New York – Yeshiva Maharat Set To Ordain Its First Graduates As Discussion Continues On Role Of Women As Orthodox Spiritual Leaders

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    Ruth Balinsky Friedman studies at the Drisha Beit Midrash. (Batya Ungar-Sargon)New York – While New York’s Yeshiva Maharat readies to celebrate the ordination of its first three graduates this coming Sunday, the discussion of titles and the evolving role of women as Orthodox clergy and Halakhic authorities continues.

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    The TABLET (http://bit.ly/11xokri) offers an in-depth look at the issue, including written explanations and viewpoints from several prominent Orthodox leaders regarding current policy, as well as thoughts about what, if any, changes may be on the horizon.

    Front and center remains the March 2010 decision by the Rabbinical Council of America saying that it would not accept the title of “rabbi” or “rabba” being bestowed upon a woman after the landmark ordination of Sara Hurwitz, the first Orthodox woman ordained in the U.S.

    For their part, all three upcoming Yeshiva Maharat graduates say that, while Hurwitz inspired them, they are comfortable with the title of “maharat,” and that it is much more about serving their communities than it is a title.

    Elana Maryles Sztokman, executive director of the Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance, said Yeshiva Maharat’s graduation represents the “mainstreaming” of women in religious leadership roles in America, and that the current demand for female leadership exceeds the supply.

    Hurwitz, who is currently dean at Yeshiva Maharat, said what is important is that now both men and women can help “shape” and “serve” the spiritual needs of the Jewish community.


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    79 Comments
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    10 years ago

    Ruth Balinsky Friedman is unaware of the halacha in shulchan oruch yore deah prohibiting wearing red clothing?

    shulem
    shulem
    10 years ago

    Can anyone tell me why it took so many years for them to conceive the basic idea that woman can not be discriminated and must be treated just like men? The reform and conservatives understood it for a 100 years ago!
    And now that they finally were able to comprehend this idea, why stick to the name orthodox? Do they have a complex with the name ‘conservative’, as they are much more alike with the latter group!? Can anyone help me out with this?

    thegreatone
    thegreatone
    10 years ago

    What a disgrace to make a mockery of the Torah.
    Please try not to comment that in the time of the Nevi’im we also had women with Torah authority becuase we can not compare anything today to those times.

    I bet these Maharat are of the opinion we need to embrace Orthodox gay men.They probably believe we should tell gay men its ok what you do and no need to be ashamed of doing it with other men.In fact please tell the whole shull that your in love with another guy.
    What a disgrace this whole Maharat stupidity.

    10 years ago

    This of course follows our weekly Torah reading of Korach and his cohorts seeking leadership they were not bestowed. If women are to assume rabbinic authority, perhaps these well learned scholars can explain why the Torah did not deem it necessary to have a female kohenes inspect negaim (blemishes or leprosy) on a female? Isn’t it odd that Moshe selected 70 elders, all male? Didn’t he have at least as much foresight to designate a few female leaders or clergy as well? After all, isn’t he the one that had Miriam lead the women for Shirah at the Yam Suf? He clearly recognized such feminist role. The distinction being that he was capable of discerning where and when such leadership was of value and valor, and when it was out of place.

    Perhaps it is time for Maharat to focus and study a bit more Jewish history. Perhaps they can learn where it is proper for women to take a leadership role. There are many women of valor in Jewish history, including Nevios and Imahos and so many more throughout history. Recognize the parameters and don’t become Women Off the Wall.

    10 years ago

    Maharats today, ineffective Jewish Souls tomorrow.

    hashomer
    hashomer
    10 years ago

    What is the definition of maharat in this usage? Thank you.

    yudaleph
    yudaleph
    10 years ago

    open toe shoes? shell not covering up to the chin? something looks wrong with the picture of the one representing this idea, not to mention the idea itself.

    Mark Levin
    Mark Levin
    10 years ago

    Discussion??? WHAT discussion?? There is NO discussion. There may NOT be a discussion when halocha & tznius are involved. These people have a one way ticket to purgatory.

    posaikacharon
    posaikacharon
    10 years ago

    a group of girls once came to harav schach ztl to ask torah questions. he patiently listened to all their questions and said; now i will show you what my wife knows…and in she comes with a tray full of refreshments, and he says; now you see what a rebbetzin needs to know!!! that is the torah hashkafa in a nutshell.

    Shtarker
    Active Member
    Shtarker
    10 years ago

    If their rabbis would have offered them opportunities for leadership within the community, these women would not have had to go outside the community.

    RobertS
    RobertS
    10 years ago

    I would not ask a shayla of a maharat but the sinas chinam in the comments here is chillul hashem and shande fur de goyim.

    DanielBarbaz
    DanielBarbaz
    10 years ago

    I am sorry guys, but I would rather be guided by a clear thinking woman, than by men who are so easily threatened in their masculine domain. And by the way, if you are all so offended by a red dress and open toe shoes you should not be looking there. Interesting I did not even notice the dress color or shoes !

    Briskerrav
    Briskerrav
    10 years ago

    so now rav shach is a disgrace? why because you don’t like what a gadol batorah did?

    there are so many nations that hate the Torah! why do Torah-hating Jews still insist on being Jewish?

    10 years ago

    That’s what the orthodox community are waiting to hear. Thank you for spitting it out. The senior Litvish leader in Israel – and some would say the world – you describe as a disgrace, and a woman who is not ashamed of appearing half-dressed deserves to be congratulated. Thank you again.

    wollenberg
    wollenberg
    10 years ago

    to #12 the Rav Shach comment is puzzling. Even by the most “chareidi” women need to know torah and halocho in order to live their lives. You can’t even make refreshments noch without knowing hilchos kashrus. Furthermore they are the akeres habayis who raise the kids so they need Torah knowledge. Furthermore they need hashkofa to stay frum so need to learn musar or chassidus etc.
    Finally communities need knowledgable rebbetzens who girls and women can approach for shaylos and guidance where they are either uncomfortable or it is inappropriate to ask a male.
    Very strange story.

    10 years ago

    Tznius:
    1. Her tichel shows her hair.
    2. Her dress is bright orange/red.
    3. It is too tight (men: do not look!)
    4. Her shell does not go high enough.
    5. no stockings.
    6. bright red painted toes that are visible & not in keeping with her “position”.

    How far removed is her philosophy from those women of the wall? I’m no expert, admittedly, but it’s hard to take her seriously when she dresses like that. Her intellect may be superior to that of many men, but that doesn’t make her special. What makes a Jewish woman special is when she uses her intellect & wits to support her husband & raise her children in a Torah-true atmosphere, not to compete with men. And for the record, I don’t believe women should be tied to the stove, barefoot & pregnant. But neither do I believe women should compete for attention in a man’s role.

    sane
    sane
    10 years ago

    Is she looking up the Taz online? Or, is she on Zappos buying shoes?

    Avichai
    Avichai
    10 years ago

    Ten reasons (and there are hundreds more) why these women are wrong.1. mesorah 2.tznuit .3.Children.4.Husbands learning.5.Gedolim do not endorse.6.Kol Iesha.7.Contradicting voices in a community.8.women are to emotional .9 time of the month.10.never was never will be period…

    Aher2012
    Aher2012
    10 years ago

    Rav Schah was a product of his era and a country – that is, 19/20th century Lithuania. Many of his contemporaries were vehemently opposed to Bais Yaakov movement- because “women can’t learn the Torah”. As time went by, it has become accepted that they can. I suppose it will eventually become accepted that they can do so on an advanced level. There were no girls schools in Satu Mare. There are Satmar girls school in America – the time and place has changed and so did the system. Orthodoxy is not immune to change. Intellectually curious orthodox women in this day and age will no longer limit themselves to perfecting fruit cake recipes their entire lives. Face it. Many already study the Torah on an advanced level, titles or no titles. I guess men just have to suck it up.

    MAYERFREUND
    MAYERFREUND
    10 years ago

    Please see rambam

    מיי׳ פ״א מהל׳ ת״ת
    הלי״ג
    אשה שלמדה תורה יש לה שכר אבל אינו כשכר האיש. מפני שלא נצטוית. וכל העושה דבר שאינו מצווה עליו לעשותו אין שכרו כשכר המצווה שעשה אלא פחות ממנו. ואע”פ שיש לה שכר צוו חכמים שלא ילמד אדם את בתו תורה. מפני שרוב הנשים אין דעתן מכוונת להתלמד אלא הן מוציאות דברי תורה לדברי הבאי לפי עניות דעתן. אמרו חכמים כל המלמד את בתו תורה כאילו למדה תפלות. במה דברים אמורים בתורה שבעל פה אבל תורה שבכתב לא ילמד אותה לכתחלה ואם למדה אינו כמלמדה תפלות:

    DanielBarbaz
    DanielBarbaz
    10 years ago

    I am not Jewish, but a Jewish friend of mine recommended that I read VIN to learn what is going on the the religious community.

    Quite honestly I am shocked by the personal attacks, the condescending attitude, and the petty points (open toe shoes? Is this how one judges the quality of another person?) directed towards this woman.

    This female Rabbi to be is following her dream and living her life as she sees fit. If you and others in your congregation don’t like her philosophy, I suggest that you not hire her to be your rabbi.

    I consider myself to be an ethical and honest person. I don’t curse; I don’t drink, and I don’t smoke……I do not see anything provocative about her manner of dressing. On the other hand i view juvenile and personal attacks as far more egregious and “sinful.”

    davidj
    davidj
    10 years ago

    A Rebbetzin teaches torah, gives spiritual counseling, gives kallah classes, deals withe taharat hamishpacha issues. A Maharat will to. She will have formal training how to do so.

    Is it tznius for married women to talk about their niddah issues with a Rabbi?

    10 years ago

    The Horror! The Horror!

    kasamba
    kasamba
    10 years ago

    I think that if these women can do Hagbah, then they should have the right to be ordained.

    10 years ago

    I think everyone here is missing the point. I may or may not think what they are doing is right but i think the point of this is to really think about the role of women. i am an Orthodox women and I have stopped counting the number of times that i have encountered that what i say and what i think has been put down because of the fact i am a women. Orthodox Jewry needs to wake up and instead of criticizing this find a way that makes women feel like they have place within the religion and not just that they are the cooks, cleaners and bearer of children.