The Hebrew Goddess is a 1967 book by Jewish historian andanthropologistRaphael Patai, in which the author argues that historically, theJewish religion had elements ofpolytheism, especially the worship ofgoddesses and a cult of themother goddess.

Raphael Patai's first exploration of this theme was in his 1947 book,Man and Temple in Ancient Jewish Myth and Ritual (New York: Nelson), where he cites textual evidence that was not repeated in his later works.

The Hebrew Goddess supports the theory through the interpretation of archaeological and textual sources as evidence for veneration of feminine beings. Hebrew goddesses identified in the book includeAsherah,Anath,Astarte,Ashima, thecherubim inSolomon's Temple, theMatronit (Shekhina), and the personified "Shabbat Bride".

The later editions of the book were expanded to include recent archaeological discoveries and the rituals of unification (Yichudim), which are to unite God with hisShekinah.

The identification of thepillar figurines with Asherah in this book was the first time they had been identified as such.^[1]

A review of the third edition was published inComparative Civilizations Review.^[2]

• Patai, Raphael (1967).The Hebrew Goddess. Wayne State University Press.ISBN 0-8143-2271-9.

A third, enlarged edition, was published in 1990 byWayne State University Press.