'Equal Citizens of the Halakhic Nation' - Leeds Limmud 2014
Limmud Leeds May 18th 2014 Rabbi Esther Hugenholtz ‘Equal Citizens of the Halakhic Nation – women, men, rights and obligations’ This session will look at the tension between being a religious Jew and a Feminist. What do our ancient rabbinic texts say about the roles of women in prayer and leadership through the timebound commandments (ie tallit)? Is egalitarianism contradictory to Judaism or perhaps quite the opposite: a vision of being created in the Divine Image? By studying and discussing both rabbinic texts and contemporary experiences, we will make these important questions come alive in our own lives and communities and look at creating a more equal and inclusive Judaism. Issues to consider: - Why are women exempted from timebound commandments? - Does this exemption make sense within the halakhic system? - Are tallit/tefillin ‘male’ garments? -...