Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book discusses the use of the symbol of the house in Judaism. The use of the symbol of the house pervades Jewish religion and culture, from biblical texts to discussions about contemporary urban practices. The book addresses the ritual houses in detail and how they combine several and often contradictory places of belonging in a hybrid way, also providing place-making tools that go beyond such dichotomies as diaspora or land of Israel. The house metaphors are closely tied to geographical places of belonging through their relationship with the ritual houses. The house metaphors are entwined with gender connotations; both combine associations of woman and house in their history and meaning. The book also examines one specific symbolic house— the sukkah. The visual and theoretical architecture of the sukkah in particular shows how places of belonging are conceptualized.