The Fruit of Her Hands: The Story of Shira of Ashkenaz

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The Fruit of Her Hands: The Story of Shira of Ashkenaz

by Michelle Cameron (Goodreads Author)

3.93 of 5 stars 3.93 · rating details · 133 ratings · 33 reviews

Based on the life of the author’s thirteenth-century ancestor, Meir ben Baruch of Rothenberg, a renowed Jewish scholar of medieval Europe, this is the richly dramatic fictional story of Rabbi Meir’s wife, Shira, a devout but rebellious woman who preserves her religious traditions as she and her family witness the rise of anti-Semitism in Europe.

Raised by her widowed rabbi...more

Hardcover, 448 pages

Published September 8th 2009 by Gallery Books (first published September 3rd 2009)

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Oct 19, 2010 Lauren rated it 4 of 5 stars

I have encountered few novels that deal wholly with Jewish life in the Middle Ages. Thus, I was delighted to discover this novel, as it combines several areas of interest for me - Jewish history, the middle ages, and more generally, medieval Jewish culture. Because of this dearth of similar novels (I haven't seen too many others set at this time, other than the Rashi's daughters series) I think the book tries to do too much - tell the story of one man and his wife as well as the story of the ent...more I have encountered few novels that deal wholly with Jewish life in the Middle Ages. Thus, I was delighted to discover this novel, as it combines several areas of interest for me - Jewish history, the middle ages, and more generally, medieval Jewish culture. Because of this dearth of similar novels (I haven't seen too many others set at this time, other than the Rashi's daughters series) I think the book tries to do too much - tell the story of one man and his wife as well as the story of the entire Jewish community of Europe in thirteenth century Europe.

The Fruit of Her Hands begins with the story of the fictional Shira of Ashkenaz, the wife of the great Jewish scholar, Rabbi Meir ben Baruch, ancestor to the author of the novel. The novel begins in Normandy, in the town of Falaise with Shira as a young girl living with her widower father, a great Rabbi. Shira studies in her father's yeshiva, an unconventional role for a girl. While at her father's yeshiva, Shira becomes swept into a debate enrapturing her community regarding the validity of Maimonedes' view that the Torah, and not the Talmud, should be the center of Jewish study by a fiery pupil named Nicholas Donin. Donin is eventually expelled from the Jewish community and Shira reencounters him in Paris, where she is living as the wife of Meir ben Baruch. Donin becomes a Franciscan monk and uses his role in the church to revenge himself on the Jews who rejected him. Ultimately, Shira's family settles in Germany where they find some peace - but not for long. The novel recounts over and over the blood myth (that Jews use the blood of Christian children to make matzoh and engage in ritual murder of Christian children). The focus becomes one of Christian-Jewish relations, which is obviously very sad and poignant.

The author does a good job of making the reader understand that the Jews were reviled outsiders, useful to nobility and the Church only as a source of fundraising and not much else. Unfortunately, the characters in the novel are not that well developed. While the author tells us that Shira is intelligent and she is well-versed in Scriptures, she was a flat character. Similary, the author tells us that Meir is a great scholar but I didn't develop a strong sense of who he was as a person until the last two chapters of the novel. The novel took large leaps in time to get from one horrible historical attack on Jews to another, with little plot or character development in between. The characters became tools to tell the story of medieval Jews rather than Shira and Meir's story. At times the plot seems contrived simply to get Shira in the "wrong place at the wrong time" (or is it the right place at the right time?) so that the author can bring up a particularly horrific account of extreme anti-semitism during the period.

I also have to comment on the poor cover art. The woman depicted on the cover is intended to be Shira, I presume. However, her clothing would never have been worn by a medieval Jew. The shoulders are virtually uncovered and the attire is immodest. Also the woman is depicted as writing, but Left to Right. Hebrew, in contrast, is written from Right to Left and the "real" Shira would have primarily written in Hebrew, not in the languages of her Christian neighbors.

Overall this is a good novel. It didn't quite rise to the level of a four star novel to me but it wasn't a three star novel either. It isn't perfect, but a good book in a rather vacant area of historical fiction.

UPDATE: My Mother read this book and LOVED it, as did all of her friends. None of them are die hard historical fiction readers like me, so they're probably less picky. But all of them are Jewish and enjoyed this look at Jews in the middle ages. If you fall into this category, I definitely think you should read this book.
***Reviewed for Amazon Vine.(less)

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Nov 09, 2009 Misfit rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: one-time-read-only, get-it-from-the-library

Cameron retells the story of her ancestor with the fictional character of Shira - daughter of a rabbi in 13C France she is eventually wed to esteemed scholar Meir ben Baruch and they settle in Paris. The persecutions of the Jews reach new heights and Meier is among those who defend the Talmud but to no avail. They leave France to start a new life in Germany which is happy and successful at first, although the persecutions of the Jews in Europe continue to increase.

That's pretty much the basic p...more

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Mar 15, 2010 jordan rated it 5 of 5 stars

Historical fiction is always a delicate dance between accuracy and steps off that path taken to weave a successful novel; Michelle Cameron moves deftly in "The Fruit of Her Hand: The Story of Shiraz of Ashkenaz." The narrator Shiraz, a creation of Cameron's imagination, is the daughter of a prominent rabbi in 13th century France. Intelligent, opinionated, and passionate, through her eyes we see the pivotal events of her Jewish Community as they struggle against persecution and violence.

While Shi...more

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Sep 27, 2009 Marie Z. Johansen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

Studying my own ancestral lines gave me an appreciation of the pleasure that knowing where you came from can bring. I totally understand how amazing the story of Rabbi Meir ben Baruch is and how fascinated Ms. Cameron must have been when she discovered that he was her ancestor. An amazing amount of research went into the writing of this book!

The central character in this book is names 'Shira' and the story of her life offers us a clear portrait what it must have been like to have been Jewish in...more

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Sep 23, 2009 Cheryl rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shira grew up a rabbi’s daughter. Shira’s mother died when she was about five years old. Since than her father and nursemaid, Jeanne, a Christian have raised her. At an early age, Shira was very interested in books and learning. While it was not usually a woman’s place to learn in the schools as the boys, Shira’s father could not deny her in his class room. Shira grows into a lovely, educated young lady.

One day, Shira’s father introduces her to a group of new students. Two of those young men ar...more Shira grew up a rabbi’s daughter. Shira’s mother died when she was about five years old. Since than her father and nursemaid, Jeanne, a Christian have raised her. At an early age, Shira was very interested in books and learning. While it was not usually a woman’s place to learn in the schools as the boys, Shira’s father could not deny her in his class room. Shira grows into a lovely, educated young lady.

One day, Shira’s father introduces her to a group of new students. Two of those young men are Nicholas Donin and Meir ben Baruch. Meir ben Baruch would later become a very respected and famous Rabbi scholar. Nicholas and Shira were serious with each other to the point that they almost married but Shira refused him. It was just as well as because due to Nicholas’s arguments against the lessons taught in the Talmud and his refusal to accept the Jewish ways, he was excommunicated.

Shira and Meir grew close and became husband and wife. They were very dedicated to their religion and the words of the Talmud. Years later, a huge battle between Christianity and Judaism would take place. The man leading the charge against the Jews and the book of Talmud would be none other than Nicholas Donin. Shira will have to make a choice whether to stand strong in her faith or discard all her beliefs in order to save her people.

I know nothing about Rabbi Meir ben Baruch and his life or his teachings. All I know is that after reading this book, I have now found myself a new favorite author in Michelle Cameron. The Fruit of Her Hands: The Story of Shira of Ashkenaz is one of the best books of 2009! I had mixed feelings about this book, even before I picked it up and started reading it. Instantly I was transported to another world. I lost myself in Shira and Meir’s story. I liked how this book was split into different sections. Each one covering a different time period expansion. Michelle Cameron didn’t just tell a story, she painted a portrait. Don’t just take my word for how good this book is. Pick up a copy of The Fruit of Her Hands: The Story of Shira of Ashkenaz for yourself.
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Oct 09, 2009 Shannon rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book was a total chance read---I walked by it set out at the library and gave it a try. It was definately worth the read. It tells the fictional story of the wife of one of Europe's most respected Rabbis in the 1200's. It starts when she is about 9 and continues until the end of her life. It spends a lot of time focusing on the horrible treatment of Jews during this time period, and showing how it affected Shira's life and that of her family. The life inside the Rabbinical school that her f...more

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Sep 08, 2009 Bridget rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shira is your average happy go lucky child whose passion for learning is beyond the norm. Her father is a rabbi who is imprisoned for suspected heresy. Shira's life is turned upside down by this tragic event. With the help of a man that Shira will eventually call her husband, they fight for her father and what they believe is right.

Meir and Shira live a wonderful life and end up having a daughter of their own. Shira struggles with maintaining her religious beliefs and following her heart. Will t...more

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Sep 10, 2009 Harvee rated it 4 of 5 stars

From the Author's Note:
" I don't remember the first time my mother told me I was descended from a famous rabbi who lived in Europe in the 1200s....I stumbled upon a reference to Rabbi Meir ben Baruch of Rothenbert, the Maharam....

I had never known that in 1242 an apostate Jew named Nicholas Donin, having been excommunicated by the chief rabbi of Paris, convinced the Pope and French royals to burn every copy of the Talmud in a Paris market square. My ancestor, Rabbi Meir ben Baruch, was among th...more

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Nov 15, 2011 Rachel rated it 3 of 5 stars

This work of historical fiction presents a fascinating peek into Jewish life in 13th century Europe. Many aspects of the story are excellent: Michelle Cameron creates characters you care about and cleverly finds ways for her heroine to experience life -- and unique varieties of anti-Semitism -- in three different countries (France, England and Germany), which broadens the scope of the narrative. Her descriptions of yeshiva life, of prayer and ritual practice of the day and of non-Jews' attitudes...more

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Aug 09, 2011 Korri rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, jewish, medieval-and-renaissance

Other than Rashi's Daughters, I haven't come across much Jewish fiction set in the the middle ages, let alone one with a female protagonist, so I was excited to read The Fruit of Her Hands. Cameron makes her ancestor Rabbi Meir ben Baruch accessible through the fictionalized life of his wife, Shira, herself a formidable scholar.

It was difficult to see Shira's talent stifled under the need to support the yeshiva through endless drudgery and housework. Since Shira's knowledge and intelligence are...more

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Apr 16, 2013 Lesley Carol Prince rated it 4 of 5 stars

Intriguing book with its background of 13th century history, and yeshiva and family life amid the horrors of anti-Semitism. The fictional Shira is a strong protagonist who sometimes overpowers the personality of her scholar husband, Meir ben Baruch of Rothenburg.

Admittedly,the latter comment is that of a 21st century feminist. Shira, "beshert' of Meir, was an exemplary helpmate. The role Shira fulfilled was entirely consistent with the mores and culture of the times.

Cameron writes well and suc...more

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Nov 03, 2009 Sandie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2009-books, historical-fiction

For readers craving great historical fiction, or a realistic romance novel, or a book about religion’s place in history, THE FRUIT OF HER HANDS will more than satisfy your appetite. This wonderful saga puts into perspective not only the religious struggles faced by the Jewish community of 13th century Ashkenaz, a region of Europe that encompassed portions of France and Germany, but the traditions, values and rituals practiced in their every day lives.

Author, Michelle Cameron has skillfully blen...more For readers craving great historical fiction, or a realistic romance novel, or a book about religion’s place in history, THE FRUIT OF HER HANDS will more than satisfy your appetite. This wonderful saga puts into perspective not only the religious struggles faced by the Jewish community of 13th century Ashkenaz, a region of Europe that encompassed portions of France and Germany, but the traditions, values and rituals practiced in their every day lives.

Author, Michelle Cameron has skillfully blended the life experiences of her creation, Shira, with that of actual historical characters and given her readers a book that is not only historically accurate but entertaining and informative as well. The story follows Shira from her childhood home in Normandy and her marriage to Meir ben Baruch, to a yeshiva in Paris and later to Rothenberg, Germany. Throughout her life and travels Shira’s life is plagued by Nicholas Donin, a man whose marriage proposal and unorthodox religious beliefs she once rejected and who now seeks revenge against the Jewish community.

Non-Jewish readers will come away with a better understanding of the Talmud and the Torah as well as the customs, culture, and history of Judaism. I, personally, was amazed to learn that Jews of that era were required to wear a rouelle (“golden wagon wheel”) stitched to their clothing to identify them…. just as Hitler enforced the wearing of the Star of David circa WWII. Hatred and intolerance seems to have been the order of the day with both Christians and Jews misinterpreting the others religion and beliefs.

Michelle Cameron has managed to intrigue her readers with an interesting approach to Jewish history that not only brings to life a long forgotten era, but also provides us with a moving story of one woman’s love and devotion to her family, friends and a way of life. Although Shira was a creation of the author’s imagination, Meir of Rothenberg and Nicholas Donin were actual men and I now feel compelled to learn more about their place in history.
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Jun 03, 2010 Julie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: own, vine, fiction

The title of this novel is misleading. While it is told from the perspective of Shira, it is really about her husband Meir ben Barucha, Cameron’s ancestor. Meir was a Talmudic rabbi during the 13th century and, as Cameron states in her Author’s note, she uses the fictional Shira as a vehicle to tell Meir’s story. It was a good premise, accurately reflecting the period and the history of Jews in Europe, including Talmud burnings and pogroms. However, I felt that the same story could have been tol...more

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Oct 13, 2009 faeriemyst rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, amazon-vine, historical-fiction-13th-century

I'm having a remarkably hard time gathering up my thoughts to review THE FRUIT OF HER HANDS. The book is a mixed bag as far as I'm concerned.

Overall, the book was informative and easy entertainment, but it lacked depth. For the most part the characters were either good or bad, with no shades of grey, which made them unrealistic and led to my feeling of detachment. Shira was a sympathetic and capable main character during the first third of the book and looked to be an interesting Medieval wife....more

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Sep 10, 2010 Debby rated it 5 of 5 stars

A wonderful view back in time to Jewish life in medieval Europe. I read this book during the High Holy Days. I think the timing made it even more penetrating. With the recent turmoil over book-burning which I abhor, the scenes of ignorance mixed with evil resulting in the mass burning of Jewish holy books so painfully described through tears of anguish reminds us all how evil begets evil. This book is a must read for Jew and non Jew alike.

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Apr 18, 2011 Susie rated it 4 of 5 stars

This was a thoroughly readable, flowing, engaging story of the author's imagined wife of Meir ben Baruch, a real life famous Talmudic Jewish scholar who lived in Europe in the 1200s. Shira is honorable, likeable, intelligent, and fiery for learning, which was not common for women of the day. The story covers her imagined life from young childhood to old age, and the increasing anti-Semitism that she, her family and community must face as the years go by.

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Jun 24, 2012 Kristin rated it 4 of 5 stars

This was a wonderful book. It was rich with plot, detail, character development...I loved it. It was so interesting to read about the Jewish customs of Medieval Europe. I learned a lot. It was espedcially enjoyable to know that the author was writing about a distant relative of hers. The story moved along fairly well. I can't believe how much she fit into this book. An entire lifetime.

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Jul 28, 2010 Amanda rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, jewish-fiction, judaica

I didn't enjoy this novel as much as the Rashi's daughters' series, despite the fact that I think it was somewhat better written. The writing is very lyrical, but the plot doesn't seem to really go anywhere. Some of the rituals seem a bit anachronistic as well -- meant to appeal to us in our present time, but I'm not convinced completely as they were done in time of the characters.

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Aug 16, 2010 Anne rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

The author crafted this story of Jewish life in 13th-century Europe after researching a Jewish scholar who was her ancestor. The book focuses on the scholar's wife, a strong female character who would love the scholarly life reserved for males in Jewish culture but who still embraces the Jewish female role. Interesting book during a year of studying the Old Testament.

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Oct 18, 2009 Dana rated it 4 of 5 stars

This was a fantastic story of the Jewish struggle during the 13th century. As a Catholic, I've often hear "our" side of the events that took place, but have never heard the story from the Jewish perspective..until now. You also have a fantatic story of growth and perserverance of a very strong woman intertwined with the religious tensions.

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Oct 21, 2009 Mindy rated it 4 of 5 stars

I am ashamed to say that this book illuminated how little I know about my Jewish history. Of course I am well aware of the Crusades and the Holocaust but I had no idea about the persecution of the Jews not only in Europe but in England in the 1200's. I couldn't put this book down and I learned a lot from it but I have to say that there was no happy ending. I know now that I have much to learn about the history of my people.

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Dec 31, 2009 Judy Chessin rated it 3 of 5 stars

I liked this better than the Rashi's Daughter's Series. It gave good history and taught a lot about what was going on at the time, the role and the ambivalence of woman's roles, etc.

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Oct 26, 2010 Judy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: adult-fiction

This historical fiction novel takes place in the mid to late 1200's and is the story of a woman who lives, grows, loves,and endures during the rising anti-semitism of the times.

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May 26, 2012 Jill rated it 4 of 5 stars

Good book but lots of Jewish law and study, overwhelming at times. But the story of Shira and Meir's love and Shira's love for her children was good. And learning about the discrimination and violence the jews of the middle ages endured was very interesting.

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Oct 07, 2011 Melissa rated it 5 of 5 stars

Wonderfully written and researched. This book transports you to a different world, rich in detail and history.

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Dec 04, 2009 joy *the clean-reader extraordinaire* rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: biography, medieval-fiction, historical-fiction, religious-fiction, pg13-yellow

fascinating view into medieval Jewish life, plus simply a nice smooth read. i recommend it only to adults, however, as there is a figuratively open door to the couple's bedroom on their wedding night, as it were. also, the persecution of Jews in medieval Europe is a primary theme of the book. it's eye-opening without being too graphic, though.

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Dec 20, 2009 Ayelet rated it 4 of 5 stars

I'm not a feminist but the male attitudes in the book were driving me crazy!

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Sep 12, 2010 Hillary rated it 5 of 5 stars

Excellent historical Jewish fiction. Highly recommend.

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Sep 24, 2011 Ilene rated it 4 of 5 stars

loved reading about the history of the Jews.

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Nov 24, 2009 Satia rated it 3 of 5 stars

I'm not a fan of historical romances and there were times I found this book typically tedious. But this book was more than the usual bodice ripper and contained some interesting moments. A good escapist read. For more:

http://satia.blogspot.com/2009/11/fru...

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About Michelle Cameron

Michelle Cameron's The Fruit of Her Hands, an historical novel set in medieval France and Germany, relating the life of Michelle's ancestor, Rabbi Meir ben Baruch of Rothenberg, the Maharam, was published by Pocket Books (a division of Simon & Schuster). Publication in September 2009.

Publisher’s Weekly praised the novel’s “powerful immediacy” and Library Journal its “rich details.” RT Book Re...more

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