In Uncovered, Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash offers a clear and nuanced perspective on the issues that have shaped women’s roles, religious identity, and ritual obligations across millennia. The author guides the reader through the rich tapestry of Jewish legal sources and historical contexts, making them accessible to the novice and even more compelling to fluent text readers. Uncovered will empower readers to engage in informed discussions about the Jewish woman’s place in the multifaceted mosaic of faith and practice.
“This book expresses a deep understanding of halakha and the impact women’s Torah scholarship has had on halakhic rulings. Rabbanit Nechama has skillfully succeeded in presenting material that both learned Torah scholars and beginners can enjoy.”
–Rabbanit Devorah Evron, Director of Ohr Torah Stone’s Women’s Institute of Halakhic Leadership at Midreshet Lindenbaum
“Uncovered combines a scholarly and comprehensive exploration of textual sources about women and Jewish law with a realistic and contemporary perspective. The result is a book that engages the reader with a refreshingly honest and relevant approach to Halakha.”
–Talli Rosenbaum, co-author of I Am for My Beloved and co-podcaster, Intimate Judaism
“This book, with its lucid analysis and very clear formulation of complex halachic issues facing contemporary Orthodox feminine society, constitutes a valuable contribution to the ever-growing literature on this important subject. In dispelling doubts and encouraging new approaches to age-old questions, it may well serve to energize those significant segments of our society.”
–Rabbi Professor Daniel Sperber, author of Rabba, Maharat, Rabbanit, Rebbetzin: Women with Leadership Authority According to Halachah
About the Author
Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash teaches contemporary halakhah and Talmud at Matan, Midreshet Torah V’Avodah (MTVA), and the Pardes Institute in Jerusalem. She also lectures on sexuality and halakhahthrough the Eden Center, an Israeli organization dedicated to enabling all women to have a meaningful experience in the mikvah (ritual bath). Nechama moved to Israel in 1991 after graduating with a BA from Stern College. She holds a master's degree in Talmud from Bar-Ilan University. She is an alumna of Matan’s Advanced Talmud Institute and Hilkhata program, and a graduate of Nishmat’s Yoatzot Halacha program. Nechama is an active member of the rabbinic organization Beit Hillel and participates in interfaith dialogue with Roots, an organization based in Gush Etzion where she lives. This is her first book.
CONTENTS
Does Gender Matter?
Women and Torah Study – A Beit Midrash of Their Own
Ervah
Wearing Pants in the Community
The Voice of a Woman
Women and Hair Covering – Dat Yehudit
Women and Hair Covering – Ervah
Sexual Intimacy
Behavior When the Couple is Prohibited by Laws of Niddah
Premarital Relationships
The Halakhic Prohibitions Relating to Non-Marital Sexual Relations
Other Aspects of Non-Marital Sexuality
Sex Education