MARCH 2019
actions, Vashti proves to women that there is more to life than being a sex slave to a man. As a woman it is important to not lose your sense of self and strength for the pleasure of a man, no matter how powerful he is. Vashti embodies this kind of self–respect and shuts down the early formations of feminine mystique. In most religious contexts, men tend to have authority over women, and are commanded to have a closer relationship with God due to the covenant between Abraham and God that was to be passed down through his sons. In Judaism, this applies, with some exceptions in which men must provide for their wives and children. In Biblical times, Jewish women were able to inherit land from their fathers in the case that there were no sons. Later, women were often thought to have a stronger faith and better senses of judgement which their husbands would often consult when in need of some advice. While this may not seem like much to us now, this is revolutionary considering the typical restrictions women faced during this time. While women seem to be awe–worthy beings, in worship settings, women were—and still are in more conservative synagogues—segregated from men during services via a wall called a mechitza as they may tempt men to have impure thoughts during prayer.
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subjected to a much smaller wall space than the men. In true feminist fashion, a protest organization was formed in 1988 called The Women of the Wall. This group, like Vashti, refuses to lie low
As a woman it
and take orders from male authority. Lead by Anat
is important to
they lead prayer services, including the conduct-
not lose sense
slurs at them to disrupt their prayer and inflict
of self and
and punished, but their mission remains alive and
strength for
this organization, the prime minister approved the
the pleasure
two genders could pray as one community. While
of a man, no
serves as proof that strong women can do anything
Hoffman, the Women of the Wall are relentless as ing of bat mitzvot, as men hurl objects and scream harm. Many of these women have been arrested well regardless of the threats they face. Because of
matter how powerful he is.
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patriarchy, and even though she was punished for her
creation of an egalitarian prayer space where the this space is miniscule and needs improvement, it they set their minds to. So as Purim comes again this March, think about Vashti and Esther’s influence on feminism, no matter how subtle, as you dress up in your favorite costumes, eat hamentashen, and ward off Haman’s evil spirit. When it comes to your own life, think about how you can single-handedly destroy the patriarchal empire like the two Persian empresses. Be a Vashti and take a stand for your womanhood
During different periods of time, women were only
and self–righteousness or be an Esther and mold
educated on the basic religious practices they needed
the patriarchy to bend in favor of what is equita-
to follow to have a successful Jewish life, but were
ble and fair.
not encouraged to study the Torah as the men were. It has been argued that Jewish feminism emerges from the exclusion from religious practices such as the congregational service, the minyan or male group which leads the prayer service, and the 613 mitzvot requirements as commanded by God. Much to the dismay of the men oppressing them, women formed their own study groups, and led their own services in order to practice Judaism for themselves. As of the 20th century, girls were able to be called to the Torah for their bat mitzvot, or coming– of–age ceremony traditionally reserved for the young boys of the congregation. In more reform sects of Judaism, men and women are seen as equals and receive the same treatment in regards to the prayer service and religious education. As time goes on, we see more and more female rabbis and cantors taking leadership roles in the congregation and community, at least in America. In Israel, Judaism is the religion of the land, and the Orthodox sect takes precedence. Because the Orthodox Jews have the most power in the country, they are able to enforce their views of religion on Israel, including their beliefs that men and women should not pray together at one of the holiest Jewish sites: the Western Wall. Like in conservative congrega-
Hamentashen are a tasty snack eaten by many Jewish people during the Purim celebration.
tions, men and women are separated by a mechitza, and women are forbidden from wearing traditional prayer shawls and possessing a Torah, all while being THEVINDI.COM | 18