Judaism

Women in Orthodox Judaism

Orthodox Judaism has upheld traditional philosophy and legal framework throughout Jewish history. Followers observe laws and principles of their holy book the Torah as described by the Talmud. The word Talmud, translated literally from Hebrew, means instruction. It primarily describes and explains the halachah, a guide to the Jewish way of life found in the Torah (Birnbaum). Halachah is central in the Orthodox faith as it provides structure in the lives of its followers. Roles of men and women in the religion and the home are defined by halachah.

Women do not have full equality with men in regards to the ceremonial practices of the religion. Orthodox Judaism is the only sect within Judaism that currently restricts women from becoming rabbis. Women are not allowed to participate in prayer equally with men during synagogue either. Hallachah requires women to sit in a section divided with a partition, called a mechitzah, or on a balcony (Katz). It was designe so men would not be distracted during prayer. In addition, the Orthodox faith forbids women from reading the Torah during service. It is practice during a bar mitzvah, the Jewish coming of age ceremony, to lead service by reading from the Torah, however, Orthodox girls are not allowed to participate in a Torah reading during their bat mitzvah. Traditionally, women were only allowed to learn and gain an understanding of the Torah. During the early twentieth century the law was reconsidered and now women are allowed to gain an education in the Talmud and other advanced religious texts.

A mechitza, the partition which divides men and women

Rules regarding women outside the synagogue and in the home are still defined by hallachah, however, women are given more discretion and freedom than in the synagogue. Women run the Jewish household; they raise the children and instill spiritual values in them. They are also responsible for cooking and keeping a kosher kitchen. Everyone who eats in a woman’s home trusts without question that she prepared kosher meals and it is up to her to maintain their trust (Crispe). It is also her duty to uphold family purity during the phase of niddah. This is the time from the start of a woman’s menstrual period to seven days after. All physical contact with the opposite sex is forbidden during this time period. The state of niddah ends after the woman is immersed in a ceremonial water bath, a mikveh, and achieves ritual purity (Jacobs). It is the woman’s duty to inform her husband of the start and end of niddah, and she is trusted that all spiritual commandments have been completed before becoming intimate again. Furthermore, women are required to follow the Tznuit, the concept of modesty and humility. Everyone is required to dress in a way that does not attract attention; they fully cover their elbows, knees, and hair (Ellinson). The practice of yihud, or seclusion, must also be abided. This rule states non-married or non-related men and women cannot be in a private, secluded situation together (Ellinson).

A contemporary mikveh, used for ritual purification to end the period of niddeh.

Orthodox Judaism places restrictions on women that would be seen as a limiting of freedom by our culture. Interestingly enough, within the religion women seem to be quite comfortable with their roles. They view men and women as each having their own positions, different but complementary. In fact, many women are proud of their status within the community. Women are not obligated by hallachah to marry or have children, although many find spiritual fulfillment by doing so. They are the heart of spirituality within the home and family. In fact Jewish identity is traced through women, as every child is seen as physical extension of their mother (Moss). Women of the Orthodox Jewish faith do not view themselves as oppressed by the many rules, but rather they find spiritual strength and closeness to God through tradition that has been observed since the time of Moses.

Birnbaum, Philip. Encyclopedia of Jewish Concepts. New York: Hebrew Pub., 1979. 630. Print.

Crispe, Sara E. “The Role of Women in Judaism.” – Celebrating Jewish Womanhood. Chabad-Lubavitch Media Center, n.d. Web. 13 Dec. 2012.

Ellinson, Getsel. Woman and the Mitzvot Vol. 2. [Jerusalem]: Eliner Library, Dept. for Torah Education and Culture in the Diaspora, World Zionist Organization, 1986. Print.

Jacobs, Fishel. Family Purity: A Guide to Marital Fulfillment. South Royalton, VT: Campus Living and Learning, 2000. Print.

Katz, Lisa. “What Is a Mechitza?” About.com Judaism. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Dec. 2012. <http://judaism.about.com/cs/worship/f/mechitza.htm&gt;.

Moss, Aron. “Why Is Jewishness Passed Down Through the Mother?” – Celebrating Jewish Womanhood. Chabad-Lubavitch Media Center, n.d. Web. 11 Dec. 2012.