Jewish Bible Blog on Women

A relatively new academic blog called Lerner's Jewish Bible Blog, written by Berel Dov Lerner, has just published two articles relating to the status of women in Judaism. One discusses the bracha "she lo asani isha," and the second is based on the midrashic idea that Eve received ten curses. I look forward to reading them when I have a bit more time and thought others might like to know about them.

Comments

[Miriam P]

Ooh, Karen, I like what he has to say about "shelo asani isha."

I know that some people change the wording of the first two brochos of that set for women, to make them feminine, (shelo asani shifcha instead of shelo asani eved, for example) but I've always maintained that shelo asani isha proves that sex/gender isn't a given, so I can easily say I'm thankful that I'm not even a male servant (who would have more mitzvos than a female servant, but fewer than I, as a female free person, do.) Nice to have a philosopher back me up on that one.

(Oh, I know he said no such thing about the other brochos, but he does "prove" that sex/gender isn't an absolute, which is integral to my argument.)

Thanks for the links! Will have to read the other one when I have more time.