Theological Anthropology and Gender in the Jewish Tradition: A Critical Reading of the Creation Narrative and Its Implications

Abstract

This article critically examines the narrative of the primary creation of women within the Jewish tradition, particularly as it appears in classical texts such as Genesis, Talmūdic literature, and post-exilic wisdom writings. By analyzing the portrayal of Eve and broader conceptions of femininity, the study explores how theological and exegetical traditions contributed to the construction of gender hierarchies in Judaism. Special attention is given to the Yahwist creation account, Louis Ginzberg’s Legends of the Jews, and wisdom literature including Ecclesiastes, Ecclesiasticus (Ben Sīra), and the Wisdom of Solomon, which collectively present a dichotomy of reverence and revulsion toward women. While early rabbinic sources occasionally affirm the dignity of women, a prevailing pattern of spiritual, social, and intellectual inferiority emerges, rooted in both canonical and interpretative layers of Jewish thought. The article argues that these patriarchal narratives, although historically conditioned, have significantly shaped the theological and cultural perceptions of women across Abrahamic traditions, and continue to influence contemporary religious discourses on gender.

Keywords: Judaism, Creation, Eve, Gender, Talmūd, Torah, Rabbinic Literature, Patriarchy, Feminist Theology, Abrahamic Religions