[net.women] Female Jewish Deities? Nonsense!-- Only Sorta.

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