Who were the greatest women in Scripture? Who were the seven prophetesses of ancient Israel? What did they prophecy, and how is it relevant to our lives today? What were their spiritual journeys, and in whom did they reincarnate? Find out in this new, eye-opening class. Plus: Who instituted the custom of reciting ‘Eshet Chayil’ before Kiddush on Friday evening? Can women reincarnate into men? And what is the Mandela Effect?
Tag Archives: Rabbi Abraham Farissol
On That Controversial Blessing of “Not Making Me a Woman”
In this week’s parasha, Pinchas, we read about the five daughters of Tzlafchad, named Machlah, Noa, Chaglah, Milkah, and Tirzah. After the partitioning of the Land of Israel, the daughters approached Moses with a complaint. Because their family only has girls, and no boys, the daughters worried about what would happen to their father’s land and inheritance. Moses took the case up to God, who answered that daughters are able to inherit just as sons are in such situations. This is one example in the Torah of what might today be described as “gender equality”. The Torah (and Judaism more broadly) is sometimes criticized for its apparent gender inequality. One of the most common points of contention today is that blessing in Birkot HaShachar where men thank God for “not making me a woman”. Traditionally, women recite the blessing that thanks God “for making me kirtzono”, loosely translated as “like His will” Where did these blessings come from and what do they really mean?