Question
Can woman be Jewish leaders?
Answer
Devorah was a judge (Judges 4:4) and several women (including Devorah) were prophetesses
Question
Could a woman be the messiach?
Answer
Maimonides indicates that Moshiach, like all previous Jewish kings, will be male. Interestingly though, it seems that in the merit of the righteous women of the Jewish people, we will be redeemed by Moshiach. This parallels the exodus from Egypt whish also occurred in the merit of righteous women. This would seem more natural since women in general are more spiritually connected and don’t require as many mitzvot to help them come close to G-d.
Rabbi Meir Goldberg