Surveys the history, traditions, and practice of Judaism from biblical times to today, with explanations of the major aspects of Jewish culture. Focuses on Judaism from within and how it is understood by its adherents, past and present. Covers topics such as the sacred books of Judaism, modes of worship, the calendar and holidays, and rites of passage such as bar and bat mitzva and marriage. Illustrates how Judaism reinvented itself by embracing the...

In eleventh-century Troyes, France, Joheved, the eldest daughter of a respected teacher and Bible commentator, studies Talmud after her days of helping run a household and the family winemaking business, but worries that her future husband will agree with those who believe women should not be scholars.