Feminist scholars and readers alike are often appalled by the violence directed toward the wanton wife, Israel, for her misconduct against her beloved, loyal husband, G-d, in Ezekiel 16. In this session we will examine the problematic husband/wife metaphor with an eye for the sadomasochistic trope used by Ezekiel. How do contract and covenant bind G-d to Israel? Is the power play gender-essentialist? Is it a part of the exchange of trust at the core of Jewish theology? Come and see.