By Rachel Sacks
At the writing of the halakha and Rabbi Eliezer’s response, women, similarly to women in greater gentile society, were expected to adhere to their domestic duties and were not expected to receive much education. In Mishpatim, male and female slaves had different rights, and it can be deduced that the rights of male and female slaves were generally unequal. It’s all about context.
So, I’m wondering, is equality a Jewish value? Prescriptively, in regards to gender, I would say not. But, that leads me to wonder, how do we determine what is a Jewish value? Are Jewish values depicted through halakhot? Are they defined by how we alter our practices over time? I’ve heard the term “Jewish value” mentioned in Habonim Dror throughout my involvement in the movement, but I wonder, are the values we promote always Jewish values? Whether they are or aren’t, it can’t hurt to evaluate and reevaluate how and when the values we hold tie to Judaism, and what the connection—or lack thereof—means to us.