First of all, I would like to say happy Rosh Hashana to everyone. Then I would like to ask some women about their roles as Orthodox Jewish women. I am studying Judaism at the University of Arizona and so far I have not heard much about Jewish women. How do you feel about your position? Do you wish you could be more spiritually involved? Do you feel that you are considered equal to the men of your religion? Please understand that I am not trying to offend anyone, I am just curious. Thank you!

Since our Righteous Gentile Forum is specifically on the subject of the 7 laws of Noach. I moved this interesting question over here

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Rabbi Mitterhoff,

If you are interested, visit
http://willowgreen.mu.nu/
http://youcantmakethisstuffup.blogspot.com/
http://barefoot_jewess.blogspot.com/
and a few others (their email addresses are invariable somewhere on the page) and ask these article and enquiring observant woman your question.
My experience as a member of the other gender you can find at http://YoelBA.blogspot.com

Best to You!

In reply to Sheigh:
On Yom Kippur I got together with a friend to help eachother with the children and try to daven. We made the big mistake of trying to daven at the same time and one of the babies was a major distraction during Shmone Esre. The next Tefilla we made sure to take turns. My 2 year old only wanted "Mommy" to help her and no one else. We tried to daven as best as we could and got the Tefillos in, but without the Kavanos we would have liked to have. At the end of the day, my friend commented "I sure am glad that I am not a man." A Jewish woman has her obligations toward her children, husband and home. Not toward going to Minyan and such. Yes it would be nice to be able to go to Shul on Yom Kippur, but now is not our time, with small children. Im Yirtza Hashem, we will have our chance again when the kids grow up. But we will still have to hurry home after Yom Kippur to make sure there is food to break the fast on and not stay with the Minyan for Maariv. This is just a small example of our obligations. It is not a lesser place in Yiddishkeit, but just a different place. Men and Women each have their obligations-different, but equally important!

I don't know if you're still watching this post, or if this is "old news," but I just couldn't pass up the chance to share my own opinion on this with others.

I am an "ultra-Orthodox" young Jewish woman (I can't stand putting people into boxes and labeling them, but such is life), meaning that I observe the Torah and believe in the divinity of all that is in it. Right now I am waiting for the day when I will be able to begin to build a family--and I am EXCITED for it. *gasp* Yes, excited. Excited to build a home filled with morality and love and decency and especially Torah, excited to help others (my family included) and bring joy to them. Men have their own lives; good for them. They can accomplish a lot of amazing things. But no man can build a home like a woman can, no matter how hard they try. No man can have as great an impact on his children as their mother can. And I want to make that impact. Because it's the only impact that lasts in this world.

Thank you Keren. I was about to write something along the same lines. I just want to add, in answer to the original question, yes I do feel equal to the men. Different, yes, but certainly not inferior. And I am extremely spritually involved, although it may not be in exactly the same way men are.

Very nice
_________________________

Here's a great essay for more info.
http://meaningfullife.com/social/womenANDmen/Two_Halves_of_a_Whole.php

We women should look at what We have. When you think about it, we have a lot. We do kindness projects, prepare for shabbos, candle lighting and bringing in shabbos, family purity, educating and passing on our heritage to the next generation. And even those who don't have children or are not married can still help out in the community and make a difference.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: sharona,

"...And even those who don't have children or are not married can still help out in the community and make a difference.."

Better say: "No matter wether you're married , single or widowed, with or without children.
Speaking about equality...

Yea, that's what i meant. We Can all do something important and special.

Maybe, men and women being equal, men should also have babies... Note: we are different and that's that!! Are oranges and apples not equal as fruits?

Ahuva, good example about apples and oranges being equal as fruits

This message has been edited. Last edited by: sharona,