At first glance, Orthodox Judaism is not compatible with the prevailing world view of equal treatment for all people, regardless of their race, gender or religion. But modern Orthodox Jews share the sense that egalitarianism is a positive moral value, so they cannot simply dismiss this contemporary ethos as incompatible with their faith. In a range of ways and variety of perspectives from the leading Orthodox scholars in the field, this collection of essays explores the affinities and disaffinities between egalitarianism and Jewish tradition.

Rachel Tucker, an ABC News anchorwoman temporarily living in Israel, has just had a baby and lost her best friend to sudden respiratory distress. Her attempts to find the real cause of that friend's death force her to confront uncomfortable truths about the Messianic society that Israel has become, about herself, and about how she can or cannot find her place in that world.