We must speak up to prevent more terror.
