Revisions: Seeing Torah Through a Feminist Lens

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.

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.

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.

"Re-visions" shows us a new doorway through which we can revisit old and familiar writings from the Torah and look at them with new eyes. Rabbi Goldstein's reframing of the Hebrew and reshaping of the stories gives exciting new insight into tales from our childhood that shaped the way we looked at ourselves, our faith, and our God. Her re-interpretation of Genesis's "your husband shall rule over you" is no less short of brilliant. Goldstein's discussions of the pagen world and God-language are fresh and ground breaking. Even the forward by Yitz Greenberg is an eye-opener to the direction of open-minded Orthodoxy. An outstanding and concise book in a sea of new feminist commentary.