Knowledge is Power

B"H

Since I have been intensively dealing with Judaism, I always had one goal: learning as much as I could. Judaism consists of a large variety of subjects such as Torah, Talmud, Kabbalah, Halachot, History, Science, philosophy, etc. I wanted to learn a bit of everything and the more one studies, the more he reaches the conclusion that eventually everything goes back to its source – G – d and the Torah. Thanks G – d (Baruch HaShem), I have been always able to find the right study places in order to advance. Among others, I went to seminaries where Gemara, history, philosophical issues and Halachot were taught. My preference has mostly been science in its connection with Kabbalah.

As a woman, of course, you have to be prepared to suffer through sometimes. But as soon as you get into a course, you get to know other people who might give you some good advice. Not only the classmates but also Rabbis. Especially litvishe Rabbis helped me a lot as well as some Chassidim and national religious. The meaning of symbols in Torah and Kabbalah I learned at the university. Also lots of Talmud. Not only at the university but, furthermore, at different higher level women's seminaries. Usually the religious are in shock when they hear the word "university". However, Bar Ilan University has a great Talmudic section and you cannot compare it at all to the flaky HebrewU.

On the other hand, I am dealing with quite a few haredi women in my private life, and those women don't always show the highest patience with me studying special subjects. In the meantime, however, female haredi society has been undergoing a few changes and more and more women sign up for higher Jewish studies. Especially those from the States, Canada, the UK or South Africa.
The haredi Israeli female, however, is still a little behind and doesn't strive too much for higher education. No matter if litvish or chassidish.

Either she is not willing to change her situation or she is unable to do so. Unable due to different expectations from haredi society itself. Just recently I asked a Boyaner Chassid about the women's curriculum in their schools and he assured me that women usually don't go for Talmud or philosophy (including the Rambam – Maimonides). Rather some Torah with Rashi (I don't want to undermine Rashi here !!!) and some Halachot. My experience at Bar Ilan was that many religious women are unable accepting certain historical facts, as in their opinion it is "Lashon HaRah – Idle Talk". For instance, the Hasmoneans, failed by appointing a new King from the House of David. Instead they kept all the power to themselves. Later on, their successors ended up as Hellenists.
Many haredi women only consider the Hasmoneas as great heros and are not willing to listen to negative facts. But everything was so great in history.

Further examples are the role of the woman in Talmudic times or Rashi's three daughters. Also the six days of creation, as they can fit into the 15 billion years the world exists. The Rambam and the Ramban (Nachmanides) accepted it but today, many Haredim have a problem doing so. Much earlier, rabbis used to be physicians, doctors, astronomers, etc. but today, unfortunately, the concentration is more on Yeshiva studies without much academic studies. Maybe some philosophy. Famous exceptions are the last Lubavitcher Rebbe as well as the Chabad Rabbi Yitzchak Ginsburgh.

In our times, more and more haredi women want to join higher Jewish studies and those who cannot do so because of society pressure would love to come and listen to something more intellectual. Too many male Haredim look at a woman with a brain as a threat. A threat to Shalom Bait (peace at home) and to themselves (the husbands). A man wants to impress or show off and if the wife suddenly has a deeper knowledge in Talmud than him, how "embarrassing". But this is a general problem all over the world and not only in Jewish haredi circles. The stereotype is that a woman with intellect is either a nutty feminist or a career girl. She would neglect the household and probably end up rebelling.
Nevertheless, I met some haredi men who especially were looking for an academic wife because they didn't want "just a dummy" at home but rather discuss some Rambam or whatever.

It is hard to say if much is going to change in the future. Hopefully it will …