The Journal of the Academy for Jewish Religion
In 2005, under the editorial direction of Rabbi Bernard Zlotowitz, the Academy for Jewish Religion (AJR) launched the first volume of G’vanim: The Academic Journal of the Academy for Jewish Religion. Rabbi Zlotowitz envisioned a forum for scholarly and popular articles, as well as more traditional compositions, that consider Judaism in all of its facets from a rigorous and sincere perspective. After nearly a decade of regular publication, the journal was temporarily suspended in order to dedicate effort to the creation of a book-length collection of articles revolving around pluralism. The fruits of this labor resulted in the publication of Studies in Judaism and Pluralism: Honoring the 60th Anniversary of the Academy for Jewish Religion in 2015, edited by AJR faculty member Dr. Len Levin.
It is with great excitement that AJR resumes production and dissemination of G’vanim as an online journal dedicated to academic engagement with the past, present, and future of Judaism. In order to provide a wide array of approaches, the journal seeks contributions from established scholars, graduate students, as well as knowledgeable religious leaders and laity. The diversity of voices represented speaks to the institutions foundational value of, and emphasis on, pluralism. Through this publication, AJR strives to further one of its core institutional goals of serving the Jewish community and providing knowledge of Jews and Judaism to the general community.
It is with great excitement that AJR resumes production and dissemination of G’vanim as an online journal dedicated to academic engagement with the past, present, and future of Judaism. In order to provide a wide array of approaches, the journal seeks contributions from established scholars, graduate students, as well as knowledgeable religious leaders and laity. The diversity of voices represented speaks to the institutions foundational value of, and emphasis on, pluralism. Through this publication, AJR strives to further one of its core institutional goals of serving the Jewish community and providing knowledge of Jews and Judaism to the general community.
Following on the heels of the Academy for Jewish Religion’s Fall Retreat, which focused on applying wisdom from Jewish tradition to gender inequality, the present volume assembles a variety of articles that revolve around the intersections between gender, sexuality, and Judaism. The volume opens with a reflection by Noam Sienna on the recent publication of A Rainbow Thread: An Anthology of Queer Jewish Texts from the First Century to 1969. As the first major translated collection of Jewish sources on Judaism and queer identities throughout much of Jewish history, this valuable resource provides an unprecedented look at what has often been a hidden dimension of Jewish experience. Sienna’s contribution to G’vanim provides insight into the nature of this anthology, the process of collecting materials, and his aspirations for the impact of this work. The second article, by Rebecca Epstein-Levi, turns to contemporary Jewish sexual ethics to pose the provocative question, “is Judaism ‘sex positive’?” Distinguishing between cautious and expansive voices within current discourse, Epstein-Levi traces the ways in which we can understand modern Jewish thinkers’ use of the rhetoric of sexuality as a distinctive marker of Judaism. Turning to the arena of Modern Orthodox education, Evyatar Marienberg examines a number of guides produced for parents and students to teach and learn about sexuality. Marienberg locates these works in their socio-religious context, surveying the major topics addressed and ignored by a few of the most comprehensive guides available. The fourth article in the present volume, by Rona Matlow, confronts the challenges faced by trans Jews face when considering or undergoing transition surgery. Matlow highlights a range of traditional Jewish sources that can be employed to support transitioning and argues for the importance of removing impediments to individuals pursuing this process. A final piece in this year’s volume, by Ira Sheskin and Harriet Hartman, provides a statistical profile of LBGTQ Jewish households in America. Drawing upon a number of recent surveys and quantitative data, these authors paint a sociological portrait of the somewhat surprising demographics of this important population. As a whole, the articles in this volume of G’vanim explore a wide variety of issues from a broad spectrum of approaches, offering our readers new perspectives for thinking about the intersection between sexuality, gender, and Judaism throughout history and especially in the modern day.
-Matthew S. Goldstone
July, 2019
TOC and a Word from the Editor
Noam Sienna – Spinning a Rainbow Thread: Reflections on Writing Queer Jewish History
Evyatar Marienberg – Educating American Modern Orthodox Children about Sex
Rona Matlow – Traditional Sources Against Prohibiting Trans Jews from Transitioning Gender
Ira M. Sheskin & Harriet Hartman – A Profile of LGBT Jewish Households
We are proud to present this year’s issue of G’vanim in honor of our teacher and colleague, Rabbi Bernard Zlotowitz. Rabbi Zlotowitz has been an important figure in the history of the Academy for Jewish Religion, and this is a small way of showing our appreciation for his contribution to the institution and its students.
“The Weaver creates the fabric in accordance with His Will, adorning it with a magnificent array of hues – G’vanim – as His heart may prompt.” It is in precisely these terms that the Kuzari describes God’s constantly unfolding work of Creation. Our own G’vanim – the Journal of the Academy for Jewish Religion – similarly makes a modest contribution to God’s work – and to our understanding of God’s Word – by weaving together the creative insights and heartfelt perspectives of an array of scholars and authors. The Academy for Jewish Religion intuitively embodies the vision of the Kuzari by understanding that a principled pluralism sensitive to the wide variety of hues reflected in the Jewish Community is indispensable to a full appreciation of God’s Creation and God’s Will.
To this end, we and our readers are indebted to those who contributed to this edition of G’vanim. Three of the articles herein collected touch upon issues related to conversion to Judaism. Rabbi Juan Mejia, an accomplished and devoted mentor to Jews-by-Choice and, in particular, the descendants of anusim both in the United States and in Latin America, has provided us with a thoughtful analysis of Maimonides’ approach to conversion, both as philosopher and halakhist, suggesting a classical, nuanced model for contemporary Klal Yisrael. Rabbi Len Levin, a member of the AJR faculty, shares with our readers his presentation at the Academy’s recent intensive examination of the challenges of patrilineal descent, similarly providing a vision for 21st Century application.
I am pleased to contribute my own recent responsum on the inclusion of converts to Judaism among “judges” impaneled on rabbinic courts. Finally, life-long Jewish educator Mervyn Danker, now Director of the San Francisco Bay Region of the American Jewish Committee, explores the implications of Iran’s pursuit of nuclear technology and weaponry. We are also grateful to Rabbi David Wise for his book review of Esau’s Blessing by Dr. Ora Horn Prouser, AJR Executive Vice President and Dean.
May this edition of G’vanim further strengthen AJR’s mission by providing a glimpse at the beautiful fabric emanating from the heart of the Divine Weaver.
-Joseph H. Prouser
May 2012
Editorial Board
Editor
Joseph H. Prouser
Board
Michael Pitkowsky (Managing Editor)
Ora Horn Prouser
Table of Contents
Ramban’s Historical Approach to Laws of Conversion
By Juan Mejia
A Proposal for the Purification of All Jews
By Leonard Levin
Ana Ger Ana: May a Convert to Judaism Serve on a Beit Din?
By Joseph H. Prouser
Iran, Its Nuclear Ambition, Its Human Rights Abuses and the Dependence on Foreign Imported Oil
By Meryyn Danker
Book Review: Esaus’ Blessing, by Ora H. Prouser
By David Wise
The weaver creates the fabric in accordance with his will, adorning it with a magnificent array of hues “G’vanim” as His heart may prompt. It is in precisely these terms that the Kuzaru describes God’s constantly unfolding work of Creation. Our own G’vanim – the Journal of the Academy for Jewish Religion – similarly makes a modest contribution to God s work – and to our understanding of God s Word – by weaving together the creative insights and heartfelt perspectives of an array of scholars and authors. The Academy for Jewish religion intuitively embodies the vision of the Kuzari by understanding that a principled pluralism sensitive to the wide variety of hues reflected in the Jewish community is indispensable to a full appreciation of God’s Creation and God’s Will.
To this end, we and our readers are indebted to those who contributed to this edition of G’vanim. Rabbi David Golinkin, President of Jerusalem’s Schechter Institute of Jewish studies and a prolific Posek, has provided a timely responsum regarding the religious status of the Kotel and adjoining plaza – and the nettlesome controversies surrounding that sacred site. Rabbi Michael Pitkowsky, the Academy’s rabbinics curriculum coordinator, reviews the life and work of Rabbi Yehudah Leib Zirelson with special attention to his responsa, their rulings, methodology, and perspective on modernity. Included in this volume is my own responsum on the unusual conversion of Samson Mugombe, for 75 years spiritual leader of Uganda’s Abayudaya community and known to them as Rabbi Samson. The inclusion in a single issue of G’vanim of three original studies focused on responsa – she-eilot u-teshuvot – is testimony to the thoughtful and serious attention – so characteristic of AJR – to the ways Jewish law continues to inform and guide 21st-century Jewish souls.
Also in this issue, AJR’s director of Spiritual Education, Rabbi Jill Hammer, revisits the Book of Ruth, providing a fresh and insightful perspective. The Academy’s Rabbi-in-Residence, Rabbi Jeff Hoffman, further expands his contribution to the study of Jewish Liturgy with his commentary on the Shabbat piyyut, El Adon.
May this edition of G’vanim further strengthen AJR’s mission by providing a glimpse at the beautiful fabric emanating from the heart of the divine weaver.
Editorial Board
Editor
Joseph H. Prouser
Book Review Editor
Paul Kushner
Board
Matthew L. Eilenberg
Charles Lightner
Ora Horn Prouser
Helene Santo
Table of Contents
Is the Entire Kotel Plaza Really a Synagogue?
David Golinkin
Ruth and Naomi: The Return of the Seed
Jill Hammer
El Adon – An Historical, Literary, and Spiritual Commentary
Jeffrey Hoffman
Modernity as Seen Through the Responsa of Rabbi Yehudah Leib Zirelson
Michael Pitkowsky
The Conversion of Rabbi Samson
Joseph H. Prouser
“The Weaver creates the fabric in accordance with His Will, adorning it with a magnificent array of hues – G’vanim – as His heart may prompt.” It is in precisely these terms that the Kuzari describes God’s constantly unfolding work of Creation. Our own G’vanim – the Journal of the Academy for Jewish Religion – similarly makes a modest contribution to God’s work – and to our understanding of God’s Word – by weaving together the creative insights and heartfelt perspectives of an array of scholars and authors. The Academy for Jewish Religion intuitively embodies the vision of the Kuzari by understanding that a principled pluralism sensitive to the wide variety of hues reflected in the Jewish Community is indispensable to a full appreciation of God s Creation and God’s Will.
To this end, we and our readers are indebted to those who contributed to this edition of G’vanim. Rabbi Bernard Zlotowitz, beloved mentor to countlesss AJR students and my predecessor as Editor of this journal, together with Rabbi Leonard Kravitz have provided us with a fresh and critical insight into an ostensibly familiar liturgical text. Rabbi Einat Ramon of Jerusalem revisits the work of seminal thinker Abraham Joshua Heschel and his understanding of the modern Jewish experience. Professor Alyssa Gray analyzes a complex Halakhic principle critical to everyday Jewish observance and personal probity. I have offered some personal reactions to the scientific traveling exhibition known as Body Worlds, and suggested a Jewish response grounded (it is my hope) in both the classical sources and contemporary sensibilities. I am grateful to veteran G’vanim contributor, historian and attorney Harry Ezratty and “Aharon Aharon Haviv to AJR Rabbi-in-Residence Jeff Hoffman for contributing timely book reviews and pointing us to still further reading.
May this edition of G’vanim further strengthen AJR’s mission by providing a glimpse at the beautiful fabric emanating from the heart of the Divine Weaver.
Editorial Board
Editor
Joseph H. Prouser
Book Review Editor
Paul Kushner
Board
Matthew L. Eilenberg
Charles Lightner
Ora Horn Prouser
Helene Santo
Articles
The Sin of Enabling Another s Sin: The Evolution of a Halakhah in Rabbinic Literature of Late Antiquity
Alyssa M. Gray
Abraham Joshua Heschel’s Critique of Modern Society
Rabbi Dr. Einat Ramon
Gufei Halachot: On œBody Worlds and the Public Display of Human Remains
Rabbi Joseph H. Prouser
How Accurate are the Sources for Eilu D’varim in the Siddur?
Leonard S. Kravitz and Bernard M. Zlotowitz
BOOK REVIEWS:
Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks: The Koren Siddur with Introduction, Translation and Commentary
Reviewed by Rabbi Jeff Hoffman
Adam Kirsch: Benjamin Disraeli
Reviewed by Harry A. Ezratty
This issue of the Journal is divided into two parts, each of which includes essays of new ideas and insights.
In the first part, David Greenstein shares with us his thoughts on reexamining Jewish marriage with an emphasis on equality of the sexes. Ellis Rivkin, who predicted the dissolution of the Soviet Union long before it happened, affirms the authenticity of all previous forms of Judaism and how it impacts on today’s Judaism. I look into the two different views of lighting the Sabbath candles.
The second part of our Journal is devoted to a symposium on the future of the different branches of Judaism. Herein lies a great difficulty ‘ a problem of sorts. Kol hathaloth qashot (all beginnings are difficult). Although we invited Rabbis from the different branches of Judaism ‘ Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist and Renewal ‘ to participate, you will note the absence of certain of those voices.
Our questionnaire contained the following:
- Do you currently identify with a particular denomination or movement? If so, which one?
- What do you think are the positives and/or negatives of identification with a movement?
- How would you describe the future of the current movements?
- What challenges or changes do you foresee?
- What are the realities and what are the possibilities of interactions among the different Jewish branches currently? In the future?
- What are and what will be the effects of pluralistic developments?
- Do you think new movements will develop?
- Is the denominational structure of North American Jewry meaningful abroad’in Israel or in other communities?
It is interesting to see the responses of Menachem Creditor (Conservative), Leonard Kravitz (Reform), Noam Marans (Conservative), Stephen Pearce (Reform), Robert Seltzer (Reform), Rav Soloff (Reform), Gilbert Rosenthal (Conservative), and Martin Rozenberg (Reform). The essays are brilliant, insightful and provide ample food for thought. Jerome Chanes (Orthodox) was kind enough, in a most skillful way, to respond to the essays.
Now it is for us, as Hillel put it, to go and study.
Editorial Board
Editor
Bernard M. Zlotowitz
Associate Editor
David Greenstein
Book Review Editor
Paul Kushner
Board
Matthew L. Eilenberg
Charles Lightner
Ora Horn Prouser
Helene Santo
A Note of Thanks
Five years ago, Rabbi Bernard Zlotowitz decided that the Academy for Jewish Religion needed a journal of its own. He felt that we should contribute to the community of scholarship, sharing Torah, in all its forms, with the world at large. It is with great pride and joy that we now present to you Volume Five of Gvanim: The Journal of The Academy for Jewish Religion.
None of this would have been possible without Rabbi Zlotowitz’s persistence, care, scholarly acumen, and loving touch. In addition, his devotion to AJR and all it stands for comes through in every volume. Sadly, this will be the last volume edited by Rabbi Zlotowitz. We will miss his scholarship, his concern for detail, his kindness, and his humor. Rabbi Zlotowitz has left an indelible mark on the Academy as beloved teacher, brilliant scholar, consummate rabbi, and one who epitomizes menschlichkeit. We hope that he will continue to share his teaching with us all in conversation and in print.
At the same time, we’d like to welcome our new editor, Rabbi Joseph Prouser. Rabbi Prouser comes to us with a strong reputation as a scholar and a noted author and teacher. We look forward to his contributions to our evolving and growing journal.
Articles
Equality and Sanctity: Rethinking Jewish Marriage in Theory and in Ceremony
David Greenstein
Lessons From the Past: Mutation As a Mode of Jewish Survivals
Ellis Rivkin
How Are the Sabbath Candles to Be Lit?
Bernard Zlotowitz
Symposium
The Future of the Different Movements in Judaism
Participants:
Conservative Judaism and Denominationalism
Menachem Creditor
Reform Means Change
Leonard Kravitz
Denominationalism and Its Discontents
Noam E. Marans
Denominations in a Pluralistic World – Where We Are Headed
Stephen S. Pearce
Prophecy and Predictions
Gilbert S. Rosenthal
The Realistic Challenges Confronting the Liberal Jew
Martin Rozenberg
Toward a Post-Ideological, and Therefore a Post-Denominational Liberal Judaism?
Robert M. Seltzer
The Fifth Mutation
Rav Soloff
SYMPOSIUM RESPONSE:
Denomination, Post-Denomination, Trans-Denomination: Whither, Indeed, American Jewish Movements?
Jerome Chanes
BOOK REVIEWS:
Norman E. Tutorow: The Autobiography of Jesus: As Told to the Centurion Cornelius Nepos IV, A Tale of Everyman,
Reviewed by Martin S. Rozenberg
Bernard Avishai: The Hebrew Republic: How Secular Democracy and Global Enterprise Will Bring Israel Peace at Last,
Reviewed by Paul Kushner
Edward Kritzler: Jewish Pirates of the Caribbean
Reviewed by Harry A. Ezratty
Our new title ‘ G’vanim (Variety) ‘ says it all. Our articles in this issue cover the waterfront ‘ from scholarly to popular. David Greenstein gives a new insight into the High Holy Day prayer of asking God to inscribe us in the Book of Life; Jill Hammer presents an unusual perspective on the biblical image of the queen mother/matriarch theme; Peg Kershenbaum adds to our understanding of the origin of the Septuagint; Leonard Kravitz redefines the difference between the meaning of what it is to be a citizen and a religionist; Aaron Leibman critcizes Bernard Zlotowitz’s interpretation of a statement by the Rama; Harry Ezratty tells of how the Spanish dictator Francisco Franco saved Jews; and Norman Patz maintains that the word halakhah means more than law.
And something new for our Journal: my poem on the Sabbath and Ruby Namdar’s original Hebrew story translated into English by David Greenstein.
We are blessed with several good book reviews by Paul Kushner, Diane M. Sharon, and Michael Rothbaum.
About Our Name
G’vanim is the Hebrew word meaning ‘colors, hues,’ conveying a sense of great variety. Ours is a world that is complex, richly varied and pluralistic. We cannot allow ourselves to see the world in black and white categories that flatten our colorful, multi-hued reality. This journal is dedicated to promoting a vision that is sensitive to the many g’vanim of our world.
-Bernard M. Zlotowitz
ARTICLES:
Our Lives as Texts: Scripture and Erasure
David Greenstein
Queen Mothers and Matriarchs: How the Role of the Gevirah Helps Us Understand Mothers in Genesis
Jill Hammer
Origins, Legends and Rabbinic Attitudes Concerning the Septuagint
Peg Kershenbaum
Citizen and/or Religionist
Leonard S. Kravitz
The Absence of Patrilineal Descent in Medieval Halakhic Sources
Aaron Liebman
Francisco Franco Saves Jews
Harry Ezratty
Speculative Explanations for Two Terms in Rabbinic Literature
Norman Patz
POETRY:
The Beauty of the Sabbath
Bernard M. Zlotowitz
SHORT STORY:
Mr. Levi and His Afternoon Shabbat Coffee
Reuben Namdar,translated by David Greenstein
BOOK REVIEWS:
Rochelle Saidel, ed.: Fiorello’s Sister: Gemma LaGuardia Gluck’s Story, Reviewed by Paul Kushner
Alan T. Levenson: An Introduction to Modern Jewish Thinkers, Reviewed by Paul Kushner
Lesley Hazelton: Jezebel, the Untold Story of the Bible’s Harlot Queen
and
Richard E. Rubenstein: Thus Saith the Lord: The Revolutionary Moral Vision of Isaiah and Jeremiah, Reviewed by Diane M. Sharon
Esther Schor: Emma Lazarus (Jewish Encounters), Reviewed by Michael Rothbaum
There is no end to learning. As the Mishnah puts it “the study of the Torah is equal to them all” (i.e., specific mitzvoth) (Pe’ah 1:1 and the Prayer Book)
In this issue we are blessed with articles that open our eyes to new vistas and insights and into a better understanding of certain biblical and Talmudic passages, ancient Roman and Jewish laws, as well as medieval philosophers and theologies both Jewish and non-Jewish.
David Greenstein gives new meaning to the verse in Leviticus 18:22. He offers a new midrashic understanding so that the verse no longer refers to homosexuality. Marshall Hurwitz “studies the parallel between the historical development of ancient Jewish law and Roman law.” Leonard Kravitz examines the similarity in thought of Maimonides and St. Thomas and Bachya; and Gilbert Rosenthal examines the two diffferent versions in the Babylonian Talmud of “if you save a life, you save the world” and “if you save a Jewish life, you save the world.”
Also included in this our third issue are two sermons, one by Arthur Kolatch and the other by myself, that challenge and uplift our spirits. Finally, four fascinating and worthy book reviews by Matthew Eilenberg, Paul Kushner, Charles Lightner and Regina Sandler-Phillips.
It is with great joy that AJR celebrates the 50th anniversary of its founding in 1956 as a pluralistic seminary. On Monday, March 19, 2007 – Rosh Hodesh Nisan – a gala banquet was held to commemorate this happy event. To cap it off, we have included selected documents from our archives illuminating our early history.
Herewith in this special supplement, the program is reproduced as well as the inspirational remarks of the various speakers.
As Hillel so sincerely put it, “go you and study, the rest is commentary.”
-Bernard M. Zlotowitz
Articles
Pit`hu Li Sha`arei Tzedeq
Open the Gates of Righteousness for Me: An Opening Toward a New Reading of the Torah in Light of the New Statuds of Gays and Lesbians in the Jewish Community
David Greenstein
Jewish and Roman Law – The Dating of the Babylonian and Jerusalem Talmuds Corrsponding to Dating Justinian Corpus Juris
Marshall S. Hurwitz
Bachya and St. Thomas – The Other Maimonidean
Leonard Kravitz
The Strange Tale of a Familiar Text
Gilbert S. Rosenthal
Sermons:
Who Am I?
Arthur J. Kolatch
Why I Joined the March on Washington
Bernard M. Zlotowitz
BOOK REVIEWS:
Steven V. Mazie: Israel’s Higher Law: Religion and Liberal Democracy in the Jewish State
Reviewed by Matthew L. Eilenberg
Harry Ezratty: The Builders: Jews and the Growth of America
Reviewed by Paul R. Kushner
Jonathan M. Brown & Laurence Kutler: Nelson Glueck: Biblical Archeologist and President of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion
Reviewed by Charles R. Lightner
Isabel Vincent: BODIES AND SOULS: The Tragic Plight of Three Jewish Women Forced into Prostitution in the Americas
Reviewed by Regina Sandler-Phillips
JUBILEE DINNER PROGRAM AND REMARKS
Our second issue of the Journal is a wellspring of information and knowledge containing articles that challenge us to think deeply and lift us to new heights of learning by presenting us with new insights into our study of Torah and Y’hadut.
Richard Claman teaches us about legal value concepts from Talmud Bavli; Peggy de Prophetis introduces us to Art in Midrash as it relates to Cain and Abel; Louis Kaplan expounds on the controversy surrounding Kol Nidrei; Peg Kershenbaum has crafted Psalm 145 (Ashrei) into an English acrostic; Isaac Mann takes us on a new path on how to read Pirkei Avot, Chapter I; Stephen Pearce presents a unique perspective on the meaning of Yizkor; and finally Martin Rozenberg reviews Joseph Prouser’s Vilna’s Ger Tzedek, Count Walenty Potcki and Paul Kushner reviews Joel Hoffman’s study of the history of the beginnings of the Hebrew language, all of which rounds out our current issue.
-Bernard M. Zlotowitz
