The Red Tent

Her name is Dinah. In the Bible, her story is briefly mentioned amidst the more well-known narratives about her father, Jacob, and his twelve sons in the Book of Genesis. This expansive miniseries, narrated in Dinah’s articulate voice, unveils the customs and challenges faced by women in ancient times. Dinah’s journey begins with the tales of her mothers: Leah, Rachel, Zilpah, and Bilhah, Jacob’s four wives. They cherish Dinah and bestow upon her gifts that support her through a laborious youth, her vocation as a midwife, and her relocation to a distant land. Dinah shares insights into the world of the red tent, a sanctuary for women during childbirth, menstruation, and illness; her introduction to the spiritual and sexual customs of her people; Jacob’s romantic pursuits with his wives; the intrigue and splendor of caravans, farmers, shepherds, and slaves; the experiences of love and loss in the city of Shechem; her half-brother Joseph’s ascent in Egypt; and, naturally, her marriage to Shechem and its violent aftermath.