On Women and Judaism: A View from Tradition Book

This is the classic text which outlines the ideology of Feminist Orthodoxy. Like other reviewers have noted, I too was nervous to pick up this book for fear that it would feel dated. It some important ways, it IS dated, if only because some of the issues she raises surely should have been worked out by now. But it's dated because some HAVE been too, and that's good.

But Blu Greenberg is an absolute gift to both Judaism and Feminism and social justice and I'll read anything she writes (what a couple!!! Yitz Greenberg, Blu's husband, is one of the most beloved and learned Torah leaders of our time!)

I'll not go into detail here about each topic Greenberg explores; readers who have taken an interest in how these two worlds intersect will be familiar with the halachic, social, cultural, and familial complexities.

I will leave you all with this: for me, what makes this text such a lasting treasure is not even, so much, it's specific explorations of the roles of women in Jewish life; rather, it is Greenberg's glorious and lasting accomplishment to put to bed, finally, the simplistic notion that the term Feminist Orthodox is an oxymoron. She is model of intellectual sophistication and what the poet John Keats termed (and it seems I'm ALWAYS discussing!!!) "negative capability." Certainly, as far as this reader is concerned, there is still more work to be done (an important recent step is Rabbi Ethan Tucker's Gender Equality and Prayer in Jewish Law which came out this year). But Greenberg's legacy is unquestionable.

Greenberg and this book has led to things like the creation of JOFA (Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance), the thriving of Avi Weiss's Yeshivat Maharat, and the existence and strength of groups like the International Rabbinic Fellowship which has on many occasions spoken out publicly against statements by the RCA and FOR positive achievements like YM.

For those interested, I've posted some links to these resources. Blu Greenberg must be lauded for all the work she's done and this book was one of her touchstones. It's a must for those inclined to or curious about these viewpoints.

JOFA:


IRF's statement in support of YM and expanding Jewish Womens' roles in keeping WITH tradition: