ariels@orca.UUCP (Ariel Shattan) (08/16/84)
While Judaism is a monotheistic religion, there are various ASPECTS of G-d that have been separated out and labeled "male" or "female" by the scholars. The main "female" aspect that comes to mind is the "Shechina," or Presence. Also, the aspect of "rachamim," mercy, is considered female, while the aspect of justice (proper word escapes me) is considered male. There is an interesting essay about the Shechina in "On Being a Jewish Feminist." Unfortunately, I remember neither the author of the essay nor the editor of the collection (Susan Heschel? Herschel?) So, while the female "deities" aren't really dieties, they are PART of G-d as defined by Orthodox Judaism. Ariel Shattan ..!tektronix!mako!ariels