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I enjoyed Dr. Sokolow's response to Tzvi Pittinsky's question
about teaching Torah to women. I would, however, like to make one comment.
Is Judaism sexist? Dr. Sokolow says "strictly and literally speaking, it
is..." If you look up "sexism" in Webster's, you'll find that definition
number one ("prejudice or discrimination based on sex, especially against
women") has nothing to do with Judaism, while definition number two
("behavior, conditions, or attitudes that foster stereotypes of social
roles based on sex") might be consonant with Judaism.
Believe me, I am in no way an apologist. I am, however, a ba'alat teshuva,
and I can promise you that there is no other religion or lifestyle that
treats women more respectfully and equally than Judaism. (Maybe separate,
but certainly equal.) I don't want to take away from Dr. Sokolow's
terrific suggestions and comments to Reb Pittinsky, but if one of Reb
Pittinsky's students accuses Judaism of being sexist, I would urge him to
explore with his class whether either of the above two definitions
"shtims" with Judaism.
I would also urge Reb Pittinsky to explore how secular society views and
treats women. The first stop is the fashion pages of the New York Times:
Now THERE'S sexism with a capital S. What about MTV? Billboards?
Magazines? Movies? Music? The proliferation of sexual harassment cases?
Can the students come up with one example in secular society where women
are NOT objectified?
Deena Nataf
Midreshet Rachel College for Women
Jerusalem</HTML>
