women and gender Flashcards
significant differences in religion
christian and jewish women experienced gender differently
family life: judaism
role of family important. lighting candles on shabbat, passover- women prepare the meal and family clean household together
women have to enforce laws of kashrut in the household by preparing meals
family life: christianity
family less importance, only function is to raise christian children
new testament: family used to describe social relations
marriage: judaism
an obligation- mans soul not complete legal contract (ketubah) groom obliged to provide wife with clothing/food, ensures woman is protected when man dies
marriage: christianity
marriage is a sacrament: have to get married or join holy orders to gain salvation
Canon law: minimum age is 12 for girls, 14 for boys- understand what is required
divorce wasnt possible
sexuality: judaism
“Be fruitful and multiply”- need to make children
No sex outside of marriage, at least one girl and one boy
sexuality: christianity
original sin- adam and eve. womens weakness, as she gave into temptation
no sex outside marriage, even inside marriage- procreation only legitimate reason for sexual activity
ritual purity: judaism
Niddah: women during menstruation. all women need to go mikveh before going back to society, menstruating women must separate for 7 days
ritual purity: christianity
menstruation: monthly purge of excess humour, viewed as poisonous
Churching: after giving birth, had to stay away from church and would then have ceremony when allowed back in
spiritual authority: judaism
none. jewish priests and rabbis always male, no role comparable to nun or monk
Holy books was way for women to enact their faith
segregation acc led to women having influence- jewish women banned from main prayer halls, leading to female cantors
spiritual authority: christianity
little authority- couldn’t be priests
abbatial authority was greatest way as women became spiritual advisers
learning and teaching: judaism
Jewish girls didnt get chance to learn biblical texts and hebrew alphabet
influence if you could teach other women
learning and teaching: christianity
excluded from universities but royal and noble women were literate
role of convent in teaching
economy: both money-lenders
Christian women often lent money and had formal service roles, such as selling. Christian women would sell if widows, whereas jewish women did as their own profession
