Scholars of Jewish studies or of Jews and Judaism within other disciplines, grapple with the conflict between the fundamental commitment of American society, and Western society in general, to the equal treatment of people regardless of race, religion, sex, and increasingly even sexual orientation; and the different, often non-egalitarian requirements of halakha . Annotation ©2005 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
At first glance, Orthodox Judaism may not seem compatible with the prevailing world view of egalitarianism, regardless of race, gender or religion. But modern Orthodox Jews share an appreciation for egalitarianism as a positive moral value, and do not simply dismiss this contemporary ethos as incompatible with their faith. This collection of essays from leading Orthodox scholars in the field, explores the affinities and disaffinities between egalitarianism and Jewish tradition.
