About This Text

Author: Eliezer Berkovits

Composed: Jerusalem, Israel, c.1984 – c.1992 CE

Jewish Women in Time and Torah, first published in 1990, is the last book written by Rabbi Dr. Eliezer Berkovits and reflects many of the themes in his earlier works – in particular, his views on the nature and development of Jewish law. Berkovits argues that while Jewish tradition “tolerated” ancient societal mores that assigned women a lower status than men, as seen in a number of rabbinic statements and rulings, these did not represent true Torah ideals. With changes in women’s status in general society, he says, today’s rabbinical establishment must reexamine ancient Jewish texts and authentic Torah values, and implement changes in practice that would better reflect women’s inherently equal value and dignity as God’s creations. Berkovits analyzes a number of areas of Jewish law in this regard, such as whether women may wear tefillin (phylacteries) or recite certain prayers on behalf of men despite legal objections that have been raised. He argues especially forcefully in the area of Jewish divorce, where he insists change is both legally possible and morally necessary in order to prevent women becoming trapped when estranged husbands refuse to grant a divorce. Though many have argued with the author’s halakhic conclusions, the work has played a significant role in the development of feminist thought and practice in some segments of the Jewish community.

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