Women’s Issues
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Do Angels Talk to Women?
My son would like to know why in the Torah Portion of Vayera (Genesis 18) when the guests, who the Commentaries say were really angels, bring news to Sarah that she would have a child, why was the guest facing…
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Ritual Purification Without a Temple
Can you direct me to a treatise on the evolution of the practice of ritual purification (childbirth, skin diseases, and secretions) following the destruction of the Second Temple? Answer: Hi! The Talmud Shabbat says that the laws of ritual purification…
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Monetary Commandments Related to Purim
Regarding two laws for the holiday of Purim: 1. Can you give me a precise definition for Matanot La’Evyonim and Machatzit Hashekel? 2. How does a woman accurately observe these commandments? Answer: Matanot Le’Evyonim– Giving the monetary equivalent of a…
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Men’s and Women’s Clothing
What does the Torah have to say about clothing for men and women? How similar can they be? Why should/shouldn’t there be any difference between them? Answer: Thank you very much for your interesting question. We do not find in…
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Do we trust a woman’s testimony?
Is it true that according to the Torah a woman can’t be a witness in court? Why? It is certainly true that, under certain circumstances, women may not testify in a Jewish court. I certainly can’t say that I fully…
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Genesis 3:16 – “He Will Rule Over You”
After Adam and Eve are sent out of the Garden of Eden, G-d informs them of the new social and physical order within which humanity will now exist. In this world, the ground is cursed and we will eat by…
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The Status of Women: the Image of G-d, and the World to Come
I am having a crisis. I used to believe men and women are different but equal in Judaism but then apparently there are these sources that say otherwise [questioner linked to an external blog with lists of sources .ed] Some…
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Women’s Role in Judaism, Various Issues
I am an Orthodox woman and very unsure if I can stay in this path of life. I don’t want to be told apologetic answers, as I find them demeaning to basic intelligence. Also, they are clearly apologetics because if…
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Womens’ Inheritance
Please explain Numbers 27 regarding whether women are allowed or not to receive inheritance. In this Torah portion it seems like women (daughters) are unable to inherit anything unless they have no brothers. How come there are many wills in…