There is a common (and unfortunate) misconception in the world at large that the Torah is anti-women. The reality is that a simple examination of the actual text and a little research into some of the major commentaries reveal just the opposite. No modern apologetics are required to prove the truth -- that Judaism is, and has always been, exceedingly pro-woman.
Let's start at the beginning. A careful reading of the text of Genesis shows us that Adam was never alone: "So G-d created Man in His image, in the image of G-d He created him; male and female He created them." The original Adam was a male and female composite that was only separated later. The 19th century German Torah giant Rabbi Sampson Raphael Hirsch expounded this verse unequivocally in support of the fundamental equality of men and women, "Although all living creatures were created in both sexes, this is only stressed at human beings to lay down the fact that both sexes were created equally, directly by G-d, and in equal likeness to Him." He wrote this some 50 years before women's suffrage.
Then there are the women of the Torah themselves -- powerful, intelligent people who by all appearances are respected, loved and given the voices to enact their will. Time and again, their decision making proved decisive in the history of the formation of the nascent Jewish nation. In fact, an argument could easily be made (by one who does not accept the Torah's divine authorship) that women must have written these stories. When Sarah and Abraham clashed over Ishmael, it was her will that won out and he was forced to evict a son whom he loved. G-d Himself ratified the action telling Abraham "whatever Sarah tells you, heed her voice." That doesn't sound too oppressive does it? From here we are also taught that Sarah was a greater prophet than the founder of Judaism, Abraham.
When the evil Esau was on the verge of receiving the powerful blessing from his father Isaac, Rebbecca stepped in a crafted a plan to have Jacob receive it in his place, once again averting a near disaster in the succession of leadership. When Moses' father, Amram, in desperation at the oppressive and genocidal laws of Egypt, separated from his wife, believing that it was wrong to bring any more children into the pit that was Egypt, he was rebuked by his young daughter Miriam -- and listened! Anyone spot any misogyny here? Deborah and Yael led the nation in battle, Channa taught us the essence of true prayer and an entire book of the Bible is dedicated to the heroic deeds of Esther. These events occurred between 2,500-4,000 years before suffrage. They were also engrained into Jewish consciousness and recorded into law. For instance, 1,000 years ago Maimonides wrote that "a man must love his wife as much as himself and honor her more than himself."
On the fourth day of creation we are taught that "G-d made the two great luminaries -- the great one to rule the day and the small one to rule the night." So which is it, are they both great or only one of them? We are taught that the answer is both. They began as equals and then one was reduced. The midrash (homiletically) explained that the moon came and complained to the Almighty about having to share the sky to which He responded, "OK, then go make yourself small." This short exchange is the subject of a massive amount of Kabbalistic exegesis and instructs us about the unbalanced and degraded nature of women in this world, a state that the Torah wants rectified.
We are taught that the moon symbolizes several things; it represents the Jewish people's relationship with G-d and our status in this world. It is always in flux, waxing and waning and all the while never producing any light of its own but only reflecting the light of the sun. So too does it represent women and the desire and direction of all of history and all of Jewish practice is to rectify this imbalance, which Kaballah explains is the root of evil in this world. This is the true meaning of tikkun olam. How interesting that once a month a group of Jewish men will stand outside after the Sabbath to stare at the moon and recite the verses of Kiddush Levana (the Sanctification of the Moon) which reads in part "to the moon He said that it should renew itself as a crown of splendor for those borne by Him from the womb, those who are destined to renew themselves like it..." Delving further and summarizing this idea, the great Kabbalist Issac Luria wrote, "As long as the feminine presence within each creature remains diminished, the entire organism lacks completion. Thus, the primal drive of the universe is to restore woman back to her place on high. There is no other way to fix the world except by inviting her back up and in."
There are, and have always been, a great many people interested in speaking in the Torah's name. When these voices, who generally have neither the training nor the licensure to explain it, are allowed to direct the narrative, a twisted and forlorn version emerges. One that possesses a plethora of partially baked tidbits and a healthy dose of preconceived errors, but lacks the true beauty, depth, wisdom and humanity of the real thing.
Follow Rabbi Adam Jacobs on Twitter: www.twitter.com/AdamJJacobs
Maureen Fiedler: Women As Religious Leaders: Breaking Through the Stained Glass Ceiling
Women in Judaism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Torah: A Women's Commentary — WRJ - Women of Reform Judaism
Life Lessons from Women of the Bible- Beliefnet.com
Deuteronomy 4:1-2 Now, Israel, hear the decrees and laws I am about to teach you. Follow them so that you may live and may go in and take possession of the land the LORD, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the LORD your God that I give you.
Ecclesiastes 3:14 I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him.
Proverbs 30:5-6 “Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.
For man did not come from woman, but woman from man; neither was man created for woman, but woman for man.
It is for this reason that a woman ought to have authority over her own head, because of the angels.
Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God.
Isaiah 3:12 Youths oppress my people, women rule over them. My people, your guides lead you astray; they turn you from the path.
1 Timothy 2:11-15 A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.
"..these voices, who generally have neither the training nor the licensure to explain it.."
This comments *seems* to embody a dismissal of conflicting voices, that they do not understand what they're talking about, or that they somehow need permission (from who one may ask) to voice their views. Both of these I find somewhat worrying.
Judges 3:7-8 The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD; they forgot the LORD their God and served the Baals and the Asherahs. The anger of the LORD burned against Israel so that he sold them into the hands of Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram Naharaim, to whom the Israelites were subject for eight years.
What has always bothered me about modern-day culture is that, while women are now socially permitted to do a wider range of work--they just add it to whatever they did before. Meaning a woman who used to cook and clean and care for the children a few generations ago is now also stuck in a 9-5 on top of everything. It's a crazy life. I don't see it as better for women. I'm happy to have the choice, but life is more busy and burdened than ever.
"mÂen who think they have a strong relationshÂip to God, when they have none whatsoeverÂ...w/o living a day of struggle..Â. "
As to that - well, you seem to have some issues with men, G-d or both that you are projecting onto other people. You have no idea of any other persons burdens in life or relationship to G-d.
Now, you may ask "why women are not obligated by some of these commandments?" well because...and gets this! THEY ARE BETTER THAN MEN ( this isn't my idea, this is in Kabbalah, part of holy teachings of the Torah) why are women better than men? because just like G-d, they are also creaters and therefore more spiritual than men! they dont' need more "drills" and commandments to get them on right path!
You shud study Judaism from the right accurate sources, then u wont' have any confusion!
Then after all was done with the earth creations, God then turns to creates lights in the firmament of the heavens-these lights have different tasks serve as signs for fixing of -seasons- days- and years upon the earth. 2 great lights sun, moon and stars.
Next after that God said Let us (more then one present ) create man 1st then in our image and not to later did God create woman. man/ wo/man God said, I will then create a helper for man, man should not be alone. I will make him a helper like himself (also a helper) Man names her wo/man, for she came, was created from man's, bone.
For the two shall become ONE flesh. Mans fall came because of woman, who was deceived by the serpent, then woman deceived man also, into disobedience. God gives man dominion over woman. And God was upset that he listen to his wife, which God commanded man not to eat from, man was given authority over his wife. Both are to be subject, serve each other. God is a God of order.
Readers asked whether Rabbi Jacobs was kidding, and commented that “Judaism is anti-women,†and that Judaism views women as “flawed and weak,†among other ridiculous statements (I think the article clearly demonstrates otherwise). Unfortunately, very few readers even bothered to provide simple evidence backing up such inane comments. Almost none of these posts reflect intellectual honesty. Rather, they reflect ignorance and close-mindedness! Did anyone actually look at the sources Rabbi Jacobs mentioned, or at other sources? I did, and what I found confirmed Rabbi Jacobs' statements. I did not find any examples of the Torah giving permission to husbands to beat their wives or sell their daughters into prostitution. These claims are simply laughable, as are those who clearly have an agenda and want to spew their pettiness here.
Rabbi Jacobs – thank you for providing an insightful column countering many myths about Judaism and women. As for the detractors' ignorant statements – shame on you for spreading atrocious lies and exaggerations!
Perhaps if you read the actual document instead of depending on someone else's commentary you will find that which you ridicule.
Perhaps you didn't understand one of my simple statements. I asked the other readers whether they read the sources Rabbi Jacobs mentioned, and other sources. I then responded that I did (that means that I read the sources Rabbi Jacobs mentioned, and other sources!). So, to answer you, I did read the actual Torah (I've probably read the entire Torah, with commentary, dozens of times), I read those verses cited, and I didn't depend on someone else's commentary. You might want to explain, however, "you will find that which you ridicule." Sorry, but it makes no sense whatsoever.
As for those comments you mentioned that quote Book, Chapter and Verse, again, if you are being intellectually honest, you will notice that few people actually did this - they simply criticized Rabbi Jacobs' column and cited their own opinions to counter his arguments. So, to say "most if not all" of those people quoted Book, Chapter and Verse is simply wrong. I suggest that before you read the Torah, you might want to actually read these posts (which you obviously did not) and then read the Torah and you will may actually come to an objective opinion. Good luck!