Peter K. Gluck In the Image of 'God': Gendered Language, Ritual, Identity

University of Michigan
rabipete@umich.edu

Abstract

Patriarchy and authority in western societies is linked by some to traditional religions and how they speak about deity in masculine terms. In the more recent past, gender politics has influenced the interpretation of liturgy used in the ritual of the Reform Movement, the largest segment of the organized religious Jewish community in the United States. The vast majority of Jews who participate in the liturgy do not speak Hebrew, but may be able to recite selected phrases as part of the ritual. Since much of the liturgy is expressed in English, the translation of the traditional texts into English is the only way for practitioners to understand the meaning of the words. The newly translated references to the deity into Rgender sensitiveS terms, where no gender, or mixed gender, is implied, signifies a major change in the God language of the religion. In my presentation I will explore the list of English replacement words which were utilized and will look at some of the arguments used by those responsible for their selection. Why did they feel it was necessary to change the translation and what were they hoping to accomplish? What can we learn about the potential influence of language and gender sensitivity in the context of religious ritual in the United States? Could this change in gendered language in ritual impact ways of speaking in daily life? Finally, I will comment on what might be the significance of altering gendered sacred language on social relations between individuals.

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