The Role of Women in Orthodox Judaism.
The Role of Women in Orthodox Judaism.
Founded by Abraham and Moses, Judaism is almost 4,000 years old and is based on the Jewish people’s covenant relationship with God. In the traditional Judaism belief, women are viewed as separate but equal to their male counterparts. In other words, although within the religion, women live under heavier restrictions regarding their responsibilities and obligations, their roles are just as important as those of the men. In the Orthodox Jewish religion, women are expected to stay at home and take care of the house and children. They are exempted from all positive mitzvoth that are time –related, because the women’s duties as wife and mother are so important that they cannot be postponed to fulfill a mitzvah. Women are also made to dress modestly, and cover their hair. This does not mean that the Jewish religion looks at women as inferior to men. There are many reasons why women are expected to act this way, and they have nothing to do with inferiority. Many Orthodox women are treated as inferiors, and this is because outsiders misunderstand what the Torah (Jewish bible), and rabbinic scholars say. We must understand that in the Jewish religion Rabbis opinions are highly respected, especially by the Orthodox. By using various texts, this paper will show that the Torah and Rabbinic scholars do not look down upon women nor do they say that women should be treated as inferiors. In the Jewish religion Orthodox women are encourage to marry, but they are not forced, “Marriage, then, is the preferred state for women, but Jewish law does not mandate it. Halachah (Jewish law) encourages, the women to marry, but does not condemn her if she chooses to remain single,” (Kaufman 12). Halachah recognizes a women’s right to remain single, however the Hebrew word “ishah” means both “wife” and “women”, gesturing the fact that a women’s identity is almost inseparable from her status as a
Founded by Abraham and Moses, Judaism is almost 4,000 years old and is based on the Jewish people’s covenant relationship with God. In the traditional Judaism belief, women are viewed as separate but equal to their male counterparts. In other words, although within the religion, women live under heavier restrictions regarding their responsibilities and obligations, their roles are just as important as those of the men. In the Orthodox Jewish religion, women are expected to stay at home and take care of the house and children. They are exempted from all positive mitzvoth that are time –related, because the women’s duties as wife and mother are so important that they cannot be postponed to fulfill a mitzvah. Women are also made to dress modestly, and cover their hair. This does not mean that the Jewish religion looks at women as inferior to men. There are many reasons why women are expected to act this way, and they have nothing to do with inferiority. Many Orthodox women are treated as inferiors, and this is because outsiders misunderstand what the Torah (Jewish bible), and rabbinic scholars say. We must understand that in the Jewish religion Rabbis opinions are highly respected, especially by the Orthodox. By using various texts, this paper will show that the Torah and Rabbinic scholars do not look down upon women nor do they say that women should be treated as inferiors. In the Jewish religion Orthodox women are encourage to marry, but they are not forced, “Marriage, then, is the preferred state for women, but Jewish law does not mandate it. Halachah (Jewish law) encourages, the women to marry, but does not condemn her if she chooses to remain single,” (Kaufman 12). Halachah recognizes a women’s right to remain single, however the Hebrew word “ishah” means both “wife” and “women”, gesturing the fact that a women’s identity is almost inseparable from her status as a
Cited: Kaufman, Michael. The Woman in Jewish Law a Tradition. New Jersey: Jason Arson Inc, 1993. Print. Golinkin David, Panitz Michael.”Conservative Judaism”. Encyclopaedia Judaica. Macmillan Reference USA, 2007 “Women in North American Judaism.”Women in North America’s Religious World (2005):67. Points of View Reference Center Mar. 2011. Biale, Rachel. Women and Jewish Law. New York, New York: Schocken Books, 1984. Print. Oz, Libi. “Israeli society and secular marriage.” Contemporary Review 285.1663(2004): 74. Points of View Reference Center Margulies, Bob. “Getting into the swim/ Orthodox seek same-sex hours.” Newsday. 28 Nov. 1999 McCarty, Mary. “Women’s role in Orthodox Judaism traditional.” Dayton Daily News. Sep 12, 1993