I am not quite sure how to describe it, but I think that in my Jewish practice and belief, I believe I can be described as fairly (though not completely) rational, while also being fairly traditional. I don't chase after rebbes for brachas, but I don't discount them, I am not a big grave hopper, but I do go on occasion to some, I am not very mystically oriented and I don't put much power in segulahs and the like, but I am aware of and respect their place in our tradition and practice and even find myself doing some as well... while at the same time in my politics I find myself more liberal than conservative..
So, many of these issues that we are witness to today leave me a bit confounded as to what the proper approach might be. I am thinking specifically of situations like Women of the Wall, and now the women who want to put on tefillin (such as in the SAR high school).
I am a firm believer in equal rights and opportunities for women, while recognizing that men and women are not the same. But I am confounded as to what is the right approach. I am traditional and admit that it grates on me to see the womens minyan at the Kotel, women wearing tefillin - even though there can be halachic justifications and allowances - the fact is it has not been traditionally done. Doing it now, with all the explanations and justifications in the world, is breaking with tradition.
On the other hand, it can be justified both socially and halachically. And, even more, I do not see how it can be stopped, which means it should probably be ignored.
And, just curious, but if Rashi's daughters wearing tefillin (whether they actually did or did not does not matter) is such a strong argument, why hasn't it been done [publicly] in the 900 or so years since then? Why do we have to go back 900 years to look for a good example of women wearing tefillin? Sorry, but that argument always bothers me. I don't think it helps their cause.
Anyways, is it really so significant and serious to the frum community if two women put on tefillin (there are probably some more who do it with less public fanfare anyway)? Does it cause so much damage to the Jewish community? We are 14 or 15 million strong, and an overwhelming majority of those are not religious, and many are not even affiliated at all - so does it matter if a few daven in a minyan or put on tefillin? I am more inclined to ignoring the phenomenon than to fighting it.
------------------------------------------------------
Reach thousands of readers with your ad by advertising on Life in Israel
------------------------------------------------------
