Tractates Tamid, Middot and Qinnim: Volume V/9. A Feminist Commentary

Dalia Marx provides a general introduction and feminist commentary on the last three tractates of the order of Qodashim . Each tractate deals with different aspects of the Second Temple as perceived by the rabbis and each sheds its own light on gender issues. The commentary on Tamid , a tractate dealing with the priestly service in the Temple, discusses the priests as a gender unto themselves and considers women as potential participants in the lay-service of the Temple and perhaps even as part of the sacred service. Middot concerns itself with the design of the Temple, and the commentary explores sacred space from a gendered perspective. Finally, Marx turns to Qinnim , a tractate dealing with bird offerings, typically brought by women. The commentary shows how the tractate employs images of women to develop its discourse. This volume opens a unique window onto the rabbis' perspectives on the Temple and gender related matters.