Men are generally physically more powerful than women, but there is a lack of understanding of this trait on the part of men. The strength has been given not to dominate, but rather to serve and protect. Similarly, the appointment of married men as the head of the family does in no way imply that he has to “rule” and his decision is “final”.
On the other hand, there are numerous areas in which women are generally far better than men. Girls score higher marks than boys in examinations. In the field of language as well, women are found to be more articulate than men.
Men have misused their physical strength to dominate over women. Women are treated as an inferior sex, as men claim a more active role in society.
- Why do you think that Jewish men begin each day with a prayer that includes thanking God for not ‘having made me a woman’?
The text in question appears as part of a sequence of blessings, found in the Talmud, that are meant to accompany activities that are performed in the course of waking up in the morning, such as hearing the first cock-crow, opening one's eyes, stepping on the ground, getting dressed etc.
The "has not created me a woman" blessing is part of a group that expresses similar gratitude for not having been created a gentile or a slave.
Rabbis insist that the blessing is not intended to imply women are inferior, but merely to express gratitude for the fact that men are obligated to perform more religious commandments.
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Pick one Jewish duty that a man is required to do but a woman is not. Give as many reasons as you can why she is not allowed to do the duty and give as many reasons why she might want to do the duty.
The Following of the 613 Mitzvoth
Men are obliged to follow the 613 mitzvoth because they have to according to Jewish law. Women are not obliged to follow the 613 Mitzvoth because they have other duties such as looking after the family and children.
- In Judaism women are not treated equally. Do you agree? Give two points of view and refer to Judaism in your answer.
The equality of men and women begins at the highest possible level: God. In Judaism, unlike Christianity, God has never been viewed as exclusively male or masculine. Judaism has always maintained that G-d has both masculine and feminine qualities. God has no body; therefore the idea that God is male or female is absurd. We refer to God using masculine terms simply for convenience's sake.
Both man and woman were created in the image of God. According to most Jewish scholars, "man" was created in Gen. 1:27 with dual gender, and was later separated into male and female.
According to traditional Judaism, women have a greater degree of intuition, understanding and intelligence than men. The rabbis came to this conclusion from the fact that woman was "built" rather than "formed".
It has been said that the matriarchs (Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah) were superior to the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob). Women did not participate in the idolatry regarding the Golden Calf.
