Should Men Thank God They Were Not Born Women?

[cbayer]

http://forward.com/articles/182947/should-men-thank-god-they-were-not-born-women/

Some Want To Change Orthodox Prayer's 'Sexist Language'



By Josh Halpern
Published August 26, 2013, issue of August 30, 2013.

Late this spring, my sister asked the administration at her Modern Orthodox high school if it would consider instituting a change to the morning prayer service. Instead of the usual practice of hurrying through the morning blessings, she wanted the male hazan to pause after reciting the blessing of “Shelo Asani Isha” (“Blessed are you Lord… for not making me a woman”) aloud so that the female students could reply by reciting “Sheasani Kirtzono” (“Blessed are you Lord… for making me according to Your will”) aloud.

My sister hoped that the female students’ recitation of “Sheasani Kirtzono” would serve as a sort of rebuttal to what they considered to be the hazan’s sexist declaration. By finding their voice in the male-dominated service, the female students would straddle the line between dignity and degradation and inspire reflection among their male peers about equality and the lack of a female voice in communal prayer.

Although fascinated by my sister’s explanation, I objected to her proposal on the grounds that, first, it didn’t push the envelope far enough. “If the blessing is morally objectionable and Halacha permits its omission, why not remove it from prayer entirely?” I asked her. And second, it seemed a little dramatic: People are simply too tired to lend much significance to the potential theatrics of a morning blessing. Still, she and I agreed that the blessing presented a moral problem that demanded a change in ritual.

Others, however, completely rejected our shared condemnation of the blessing. Shortly after my sister’s proposal was shot down, we started a Facebook group — “Say Lo!” [Hebrew for “no!”] to “Shelo Asani Isha” — that attracted an array of such apologists. Despite providing a variety of interpretations of the blessing, they all maintained that the correct interpretation in no way degraded women. For example, popular among the apologists in the group was the view that men recite the blessing thanking God not because men are intrinsically superior to women but because they are obligated in a greater number of commandments and are grateful for this sacred duty. From positions like these they argued that the tradition of reciting the blessing ought to be respected and kept in place.


Read more: http://forward.com/articles/182947/should-men-thank-god-they-were-not-born-women/#ixzz2dBiVrDnr

[Bay Boy]

1. That's an obnoxious prayer...

...but maybe if the women replied "Blessed are you Lord for not making him a woman too" that would take some of the edge off it.

[fasttense]

4. Or the women should say "Blessed are you Lord

for not making ME a woman too."

Then watch them scramble.

[cbayer]

6. Lol! I like that.

[cleanhippie]

2. Considering the misogyny inherent in religion, they probably should if they believe any of it.

I would think it would almost be a requirement to thank your god for not making you one of the women you oppress through your religious beliefs.

YMMV.

[madrchsod]

9. it`s a throwback to ancient tribalism..

christ threw a monkey wrench into their religion but now christianity faces the same old problem. tribalism of the old book and the modern corruptions of christ`s universal messages.

one can not barter another person's soul.

[cleanhippie]

11. I would disagree. It's just one of the components of control over others, especially women...

That has been prevalent in human history.
Christ, of he actually existed, had little to do with it, unless you include all the misigynistic crap he spewed too.

[fasttense]

3. Judaism is a religion that is just as sexist

as some born again Christians and Multi-sister wives Mormons.

It seems to be a rule that in order to be considered a "real" religion and NOT just a long lasting cult, you have to subjugate and abuse women.

[madrchsod]

5. no wonder jesus got pissed off

he was pissed off at the attitude of the rabbis towards the people and their sucking up to the romans. someday maybe the orthodox will run out of people who believe this is acceptable

[cbayer]

7. We can hope. Kudos to the women that are challenging this.

[unblock]

8. yeah that's why half of his 12 disciples were women.

[madrchsod]

10. heretic!

[edhopper]

12. Using logic, reason or common humanity

to argue with people who are following God's dictate is pointless.
It is only when they question God that progress can be made. (at least the concept of God they have been told is true)

The orthodox Jews are similar to the fundamentalist Christians or Muslims in this respect.

[cbayer]

13. How do you define "god's dictate"? Do you think all religious people follow god's dictate

or just some of them?

Apparently the Orthodox Jewish women in this article are pushing back at tradition. That's a good thing.

[edhopper]

14. Most religious people I know

including pretty much all on this board, have an overall idea about their beliefs but don't think they can tell you exactly what God wants of them.
They might follow some tenets of a religion, but understand that there's no certainty.

Then there are the orthodox and fundamentalist, who do what they do and believe what they believe because they are sure that is exactly what God has told them to do. It says so right in the Bible, the absolute true word of God.
The Hasidim Jews, like their born again Christian counterparts don't question any of the more absurd laws they follow.

Dressing like 18th century residents of Prague is just one of them.

[cbayer]

15. I fully agree with the distinction that you make.

And there's a pretty big grey area too. Some people think god just wants them to treat other people well, while others feel commanded to evangelize and read the bible literally.

The Hasidim are clearly at one end of this spectrum.

[edhopper]

16. But people who read the Bible literally

including believing that all the events portrayed really happened and clearly wrong. Some may have a basis in some historical event, but that event would only remotely resemble the Bible (mostly talking about the OT here) Before the 6rd Century BC, it is just made up myth borrowed from various cultures.
And it is amazing how many of their rules are based on interpretation of stories and not clear dictates by God in the Bible.
But they will not even concede that they are just extrapolated from a story, they KNOW God is demanding they live the way they do.
You can't argue with people who God talks to.

[cbayer]

17. I'm not defending literalism here and agree with you.

The "Dear Dr. Laura" letter is one I frequently refer to when confronted with literalists. They've got their talking points, and you are right, you can't argue with people who believe they hold the truth.

But so do extremists of all stripes, whether they be religious, political or areligious.

[edhopper]

18. I know you weren't

I was just extrapolating further on what I said.

[dimbear]

19. Only if you can keep a straight face. Giggling spoils the whole effect. n/t