I spent Lag B'Omer last year in a meeting with the Jewish community and with the youth in the Principality of Monte-Carlo, near the French Riviera. .
Throughout the years of history the male sex has always been at the forefront of the stage whereas absolutely few women in the world have their voices heard. But Judaism was quite unusual in this regard, with, among other things, the story of the President in the Bible placed in a central place - such as Deborah the prophetess, who led the people with grace and elation, the prophetess rat who influenced Israeli communities and tried to influence them. Shmuel the prophet, the wives of Jacob Rachel and Leah, a farm defined in the Torah as "the mother of every living thing", Zipporah the wife of Moshe Rabbeinu who revealed resourcefulness as the wife of the leader and more.
A unique example of this can be seen in the fact that in all the names given to this week's parshas there is not a single parsha named after the patriarchs - Abraham, Isaac or Jacob, but actually our mother Sarah was given the name of a parsha - "Sarah's life".
Sages explain that the reason for this was that Sarah was a special woman "who was unparalleled in all the women of the world." There is an opinion that she was a reincarnation of her mother Eve.
The examples of the empowerment of the Jewish woman also continue in Sages' sources, such as female and unique figures presented in the Babylonian Talmud, the daughters of Rashi and more.
But as a rule the women, with the exception of Deborah, did not hold official public-leadership positions, but acquired the title and status as a result of their actions.
Judaism gave an important place and space for Israeli women to work, but there were halakhic and public restrictions on official appointments to positions of power such as king, judge, judge and more.
The passing of retired Supreme Court President Miriam Naor reminded me of the same conversation with the community in Monte Carlo that occurred due to severe corona restrictions at noon the day before the celebration, and especially in the chilling experience later that night when I was informed of Meron's disaster. Supposed to be there.After much effort to get them I was informed that they were feeling well, and that they were at the scene of the incident and assisting the rescue forces.
I often went to Meron on Lag B'Omer. The great joy, excitement and sacred atmosphere and unity surrounding the event were interspersed with prayer and concern in light of the organizational and safety chaos at the place. Which has been run for years and is based on an ancient and ancient heritage, and is a magnet for many Jews around the world, which in recent years has even intensified and grown to the dimensions of a national event on every scale.
I listened to many of the committee deliberations chaired by the late Judge Naor. Without going into her worldview and rulings over the years there was considerable investment in learning the details, even the smallest ones, as well as providing space for all witnesses to hear on issues not directly related to the event. Among her fascinating questions for understanding all the details of the incident and the desire to improve the situation and arrive at an exploration of the truth was her leadership.
Black Night.
The disaster in Meron, Photo: David Cohen - Ginny
On the 22nd of Shevat, which is marked today, the day of the death of the wife of the Rebbe of Lubavitch, the late Rebbetzin Chaya Moshka.
Despite being the wife of the world-famous Jewish leader, most of her actions were behind the scenes out of modesty and humility.
Few acquaintances and her deeds.
After her death, many of them were published, of whom a figure of a female leader emerges on every scale, and on the other hand a non-persecution of honor and dominance in a provocative manner.
Even in her youth she led struggles for the release of her father, the former rabbi of Chabad followers, the Rebbe Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson, from prison in the Soviet Union, after being accused of spreading Judaism and even exiled with him to Kosturma.
After wandering in Germany and France during the years of World War II, she managed to reach the United States with her husband, who later ascended the throne of Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson.
With the death of her father, the Hasidim were left without a leader.
The Rebbetzin turned to her husband who refused to accept the position, saying, "It is not possible that my father's thirty years of sacrifice and devotion went down the drain," thus agreeing to carry the continuation of leadership on his shoulders.
Throughout her life she has been involved in assisting many needy people, and has led behind the scenes important social, community and spiritual processes as a floor class leader.
On the other hand, when she called her husband the Rebbe of Lubavitch in his office, she would simply introduce herself as 'Mrs. Schneerson of President Street'.
The Rebbetzin was not the wife of the leader but a spiritual personality in her own right and a partner in the leadership.
For many leaders in the world, the role of the leader's wife is perceived as a representative role that requires appropriate attire, the tiling of smiles everywhere and a handsome backdrop for the leader standing at the front.
This misses the immense powers and leadership qualities and influence abilities of the woman.
The late Miriam Naor, Photo: Oren Ben Hakon
In this spirit, thousands of Chabad emissaries around the world are gathering in New York and digitally (in light of the Omkiron wave) who, in addition to being the emissaries' wives, everyone who has been exposed to their work around the world knows that this is a bunch of real leaderships. Better and more corrected, with generations of future leaders leading the way.
In a special meeting of the Lubavitcher Rebbe with a delegation from the heads of the Jewish Federation in the United States, who appointed three men and the president of the federation, Ms. Tishman.
The Rebbe talked to the members of the delegation about the need to take advantage of their position to increase the spread of Torah and Judaism, and then turned to Ms. Tishman with a smile, saying: "Do not forget about women's rights!". The Rebbe continued:
Do not be afraid of that, the whole people of Israel is a minority, and we have always been like that. "
Leadership and female power are an important component in the modern world, but it turns out that Judaism sees this as a central and fundamental component to a better and more corrected world.
Rabbi Shraga Natan Dahan is an officer in the Res. He has a master's degree in management and technology and is certified as a rabbi and judge. Serves as a consultant and lecturer in public, security, educational and scientific bodies on Halacha, technology, medicine, science and space.
Were we wrong?
Fixed!
If you found an error in the article, we'll be happy for you to share it with us
