Washington, DC – As one of the first three graduates of New York’s Yeshivat Maharat, Ruth Balinsky Friedman has been hired by Ohev Sholom to become its first maharat.
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WASHINGTON JEWISH WEEK (http://bit.ly/1aDmYPY) is reporting that Friedman, who currently lives in Washington Heights, will assume her position beginning August 1st as a spiritual leader and halachic authority.
As a maharat, Friedman’s duties will include addressing the congregation at services, offering divrei Torah, and advising on Jewish legal matters on ritual and kashrut.
Friedman is one of the first three graduates of New York’s Yeshivat Maharat, which is affiliated with the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, an Orthodox synagogue.
Freidman said reaction to her hiring has been mostly supportive, especially from Ohev Sholom and New York’s Orthodox community, but it has not come without its detractors.
A statement from the Rabbinical Council of America last week called Friedman’s ordination a “violation of our mesorah.”
Mazal Tov to Ruth on this major professional milestone. She’s super intelligent, enthusiastic and has her stuff together. Im jealous. The people of Ohev Shalom are going to experience major spiritual growth from having Ruth around. Whatever your position on Maharatot, this is going to be high quality Jewish leadership you should seek out from one of our community’s most amazing new voices.
Ohev Sholom on Sixteenth St.?
Rabbi Klavan’s shul?
oh boy….
Another sad example of the spiritual decline of this generation. The role of women has already been defined by our Sages; and it does not include the function of a so-called maharat.
She may want to look into R Moshe Feinstein’s psak that a woman should not speak in front of the shul or be a rabbi , because of tzniut. See Igrot Moshe.
This will wake up the readers at VIN. I guess I oppose this based on the slippery slope argument. On the other hand, Chareidim are constantly stressed about Tznius these days. And nothing is more unTznius than a woman having to discuss the most personal Shailos with a male Rav. My wife certainly does not and I am sure many other women just wait an extra day or two or deal with their questions privately.
The traditional alternative has been to go to the Rebitzen, but the Rebitzen has no formal training and often offers Babeh Maasas instead of Halacha. My daughter’s Bais Yaakov is being controlled by Yentas making up their own Torah and shoving new make believe chumrahs down the throats of the girls every day.
So maybe Avi Weiss is on to something. I’ll keep an open mind and I am sure all the other readers will too.
Just want to be the first to weigh in on the article.
I am sure this will advance the cause of Orthodoxy. – Not!
This is beyond the slippery slope. The progressives must love this, but the end of the story (which may take a long time in coming) will not be a productive one for Judaism.
Each time a maharat is ordained, a davening angel kicks the dust. This is likely a symptom of a very permissive culture.
At least she doesn’t call herself ‘Rabbi’.
A rabbi once told us that, l’havdil, when the Protestants broke away from the Catholics, they did not call their spiritual leaders ‘priest’, but rather ‘reverend’.
Why couldn’t the conservative and reform Jewish movements not call their leaders by andy other name, but ‘rabbi’. The christians seem tohave more sense than some of our brethren.
Maharat is a step in the right direction !
“And nothing is more unTznius than a woman having to discuss the most personal Shailos with a male Rav”
Where is this written in hilchos tznius?
Or are you now redefining what is or is not tznius?
i think the article should be titled “a formerly Orthodox synagogue……”
If I were a member of this “Orthodox” Synagogue the first questions I would ask her is how low my neckline could be and how much of my hair I should cover.
The shul, Ohev Sholom, is also building a mikveh. The Maharat will be available to consult and will encourage with women on keeping taharat hamishpachah.
Many women do not feel comfortable (doesn’t seem tznius) to discuss these matter with a Rabbi.
VIN you are responsible for dissemination of lies, no orthodox meaning of the word is adherence to the shulchan aruch – would ever endorse a woman as a ‘rabbi’
This is shameful to hijack a name and make believe as if this has anything to do with Orthodoxy
Baruch hashem, some parts of the orthodox community are moving forward in a positive way, and in keeping with actual halacha, not the chumra-centric pseudo-halacha practiced in the so-called ultra-frum areas. Kudos to those few shuls willing to take some silly controversy to get us headed in the right direction.
Authority on Halachah? Her hair is not even covered according to Halachah!
Let me ask you big Talmidei Chachomim a question – how was it that Devorah Aishes Lapidus was able to be a shofet b’Yisroel? Where was the geshrei about tznius? Where was the geshrei about the role of women? Where was the geshrei about women not being able to be a posek
Are the yeshivos preparing rabonim as well as this woman is prepared?
are Rabbi’s making sure that their rebitzin is knowledgable enough to provide for the women in the shul?
i do not hold by having a maharat.
but it will only change if we change it with outcompeting the women for these jobs.
As long as she knows to sit in the back of the bus
She is probably more religious than half the people sitting here on the internet making ignorant comments
Actually, all this does not speak well for the men who apparently cannot produce a Rav with the right qualities to lead.
Nothing is wrong with a women giving words of Chizuk to a members of the shul. In fact, there’s a shul on the UWS(Upper West Side) that does just that. Don’t know what’s not tznius about it but if you don’t agree with the shul’s policy on it, there’s a simple solution. Walk out.
By the way, sometimes the women are better speakers. In this case, it was the Rabbi’s wife.
Her hair covering is in line with the most stringent royal decorum, as are her clothes.
Pardon my utter ignorance, but what is a maharat??? what does it stand for? initials to something? even without the Ivrit pronunciation I still don’t know what it means. And I went to Bais Yaakov (out of town thankfully where it was more normal). Having said all this, I believe it is most untzniusdik to stand in a shul before men and talk Torah especially if she is standing in front of the Aron Hakodesh. As far as my “halachic” questions, either my husband went to the Rav to ask or I would call anonymously over the phone. My Rav does not have caller ID and is able to answer those types of questions without knowing who I am. That is tznius. I have never heard anyone go to the Rebbetzin to forward shailos to the Rav. Rebbetzin Jungreis, for example, would never presume to answer a shailah even though she is amazingly well versed. #16 , Devorah was able to be a judge because she consulted with her husband and her bais din. She did not give psakim otherwise, but then men don’t learn navi.
Calm down everyone. She is not taking over for the Rabbi (who was at one time the Associate Rabbi at the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale) she will be assisting him as part of his staff. Nor is there any indication that she does not or will not strictly adhere to halacha. I would suggest reading the original jewish week article.
As a member of said synagogue, who always makes sure to dress tznius, I can tell you that every time Ms. Balinsky-Friedman has gotten up to speak she has been nothing but tznius. She always has her hair fully covered and is dressed tastefully. If she has ever worn something that you people in the yeshiva world would deem untznius I am pretty sure that men did not look at her when she was speaking.
On another note I think it’s high time men realize that since women have been given the right to vote, go to school, and educate themselves on such matters that they are actually know more than previous generations. They can sometimes even be smarter than some men on some issues in Judaism. Times have changed! Roll with them
Its a big difference to have a woman who advises people, a judge who rules in cases as a competent authority, and a woman who serves as a spiritual leader to a congregation including men. It has nothing to do with צניות but rather not only the function women serve in Judaism (and no not subservient to men) but also the very point of a Rabbi. It is a shame that this generation is more interested in seeing women break through boundaries set up by our wisest Sages than develop an honest relationship with Hashem through his Torah and Mitzvos
Look I am not a fan of Maharats. I think there should be a clearer delineation that they aren’t Rabbis (like Elana Stein Hain). But thats not the main issue. We as a community need to cultivate exceptional people like Ruth and make sure their talents are not squandered. That it took Avi Weiss to see what a waste it’d be for a dedicated and super intelligent Jewess like Ruth Balinsky Friedman to be denied a spiritual leadership role speaks badly for Lakewood, YU and other “mainstream” institutions. Yes, Rabbi Weiss has done something needlessly provocative. But is it a step in the absolute right direction? Of course.
Mazel tov! Can we get some maharats in Flatbush please???
An orthodox shul hiring a maharat, ceases to be an orthodox shul. A church hiring a mullah is not a church. Devorah being a shofait is immaterial, it was clearly an exception. The proof? It wasn’t repeated in Jewish history. (Chuldah wasn’t a shofetes.)
So this will be the synagogue without any Haredim then? Sign me up!
The ways of G-d do not smile at the payout. This is not a way of G-d. It is a way of pride.
I am sure with her knowledge and background she will not paskin shailos. Unlike the cave dwellers paskining and posting here.
She will be available to counsel and will without question do the right thing. because of who she is .
If there was no need, and no demand for her and her services it wouldnt exist.
This idea might be novel and currently ahead of the times but t hope it works out well for her and the kehilla.Just as R shneerson and bais yaakov worked out.
I guess the temple isn’t orthodox. Any shomer torah u’mitzvos who could condone this, is a KOFER!
Mazal tov Ruth! We wish you lots of bracha and hatzlacha as you embark your new journey. Although you might face adversity (like many of these ignorant commentators), know that you are a positive influence that will leave a lasting impression for generations to come. You are a much needed breath of fresh air!
Just wanted to point out a few things:
1) embarrassing someone in public is considered murder, be careful what you post. personally, i’d rather be untzniut than a murderer.
2) lashon harah caused the destruction of the bet hamikdash. not subjective tznius issues.
3) showing a tefach of hair is allowed. even if more than a tefach is being shown, we’re all human. don’t judge someone bec. you sin differently.
4) historically, many women were in the public sphere influencing others or doing things that could be considered “untzniut” but was actually a tzadeket…
sarah, serach, tamar, devorah, yehudit, yael, ruth, sarah schneerson, nechama leibovitz, rebbetzin jungreis etc.
5) the same rabbis who say women shouldnt be in the public sphere also say that women shouldn’t learn ANY torah at all. if your gonna follow those rabbis, dont pick and choose which things you are gonna keep and get your facts straight. the mere fact that women are quoting them against the concept of a mahrat is pure hypocrisy. such rabbis include r moshe feinstein btw. (satmer rav even goes as far as to say women shouldnt learn hebrew lest they come to learn torah.)
(cont)
7) i dont see how talking to your rabbi about your period, showing him your underwear, or referencing to when you are gonna have sex is tzniut. some things are better left with a woman.
8) torah does evolve. a posek’s entire job is to determine how halacha fits into our changing world. if torah didn’t evolve, there would be no new halachot or teshuvot.
9) i still dont understand why modern day people are so anti- women. it is this mentality that leads to 3 yr old girls being spit on in israel, bleach poured on women in meah shearim, women being sexually and verbally attacked… all done by ‘religious’ people.
10) how do we not support a woman trying to inspire others in torah but we pump millions of dollars into defending sexual abusers of children (aka weberman). ironic.
bottom line, Ruth is an awe inspiring person to be able to deal with a bunch of ignorant sheep. i bet you couldn’t do it.
The people posting on here are not going to have to answer to Ms. Balinsky-Friedman. They have to answer to their own daughters. How come a brilliant woman can be secretary of state, run for President or be President of Harvard but she can’t comfort a mourner or plan a shul BBQ? How come a woman can speak in a TED talk but not at Shul? You guys are being ridiculous. If Ms. Balinsky-Friedman claimed to be Rav Moshe Feinstein I’d be upset. But thats not her role. She is a pastoral/adult educator and party planner for a shul. Maybe once in a blue moon she will tell over a beferish Mishnah Berurah. Don’t go ask her about the Gri’z on lishmah or a Mavoy sheino mefulash– she doesn’t know or claim to know. Ask her when the shul dinner is or to comfort you after your family member dies lo aleinu. If you think women can’t fill the role of 90% of contemporary “Rabbis” you are crazy. Whether they can be a shofetet/poseket etc or have serarah is above my pay grade to decide
Rabbi Herzfeld is amazing. When he became Rabbi of Ohev Sholom the mechitza’s were raised to the appropriate height and the bema became a bema bemtza. He has been mekarev many of our sisters and brothers in the Greater Washington area. Ohev Sholom would be closed today if not for him. Mrs. Friedman is not called a Rabbi but rather a spiritual leader/assistant. I wish her well.