The outline of how nazirite vows are made in Numbers connects this week’s halftarah selection to the story of Samson’s mother who is also known as Manoah’s wife (Judges 13:2-13:25). Nazarites are men and women who make a demanding vow to not cut their hair, drink wine, eat unclean foods nor touch the dead. In exchange, the oath-maker expected God to fulfill a specific promise. Throughout chapter 13 of Judges the mother/wife remains unnamed. Later commentators provide her with a moniker: Eluma (Pseudo-Philo), Zlelpnith and Hazlelponi (the ancient rabbis). Since she plays a central role and is more favorably depicted than her husband, I began my study by wondering why the author seemed to go out of the way to keep her “the woman.” To follow are my findings. Read more…