From Women Engaging in Halakhic Discussion to Women Making Halakhic Decisions In my lifetime, I have been privileged to witness a veritable sea change in observant women’s participation in ritual Jewish life, especially with regard to the synagogue, but also with regard to the beit midrash (study hall). We have come a long way from […]
Heter Hora’ah: From Women Pleaders to Women Leaders Read More »
Before I became engaged to my husband, I went home to spend Pesach with my family in Boca Raton. My mother always takes out books that she thinks I might enjoy from the library, and for this visit she insisted that I read The Rabbi’s Wife: The Rebbetzin in American Jewish Life by Shuly Schwartz.1
Models of Empowerment Read More »
Eight years ago, I was privileged to become the marta d’atra (halakhic authority) of Kehilat Orach Eliezer (KOE) on the Upper West Side of New York City. The congregation refers to me as rosh kehillah—“head of the congregation.” In this role, I deliver drashot on Shabbat. Throughout the week, I am available to answer halakhic
On Being Marta d’Atra, the Spiritual Leader, of My Congregation Read More »
Rachel Kohl Finegold I came to Yeshivat Maharat out of a desire to gain the training that would allow me to do my job more effectively. When I entered the program, I was already serving in a clergy capacity without formal credentials. As the education and ritual director of a Modern Orthodox synagogue, Anshe Sholom
As Yaakov is preparing to meet his brother Esav and is afraid of what his wicked brother might do, the Torah tells us that Yaakov brings his eleven children across the river to meet Esav (Genesis 32:23). Rashi, citing the Midrash, immediately notices that at that time Yaakov had not eleven children, but twelve. Rashi
Kol Isha: Don’t Drown Out a Woman’s Voice Read More »
Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov (1698–1760), the founder of the Chassidic movement, was once asked: “Why is it that Chassidim burst into song and dance at the slightest provocation? Is this the behavior of a healthy, sane individual?” The Baal Shem Tov responded with a story: Once, a musician came to town—a musician of great
Jewish women have long been the guardians of the kashrut of their home kitchens and often of their synagogue kitchens. Now, however, women are entering the ranks of mashgihot of commercial and communal establishments as well. A recent article in jweekly, the Jewish newsweekly of Northern California,1 documented the hiring of several female mashgihot to
Women as Mashgihot Read More »
It is clear that there is a renewed interest in shehitah among Jews from across the religious spectrum. Two recent Jewish news stories, “Backyard Kosher: Observant Jews Take Meat Ritual into Their Own Hands” (in jweekly, the Jewish newsweekly of Northern California) and “DIY Shechita” (from JTA, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency), explore what is motivating
Taking Shehitah into Our Own Hands: My Journey to Become a Shohetet Read More »
It is time to face the issue of mamzerut. It is a subject that I was exposed to as a result of my work in Israel as a rabbinic advocate, working with women denied divorces (mesoravot get) and agunot. While separated from their husbands, some of these women became pregnant by other men and gave
Solving the Mamzerut Problem Read More »
Anyone who has attended more than a few britei milah is likely to compare them: How fast did the mohel work? Did the baby cry a lot? How pale did the male family members become? But the guests at a brit milah of the grandson of Marcie and Tsvi Lieber in Silver Spring, Maryland, in
Women as Circumcisers: Are Mohalot Kosher? Read More »
