Re: Kol Isha

[Eliott Kahn <Elkahn...>]

I agree with the two following points of view:


The injunction against Kol Isha, IMO -- is a psychological implant whose 
purpose is to 
create self-loathing and feelings of inferiority in women, in order to 
make them all the 
more subservient to men in a patriarchal society. Any rationale is just 
propaganda.

Wolf Krakowski



>I wasn't blaming liberal movements-
>I was just pointing out that talking about how 'Judaism has survived only
>because it has accepted change' doesn't mean that every change is good.
>Because it seems that if we change too much, too quickly, the center ceases
>to hold.
>                              

Eliezer Kaplan


If Orthodox Judaism can find a way to reconcile these two viewpoints, I believe 
it would be to its benefit as well as all other denominations of Judaism and 
all levels of Jewish life. We all carry our own prejudices and emotional 
baggage--men and women, Jew and non-Jew alike. Shouting at people for their 
"antiquated views" never really works, but when people are denied their equal 
rights, they should get impatient and agitate for change. Surely there's a way 
that the Orthodox world will be able to accept not only women singing, but 
women making aliyot, reading torah,  and counting in a minyan. That time may 
not be now, but if women agitate, it's sure to come.

That said, I would personally like to add that we in contemporary American 
society are always incensed because people and institutions won't accept us 
"just as we are." Every denomination of Judaism (or Christianity) cannot be 
all-inclusive to all people and all beliefs at all times. Please, just because 
someone won't accept your partner, your children's behavior, everyone of your 
beliefs or opinions, don't just storm off and say, "This religion is 
ridiculous. These people's beliefs are barbaric." 

My mother-in-law once wisely advised me of three things never to discuss at a 
party: sex, religion, or politics. Nobody ever changes their mind about deeply 
held beliefs anyway, and you'll just ruin a perfectly good opportunity to have 
fun. On the other hand, if the rabbi's wife would deny him conjugal relations 
until he resolved this "Kol Isha issue' .... Things might change fairly quickly!

Eliott Kahn


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