It has been barely 40 years since rabbinical seminaries began ordaining women as rabbis. But women have played a role in Jewish religious leadership from the days of the Bible and even before. Miriam the Prophetess and Deborah the Judge are just the two most prominent of these women; most of whose names are lost to history. The Hebrew Priestess tells the stories of these women; often reading between the lines of the Bible and Talmud to rediscover the women that rabbinic editors tried to erase. The authors bring a unique vantage point: They are founders of the Kohenet Institute; which trains Jewish women as religious leaders - as Hebrew priestesses. They believe the spiritual gifts of Jewish women cannot be incorporated into Judaism unless women explore the Divine through their own lens. The Kohenet Institute offers an embodied; ecstatic earth-based approach to Jewish spiritual practice and leadership. The Hebrew Priestess weaves together a careful examination of historical antecedents of these new priestesses; along with the personal experiences of women who embarked on this new path of Jewish priestesshood. The Hebrew Priestess delineates 13 models of spiritual leadership - among them prophetess; weaver; drummer; shrinekeeper; midwife; mother; maiden; witch; and fool - and shows how each model was manifest in ancient times; its continuation through Jewish history; and how women in our day are following that path. Finally; it shows how you can incorporate part of that path into your own life. Ambitious; erudite; practical; and deeply personal; the Hebrew Priestsess offers a deep connection to Jewish history and to profound holy experiences today. "A very readable and much-needed book!" Â-Starhawk "An extraordinary and amazing work." -Alicia Ostriker "A book to savor." Â-Max Dashu "The articulation of my dreams and longings." -Rabbi Shefa Gold "Read this book; but don't stop there-live it as well!" -Rabbi Rami Shapiro
#4820935 in Books 2012-07-01Original language:English 8.00 x 5.25 x .35l; #File Name: 1932293701186 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Master Hsing YunBy Gary W. PriceMaster Hsing Yun has written many books. I met him in 1996 when I had my laity ordination at his Monastery.He is a knowledgeable writer and speaker although he passed on his bowl and chopsticks years ago to the presiding Abbot of Fo Guang Shan.This is a simplistic book. I bought for the photos and memories it contains. Heavily illustrated with pics.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. InterestingBy greforInteresting and informative. The unusual style of giving inanimate objects 1st person characteristics holds the readers attention for a while; but as one progresses through the book reading it becomes laborious. At times it seems almost childish.
