Writing the Wayward Wife: Rabbinic Interpretations of Sotah (Ancient Judaism and Early Christianity) - Hardcover

Grushcow, Lisa

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 9004146288 ISBN 13: 9789004146280

Publisher: Brill, 2005

Synopsis

Writing the Wayward Wife is a study of rabbinic interpretations of sotah, the law concerning the woman suspected of adultery (Numbers 5:11-31).

The focus of the book is on interpretations of sotah in tannaitic and amoraic texts: the Mishnah, Tosefta, Midrash Halakhah, Midrash Aggadah, and the Palestinian and Babylonian Talmuds. The body of the work is in-depth analysis of the legal and ritual proceedings. Jewish Greek interpretations (Josephus, Philo, and LXX) also are addressed, along with the Protevangelium of James, and fragments from the Dead Sea Scrolls and Cairo Geniza. Finally, the disappearance of the ritual is discussed, with implications for the development of rabbinic authority.

In previous secondary literature, the law of sotah has been understood as either proto-feminist or misogynist. This book argues that neither of these are appropriate paradigms. Rather, this book identifies the emergence of two major interpretive themes: the emphasis on legal procedures, and the condemnation of adultery.

About this title

About the Author:

Lisa Grushcow earned her M.Phil. and D.Phil. at Oxford University, where she studied as a Rhodes Scholar. She received rabbinic ordination from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, and currently serves as Associate Rabbi of Congregation Rodeph Sholom in New York City.

Review:

"Grushcow's fascinating account offers a glimpse into the rabbinic mindset--which is, in itself, reason to concern ourselves with the story of these bitter waters." - Shira Fisher, in: LILITH Magazine, 2006

About this edition

• Publisher: Brill
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 9004146288
• ISBN 13: 9789004146280
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 336