Sexual orientation in the presentation of Joseph's character in biblical and rabbinic literature

This article explores rabbinic traditions that see in the character of Joseph a figure of uncertain sexual orientation. I examine a series of rabbinic and biblical texts in which an unconventional gender dynamic may be present. While it is true that these biblical and rabbinic texts ran contrary to...

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Bibliographic Details
Subtitles:Research Article
Main Author: Harris, Robert A. 1955- (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: University of Pennsylvania Press [2019]
In: AJS review
Year: 2019, Volume: 43, Issue: 1, Pages: 67-104
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Joseph Patriarch / Sexual orientation / Bible / Rabbinic literature / Interpretation of / Tradition
RelBib Classification:BH Judaism
HB Old Testament
Online Access: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
Description
Summary:This article explores rabbinic traditions that see in the character of Joseph a figure of uncertain sexual orientation. I examine a series of rabbinic and biblical texts in which an unconventional gender dynamic may be present. While it is true that these biblical and rabbinic texts ran contrary to the normative ideational and behaviorally prescriptive traditions concerning sexuality presented by the main body of biblical and rabbinic texts, it is nonetheless true that the texts I examine invite readers to see an alternative dynamic through their stories. I will employ a variety of methodologies, including philological/critical scholarship, close literary reading, and queer theory, through which we might most profitably examine the interpretative traditions I consider.
ISSN:1475-4541
Contains:Enthalten in: Association for Jewish Studies, AJS review
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1017/S0364009419000035