Something positive about chassidish women

I actually find this article a very nice answer to the non religious/jewish population.
it was a little harsh for the frum population... (when I make bedikot in the shiva niki'im I never do that for enjoyment purposes etc...)
but she isnt writing it for us she is writing it for the people who bad mouth orthodox judaism, and for them, this is what they need to hear in a language they understand.

Beginner Joined: Mar 11 2011 Posts: 18

Yikes. People really seemed to take issue with my labeling Deborah Feldman's article as a "fair critique" of Chaya's. For anyone who were careful in reading what I wrote, they'd know that I was in no way agreeing with Deborah's conclusions regarding whether women are oppressed or not in modern orthodox communities (though we'd be naive to say that there are NO women who feel this way). I was simply arguing that her general critique, (much like Rabbi Fink's) was fair in stating that it is unreasonable to make generalizations on behalf of an entire community.

Put simply, Deborah is quick to state that her conclusions are SUBJECTIVE, whereas Chaya is trying hard to prove that hers are OBJECTIVE.

I am quite happy for Chaya that she is so pleased with her life, and agree with many of you who see the value in such a positive article being exposed. However, that does not take away from the fact that sadly, many women do not feel the same way as Chaya. And in that sense, she does not represent all frum women. Though, I am happy if you can say that you fit her description.

(Perhaps this can be a topic for a different time, but we need not limit "oppression" to women from extremely chassidish communities as Deborah Feldman pointed out. I know of plenty of women in the modern orthodox community who feel trapped religiously. As Rabbi Fink pointed out, we can say we play a different role all we want, but the bottom line is, from a halakhic standpoint, women are second class citizens. And though that may not bother you, it bothers someone else.)

Diamond Member Joined: Dec 27 2005 Posts: 2802

Posted: Tue, May 29 2012, 7:27 pm Post subject:

What sickens me is that those girls you taught were not growing up with true chassidus yet still called themselves chassidish. Essentially, living a lie.

If they were growing up in a true chassidish environment, it wouldn't need to be taught.
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Fully agreeing with all the facts in her article is not the point. Putting us in a positive light is. Negatively portraying Jewish women will not do anything to help those of you that are feeling trapped. It definitely should be dealt with but why in the public eye?

Diamond Member Joined: Feb 14 2007 Posts: 2888