Judaism & Equality Within the Family (Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B): Revision Note
Jewish teachings regarding the equality of men & women
Many Jews interpret the creation story in the Torah, which shows God creating male and female at the same time, as evidence of equal status between men and women:
'Then God said, "Let us make mankind in our image" … So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them' (Genesis 1:27)
Since Judaism teaches that all humans have been created in the image of God, all men and women are equal
However, not all Jews agree on the roles that men and women have in worship and in the home
The role and status of women in the home
The Torah states:
'Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you' (Genesis 3:16)
This teaching has been interpreted by some Jews as evidence that men and women have different roles
The Tenakh and the Talmud describe different roles for men and women within the home
Traditionally women have a sacred role which is to:
bear children
run the home
take responsibility for their children’s Jewish upbringing and education
pass on Jewish values to their children
pass on Judaism - it is because of the mother's Jewish faith, not the father's that a child is born Jewish
Jewish law excuses women from some religious duties
For example, they are not required to wear the tzizit and tefillin
There are some duties that women are obliged to carry out
For example, they should perform the lighting of the Shabbat candles
Divergent Jewish attitudes towards equality of men & women
In Orthodox Judaism, the traditional roles of men and women in Judaism as laid out in the Tenakh and Talmud are more rigidly upheld
The role of women is generally seen as separate but of equal value
Women's obligations and responsibilities are different from men's, but no less important
The primary role of a woman is as a wife and mother
Orthodox Jewish women often wear a scarf over their heads to cover their hair
Orthodox women are expected to dress modestly with appropriate items of clothing
During Shabbat, they may wear white aprons
Reform Jews have a more modern view of the respective roles of men and women within the family
Reform Jews believe in the equality of men and women.
Both husband and wife may:
work outside the home
take part in domestic work
raise the children
Many Jewish women choose to combine a career with family responsibilities
Worked Example
Explain two ways in which the roles of men and women are understood in Judaism
(4 marks)
Within Orthodox Judaism, men and women have different but complementary roles in the family (1 mark). For example, men are the providers while the primary role of a woman is as wife and mother (1 mark)
Within Reform Judaism, the roles of men and women are understood to be more similar. (1 mark) Both husband and wife may work outside the home, take part in domestic work and raise the children (1 mark)
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Remember that equality doesn’t have to mean being the same, just having the same status. For Reform Jews, men and women are equally important in the eyes of God and their families, they just play different roles from one another
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