Women in Judaism

Question 1

What is the position of women in Judaism determined by?

Answer 1

The Hebrew Bible, rabbinic literature, and socio-cultural factors in which Jewish community lived. Classic Jewish sources such as rabbinic literature contain quotes that may be seen as derogatory of women. But some scholars maintained that the position of women in Judaism is not as lowly as many modern people think.

Question 2

How are women portrayed in the Bible?

Answer 2

Women are portrayed as both equals and subordinates to men.

• Genesis 1: 26-28 tells us that both male and female were created simultaneously in the image of God
• But Genesis 2:4-25 maintains that woman is a secondary creation, formed from man’s body to fulfill male needs for companionship and progeny.

Question 3

How are women portrayed in rabbinic literature?

Answer 3

• rabbinic tradition is far more comfortable with a tradition of male priority in Genesis
• within the rabbinic literature, women re described as a separate people

Question 4

Describe the circumstances of women as resulting from rabbinic literature.

Answer 4

• women were isolated from a access to public authority and power
• women sexual appeal was considered a source of danger than can lead to social disruption
• outside of the synagogue, rabbinic Judaism advises limited contact between men and women who are not married to each other
• like ancient Near Easter society in general, the rabbinic tradition also controls women’s sexual activity

Question 5

According to rabbinic tradition, could a man properly recite the Shema while he hears a woman’s voice?

Answer 5

no

Question 6

What was a result of the thinking in the rabbinic tradition regarding women?

Answer 6

This thinking led to a physical barrier between men and women in the synagogue.

Question 7

What does the majority of the control in rabbinic Judaism have to do with?

Answer 7

relations between men

Question 8

What is the logic of men’s sexual control and the law that supports it?

Answer 8

• a man is executed for having intercourse with some’s wife, because he has committed a crime of theft against a man
• a man is not executed for seducing or raping a virgin, not because of the difference in what the man did but because of the difference in who “owned” the right to the women’s sexuality
  the latter pays a bride price to her father and marries her

Question 9

What is the negative roles of women in rabbinic literature the produce of? Describe.

Answer 9

• the negative roles of women in rabbinic literature are the produce of socio-cultural values in which Jewish community lived and interacted
• when agricultural work and childbearing were central to Jewish society, the role of men and women was relatively egalitarian
• but when the political state emerged and religious life was institutionalized, women were increasingly excluded from the public and lost access to community authority

Question 10

How is marriage regarded in Judaism?

Answer 10

Marriage and sexual relations in Judaism are regarded as a natural and highly desirable state for human beings. The Bible encourages everyone to marry and raise children

Question 11

Why are sexual relations encouraged within Judaism within the sanctified bounds of marriage?

Answer 11

Both for the purpose of reproduction and for the pleasure they bring to the couple

Question 12

What is the Ketubah?

Answer 12

In Judaism, marriage is sanctified with a contract, called the Ketubaj

Question 13

What is the purpose of the Ketubah?

Answer 13

to protect the economic rights of the wives.

Question 14

What happens in the case of divorce or if the husband died before the wife in Judaism?

Answer 14

in the case of divorce or the the husband died before her, should would receive a ‘bride price’ from the husband’s estate

Question 15

Why does the Ketubah not have much official power in today’s modern world?

Answer 15

Since the legal obligations of spouses are set by the laws of the state.

Question 16

True or False: Jewish communities still value the practice and sign the Ketubah when they get married.

Answer 16

True

Question 17

Where can a Jewish wedding take place?

Answer 17

almost anywhere

Question 18

Why is a rabbi resent at the wedding?

Answer 18

to make sure that the marriage contract (ketubah) is property prepared and appropriate procedures are followed

Question 19

What is the chuppah?

Answer 19

During the ceremony, the couple stands under a chuppah (a wedding canopy). The Chuppah symbolized the home that the couple will create.

Question 20

What does the wedding ceremony conclude with?

Answer 20

• the breaking of the glass.
• the sound of shattering glass is greater with joyful shouts “mazel tov’ (congratulations!) throughout the wedding place.

Question 21

What does the glass breaking ritual symbolize?

Answer 21

• the destruction of the Jewish Temple
• the remainder that even in happy time, one must be aware that life also brings sadness and pain
• other suggested that it reminds the couple that life and love are fragile and must be protected

Question 22

How is divorce viewed in Judaism?

Answer 22

• Divorce is regarded as a legal institution

- Despite its legality, divorce is strongly discouraged

Question 23

How does the Bible describe divorce? (who has the authority, consent, and conditions).

Answer 23

• the Bible gives the power of divorce to the husband who would then present the divorce decree, called a ‘get,’ to the wife
• as a rule, mutual consent is required before the divorce takes legal effect
• the text of the ‘get’ often stipulates a financial settlement and provisions for the return of property that rightfully belongs to the wife

Question 24

What is the Agunah: a woman chained?

Answer 24

• there are cases that put women in a very unfortunate situation
• women and no authority over a gets stipulation: a husband could refuse to grant his wife a get even when ordered to do so by rabbinic court
• a wife could also find herself ‘chained’ if her husband had left on a journey and not returned, had died and not be found, or had mentally incapacitated

Question 25

What happens to a woman who is ‘chained’?

Answer 25

Women who are chained cannot remarry; if she were to have a child with another man, the child would be considered a mazer, that is, a child of forbidden relations.

Question 26

Describe the Jewish bloodlines according the the Halavah (the material in Talmud of legal nature).

Answer 26

• the Halavah: the mother’s status a s a Jew determines the status of her children to be a Jew by birth

Question 27

How do Orthodox and Conservative view bloodline?

Answer 27

A child is Jewish only if the mother is Jewish either by birth or by conversion in an Orthodox or Conservative synagogue.

Question 28

How do the Reforms and Reconstructionist view bloodlines?

Answer 28

Do not consider the Halakah’s concept of matrilineal binding. A child is consider a jewish person if either parent is Jewish, as long s the child is raised as a Jew and adopts a Jewish identity.

Question 29

True or False: Conversion has always been a matter of contention in Jewish community around the world.

Answer 29

True

Question 30

True or False: Converts were accepted since the beginning of Jewish history. Wives of Jewish leaders were converts.

Answer 30

True

Question 31

Describe rabbis rejecting potential contest three times.

Answer 31

Rabbis often rejected potential converts three times, and if they remained adamant in their desire to convert, they would then allow them to begin the process

Question 32

True or False: A conversion is accordance with the process of a denomination is not a guarantee of recognition by another denomination.

Answer 32

True

Question 33

How does gender equality differ between Jewish denominations? (answer for Conservatives, reforms, and reconstructionist)

Answer 33

• The Conservatives, Reforms, and Reconstructionist ordained women to the rabbinate. Female participation in synagogue worships are allowed.

Question 34

How does gender equality happen with Orthodox women?

Answer 34

Orthodox women cannot become rabbis, cannot make quorum (member of a minyan), and cannot be called to read from the Torah in synagogue service. Many women participate int eh study of the Torah.

Question 35

True or False: The contention and dialogic process of a woman’s role continues in Jewish communities.

Answer 35

True

Question 36

What is the Orthodox and Conservative attitude towards gays and lesbians?

Answer 36

Maintain that male homosexual intercourse is unacceptable

Question 37

How do the Reforms and Reconstructionist view gays and lesbians?

Answer 37

Advocate full equality and accept both same-sex marriage, including ordination of gays and lesbians as rabbis

Question 38

True or False: the Bible makes no reference to Lesbianism

Answer 38

True

Question 39

How does rabbinic tradition view gays and lesbians?

Answer 39

• Rabbinic tradition considers it (lesbianism) a minor offence; not a serious transgression as male homosexuality
• Rabbinic perspective: a sexual act is penetration by the male; in the absence of penetration, lesbianism cannot violate the law.