The Status of Women in Jewish Tradition [Paperback]

This book looks at the inferiority of women in the Torah's vision, and whether the Bible and Talmud rise above patriarchal self-interest.Biblical and Talmudic Judaism are rooted in the presuppositions and interests of a patriarchal society, but this book identifies views within the Bible and the Talmud that seem to rise above patriarchal self-interest. Particularly compelling is the evidence of support for monogamy in ancient Israel, a belief in the applicability of Biblical commandments to men and women alike, and an outlook that regards women's and men's souls as equal in value.Biblical and Talmudic Judaism are rooted in the presuppositions and interests of a patriarchal society, but this book identifies views within the Bible and the Talmud that seem to rise above patriarchal self-interest. Particularly compelling is the evidence of support for monogamy in ancient Israel, a belief in the applicability of Biblical commandments to men and women alike, and an outlook that regards women's and men's souls as equal in value.Most ancient societies were patriarchal in outlook, but not all patriarchies are equally condescending toward women. Impelled by the gnawing question of whether the inferiority of women is integral to the Torah's vision, Sassoon sets out to determine where the Bible, the Talmud, and related literature, especially the Dead Sea Scrolls, sit on this continuum of patriarchal condescension. Of course, there are multiple voices in both Biblical and Talmudic literature, but more surprising is how divergent these voices are. Some points of view seem intent on the disenfranchisement and domestication of women, whereas others prove to be not far short of egalitarian. Opinions that downplay the applicability of the Biblical commandments to women and that strongly deprecate Torah study by women emerge from this study as arguably no more than the views of an especially vocal minority.Part I. Monogamy: 1. The sources; 2. Pro-CD arguments; 3. Anti-CD arguments; 4.lƒ/