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The Status of Women in Jewish Law: Responsa

by Rabbi Professor David Golinkin

During the past thirty years, a revolution has transpired with regard to the position of women in Jewish law. This has led to the increased participation of women in Jewish ritual; to advanced Talmud studies by women; to the ordination of women as rabbis; to the establishment of Jewish women's studies programs at the SIJS, the Jewish Theological Seminary and Brandeis University; and to the creation of a vast literature on this subject.

This book outlines a Conservative approach to the position of women in Jewish law. Even though Conservative rabbis have been in the vanguard of this revolution and have contributed many articles and responsa to this lively debate, there is, as yet, no book-length study outlining a Conservative approach to this vital topic.

The book (in Hebrew, with a 50-page summary in English) contains articles and responsa by Rabbi David Golinkin, a Conservative rabbi, who has published more on "Women in Jewish Law" than any other other Conservative rabbi. He demonstrates that there is much room for improving the status of women in Jewish law within the traditional halakhic system if rabbis will only take the time and the effort to do so.