Note on Transliteration and Conventions Used in the Text
Introduction
1 Female Prophets in Sabbatianism
2 Historical Precedents and Contexts
3 Sabbatian Women as Religious Activists
4 Women in Sectarian Sabbatianism
5 The Egalitarian Agenda: Sources of Inspiration and Modes of
Implementation
6 In the Egalitarian 'Family' of Jacob Frank
7 The Redemptive 'Maiden'
8 'The Mother of God': Frank and the Russian Sectarians
9 Conclusion: From Sabbatianism to Hasidism
Appendix: 'Something for the Female Sex': A Call for the Liberation
of Women and the Release of the Female Libido from the 'Shackles of
Shame', in an anonymous Frankist manuscript from Prague, c.1800
Introduction
Translation
Bibliography
Index
Ada Rapoport-Albert, who died in 2020, was Professor of Jewish Studies and head of the Department of Hebrew and Jewish Studies at University College London.
Reviews 'Impressive.'
Joshua Schwartz, Ancient Traditions, New Conversations (Yeshiva
University Law School blog)
'An important work in the history of Sabbatianism and Jewish
women's studies. Highly recommended.'
Daniel Schiede, Association of Jewish Libraries Review
'To be congratulated for demonstrating that Jewish messianic
mysticism, far from being an arcane scholarly domain of interest
only to textual specialists, is a topic of key significance to
anyone interested in the processes through which the corporatist
boundaries of eighteenth-century European society travelled.'
Adam Sutcliffe, Eighteenth-Century Studies
‘A breakthrough in this field, interpreting previously known
sources in a way that sets up new research areas that have been
overlooked or ignored... a thorough analysis of sources. It is very
well documented and very inspiring. The book should not only be
studied by those who are interested in Sabbatianism and gender
studies, but also those interested in the historical study of
religion, ideology, and ideas.’
Michał Galas, H-Judaic
'A book of importance for all those interested in gender issues
related to Jews and Judaism, as well as for those engaged in the
study of Jewish mysticism. It further challenges people engaged in
the study of Jews and Judaism in the early modern period to pay
careful attention to the ways in which Sabbatian believers
influenced historical developments both in direct and dialectical
ways.'
Ira Robinson, IsraBlog: Canadian Institute for Jewish Research
'A fascinating book . . . Rapoport-Albert shows with great
scholarly detail that women were actively involved in the Sabbatian
movement . . . Some of the details in this volume are startling,
but the work opens up an intriguing and valuable window to the
status of women in east European Jewish life.'
Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance Journal
'Exhaustively researched and brilliantly written . . . One aspect
of Frankism on which Rapoport-Albert is especially good is the
peculiar tension between sexual libertinism and asceticism.'
David Biale, Jewish Review of Books
'Not only breaks down many stereotypes about the roles of women in
Judaism and Jewish society, but it is also a major contribution to
understanding how Sabbatianism and Frankism spread and operated . .
. rich in original ideas and insights. While many of the topics
call for further research, the rich documentation Rapoport-Albert
brings to bear on the topics leave little room for doubt that a
call for changed gender roles, to a greater or lesser degree, was a
central element in the Sabbatian and Frankist movements. It is a
very stimulating contribution to the literature on Kabbalah, on
modern religious movements, on gender history, as well as on
conservative responses.'
Shaul Stampfer, Religious Studies Review
Ask a Question About this Product More... |