Law, Narrative, and Theology in Modern Feminist Midrash

Session Submission Type: Roundtable

Abstract

With the steep rise in women’s engagement with traditional text study, there has been a parallel burgeoning of women’s midrash, as in Tamar Biala’s collection DIRSHUNI (with the 2nd volume released this year). This round table will inhabit the space between traditional interpretive strategy and halakhic innovation in modern feminist midrash. Using classic forms of exegetical and aggadic rabbinic strategies to fill in the gaps of the biblical text, these new readings both give voice to those biblical female figures long silent and render new insights to the interpretation of Law (HALAKHAH).
Deborah Kahn-Harris (Principal of Leo Baeck College, London) will present a midrash of her own composition on Lam 5:21, drawing on the work of Kristeva, which addresses the question of how we understand repair/renewal (CH.D.SH.).
Vanessa Ochs (professor of Religious Studies at the University of Virginia), revisits the characterization of Orpah (from Megillat Ruth), in reference to classical and feminist midrash (such as Tamar Biala’s). In the light of the #metoo movement, she will consider the ways in which classical texts fail to endorse female figures (such as Orpah) who are proactive in protecting themselves.

Deidre Butler (professor in religious studies at Carleton University, Ottowa), turns to Fackenheim’s “midrashic” response to the post-Holocaust reality as an entry point for thinking about feminist midrash as a strategic response to the challenge of Get abuse and Agunot.

Drawing on midrashim from DIRSHUNI, Rachel Adelman (professor of Hebrew Bible at Hebrew College, Boston) explores the tension between nomos and narrative in the stories that lead up to the Davidic dynasty—the “bedtricks” of Lot’s daughters, Tamar and Judah, and Ruth and Boaz in the granary.

Each discussant will draw on contemporary midrashim as they address the following questions: a) the call for halakhic change; b) the call for new interpretive strategies in addressing the androcentric biblical text and/or rabbinic tradition; and c) the varied theological strategies deployed in challenging the patriarchy of the tradition.

Aryeh Cohen, Professor of Rabbinic Literature at the Ziegler School for Rabbinic Studies of the American Jewish University, will serve as moderator.

Sub Unit

• Modern Jewish Thought and Theology

Moderator

• Aryeh Cohen, American Jewish University

Discussants

• Deidre Butler, Carleton University

• Rachel Adelman, Hebrew College

• Vanessa Ochs, University of Virginia

• Deborah Kahn-Harris, Leo Baeck College