ReVisions : Seeing Torah Through a Feminist Lens - Hardcover

Goldstein, Rabbi Elyse

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1580230474 ISBN 13: 9781580230476

Publisher: Jewish Lights, 1998

Synopsis

What does it mean to re-vision Torah?

"I use the title ReVisions for this book because I want readers both to revise―in the classic definition of reexamine and alter―and to see the text anew, to have a new vision, a 'revision,' of Torah.... It begins with the notion that women see the text differently than men do, ask different questions and bring different answers.... This book is not about rewriting the Torah. It is about rereading it."
―from the Introduction

Rabbi Elyse Goldstein―woman, rabbi, scholar, and feminist―challenges and defends, rereads and reinterprets the ancient text, revealing to modern readers a way to see Judaism anew, for a new vision―a "revision"―of the Torah. Goldstein boldly brings the Torah into a contemporary context at the same time she honestly reconciles its past.

About this title

About the Author

Rabbi Elyse Goldstein, one of the leading rabbis of a new generation, is director of Kolel: The Adult Center for Liberal Jewish Learning, a full-time progressive adult Jewish learning center. Goldstein lectures frequently throughout North America. She is also editor of The Women's Torah Commentary: New Insights from Women Rabbis on the 54 Weekly Torah Portions; and The Women's Haftarah Commentary: New Insights from Women Rabbis on the 54 Weekly Haftarah Portions, the 5 Megillot and Special Shabbatot; and author of the award-winning New Jewish Feminism: Probing the Past, Forging the Future and ReVisions: Seeing Torah through a Feminist Lens (all Jewish Lights).

Rabbi Elyse Goldstein is available to speak on the following topics:

• Women and Judaism
• Reform Judaism
• Jewish Parenting
• General Judaica

Review

"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

"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

"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

Edition details

• Publisher: Jewish Lights
• Publication date: 1998
• ISBN 10: 1580230474
• ISBN 13: 9781580230476
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 224