Questions about or that apply specifically to women.
6
votes
1answer
116 views
What opportunities do Orthodox women have to learn and participate in their communities outside the home?
I've visited several Orthodox communities but never been part of one. One of the things that has always been a stumbling-block for me is the role of women. Here are two things I've observed about ...
5
votes
3answers
392 views
Horse back riding for women
Is it permissible for an Orthodox woman to do horseback riding in an ordinary saddle, or does she have to use a sidesaddle? Furthermore, would she be able to use women's trousers made for horseback ...
3
votes
2answers
103 views
How was Devorah appointed a judge?
Although there is already a question on how judges were appointed during the period after the First Temple was built, that question did not cover the period of the Judges, following the time of ...
1
vote
1answer
62 views
Are Shiurim (Classes) for Women common in Orthodox Synagogues?
Is it quite common at most Orthodox shuls for there to be a women's shiur presented by a female? What topics would generally be discussed?
0
votes
0answers
106 views
Is a woman obliged in the mitzvah of Niddah if her husband is not Jewish? [closed]
Since Niddah is a woman's obligation alone, in theory, it should not depend on whether her husband is Jewish. Correct?
If so, then why do many modern mikvaot exclude women with non-Jewish husbands?
...
16
votes
12answers
1k views
How to tactfully circumvent opposite-gender handshake
Say you're a man in a professional setting, and a woman who isn't used to dealing with observant Jews stretches out her hand to greet you -- but your practice is to avoid shaking hands even in ...
6
votes
4answers
640 views
why do jewish women wear so much black?
Usually, the color white is associated with purity (as indicated by the kittle). I don't know if the opposite color in the spectrum represents the opposite of purity (yes, I know it's not technically ...
11
votes
1answer
185 views
Woman and Zimun: What is the requirement?
What is a woman's requirement to say Bircat Hamazon with a Zimun of women?
What is a women's requirement to say Bircat Hamazon with a Zimun of men?
0
votes
0answers
73 views
Looking at clothing of a woman
It says in Shulchan Aruch Evan HaEzer Siman 21 Sif 1 that it's ossur to look at the colored clothing of a woman that you know even if she is not wearing them, lest one come to "hirhurim" (to think ...
2
votes
0answers
67 views
Saying Divrei Torah by a Seudah — also for Women?
There is a mitzvah of saying Divrei Torah at a Seudah (meal). The rule says that any table that didn't have Divrei Torah said on it is as if someone ate from "Zivchei Masim" ("sacrifices to the ...
6
votes
2answers
122 views
Who was Cain's wife?
I saw this problem on reddit today and I think that we cursorily covered this in Tanach class. Who was Cain's wife? In בראשית ד' י"ז it says " וַיֵּדַע קַיִן אֶת-אִשְׁתּוֹ" but it never says who she ...
2
votes
1answer
53 views
Lighting candles on Yom Tov that falls out on Motzei Shabbos
Before a woman lights candles for Yom Tov that falls out on Motzei Shabbos does it say anywhere that she needs to say "HaMavdil" first? (Since the kedushas are different -- on Shabbos it was ossur to ...
10
votes
1answer
729 views
Can you see your wife unclothed?
I think someone in another question here (or on another site?) said he was told by his "chassan teacher" not to look at his wife unclothed. It seems like this is not the real halacha to me, or at ...
0
votes
3answers
699 views
How, if at all, can “frum” Jewish men justify their consorting with prostitutes?
A friend of mine is a part-time magistrate in Sullivan County, New York. He often hears cases of hasidic men being caught with prostitutes. Moreover, he tells me that the cases of STDs among hasidim ...
7
votes
1answer
190 views
Where does our blessing for daughters come from?
In many Jewish homes on Shabbat, the head of the household would bless his sons to be like Ephraim and Menasheh but would bless his daughters to be like the matriarchs . What is the source, if any, ...
5
votes
0answers
183 views
Woman wearing her husband's comfortable clothing
Is there any printed discussion about a woman wearing her husband's comfortable clothing?
While there is an Isur for a woman to wear a man's clothing, I've read in several places that this is about a ...
7
votes
0answers
93 views
Tznius of the times [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
What are the sources for women to wear/ not wear pants?
Why cant women wear baggy pants when now-a-days women who are "tznius" wear tight skirts or skirts above the ...
-3
votes
1answer
147 views
What are the sources that a husband may beat his wife?
What are the sources, even those that are rejected in the final halachic analysis, that encourage or allow a husband to physically abuse his wife?
0
votes
0answers
123 views
How should a husband speak to his wife if her looks are affecting the marriage?
Looking for answers based on experience or sources only
The gemarah (kiddushin 41a) stipulates that a man must see his wife before marrying her because if he finds her unattractive and marries her he ...
5
votes
1answer
167 views
Is a bat kohen allowed to go to cemetery?
Besides the permitted reasons for male kohen, is a bat kohen allowed to go to cemetery for other reason?
2
votes
2answers
196 views
Milk of a woman — Only for a sick person or even healthy?
In says in Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah Siman 81 SIf 7 that it's muter to drink chalav isha (the milk of a Woman) as long as it's "pirush" from the body (i.e. it was already extracted and now inside of a ...
0
votes
1answer
118 views
Ululating in Jewish culture
In ancient times, Jews living in Israel ululated if I am not mistaken. Is this practiced by Ashkenazi or Sephardic Jews today? Which other Jewish communities ululate? Ethiopians, Mizrahis, etc?
Are ...
4
votes
1answer
110 views
The (female) name Freeda amongst Sefardim
I am under the impression that the name Freeda is a female Yiddish name. For some reason it seems to be very popular amongst the Sephardim. How did this happen?
2
votes
1answer
57 views
Bentching Ha-Gommel after a Birth
After a woman gives birth many have the custom of reciting the blessing of "ha-gommel" (a blessing of Thanks.) Until how long after a birth may this blessing by recited? (i.e. can it be said even a ...
7
votes
1answer
555 views
Tznius In Regards to Covering Elbows
Are there sources that say women do not have to cover elbows? Because I've seen Orthodox women not covering them and I want to be able to say that there are sources that support their actions.
4
votes
1answer
67 views
Women and arba minim on first day
On the first day there is a din of "lechem" ("to you") that the arba minim must belong to you. Many women will take the arba minim of their father or husband (or brother perhaps) in order to fulfill ...
3
votes
2answers
205 views
Food cooked by woman during Niddah?
If according to my Bible translation - please correct me if it is wrong - anything a woman in niddah or a state of tumah, or 'impurity', touches or sits on becomes 'impure', can food cooked by her be ...
1
vote
0answers
71 views
Woman giving away husbands money
The gemorah in Moed Katan Daf 8a says,
אמר רב כהנא אמר רב יהודה אמר רב מעשה באדם אחד שכינס מעות לעלות לרגל
ובא ספדן ועמד על פתח ביתו ונטלתן אשתו ונתנתן לו ונמנע ולא עלה
Rav Kahana said in ...
5
votes
2answers
348 views
Modesty: What is the difference between Conservative and Modern Orthodox?
What are the differences between female Modern Orthodox/Modern Orthodox Liberal Jews and Conservatives in terms of women's modesty? My question applies both to dress and social interaction - shaking ...
11
votes
4answers
263 views
What is a good mussar/personal growth sefer for women?
Most mussar sefarim are very oriented towards men, with lessons on things such as how to treat your wife, the dangers of pursuing women, or the importance of learning. Also, many sefarim I've seen ...
6
votes
1answer
76 views
Why can't we Mafkiya kiddushin?
According to DoubleAA, R' Shechter says that any three people have a right to declare items hefker through Hefker Beis Din Hefker.
According to that, why doesn't an average Beis Din have a power to ...
3
votes
1answer
162 views
Should a woman wear a gartel?
My understanding of the halachic need for a gartel is very limited; is there any reason a woman should or should not wear one during prayer?
5
votes
4answers
354 views
How assur is mixed dancing?
What is the level of the issur on mixed dancing? Minhag? D'Rabanan, D'oraita, etc.?
What about separate dancing but without a mehitza?
14
votes
1answer
887 views
Mixed swimming in a pool?
What are the issues with mixed swimming, from a tzniut point of view? Does it make a difference if the swimmers are or aren't Jewish? For example, are there issues with me swimming with my wife and a ...
8
votes
2answers
434 views
Is there an issue with ladies going to the zoo when they are pregnant?
Is there an issue with ladies going to the zoo when they are pregnant? If yes then why is it a problem?
7
votes
3answers
156 views
Why was Kozbi not an eshes yefas toar?
Why was Kozbi bas Tzur not considered an eshes yefas toar (a non-Jewish woman who is taken captive during wartime and is permitted to her captor) who would then be permitted to Zimri? This question ...
2
votes
1answer
111 views
7
votes
3answers
138 views
Why does the census “of all who are able to go forth to war” include a few women?
The census in Bamidbar 26 is directed thus:
Take the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, from twenty years old and upward, by their fathers' houses, all that are able to go ...
10
votes
2answers
228 views
Women saying kadish
Why do some people hold a woman should not say kadish? She's not singing so it shouldn't be Kol Isha, and if she's behind a mechitza it shouldn't be a tzniut problem.
3
votes
1answer
93 views
Were there more than seven prophetesses?
The Bavli, M'gila 14:1 quotes:
Forty-eight prophets and seven prophetesses prophesied for the Jews….
Further along on the page, it questions this:
Were there no more? But it says [in ...
9
votes
2answers
209 views
If women are not obliged to daven maariv, should they daven if they wish to?
This source says that women are not obliged to daven maariv but may do if they wish.
Although the Shulchan Aruch (108:7) allows one to recite a Tefilat Nedava in a certain case, Halacha Berura (22nd ...
3
votes
2answers
61 views
8
votes
2answers
100 views
V'Al Brischa SheChasamta Bivsoreinu - ועל בריתך שחתמת בבשרנו - does a lady say this?
In Bentching (grace after meals) - both in the Ashkenazic and in the Sefardic version - we say V'Al Brischa SheChasamta Bivsoreinu - ועל בריתך שחתמת בבשרנו - "and for Your covenant, which you sealed ...
13
votes
1answer
261 views
Time-frame for naming a newborn girl
I have heard many differing Minhagim as to the time-frame for naming a newborn girl. There are those that name at the first possible opportunity and some that wait till the second Shabbos. Many others ...
3
votes
1answer
243 views
Double head covering for women?
Is there an inyan for women to have a double covering on their head? (Like men do.)
8
votes
2answers
134 views
Is there value in gender-adapted names?
There are various Hebrew names in use that are feminizations of pre-existing masculine names. (The opposite case may exist as well, but I can't think of any examples.)
Examples:
Yaakova
Rafaella
...
2
votes
2answers
99 views
Birchas Hatorah and Sefardic women
In an earlier question I mentioned that women make Birchas Hatorah. Is the same true for Sefardic women and why?
1
vote
1answer
43 views
Women and Birchas Hatorah
Why do women have to say Birchas Hatorah they are not commanded to learn Torah as men are?
8
votes
2answers
462 views
Are Jewish women permitted to use birth control that stops menstruation?
Is there any reason that a Jewish woman who has permission from her Rabbi to use birth control could not choose a pill that stops her from menstruating? Although certain birth control pills are ...
11
votes
5answers
631 views
Is a mechitza required for dancing at Jewish weddings? Why?
If the men and women aren't dancing together, is it strictly required that there also be a mechitza between them? If so, why? What guidelines would this mechitza have to meet?
Or is it simply a smart ...
