Women’s rights & women’s rites
WHEN I was at university in the early ’80s, feminism was a hot topic and the Women’s Group at the university was one of the strongest and most vocal organisations. The philosophy they embraced was that of the most radical of feminists — there is no difference between men and women and therefore there should be total equality in everything that they do.
Coincidentally, it was while I was at university and a member of the Women’s Group that I started to explore Orthodox Judaism and to bring more of its practices and perspectives into my life. But rather than sensing a contradiction, I actually found that I was more content and sure of my role as a woman in society as a result of this development.
Having been on the outside looking in, I can understand why people have the view that women in Orthodox Judaism are discriminated against, or considered less than men. But as with most things in Judaism, it was only when I learnt and dug deeper that I saw the beauty and profundity of the society that it creates.
There was a time when feminism promoted the idea that women were no different from men and that they should be allowed to do all that men did — that only by doing the same as a man would they be a complete human being. Since then, most feminists have moved on from this ¬≠position and now proclaim that while it is essential that women do not suffer discrimination, it is equally important for them to be able to express their uniqueness and difference too.
Looking at trends in the Jewish world today, it seems that we are stuck in that early stage of feminism. Many women still assert that they can only be valued as Jews and that their Judaism only has worth if they do the same as men. Men take the public role, lead the services, are called up to the Torah, have an obligation to learn Talmud, and this apparently defines the criteria necessary to be a respected member of Jewish society. As a corollary, the roles traditionally given to women are secondary or worthless.
By focusing on (and complaining about) the obligations particular to men, too often we overlook the significant responsibilities that women do have. Either out of this misplaced feminism (or simple inertia), we forget that Jewish law requires women to pray at least twice a day, keep kosher, keep Shabbat, not speak loshen hora (gossip), be honest in our business dealings and much, much more.
Some women feel a great excitement to hold a Sefer Torah — when dancing on Simchat Torah or when it is brought through the women’s section on Shabbat morning. Although this may create a sense of connection to the Torah and hence to God, I see it as a distraction from the real and strongest connection to Torah that we can create — learning it and living it.
Learning is not only our way of understanding the philosophy of Judaism; it is also the essential prerequisite for performing our obligations in the proper way. And whereas a Sefer Torah is no longer used for practical learning, we are now blessed to live in an age where books explaining Jewish law and philosophy abound and are easily accessible. The power of the internet has enabled anyone, anywhere and at any time to learn something of interest and relevance.
And it doesn’t stop there. The last generation has seen a revolution in the provision of serious full-time learning opportunities for women. Many students in their gap year, and many other women taking a career break, can be found learning in Israel at the highest levels.
Instead of agitating to hold a Sefer Torah, if there is a cause to fight for, let us demand more serious learning
for women in our communities.
Our learning is not only for our own benefit. One of the primary roles that has been ascribed to women in Jewish life is that of being the first educators of the next generation. Just as we would not send our children to be taught by teachers we thought of as ignorant, so too we should make sure that we are informed and knowledgeable.
My feminism is expressed through my Judaism. But instead of trying to be “the same as the men”, I try to be a Jewish woman. Let us take what is ours by learning and doing, and accomplish all that we should and all that we can.
Vicky Kennard is a teacher at Adass Israel School.