The last decades have seen a growing debate over the status of women in contemporary Judaism. As the conditions of secular Western life have allowed women greater choice in their educational and vocational opportunities and society has begun to endorse female equality with men; dissatisfaction with traditional Jewish limitations on women's participation in communal; religious; and scholarly activities has increased. Whilst there have been numerous contemporary responses to traditional Jewish views of women's roles; perspectives from the past have been missing from the ongoing discussion. This collection of essays is intended to provide such a historical excursion. Each essay provides an overview of the period in question; and asks serious questions about the general situations of Jewish women and their activities in a male-dominated public and intellectual Jewish life; as well as in a larger non-Jewish cultural environment.
#126986 in Books 2005-10-05Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.22 x 1.28 x 6.32l; 1.86 #File Name: 0813925177448 pages
Review
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. an important text; nicely presentedBy John C. MartinThis is a thoughtfully edited presentation of an important piece of English literature. Spelling and punctuation have been mildly updated and standardized. The rhythms and expressions of the BCP shaped the language and style of those who heard; performed; and experienced it weekly. Gaining some familiarity with the book opens new doors of understanding on Renaissance and early modern England. The essays and notes in the back provide much useful information and background.I also own the Oxford "Book of Common Prayer: the Texts of 1549; 1559; and 1662"; which is useful in its own right; but bought this volume because the Oxford presents only the 1662 in its entirety; with sections of the earlier books omitted when they largely conform to the later version. It is very nice to have 1559 complete and in one place.The volume is well-bound and should prove durable for many years of study/prayer.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. William Shakespeare's Prayer BookBy Leif E. TrondsenOf the many editions of the Book of Common Prayer (BCP); the principal doctrinal and liturgical text of the Church of England; the 1559 Elizabethan Prayer Book has been the most influential. Along with the plays of William Shakespeare and the King James Bible; its stately and majestic prose has shaped the language and imagination of the English-speaking world. The much beloved Collect for Purity is but a sample of the incomparable liturgical prose of Archbishop Thomas Cranmer; the principal author of the original versions of the BCP (1549 and 1552): Almighty God; unto whom all hearts be open; all desires known; and from whom no secrets be hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit; that we may perfectly love thee; and worthily magnify thy holy name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.Fortunately; the University of Virginia Press has recently (2005) reissued the 1976 edition of the Elizabethan Prayer Book masterfully edited by John E. Booty; a noted church historian and Episcopal priest. This is a fully "working" edition of the 1559 BCP; complete with all liturgical services (Daily Office; Communion; etc.) and instructional rubrics appropriately in red print. (I use it daily for Morning and Evening Prayers.) It also contains an informative Preface written by Judith Maltby; a well-known Tudor scholar from Oxford University. Lastly; this edition concludes with an elucidative "History of the 1559 Book of Common Prayer" written by the editor; which highlights the sources; creation; intent; and influence of the Elizabethan Prayer Book. I highly recommend this version of the BCP to students of Tudor history as well as to all Anglicans/Episcopalians interested in the development of their Church's timeless liturgy.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Elizabethan Prayer Book of 1559 - still excellent!By RevdRMBWestThe 1559 (Elizabethan) Book of Common Prayer sits somewhere between the 1552 (Edwardian) Prayer Book and the 1662 (Carolingian) Prayer Book that we all know; use and love - if we are Anglicans of some description; whether in or out of the established Church of England.This 1559 Prayer Book is well-bound and presented and is a privilege to use. It is the one that Shakespeare would have used and comes with red-lettering and quotes from that Bible that fore-dated the AV; the Bishop's Bible (which is most like the AV).It is large but easy to hold; to read from during service; but lacks the Articles of Religion in the back which had; by 1559; not be finalised.The spelling has been updated; and this is maybe one of the greatest attractions to having it. It also comes with an historical and very informative introduction. I would say that for both the antiquarian and the contemporary worshipper this is a must theologocially; spiritually and historically.
