God's Phallus and other problems for men and monotheism
Book Description
Howard Eilberg-Schwartz presents a groundbreaking examination of how the masculine nature of the divine has shaped religious experience for men throughout Jewish history. Drawing from biblical scholarship, anthropology, and gender studies, this work reveals the complex psychological and spiritual tensions that arise when men worship a male God.
The author uncovers fascinating evidence of ancient discomfort with divine masculinity, analyzing biblical narratives where men encounter God only partially or avert their eyes entirely. Stories of Moses, Noah, and Sodom and Gomorrah take on new meaning when viewed through this lens, suggesting what Eilberg-Schwartz calls a "divine cover-up" designed to manage the awkwardness of male-to-male divine encounters.
The exploration extends to marriage metaphors in scripture, where Israelite men must position themselves as feminine partners to their masculine deity. This creates profound identity challenges that ancient texts address through various forms of symbolic feminization and gender transformation.
Beyond historical analysis, Eilberg-Schwartz demonstrates how Judaism's prohibition on divine imagery serves to obscure God's maleness, protecting core cultural values around heterosexuality and procreation. The work concludes by proposing ways contemporary Jewish practice might integrate both masculine and feminine divine images, offering all believers more authentic pathways to spiritual connection.
This scholarly yet accessible study opens new conversations about gender, sexuality, and religious identity that remain relevant for modern spiritual seekers.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~9 hours)
📄 Length: 312 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Religious aspects
- ✓ Explore Sex role
- ✓ Explore Sexualität
- ✓ Explore Gott
- ✓ Explore History of doctrines
- ✓ Explore Masculinity of God
- ✓ Explore Judentum
- ✓ Explore Sex role, religious aspects
