ReVisions : Seeing Torah Through a Feminist Lens [Hardcover]

Elyse Goldstein (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1999

Taking a new look at aspects of the Torah, Rabbi Goldstein revisits biblical stories, ritual laws, and mysticism, offering a modern feminist view.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

One focus of feminist discussion of Hebrew scripture is how little we know about biblical women. Traditionally, biblical commentary was an arena reserved for male scholars. Goldstein's thesis is that women are central to discussions of the Bible. In his introduction, Irving Greenberg discusses how the Reform and Orthodox communities will react to his endorsement of a book, written by a female Reform rabbi. What is more important is that feminists and traditionalists are coming to terms and accepting each other. Goldstein divides her work into three sections: women, menstruation, and the vestiges of ancient goddess-worship. She juxtaposes biblical quotations with personal musings, and supports her discussion with the work of contemporary scholars, providing ways for readers to understand biblical women, taboo issues, and the connections between women and the deity. Recommended for large public libraries and academic libraries with holdings in Judaica and feminism.?Naomi E. Hafter, Broward Cty. P.L., Lauderhill, FL
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"A re-reading of the Torah from a woman's perspective that is both liberal and traditional, accepting and critical. . . . Her discussions will open new avenues of understanding for any reader." -- Rabbi W. Gunther Plaut, editor of The Torah: A Modern Commentary

"Combines original insight with thorough consideration of classical Jewish commentaries to produce a fascinating set of fresh readings of the Torah and of Jewish religious practice." -- Prof. Susannah Heschel, Eli Black Professor of Jewish Studies, Dartmouth College

"In wrestling with the thorny and seemingly intractable issue of what feminists can and should do about the sexist content in Judaism . . . blazes a trail that leads to the transformation of Judaism from within. . . . A pioneering and inspiring 'Guide for the Perplexed' for feminists of our time." -- Aviva Cantor, author of Jewish Women, Jewish Men: The Legacy of Patriarchy in Jewish Life

"ReVisions is an excellent Torah commentary in which the author feels the pulse of the text and helps us listen to all of its nuances, irrespective of her feminist perspective. An when we are finished with this book, one thing is clear: we want more." -- Jewish Book World

"The book is a thought-provoking commentary, revealing the female spirit found in the Torah. Synagogue libraries would find this book a good addition to their collection of Torah study and women's issues." -- Association of Jewish Libraries Newsletter

"Those who seek to connect to Torah and Jewish practice will discover fresh strategies for imagining a Judaism which reflects and respects women." -- Vanessa L. Ochs, author of Words on Fire; Department of Religious Studies, University of Virginia

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Jewish Lights Publishing; First Edition edition (January 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580230474
• ISBN-13: 978-1580230476
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,687,750 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Informative, stimulating, and engaging., August 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: ReVisions : Seeing Torah Through a Feminist Lens (Hardcover)

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and could not put it down. Rabbi Goldstein deals fairly with subjects relating to women's issues and lives. She also approaches female characters and their treatment in the Bible and tradition from a new angle. She is not radical in her feminist approach, though she is innovative. Recognizing that she uses a unique approach, Rabbi Goldstein eases the reader in to her technique, allowing the reader to adjust to a new way of approaching the Bible and tradition. This book will challenge and move you to rethink the way in which you view the Bible, women, tradition, and nature. It is a stimulating educational read. I recommend it highly.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Accessible and Valuable Resource, November 29, 1999

By 

Kerry Maloney (Lewiston, Maine) - See all my reviews

This review is from: ReVisions : Seeing Torah Through a Feminist Lens (Hardcover)

In ReVisions: Seeing Torah Through a Feminist Lens, the reader joins Rabbi Elyse Goldstein in an engaging, accessible study of the treatment of women in the Bible, a topic that has enormously influenced not only religion in the West but also Western society in general. Rabbi Goldstein is a highly skilled teacher and guide. The reader feels instantly that s/he is in competent hands and wise company. People of all religious traditions (as well as those who are not affiliated with any tradition at all) will find this book a concise, persuasive, and occasionally moving resource as they attempt to understand the history of the treatment of women by religion and as they attempt a feminist retrieval and reconstruction of so much that have been lost to us.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating Reading, December 21, 2000

By 

Evelyn Kallen (Toronto, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: ReVisions : Seeing Torah Through a Feminist Lens (Hardcover)

This book offers a provocative reVision of the Torah, from a refreshingly humanist, feminist perspective. For readers who are turned off as soon as they see the word 'feminist', I say, please give this book a chance: you may be pleasantly surprised.The central theme of the book is rooted in Genesis 1: 26-27, the biblical passage which presents the first creation myth (prior to the Adam and Eve story). In this account, God created a male and a female being, in God's image. It is Rabbi Goldstein's conviction that Genesis: Chapter 1, in which, she argues, the intrinsic dignities of infinite value, equality and uniqueness are bestowed on men and women alike, describes the ideal world that God intends to create. In contrast, Chapter 2-4 reveal that this is not the real world that human beings inhabit: our world is one of institutionalized inequality between men and women, in which men rule. The author's goal is to present a reVision of the Torah which expresses the original intention of the One God.On the other hand, both as an anthropologist and a human rights activist, I applaud Rabbi Goldstein's humanist, feminist stance which projects a reVision of Judaism that harmonizes maleness and femaleness in an integrated conception of the One God. This reVision sees maleness and femaleness as different, but equivalent and complementary components of Judaism and Jewish life. Rabbi Elyse Goldstein's book is a truly pioneering effort, offering a insightful, feminist reVision of Torah interpretation which can open up new avenues of understanding of both Judaism and feminism for a wide audience of readers. The book makes fascinating reading, and I strongly recommend it.