Judaism

A Reflection of The Theoretical Basis of Women’s Equality in Judaism: By Blu Greenberg

Equality, it is one of the virtues that we, as Americans, have placed as a foundation to all that we stand for. Often when I think of religion and its views on feminism, I paint an image of traditionalism which is drenched with inequality and close-mindedness.

I often think about the priests of the Catholic Church and their blatant disregard of a woman’s potential. I recall the fight for the rights of women to be ordained as priest. I also recall the “roll of women” which was bred into me from an early age and with from the start of my religious education.

Feminism states the following: Women are equal, women can function as “outside” people, and women are in control of their own lives. To most of us today this seems like a general fact rather than a feminist belief. Judaism puts forth the following views: A woman of faith has the same longing for understanding as a man of faith; women have the same capacities to deal with Jewish scriptures and text as men do, and some women- as some men- are capable of functioning in a position of authority (Greenberg in Doriff).

The essay by Blue Greenberg The Theoretical Basis of Women’s Equality in Judaism spoke to me the most authentically. Greenberg touched on the differences between contemporary feminism and the Jewish concept of halakhah. Halakhah teaches that ‘the hierarchy of male and female remains unchallenged in most areas of human life, women should be equal in our civil lives but not in our religious lives, and we should strive for spiritual growth and greater equality.’ (Greenberg in Doriff)

From the two views presented I am fairly confident it can be said that-in terms of feminism-the Jewish religion is one of the more socially liberal religious institutions. I feel that given our contemporary times which we are in, we should be well past this concept of inequality. Other religious institutions can learn a lot from the Jewish stance on women’s rights. The halakhah principles have some views of male hierarchy but I think it can be said that compared to other religions Judaism is much more open-minded to the idea of equality (in our civil lives.)

I feel that the idea of a male hierarchy falls under the context of “social conservatism”; along with such views as “homosexuality is wrong, pro-life, etc (your typical right-wing views.) To me, such views are invalid and should be considered completely ridiculous. We must always be weary of the fact that we should have no say in the lives of others, they are free to do, think, feel, and love who and what they want- case closed. When people hear some of the views presented from this “right wing” stance they often dismiss it as fear and foolishness. If Religious institutions want to see larger numbers of people in their congregations then maybe they should “get with the times”. Certain sects (such as “Reform Judaism”) have realized this and have begun to understand the falseness of their ideologies and in doing so, have become more logically and socially oriented then before and, in my opinion, have left the more conservative sects and Religions in the proverbial dust; at least I hope that would be the case.