Hannah Raises Her Voice

What do we do when we want something we can’t have? Do we simply accept its absence, or do we try everything we can to find a way to fulfill our longing? Do we accept our life for what it is, or try to change it? What are the risks and costs of each of these decisions? And how should we approach the Divine – with humility or chutzpah?

Hannah’s story carries us through various approaches to these questions. One of many women in the Torah who suffers because of difficulty conceiving a child, Hannah can be a model for dealing with our desires and disappointment, a companion in our times of suffering, and an inspiration for our power to find a way out. Hannah is a model for asking for what we really want – and maybe even demanding it.