God, Sex and Women of the Bible: Discovering Our Sensual, Spiritual Selves

By Shoni Labowitz

Book Overview

In a book that will forever change the way we interpret women of the Bible, Shoni Labowitz's long-awaited follow-up to her celebrated Miraculous Living explores the lives of eight key women and reveals their relevance today. With impressive scholarship, Labowitz makes a compelling case that, contrary to popular notion, these women were in fact passionate, confident and unashamed of their bodies. In the luminous and inspiring pages of God, Sex and Women of the Bible, these charismatic figures come magically alive as sexual beings and show their modern-day counterparts how to wed spirituality with passion.
Mining language and history, Labowitz reinterprets the stories of eight biblical women, unveiling in the process truths and nuances that have been hidden by centuries of patriarchy. She paints vivid portraits of heroines and lesser-known women alike, presenting compelling evidence that they subscribed to a matriarchal goddess culture coexisting with the God of Abraham, Isaac and Moses. Within this rich framework, long-silenced voices speak out to reveal the conflicts and perplexities of their own lives -- helping us, in the process, to resolve our own issues. In these sensuously illuminating pages, you'll meet:
LEAH: Plain and overlooked, she triumphs over injustices and creates a relationship with God that provides a model to help us overcome our own poor body images and discover the Divine within
RACHEL: Leah's sister, who uncovers the mysteries of the moon goddess and menstruation, presents us with a new approach to rest and relaxation
EVE: The first woman encourages us to invite God into our own sexuality and teaches us how to fully reveal ourselves to our partner
JOCHEBED: A midwife and the mother of Moses, she shows us how to make motherhood a spiritual experience
DEBORAH: The story of this Judge of Israel will inspire us to fearlessly reach new personal and professional heights, enabling us to enhance our families' lives
MIRIAM: Moses' sister, a gutsy lady who follows her intuition, is the perfect guide to help us experience menopause with dignity and grace
THE PROPHET'S WIDOW: This anonymous woman helps us to deal with the loss of loved ones
UNNAMED WOMEN OF THE BIBLE: These unacknowledged figures explain how to cope with the devastation of hysterectomies
NAOMI: In the most mature sexual stage of a woman's life, this queen of crones reveals her age-old secrets and teaches us how to be more confident and alluring
Never preachy or exclusionary, Labowitz renders these stories accessible to women of all faiths, striking the perfect balance between textual commentary and practical application. Complementing the ancient wisdom gleaned from Hebrew texts with the voices of the women she has met, she shows us how to reclaim our own sexuality by revealing God's place in it. In God, Sex and Women of the Bible, we discover our own potential to be meaningful, holy and passionate -- not just once a week, but every day of our lives.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0743227859
• ISBN13: 9780743227858
• Release Date: July 1998
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 8.7"

Customer Reviews

IT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE!!!

I devour this book. I became a new woman after reading the insights of Shoni. I can express my gratitud for this book. I can see my life from another perspective and a new attitud about femenine sexuality. Bravo!!!A most read for women who whish to be empowered.

A new addition to the jewish feminist canon!

Labowitz's book accomplishes what so many attempt - she eloquently weaves the emotionalism of personal testimony with VERY well-researched and academically sound biblical commentary. What is brilliant about this book is that she doesn't get lost in either direction. The personal and the political - from a religious viewpoint - are commingled to share a new view of Judaism (and patriarchally framed religions as a whole). The effects are no less than revolutionary. I have met her several times and she is just as magickal in person as on paper.

A life-changing book

A great heaviness was lifted from me as I read Rabbi Labowitz's words. By analyzing the original words of the Bible and world history, she interprets the Bible as a book that is finally as applicable to women as it is to men. Her version of Adam and Eve alone brings such a sense of joy, and of relief. Men and women will both benefit from Rabbi Labowitz's wisdom.