Judaism (Symbol)
The author symbolically uses Judaism to imply female oppression by religion. The doctrines and laws contained in the Hebrew teachings favor many in all aspects. The author is quick to pinpoint that women's experiences and participation are not captured in Judaism teachings. Judaism is all about rabbinic traditions, which argue that a woman must obey the man.
Torah
The author uses the Torah in her narration to emblematically epitomize the male's revelation. The Torah is erected from the male standpoints. The author writes, "Torah is a revelation as men perceived it, the story of Israel told from their standpoint, the law unfolded according to their needs. Israel is the male collectivity, the children of Jacob who had a daughter, but whose sons became the twelve tribes.”
Sarah and Rebekah
Sarah and Rebekah are matriarch women who figuratively represent the independence of women and their closeness to God. Ironically, the matriarch women closer to God with a proper understanding of Him than their husbands are largely ignored in the religious texts. The author writes, "As independent personalities, fiercely concerned for their children, they often seem to have an intuitive knowledge of God's plans for their sons. Indeed, it appears from the stories of Sarah and Rebekah that they understand God than their husbands.”
Israel (Symbol)
Israel symbolically represents the male collective self-perception. The story of Israel is entirely male dominated. The author writes, "Israel, the bride, the harlot, the people that are female (that is, subordinate) in relation to God is nonetheless male in communal self-perception."
Jewish Teachings
The Jewish teachings symbolize the nefarious scheme against the female gender. Plaskow is keen on analyzing the Jewish religious texts, and she stands to be corrected when she criticizes the Jewish spiritual teachings. The teachings make women view themselves as the weak gender that must rely on men for their survival. Plaskow writes, "The Jewish teaching – put itself forward as 'Jewish' teaching but speaks in the voice-only half of the Jewish people. Another compounds this scandal: The omission is neither mourned nor regretted; it is not even noticed."
