The Coming of Lilith: Essays on Feminism, Judaism, and Sexual Ethics, 1972-2003

by Judith Plaskow, Donna Berman (Editor)

This first collection of Judith Plaskow's essays and short writings traces her scholarly and personal journey from her early days as a graduate student through her pioneering contributions to both feminist theology and Jewish feminism to her recent work in sexual ethics.

Accessibly organized into four sections, the collection begins with several of Plaskow's foundational essays on feminist theology, including one previously unavailable in English. Section II addresses her nuanced understanding of oppression and includes her important work on anti-Judaism in Christian feminism. Section III contains a variety of short and highly readable pieces that make clear Plaskow's central role in the creation of Jewish feminism, including the essential "Beyond Egalitarianism." Finally, section IV presents her writings on the significance of sexual ethics to the larger project of transforming Judaism.

Intelligently edited with the help of Rabbi Donna Berman, and including pieces never before published, The Coming of Lilith is indispensable for religious studies students, fans of Plaskow's work, and those pursuing a Jewish education.

Genres: Jewish, Religion, Feminism, Judaism, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Judaica

252 pages, Paperback

First published July 15, 2005

Reviews

[char · Rating 5 out of 5]

Judith Plaskow played a fundamental role in the development of feminist Judaism, and this collection of essays, organized by topic and year, charts that development. I particularly enjoyed Part III, a collection of her theological work, where she imagines what a feminist Judaism can look like and how to get there. I didn't agree with every single essay, and one could certainly pick and choose essays to read based on their specific interests, but overall this is an invaluable work.

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really interesting. I liked her criticism of the anti-Semitic themes in some Christian feminist writing and her criticism of the anti-pagan themes in Judaic feminist writing. I'm not sure I found her argument on whether or not homosexuality is biologically ingrained entirely convincing, but it was an interesting read.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I'd already read many of Plaskow's other works, I wasn't expecting this to kick me in the face as much as it did. She brings up some REALLY tough questions, makes you squirm in your seat, and forces you to confront side-stopped issues head-on. Uncomfortable, yes, but brilliant and extremely important!

[Phoenix Fawkes · Rating 3 out of 5]

i really liked reading this book and i‘d have never found it, if i didn‘t write my thesis about eve and lilith. i don‘t know much about judaism yet, but even though i didn‘t understand certain concepts and words, i learned a lot.

there were many paragraphes i took a photo of, just because they were so important - for example „god“ being read as male („father“, „lord“, „him“), even though god is both, male and female.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Queen shit.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven’t read Plaskow in 25 years, and I’d forgotten just how astute she is and how clear thinking and deep. I’m all fired up to restart my Jewish feminist studies again.