Overview

Exploring the place of women in the socioeconomic system formulated in the Mishnah, a book of legal rules with a spiritual basis compiled by Jewish sages in second-century Palestine, this study reveals a fundamental ambiguity in the role of women. Both the property and the peers of men, in some circumstances women were considered to possess no powers, rights, or duties in law, and in others were judged morally, practically, and intellectually fit to own property, conduct business, engage in lawsuits, and manage their own personal affairs. Wegner spells out in detail these variations in status, analyzes them, and isolates the factors that account for differential treatment of different classes of women in the private domain and for differential treatment of men and women in the public domain of mishnaic culture, relating her findings to recent developments in feminist analyses of the status of women in patriarchy.

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9780195080032

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By focusing on the notion of womanhood according to the Mishnah, Wegner uncovers paradoxes and ambiguities that lie at the heart of Judaism's ambivalent attitude towards women ... Wegner's realism allows for change and redefinition in the light of a convincing dialogue between feminism and Judaism. * Journal of Theological Studies * Judith Wegner approaches her task systematically. Each section begins with a brief review of the Scripture that inspired the mishnaic debate. This is followed by meticulous, explanatory translation of the relevant mishnaic texts. Better translations are unlikely to be made and the book is worth consulting for their sake alone. Then follows a detailed analysis of the theme, whose consistent clarity is a pleasure to read. Time and again the insights that emerge illuminate the text, which strongly suggests that the conclusions are correct... it must be emphasised that this reviewer has nothing but praise for the methodology of this book, and an overall acceptance for the basic conclusions that emerge. It is undeniable that Judith Wegner has contributed greatly to our knowledge of these women of the past. * Journal of Semitic Studies * `rejoices in being both scholarly and intensely personal ... Her thesis is fascinating, and convincing' Times Literary Supplement

I am thrilled that this book is now available in a reasonably priced paperback. Wegner provides an excellent introduction for reading classical rabbinic texts and a methodology for understanding their nuances in terms of gender. --H. Adelman, Smith College We have been waiting for this book. It is valuable and readable. --Allen Howard Podet, Buffalo State College Provides a well-organized and easily accessible presentation of scriptural and Mishnaic codes concerning women in Israel. Helpful for use in courses where students want to examine the situation of women in the Hebrew context but have little previous knowledge of the law or customs. --Ginger Hanks-Harwood, Pacific Union College The difficulty in using rabbinic materials to assess the place of women in Jewish antiquity has now been significantly alleviated by Judith Wegner's penetrating study of women as portrayed in the Mishnah....Will be extraordinarily valuable to all concerned with the historic roots of women's role in Western religious traditions. --Journal of Religion The topic and its results are of enormous value to comprehending more fully the rich intellectual tradition of ancient Judaism, the status of women, and the comparative history of religions. It is essential reading for anyone interested in these topics. --Religious Studies Review I am thrilled that this book is now available in a reasonably priced paperback. Wegner provides an excellent introduction for reading classical rabbinic texts and a methodology for understanding their nuances in terms of gender. --H. Adelman, Smith College We have been waiting for this book. It is valuable and readable. --Allen Howard Podet, Buffalo State College Provides a well-organized and easily accessible presentation of scriptural and Mishnaic codes concerning women in Israel. Helpful for use in courses where students want to examine the situation of women in the Hebrew context but have little previous knowledge of the law or customs. --Ginger Hanks-Harwood, Pacific Union College The difficulty in using rabbinic materials to assess the place of women in Jewish antiquity has now been significantly alleviated by Judith Wegner's penetrating study of women as portrayed in the Mishnah....Will be extraordinarily valuable to all concerned with the historic roots of women's role in Western religious traditions. --Journal of Religion The topic and its results are of enormous value to comprehending more fully the rich intellectual tradition of ancient Judaism, the status of women, and the comparative history of religions. It is essential reading for anyone interested in these topics. --Religious Studies Review A ground-breaking study....A major, vital contribution --Critical Review A welcome entry into the realm of rabbinic studies, Chattel or Person? is seminal to the project of restructuring that field with concerns of gender. --Biblical Archaeologist An impressive piece of work, rich in evidence and important in its interpretation. --Joan W. Scott, Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton A dispassionate, academic, readable study of women's legal status in the Mishnah....Wegner's book is more than a scholarly analysis of a Jewish legal text. It challenges Jewish feminists to reconsider their goals and the efforts needed to achieve them. --Lilith An important and original study, informed by a deep knowledge of law and legal theory and based on a careful reading of the rabbinic texts. The book is a rare and successful combination of law, feminist theory, and rabbinics. --Shaye Cohen, Jewish Theological Seminary A seminal work, first-rate. --Ellen Umansky, Emory University Convincing and correct....A valuable book....Wegner's book provides a cornerstone for further research dealing with the status and image of woman in rabbinical literature....All scholars, however, will have to resort to this original, pathfinding study. --Journal of Jewish Studies A valuable book for everyone interested in women's role in Judaism. It is a work that will surely be the basis for future studies of the status of women in Judaism. --Neshama A fascinating study for those seriously interested in Jewish Law. --The Bible Today The present study is more than an exercise in ancient history....This is an academic and readable study. If you are interested in the rich intellectual tradition of ancient Judaism, the status of women and the comparative history of religions, chances are this book will be extraordinarily valuable. --Menorah Review ...meticulous, explanatory translation of the relevant mishnaic texts. Better translations are unlikely to be made and the book is worth consulting for their sake alone....Time and again the insights that emerge illuminate the text, which strongly suggests that the conclusions are correct....it must be emphasized that this reviewer has nothing but praise for the methodology of this book, and an overall acceptance for the basic conclusions that emerge. It is undeniable that Judith Wegner has contributed greatly to our knowledge of these women of the past. --Journal of Semitic Studies

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