Avraham Grossman (Pious and Rebellious page 30) the negative bias towards women found in Jewish philosophical writings from Spain and southern France in particular the 14th century is a separate topic … There was reason to anticipate , that philosophically inclined people and rationalists would be more favorably inclined in their attitude to women, but the reality is absolutely different In fact the attitude of the mystics and Kabbalists in Spain and the Pietists in Germany France was much more favorable than the philosophers. For example the Ralbag in his commentary to the Torah….
Ralbag (Bereishis 2:21) : An Adam called the name of his wife Chava when he realized the weakness of her intellect i.e. it didn’t rise to a level that was not much greater than other animals. So- even though she did in fact have a mind it was primarily used for material issues because it was weak and because she was meant to serve man and therefore it was highly unlikely that she would have a fully developed mind. Even so she was more worthy of man than the animals who were also to serve her. This was was alluded to by the fact that she was considered “the mother of all living things” and for this reason it is related here that she was given this name. And it is possible .that this title applied only to speaking creatures i.e. humans and therefore she was called Chava. Perhaps this is mentioned here to indicate her importance because of her role in procreation.
Rambam (Talmud Torah 1:13)A woman who studies Torah will receive reward but it is not as great as that received by a man because she was not commanded to study Torah. And all who do something without being commanded do not receive as great a reard as those who are commanded. So even though she is rewarded the Sages commanded that a man should not teach his daughter Torah because most women are not oriented to intellectual study and therefore there is a danger that they will not understand it improperly and arrive at nonsensical conclusions because of their weak intellectual development. Furthermore our Sages said whoever teaches his daughter Torah is as if he taught her nonsense (tiflus).But this only applies to the Oral Torah but not to the Written Torah which should also not be taught but if he does it is not considered.that he taught her nonsense.
Pesachim (49b): It was taught, Rabbi said: An ‘am ha-arez may not eat the flesh of cattle, for it is said, This is the law [Torah] of the beast, and of the fowl;5 whoever engages in [the study of] the Torah may eat the flesh of beast and fowl, but he who does not engage in [the study of] the Torah may not eat the flesh of beast and fowl. R. Eleazar said: An ‘am ha-arez, it is permitted to stab him [even] on the Day of Atonement which falls on the Sabbath. Said his disciples to him, Master, say to slaughter him [ritually]? He replied: This [ritual slaughter] requires a benediction, whereas that [stabbing] does not require a benediction. R. Eleazar said: One must not join company with an ‘am ha-arez on the road, because it is said, for that [the Torah] is thy life, and the length of thy days:6 [seeing that] he has no care [pity] for his own life,7 how much the more for the life of his companions! R. Samuel b. Nahmani said in R. Johanan's name: One may tear an ‘am haarez like a fish! Said R. Samuel b. Isaac: And [this means] along his back.
It is true to some extent, could be Rambam was influenced by Islamic culture. He is also more negative towards men, eg his claim that pilegesh wss only permitted to Kings. However , haMeiri is a totally different worldview, pro-women.
ReplyDeletefor example?
ReplyDeleteI would like to think that the Gemara is speaking metaphorically.
ReplyDelete"Bednarsh similarly quotes the Meiri as labelling Humrahs that have no value as inventing a new religion:
ReplyDeleteMenachem Ha-Meiri explains that the Yerushalmi is referring to a case of one who is machmirin a fashion that does not entail any spiritual accomplishment, as the chumradoes not entail fulfillment of any mitzvah, nor does it spur intellectual or ethical development. One who invents an unnecessary act of worship that brings no halakhic or ethical benefit certainly deserves to be branded a fool. While his intention may be sincere, he is inventing a new religion instead of enhancing his performance of Judaism. Beit Ha-Bechira, Bava Kama 87a.)"
This was taken from an article on forbidding images of women.
It doesn't directly address your question, but then again it may well do when we look at chumras of today.
yes the Meriri comes across in general as tolerant and reasonable but that is not the same as saying he doesn't say negative things or is unbiased
ReplyDeletewhy?
ReplyDeleteBecause the idea that that Chazal are condoning violence and murder of people they don't like is very dispiriting.
ReplyDeleteNot anymore
ReplyDeletetry going through the talmud. Many examples of capital punishment from Shabbos, heresy, murder, adultery, homosexuality, Amalek 7 Nations etc etc
ReplyDeletevery good-
ReplyDeletenow as a Rav who studied psychology, what is your reaction to the claim that within the Talmud, there is a comlpete or sufficient theory of human psychology? Is this claim valid or is it an overgrown piece of wishful thinking?
Consider that some even claim that by learning alone, one gains mussar and self mastery of one's psychology and behaviour.
"[seeing that] he has no care
ReplyDelete[pity] for his own life,7 how much the more for the life of his companions!"
The AM haaretz - presumably they are talking about life in the next world, not this. On the other hand - this explains why Orthodox don't hang out with reform or nochrim; Hareidim don't hang out (much) with MO; Satmar are not interested in Dati Leumi people, etc. And very few Hareidim want to have anything to do with the army.
violence towards and murder of the Tsedukim was totally fine - even the Kohen gadol was attacked with hundreds of etrogim when he refused to do nisuach mayim. Who cares about spilling blood in the Temple?
ReplyDeleteRabbi Freifeld told me that there is but we are not on level to understand it. Thus on practical level we need outside assistance
ReplyDeleteYes, but that's not the same. Your list is one of capital crimes and the punishment couldn't be carried out without witnesses, judicial inquiry, etc. This midrash is suggestion violence on the street.
ReplyDelete