Gender & Sexuality

Who Is Dr. Ruth?

How a Jewish grandmother forever changed America's ideas of sexual education and literacy.

Women in Rabbinic Literature

The rabbis of the Talmud designated specific female roles and activities, and were wary of women's nature, but they also tempered biblical laws that caused hardships for women.

Women in the Bible

In the Bible, women are sometimes portrayed as men's equals and other times as men's subordinates — or property.

Judaism and Sexuality

Jewish tradition looks favorably on sex and sexuality, given certain conditions.

Judaism on Prostitution

Most traditional Jewish sources condemn trafficking and prostitution, but some of the messages are mixed.

An Orange on the Seder Plate

This progressive Passover custom is surprisingly misunderstood.

Judaism and Pornography

Consumption of adult materials may run afoul of several principles in Jewish law.

How Jewish LGBT Weddings May Improve Straight Ones

Heterosexual couples have much to learn from gay ones when it comes to designing their wedding ceremony.

Shomer Negiah, the Prohibition on Touching

The term refers to someone who refrains from physical contact with members of the opposite sex.

Making Sex Holy

Jewish tradition embraces love and sex as part of the human drive for holiness.

Medieval Jewish Attitudes Toward Women

In the Middle Ages, a Jewish woman's social well-being was considered important, but her life was strictly guided by Jewish law.

Feminist Perspectives on Jewish Studies

Considering the role of gender in producing knowledge about Judaism.