The role and status of women in Judaism with reference to feminism Flashcards
How are women separated from the important ritual of worship?
Reading from Torah scroll is enacted within male domain and is denied to female members
What is the rule regarding women praying in the synagogue?
She is not obliged to pray and therefore is not counted in a minyan
What is the reason for why a woman can not be in the minyan?
Laws of modesty, woman’s voice and appearance might distract a man from his own prayers
What was the response of orthodox pre-feminist women to their marginalisation?
- Developing rituals of their own that took place in the home.
- even made ordinary household chores sacred rituals
How does the orthodox tradition respond to the claim that women lack equality in Judaism?
Men and women have complementary roles, yet different roles in religious life which lead them to having different obligations.
What does RJ say about the differences of roles between men and women?
these differences in traditional Jewish law are not relevant to modern conditions
What do RJ allow women to do?
- be part of a minyan
- wear tefillin and tallit
- since 1975, women have been able to serve as rabbis
What is evident of the developing Jewish feminist movement in the 20th century?
liturgy being adjusted to reflect idea that God is neither male or female
What is Rosh Chodesh?
- celebrated as women’s holiday because on this day women would stop their work early to meet to study and celebrate
What is at the centre of Rosh Chodesh?
the feminist liturgy that puts women liberation at centre of festival
Two other changes due to the feminist movement
- liturgy for girls’ birth ceremonies
- women attend yeshiva where they are able to study the Talmud
