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"Why are Jewish women treated as second class citizens?"
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By Rabbanith Ruth Menashe
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the contrary, she looked for ways to build him up and glorify him. She very much wanted him to receive his portion in the world to come. She prepared wicks for him which he would take to the Mishkan (Tabernacle) in Shiloh, where he would be a participant in the holy service to G-d. The wicks she made were so thick that they gave a light as powerful as torches. In fact, Baraq's wicks gave more light than any other wicks in the Temple. This is the way Deborah the prophetess, "built" her husband. As King Solomon said: Hokhmath Nashim Bantha
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"Jewish women are treated as second class citizens". I am sure that you have all heard that statement at least once. Let us look into the matter more deeply. The term in Hebrew for housewife is 'Aqereth Habbayith. This term has an association, in many people's minds, of scrubbing floors, washing dishes, doing the laundry and more. It would appear to be neither a pleasing nor prestigious title for women who dedicatedly take care of their families and homes, choosing not to build a full-time career (though they may also go out to work). This term, 'Aqereth Habbayith, however, warrants a little closer scrutiny. The term comes from the Hebrew root Iqqar, which means main, essence and foundation. The woman is given an astonishing responsibility - she is the very foundation and essence of the home. She is the one who molds her children, builds them and helps them develop into the final product that they become. Their future is, to a large extent, dependent upon her. What an amazing power and awesome responsibility.
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Rabbanith Ruth Menashe is noted for her lectures and classes for women.
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We are familiar with the saying: "behind every successful man is a woman". This is not an invention of modern day educated psychologists. This very idea stems from the basic tenets of Judaism and our Holy Torah. The wife has it in her hands to "make or break" her husband - regardless of his talents and capabilities. Deborah was a judge, a prophetess and taught Torah in Israel. People came to her from near and far to get her advice. And who was this important and knowledgeable prophetess' husband? Her husband was Baraq who was neither a successful business man nor a learned individual, what we call in Hebrew, an 'Am Ha-ares. What did his wife do? We can imagine that she would look at him with contempt, put him down and complain about her misfortune at having had to suffer such an ignorant husband. But this was the opposite of what she wanted to do. On
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In the merit of righteous women...
What does one do on Shabbath afternoon? Some like their afternoon nap, some go for a refreshing walk, some like to read, play with the children and more. The ladies at Midrash BEN ISH HAI in Great Neck, do more than the above. They selflessly devote their time to reading Tehillim in a group. In the winter months it requires determination to rush back on a short day, skipping a nap. The group started meeting on the Shabbath following the tragic explosion in the Sbarro restaurant in Jerusalem and has continued since then.
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The Newsletter of Midrash BEN ISH HAI ™ -- Where Our Heritage Lives™ www.midrash.org
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