"The unwillingness to call her rabbi after having what was considered to be rabbinic training seems only to smack of sexist hypocrisy."
It’s hard for the world of liberal Judaism who holds intellectual autonomy and intentioned choice as the cornerstone of their faith to understand the "language" of Halacha. What does it mean for something to be out of the realm of personal decision-making? How is it possible that someone who does not allow a woman to fulfill a man's obligation in davening is not sexist? In a lifestyle and worldview founded on personal autonomy and choice, it is not possible. Behavior must necessarily reflect individual views because the former is determined by the latter. I let woman lead prayer because, and only because, I believe women should lead prayer. In the world of Halacha though, this is not the case. Behavior has a source outside of oneself, namely obligation/historical precedent. My behavior then is not first a reflection of my personal positions, but of an orientation to the world and spiritual life that sees Halacha as binding. It is with this in mind that I admonish us all not to pass judgement on Rabbi Strikovsky or any other Orthodox response to Haviva Ner-David. Their hesitancy in calling Ner-David Rabbi reflects nothing of personal attitudes towards woman or sexist hypocrisy, but only particular legal difficulties with the proposition. Anyways, at the end of the day, regardless of title, Haviva Ner-David should be a rolemodel for all Jewish women.
"The unwillingness to call her rabbi after having what was considered
to be rabbinic training seems only to smack of sexist hypocrisy."
It’s hard for the world of liberal Judaism who holds intellectual autonomy and
intentioned choice as the cornerstone of their faith to understand the
"language" of Halacha. What does it mean for something to be out of
the realm of personal decision-making? How is it possible that someone who does
not allow a woman to fulfill a man's obligation in davening is not sexist? In a
lifestyle and worldview founded on personal autonomy and choice, it is not
possible. Behavior must necessarily reflect individual views because the former is
determined by the latter. I let woman lead prayer because, and only because, I
believe women should lead prayer. In the world of Halacha though, this is not
the case. Behavior has a source outside of oneself, namely
obligation/historical precedent. My behavior then is not first a reflection of
my personal positions, but of an orientation to the world and spiritual life
that sees Halacha as binding. It is with this in mind that I admonish us all not to pass judgement on Rabbi Strikovsky or any other Orthodox
response to Haviva Ner-David. Their hesitancy in calling Ner-David Rabbi
reflects nothing of personal attitudes towards woman or sexist hypocrisy, but only particular legal difficulties with the proposition. Anyways, at the end of the day, regardless of title, Haviva Ner-David should be a rolemodel for all Jewish women.