Orthodox Jewish feminism

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Orthodox Jewish feminism is a direction within Judaism that aims to achieve greater equality between men and women within the framework of Jewish religious law . The most important associations of this movement are the Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance (JOFA) in the USA and " Women of the Wall " (WOW) with its branches in Israel and other parts of the world, also known under the acronym ICWOW - The International Committee for Women of the Wall are known. In Israel, "Kolech" is the most important institution of the women's movement. Its founder is Hannah Kehat.

The movement promoting the religious rights of women invokes a liberal interpretation of Jewish law, which is advocated by modern as well as classical rabbinical scholars. These interpretations are obvious because there is no general consensus among rabbis.

features

Orthodox feminists use historical precedents and the liberal interpretations mentioned above to justify women participating in religious rituals that seek more traditional or conservative interpretations of the law to be reserved for men only. Many of these rights claimed by women are controversial because they contradict the traditional traditions and everyday habits of most Orthodox Jews . The following issues are of particular importance:

Right to divorce

"Agunot" ("tied up") are women who want to bring about a divorce or who have been abandoned by their husbands, but whose husbands refuse to give them a letter of divorce ("get"). Reluctant husbands are often socially pressured to allow their wives to divorce. Women without this document cannot marry again and are therefore in legal limbo.

Orthodox feminists pursue the right to divorce as one of their primary concerns in the interests of the "agunot" and in the face of an "aguna crisis". Many are primarily committed to this in the organizations and some also fight for it independently of an institutional framework.

References to the Torah

The "kissing" of the Torah scroll during the Sabbath or on Jewish holidays with a siddur (prayer book), the hand, or with the lips is a traditional practice in most modern Orthodox communities. Although it is a natural part of worship for many, it is not practiced by the Haredic or Hasidic communities. Dancing with the Torah and performing Hakafoth (circular processions ) around the sanctuary (at Simchat Torah ) is another custom of many Orthodox Jews in dealing with the Torah.

Participation in the "Zimmunim"

One of the most important, and perhaps the least controversial, practices of Orthodox feminists and other women outside the feminist movement is to participate in a women's room. This call to prayer takes place when fewer than three men or three or more women have eaten together. The formal call to prayer relates to the recitation of the Birkath Hamazon . One of the formulas of the call to prayer is identical to that of the men, but the word “chaverot” (Hebrew: girlfriends) is used instead of the word “rabotai” (Hebrew: gentlemen) at the beginning of the call, giving it a female character.

Prayer shawl

In Orthodox feminism, putting on the tallit prayer robe is not viewed as wearing a male garment, nor as offensive behavior towards the community. Historical precedents such as the creation of the Taletoth by Raschi's daughters in folk legend and permission from Moshe Feinstein and others have made wearing the prayer shawl a habit in orthodox feminist circles.

activities

Orthodoxy feminists take part in a variety of activities, some of which are informal and some of which take on organized forms. In all activities it is important to them to emphasize the orthodox character of their values ​​as well as their feminist convictions.

Rabbinate

Blu Greenberg is in favor of women being allowed to exercise the Orthodox rabbinate. Mimi Feigelson, student of Shlomo Carlebach , was ordained after his death, but never used the title rabbi out of respect for the orthodox community order.

literature

  • Tova Hartman: Feminism Encounters Traditional Judaism: Resistance and Accommodation. Brandeis, Lebanon, New Hampshire 2008.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Orthodox, Feminist, and Proud. on beliefnet.com.
  2. ↑ Edah: The Courage to be modern and Orthodox 'Women's Zimmun and Whether Men [Who Are Present] Must Leave'.
  3. ^ Orthodox feminists make little progress on agunot
  4. ↑ JOFA
  5. ^ Avi Hein: Women in Judaism: A History of Women's Ordination as Rabbis In: Jewish Virtual Library.
  6. ^ A History of Women's Ordination as Rabbis. In: Jewish Virtual Library