Expanding the Palace of Torah - Orthodoxy and Feminism

Expanding the Palace of Torah offers a philosophical overview of the challenges the women's revolution poses to Orthodox Judaism and Orthodox Judaisms response to those challenges. It exposes the male-focused thrust of the rabbinic tradition and its biblical grounding, posing a potential threat to the theological heart of traditional Judaism.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 06 August 2021
Publisher: Brandeis University Press

Expanding the Palace of Torah provides a comprehensive philosophical exploration of the profound challenges posed by the women's revolution to Orthodox Judaism, as well as the Orthodox Jewish response to these challenges. Written from an insider's perspective, author Tamar Ross, herself an Orthodox Jew, directly confronts the radical feminist critique of Judaism, which views the religion as deeply entrenched in patriarchy. Surprisingly, there has been limited scholarly work in this domain, primarily focused on exploring ad hoc solutions to practical halakhic problems as they arise. By unveiling the predominantly male-focused thrust of the rabbinic tradition and its biblical foundations, Ross sees this critique as posing a potential threat to the theological core of traditional Judaism—the belief in divine revelation.

To address these concerns, this new edition of Expanding the Palace of Torah reintroduces this acclaimed and seminal text to the print medium, accompanied by a fresh essay by Ross that examines recent developments in feminist thought since the book's initial publication in 2004. Through her insightful analysis, Ross sheds light on the evolving perspectives and debates within the feminist movement, offering valuable insights into the ongoing dialogue between feminism and Orthodox Judaism.

This revised edition serves as a valuable resource for scholars, students, and anyone interested in exploring the complex intersections between gender, religion, and society. It provides a comprehensive examination of the challenges faced by Orthodox Judaism in the wake of the women's revolution and highlights the innovative responses that have emerged within the Jewish community. By delving into the philosophical underpinnings of feminist critiques and exploring the theological implications of these challenges, Expanding the Palace of Torah contributes to a deeper understanding of the complex dynamics between feminism and traditional religious beliefs.

Weight: 550g
Dimension: 157 x 235 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781684580514