Abstract
Our translation of biblical passages, and our selection of translations, has an effect on their liturgical use and the values we teach. By choosing a gender-neutral translation we may make a statement of gender inclusion, but at the same time some worshipers may find the change from a familiar translation jarring. Should we sacrifice the value of inclusion for the comfort of a familiar text? Psalm 23 is a case in point. The strong masculine imagery of the psalm, and its well-known translation, put off those who seek gender-neutral language for prayer and sacred texts. But do the King James and RSV translations, or a modernized version, have inherent sacredness, as well as comfort through their familiarity? This paper explores the nuances of some of the issues involved in a gender-neutral translation of Psalm 23 (and other texts) within the liturgical context of the synagogue.
References
Bird, Phyllis. “Translating Sexist Language as a Theological and Cultural Problem,” United Seminaries Quarterly Review 42/1-2 (1988).Search in Google Scholar
Eskenazi, Tamara Cohn, and Weiss, Andrea L. The Torah: A Women’s Commentary. New York, URJ Press and Women of Reform Judaism, 2008.Search in Google Scholar
Falk, Marcia. Book of Blessings. San Francisco, Harper, 1996.Search in Google Scholar
Fiorenza, Elisabeth Schüssler. Feminist Biblical Studies in the 20th Century. Atlanta, Society of Biblical Literature, 2014.10.2307/j.ctt1287n2pSearch in Google Scholar
Frymer-Kensky, Tikva. Studies in Bible and Feminist Criticism. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Jewish Publication Society, 2006.Search in Google Scholar
Goldberg, Edwin; Marder, Janet; Marder, Sheldon; Morris, Leon, eds. Mishkan HaNefesh, Machzor for the Days of Awe, vol. 2 (Yom Kippur). New York, CCAR Press, 2015.Search in Google Scholar
Hollander, John. “Psalms” in David Rosenberg, ed., Congregation, Contemporary Writers Read the Jewish Bible. New York, Harcourt Brace, Jovanovich, 1987.Search in Google Scholar
Meyers, Carol, ed. Women in Scripture. Eerdmans, 2000.Search in Google Scholar
Orlinsky, Harry M., Notes on the New Translation of the Torah. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Jewish Publication Society, 1969.Search in Google Scholar
Orlinsky, Harry M. and Bratcher, Robert G. A History of Bible Translation and the North American Contribution. Atlanta, Scholars Press, for SBL, 1991.Search in Google Scholar
Orwell, George, “Politics and the English Language,” Horizon, London, 1946.Search in Google Scholar
Perry, Raphael Rank, and Freeman, Gordon M., eds. The Rabbinical Asseembly Rabbi’s Manual.New York, The Rabbinical Assembly, 1998.Search in Google Scholar
Plaskow, Judith. “The Right Question is Theological” in On Being a Jewish Feminist, Susannah Heschel, ed. New York, Schocken Books, 1983.Search in Google Scholar
Plaskow, Judith. Standing Again at Sinai. San Francisco, Harper, 1990.Search in Google Scholar
Polish, David, ed. Rabbi’s Manual. New York, Central Conference of American Rabbis, 1988.Search in Google Scholar
Riemer, Seth Daniel, ed. Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association Rabbi’s Manual. Wyncote, Pennsylvania, Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association, 1997.Search in Google Scholar
Ruether, Rosemary Radford. Religion and Sexism. New York, Simon and Schuster, 1974.Search in Google Scholar
Stein, David E. S., gen. ed. (revised edition) and W. Gunther Plaut, gen. ed. The Torah, A Modern Commentary, Revised Edition. New York, Union for Reform Judaism, 2005.Search in Google Scholar
Stern, Chaim, ed. Gates of Prayer. New York, Central Conference of American Rabbis, 1975. Search in Google Scholar
©2016 Fred N. Reiner
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.