Gender and discrimination

Question 1

To what extent are women undermined in the patriachal character of Jewish tradition? 3 things

Answer 1

1) Is she gives birth to a boy she is considered ritually impure for 7 days and has to wait 33 days to enter the temple or handle sacred objects , but she gives birth to a girl then she ritually impure for 14 days and has to wait 66 days to enter the temple or handle sacred objects.
2) A number of passages/ sections of the Talumd speak negatively of women. ( e.g. traditional teachings discourage women from higher education or religious pursuits.
3) Women are required to protisise the home, rather than the synagogue.

Question 2

What is a gender difference in female Jewish Practice?

Answer 2

There is no legal requirement for a girl to take part in a religious ceremony at the age of 12.

Question 3

For reconstructionist Jews the Bat mitzvath has become what?

Answer 3

Apart of the synagogue service.

Question 4

What do Orthodox Jews believe about the role of women in traditional Judaism?

Answer 4

they believe that their roles have been misunderstood, women are now seen as separate but equal. Women’s obligations and responsibilities are different to men but no less important. God created man and women in his own image.

Question 5

What does traditional Jews believe that women are seen with?

Answer 5

They are seen with greater Binah than men ( level of intuition, understanding and intelligence.

Question 6

What are Orthodox and Reform jews different views on Divorce.

Answer 6

Power of divorce rests with the husband, traditional procedure is based on the code of Jewish law. Whereas Reform Jews regard a civil religion as valid, so there is no policy dealing with the status of agunah ( a tied women)

Question 7

What are the 3 scholars who talk about Jewish women?

Answer 7

J, Plaskow
M. Daly
Carol christ.

Question 8

What does J. Plaskow believe about women?

Answer 8

Secularization of identity comes into conflict with ancient religion. Therefore, feminism and Judaism = conflict in identities.

Question 9

What does M. Daly believe about women?

Answer 9

Written traditions, Halakah, Bible, Jewish philosphy = All in hands of men. God is described in male terms ( father lord) How can women remain true to themselves with the continuity of religion.

Question 10

What does Carol Christ believe about women?

Answer 10

The liberation of both God and woman depends on their renewing an ancient dialogue. C.christ wants God to experience the suffering of women who do not exist. Women need to liberate themselves from patriarchal religion . Also God needs to be liberated from alientation of women.

Question 11

In Judaism what are the 3 mitzvots that are reserved for women?

Answer 11

1) Nerot ( lighting candles )
2) Challah ( separating a portio of dough )
3) niddah ( sexual separation during a woman’s menstrual period and ritual immersion afterwards)

Question 12

What is Nerot?

Answer 12

The lighting of the candles symbolising the mark of the beginning of the shabbat or a holiday.

Question 13

What is a holiday that is given to women?

Answer 13

Rosh Chodesh

Question 14

What is the Rosh Chodesh?

Answer 14

It is the first day of each month where women do not work, it was intended for a man, but was taken away from them and given to the women as a reward for the women’s refusal to participate in the construction of the Golden Calf.

Question 15

Are women required to peform mitzvots?

Answer 15

No they are not, so their observance of the mitzvath doesn’t count for progress. This is why women are seen as less privileged as men.

Question 16

What do men and women pray due to their roles?

Answer 16

Man pray thank you for ‘not making me a women’ and women pray thank God for making me according to his will’

Question 17

During prayer in a synagogue how are men and women separated?

Answer 17

By a Mechitzah this is because your mind is supposed to be on prayer not the women next to you and the second because many pagan religious ceremonies at the time Judaism was founded involved sexual activity and orgies.

Question 18

Womens voluntary attendance at daily worship doesn’t count towards what?

Answer 18

A minyan ( the 10 people necessary to recite certain prayers)

Question 19

Why are women exempt from time based mitzvot’s such as formal prayer services?

Answer 19

Women’s obligation at home keeps them away from the synagogue. Women cannot even see or hear whats going on in a synagogue sometimes compared to the men’s section.

Question 20

What are the 2 points for the question explore the role of women in the synagogue ( 8)

Answer 20

1) Orthodox Jews give little significance to women in the synagogue. ( e.g. sepration of men and women, were they are poorly climated)
2) Reform movement from Haskalah, they no longer take role of worshipper but take the role of a rabbi ( Rabbi regina Jonas first women to be ordained as a rabbi )

Question 21

Who was Regina Jonas?

Answer 21

She had passion for Jewish history, bible and hebrew. She was the first rabbi to be ordained. She combines a halakhic line of argument with a modern attitude.

Question 22

Did Regina Jonas follow the Reform movement?

Answer 22

She didn’t want to follow the movement which was willing to achieve modernization by abandoning halakah.

Question 23

Rather than abandon the halakah what did she want to deduce?

Answer 23

She wanted to deduce gender equality from Jewish legal sources ( the female rabbinate should be understood as a continuity of tradition.

Question 24

What was Regina Jonas main message then?

Answer 24

patriarchy was incompatible with equality.

Question 25

For Jonas why are women especially fit to be a rabbi?

Answer 25

since ‘female qualitites’ such as compassion, social skills, psychological instiution to the young are essential prerequisites for the rabbinate.

Question 26

Who was Julia Neuberg?

Answer 26

She was Britain’s second female rabbi after Jackie Tabick, and the first to have her own synagogue. ( the south liberal synagogue from 1977 to 1989 )

Question 27

What sort of work was Neuberg famous for?

Answer 27

1) One of the leading Jewish voices for gay marriage

2) her community has started giving sanctuary to Muslim asylum seekers

Question 28

What are the ideas about sex in Judaism?

Answer 28

Procreation is a reason for sex
Sex is a Mitzvath
A man should never force his wife to have sex
A man is also obliged to watch for signs that his wife wants sex and offer it to her without asking for it.

Question 29

What are the ideas about homosexuality in Judaism?

Answer 29

Man’s desire to have sex with another man is not a sin as long as he doesn’t act upon it. ( Judaism focuses on actions not desires)
There is little talk in the Talmud about female sexuality

Question 30

What are the ideas about Masturbation in Judaism.

Answer 30

Prohibts any acts of masturbation, there is no explicit Torah prohibition against female masturbation ( however this is seen as ‘ impure thoughts’

Question 31

What are the ideas about Birth control of Judaism?

Answer 31

Birth control is allowed, as long as the couple eventually have children
Minimum of 2 children.

Question 32

What are the ideas about Hair covering of Judaism?

Answer 32

Only husbands can see their real hair

Question 33

Worship is led by who?

Answer 33

Men

Question 34

Although Reform Jews to a more equal view of role of men and women in worship there are still things they cannot do such as what?

Answer 34

Leading certain parts of the service
Serving as a judge
being counted in the minyan.

Question 35

What is the Ottoman Millet system?

Answer 35

TBA