Part Rebbetzin, part spy; part pious, part criminal; part defender of the faith, part kidnapper. What is one to make of the idiosyncratic life of Ruth Blau—a woman who seduced a Nazi officer but married an influential rabbi; was captured by the Mossad for criminal activities, but later met with the Ayatollah Khomeini to protect Jewish interests? In reviewing “Ruth Blau: A Life of Paradox and Purpose,” Yoel Finkelman says: Motti Inbari traces her unbelievable story with academic rigor and dedication to describing just what happened to one of the most enigmatic Haredi women of the 20th century.