A Set Table: Jewish Perspectives on Household Labor from the Talmud to Present
In this class we’ll explore how a range of Jewish texts, from rabbinic to modern, understand the significance of household labor, including cooking, cleaning, and childcare. These activities are part of our daily lives, and Jewish texts give us a range of ways of understanding their religious significance. We’ll begin with an analysis of the relationship between Torah learning and household labor. Then, we’ll discuss how engaging in household labor, especially childcare, shapes who we are. Finally, we’ll consider the implications of performing someone else’s household labor or asking someone else to perform your own.