Maggie Anton

Maggie Anton is the award-winning author of historical fiction series "Rashi's Daughters" and "Rav Hisda's Daughter." She is a Talmud scholar, with expertise in Jewish women's history.

Anton's latest novel is Enchantress.

From her Q & A with Tracey Meyers at JUF News magazine:

JUF News: What was the inspiration for Enchantress?

Maggie Anton: The piece of Talmud in Bava Batra 12b where Rav Hisda calls up his two best students and asks his young daughter which one she wants to marry. When she replies "both of them" and the Talmud says that is what eventually happened, I knew I wanted to tell the story of this audacious girl.

What is Jewish Magic?

Scholars have written entire books on this subject. The short answer: Jewish magic is Jews using the supernatural to do their bidding. The majority of this in 4th-century Babylonia, when Enchantress takes place, consists of healing spells to protect people from the demons, curses, and Evil Eye that cause illness and other misfortunes.

Who is Rav Hisda's Daughter? How is she unique and different from all the other Jewish females you've written?

Rav Hisda's daughter is the woman most mentioned in the Talmud, and always in a positive light. She had two husbands, both rabbis, the last of whom, Rava, was the most powerful and influential sage in the Talmud. She was uniquely involved in the acceptance and spread of rabbinic teachings throughout Babylonia, and ultimately...[read on]

Visit Maggie Anton's website and blog.

Writers Read: Maggie Anton (December 2009).

My Book, The Movie: Enchantress.

--Marshal Zeringue