Engendering Judaism: An Inclusive Theology and Ethics [Hardcover]

Dr. Rachel Adler (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 10, 1999

This is a pioneering work on what it means to “engender” Jewish tradition— how women’s full inclusion can and must transform our understanding and practice of Jewish law, prayer, and marriage. Adler’s writing is passionate, sharply intelligent and offers a serious study of traditional biblical and rabbinic texts. Engendering Judaism challenges both mainstream Judaism and feminist dogma and speaks across the movements as well as to Christian theologians and feminists.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A dazzling weave of theory, textual analysis, and practical proposals for the transformation of Judaism . . . takes Jewish feminism to a new, richer, and deeper level."—Judith Plaskow

(Judith Plaskow )

About the Author

Rachel Adler holds a joint appointment at the University of Southern California and Hebrew Union College. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 269 pages
• Publisher: The Jewish Publication Society (September 10, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0827605846
• ISBN-13: 978-0827605848
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,574,326 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #72 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Judaism > Women and Judaism

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An exciting, insightful and energizing book! Impressive!!, January 9, 2003

By 

Curmudgeon (NY, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Engendering Judaism: An Inclusive Theology and Ethics (Paperback)

I assigned this book as one of the seminar readings for my Jewish Studies class at the Evergreen State College. While the book was suitably demanding of my undergraduate readers due to its erudition and scholarship, it rewarded them with well argued, respectful and deeply engaging feminist solutions to the challenges of looking at Jewish beliefs, texts, and traditions, from a contemporary point of view. The author begins with a beautifully structured critical look at the patriarchal impact on Jewish culture and religion. It follows with useful and well researched arguments for re-engaging an ancient tradition in the building of inclusive, egalitarian and relevant Jewish communities. It is a breath of fresh air and possibly the best book on Judaism you will read on worthwhile contemporary issues. It addresses feminist concerns, queer issues and other important questions, and offers scholarly, wise, and compasionate tools to re-evaluate how to build the Judaism of the future . My students (Jewish and non-Jewish) loved it!!!

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Work of Theology!, February 27, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Engendering Judaism: An Inclusive Theology and Ethics (Paperback)

Scholarly, yet readable, this book marks a promising beginning for those who wish to create a Jewish feminist theology and identity without compromising Jewish or feminist values. I would encourage anyone who is concerned about making Judaism more equitable for women and men alike and ensuring that the religion will continue to grow and thrive to read this book!

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Most Important Book On Jewish Theology in Our Lifetimes!, September 11, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Engendering Judaism: An Inclusive Theology and Ethics (Hardcover)

While Adler's book is on the scholarly side, it's eminently readable, and incredibly important. This offers excellently-reasoned and wittily-presented arguments neatly pinpointing some of the fundamental issues facing Judaism today, and among other things, unveiling the first reasonable and equitably halachic solution to the Jewish marriage problems. By far the very best work of any Jewish feminist to date, and easily stands beside any of the great and venerable works of modern Jewish thought, feminist or not. No Jew should get married before reading this.