<HTML>This topic, which was raised several digests ago but received no response,
is an opportunity for me to say a few words about myself and present my
perspective on the matter.
Aside from my work at the Lookstein Center (which includes moderating this
list), I teach one of the Shiurei Gemara at Midreshet Lindenbaum in
Jerusalem, whose curriculum includes intensive Talmud study for women.
Having taught in co-ed Yeshiva high schools in the US and in both men's
and women's programs here in Israel (and having written my doctoral
dissertation on the effects of Israel study on American high school
graduates), I can attest to the fact that women's desire and ability to
plumb the depths of a sugya match, and, on occasion, exceed, that of their
peers who happened to have been born male. I further believe that analysis
of Torah she'beal peh is, for many people, the single most stimulating
study of Jewish texts, and therefore should be made available to any Jew,
male or female (cf. Rambam, Hilkhot Yesodei HaTorah 4:13).
At the same time, it is difficult (some would say impossible) to succeed
in the study of Gemara if one does not have the ability or desire to spend
the significant amount of time that it takes to become fluent. The
opportunities for women to continue Gemara study on a high level are still
not on par with those of their male counterparts. Preparation for
advancement in any field should be commensurate with reasonable
expectations regarding opportunities in that field.
In short, yes, women in our community should be prepared for and offered
the opportunity to study Gemara. Preparation for continued Gemara study,
however, should not come at the expense of other basic foundation study
in areas where the possibilities of continued higher level learning is
more likely. The work going on today in Israel in Tanakh, for example, is
stimulating, yet some of my students are not prepared to converse
intelligently about the basic story line in Neviim Rishonim. That, of
course, is a whole other discussion.
Shalom Berger</HTML>
