The story of Adam and Eve is arguably one of the Bible's most dissected and questioned stories: Does it imply that man came before woman? What is the source of sin? What are the implications for the differences between Jewish and Christian readings with regards to sin and sexuality?

On Tuesday, March 16 at 8 p.m., author Reuven Kimelman, Ph.D., professor of classical rabbinic literature at Brandeis University, will speak at Fairfield University to share his insights on the story's many meanings when he delivers the 4th Annual Jewish-Christian Engagement Lecture, "The Seduction of Eve: Why Did She Do It?"

He will delve into answering other questions that persist: Why is there no apple in the Garden of Eden? Is male domination a curse? What is the nexus between sexuality and sin? Is the story of Adam and Eve history or parable? Can there be a feminist reading of Eve?

The event, free and open to the public, is co-sponsored by Fairfield University's Bennett Center for Judaic Studies and the Center for Catholic Studies. It will take place in the Dolan School of Business Dining Room, on the Fairfield campus.

Dr. Kimelman teaches courses and directs doctoral work at Brandeis in the Talmud, Midrash, liturgy, ethics, and the Jewish political tradition.

His most recent books are "The Rhetoric of Jewish Prayer: A Literary and Historical Commentary on the Prayerbook" (Littman Library of Jewish Civilization), and "The Mystical Meaning of Lekhah Dodi and the Welcoming of the Sabbath" (Magnes Press). His audio books include "The Moral Meaning of the Bible: The What, How, and Why of Biblical Ethics," and "The Hidden Poetry of The Jewish Prayerbook: The What, How, and Why of Jewish Liturgy."

Dr. Kimelman served on the executive editorial committee of "The Cambridge University History of Judaism Volume 4: The Late Roman-Rabbinic Period." He represented the Jewish community in Washington, D.C., at the Catholic commemoration of the 40th anniversary of Nostra Aetate. He also served as a Lady Davis Scholar at Hebrew University and as a fellow of the Shalom Hartman Institute of Jerusalem. He was awarded the Florscheim Fellowship from Hebrew University in 2006.

He received his Ph.D. from Yale University.

Call the Bennett Center to reserve a seat at (203) 254-4000, ext. 2066. For more information about the Bennett Center, visit fairfield.edu/judaic/index.html

Posted On: 02-23-2010 10:02 AM

Volume: 42 Number: 205