I’m looking for a female I can relate to from the bible. Most of them are mentioned either as the wife or mother of someone significant. Other mention of females seems to be the occasional mention for physical beauty, property, as a slave, or a seductress, or temptation.

It’s a good question and a common (mis-)perception. When I think of the most inspiring individuals in the Bible, I immediately think of Sarah, Rebecca, Rachael, Leah, Esther, Devorah and many other women. In fact, the women usually come across as more spiritually advanced than the men. None of the aforementioned women is mentioned merely as someone’s wife or mother, nor as a mere object of beauty or service. Even Eve – the mother of all – is called Adam’s “ezer k’negdo” – if you think that means she’s there to be his servant or sex object, you’re reading the wrong translation.

One reason for such gross misunderstanding of the Torah is the misperception that “Torah” means the Five Books of Moses only, and that Torah means “law”. In fact, “Torah” is short for “Torat Chaim” – instructions for living – and includes both written and oral traditions. To examine the written without the oral would be like trying to drive a car with the chassis but no engine.

The key component of that Oral Tradition for understanding the personalities of the Bible is the Midrash. The Artscroll editions supply ample footnotes that quote from the Midrash.