Note: These Halachos are just as important for men to learn and know, as they are for women.
When Reading in Shul, DO NOT Read During Davening or Krias HaTorah
...Continued from previous week
1) There are a plethora of opinions amongst the Poskim as to a woman’s obligation to learn Torah and as to her obligation to teach her children Torah and to educate them (Chinuch) in the performance of Mitzvos. We will not delve into all of the discussions as that is beyond the scope of this email. We will just touch upon a few points and opinions about this topic.
2) The Talmud Yerushalmi (Sotah Perek 3:4 and other places) forbids the teaching of Torah to women. The “prohibition” for women to learn Torah does not apply to Torah Shebiksav (the written Torah), only to Torah Sheba’al Peh (The oral Torah). (See Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah Siman 246:6). Additionally, all Halachos that pertain to women are permitted and even mandatory for them to learn, know and follow. (See Rama Yoreh Deah Siman 246:6). Being that there are parts of Torah that are obligatory for women to learn, they are thus obligated in reciting Birchos HaTorah each morning. (See Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim Siman 47:14 and Magen Avrohom there.)
3) The general rule is “Whoever is obligated to learn [Torah] is obligated to teach it”. Thus, according to many Poskim a mother is not obligated to teach her children Torah nor is she responsible to educate them (Chinuch). (See Talmud Kidushin 29b and Nazir 29a, Rambam beginning of Hilchos Talmud Torah, Magen Avraham Siman 343:1 and Shulchan Aruch HaRav Siman 343:4). A mother is, however, obligated to raise her children to avoid transgressing Torah commandments, and surely may not assist them in transgressing any negative commandments. (See Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah Siman 181:6)
4) Many Poskim, however, maintain that mothers are indeed equally as obligated as fathers in the Chinuch of their sons and daughters. (See Tosefos Eruvin 82a Dibur Hamaschil Katan and Orach Nishor Maseches Nazir 29a. See also Aruch Hashulchan Siman 343 and Mishna Berura Siman 343 S”K 2. Regarding chinuch of daughters, see Meshech Chochma Parashas Vayeira Perek 18 Posuk 19)
5) If the father is deceased, or otherwise absent, and the mother is raising her children on her own, according to all opinions she is now obligated in educating her children in the study of Torah as well as in the observance of Torah. (See Talmud Eiruvin 82b and Shu”t Imrei Yosher Vol. 1 Siman 3)
6) Even though a woman is not obligated in teaching her children Torah and its observance, if she does assist her children (or her husband) in their study of Torah, she shares the great heavenly reward with them. (See Rama Yoreh Deah Siman 246:6)
7) Although we cited a lot of sources from the Talmud, Shulchan Aruch and other Poskim that make it pretty clear that women should not learn Torah She’ba’al Peh, nowadays when the “Emunah” of many people is much weaker than it used to be, it is of primal importance for girls and women to learn Chumash, Navi, Mussar, Pirkei Avos and other segments of Torah that can strengthen their Emunah. (See Chofetz Chaim in Likutei Halacha Sotah Perek 3)
Furthermore, the “prohibition” for women to learn Torah was in place for the average woman [in those days when there was no formal Torah education for girls], but women that were intellectually capable of studying Torah were never included in the “prohibition”. (See Rambam Hilchos Talmud Torah Perek 1 Halacha 13 where he writes that “most” women are incapable of learning and understanding Torah Sheba’al Peh properly. See also Prisha to Tur Yoreh Deah Siman 246:6). Many women nowadays are educated and intellectual (thanks in large part to Frau Sara Schneirer A”H), and thus may be allowed to learn Torah Sheba’al Peh. Of course, every woman should follow her family’s traditions and the guidance of her Rav.
8) Below is a short list of “intellectual” women throughout history who indeed studied, and even taught, Torah.
- The daughters of Tzelafchad were learned in Torah. (See Sifri Bamidbar 27:4)
- Devorah the prophetess and other prophetesses in our history were known to disseminate Torah and rule on Torah issues.
- The Talmud (See Pesachim 62b and Eruvin 54b ) relates that Bruria, Rabbi Meir's wife, was a Torah scholar.
- Rashi is said to have studied Torah and Talmud with his daughters, who were outstanding Chachamos. (Rashi had no sons)
- See Shu”t Teshuva M’Ahava (Vol. 2 Siman 295) where he relates that the esteemed daughter of Rav Dovid Oppenheim wrote a megilah and expounded upon the permissibility of reading from it.
- The Shu”t Tashbatz (Vol. 3 Siman 75) cites a woman who was an outstanding Torah scholar.
- See Bach (Yoreg Deah Siman 188) where he cites Rav Zanvil Katz who learnt a halacha in an important topic from a woman.
- The Ohr Hachaim Hakadosh studied his commentary to the Torah with his daughters. (Sefer HaTorah V’HaOlam by Rav Nissim Telushkin)
- The MaHarshal (Siman 29) relates that his grandmother, Harabanit Miriam, headed a yeshiva for many years and indeed sat in a tent and gave Torah lectures to the Bachurim.
- Rav Yitzchok Hutner Zatzal, Rosh Yeshivas Rabbeinu Chaim Berlin is known to have taught Talmud in depth to his daughter, Rebbetzin Beruriah David A”H, founder and dean of Beth Jacob Jerusalem Seminary.
...To be continued B’Ezras Hashem next week
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