Re: Kol Isha

[wiener <wiener...>]

Although this issue may be irrelevant to some list members, it seems
to be of concern to a good number of us.  I also hope that, as we
consider the theoretical Halachik issues, we continue to focus on its
implications for Jewish Music, the raison d'etre of our list.

I do believe that an important component of Jewish Music is its
connection to Judaism.  As others have observed, the principle of Kol
Isha may have even played a role in the development of Jewish Music by
women.  Therefore, understanding Judaism better often deepens our
understanding of Jewish Music.

In that spirit, and wanting Jewish Music to be shared by all, my
question is to Jordan and others who agree with his positions:

In your judgement,

1. Has Halacha developed/changed?  If not, why not?

2. If so, does Halacha continue to develop/change today?  If not, why
not?

3. If so, how would a reconsideration of the Halacha of Kol Isha
occur?  Has it already occurred in Halachik Jewish movements (e.g.,
Conservative and Orthodox), de jure or de facto?  What is the evidence
(e.g., responsa, surveys, anecdotal, observation) for the answer?  Is
it possible for Halacha to change in one place (e.g., the United
States) and not in another (e.g., Israel)?

4. If there are Jews committed to reconsideration/development/change
of Halacha, such as the Halacha on Kol Isha, what could they do?

I append my questions to Elliot's post because it is the most recent
and he does suggest what Jews could do.  I regret, though, that his
post and others say that it is up to women to agitate.  I do not
believe that changes in the way Blacks are treated in this country and
in South Africa resulted from the activisim of Blacks alone.

Bob

-----Original Message-----
From: Eliott Kahn <Elkahn (at) JTSA(dot)EDU>
To: World music from a Jewish slant <jewish-music (at) shamash(dot)org>
Date: Sunday, February 18, 2001 4:08 PM
Subject: Re: Kol Isha


>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
>
>
>----------------------
jewish-music (at) shamash(dot)org ---------------------+
>