Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/17/84; site ittvax.ATC.ITT.UUCP Path: utzoo!lsuc!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!ucbvax!decvax!ittatc!ittvax!mls From: mls@ittvax.ATC.ITT.UUCP (Michael Schneider) Newsgroups: net.religion.jewish Subject: Re: Women's participation (MCP ?) Message-ID: <503@ittvax.ATC.ITT.UUCP> Date: Mon, 28-Oct-85 09:09:36 EST Article-I.D.: ittvax.503 Posted: Mon Oct 28 09:09:36 1985 Date-Received: Thu, 31-Oct-85 08:03:00 EST References: <418@primesun.uucp> <496@ittvax.ATC.ITT.UUCP> <364@mhuxi.UUCP> Organization: ITT-ATC, Shelton Ct. Lines: 33 David Green writes: > I often wonder if MEN realize the obligations they attempt to take on > vis-a-vis orthodoxy. Most of what I have read in favor of excluding women > from participation is baloney, at best. Many orthopracts are of the "do as > I say, not as I do" school. Men have these obligations from the age of 13 if they are Jews; they can not escape them. From a halachic viewpoint, the only question is "Do they try to fulfill their obligations?" Since Mr Green considers himself in a position to judge, I will pose the following situation: At the present time, women are not obligated to perform mitzvot that are fixed in time, such as praying with a minyon. ASSUME that this restriction is lifted and they must pray with a minyon. It is the first Shabbat after the restriction is lifted and it is time to go. But, there is a baby who can not walk. If the family can not afford or find a baby sitter what should they do? Should they carry the baby (and everything that goes with one!) to services and break the rule that one can not carry on Shabbat? Or, should one person stay at home and not fulfill her or his obligation? Remember, we are asking women to take on additional obligations, not asking men to give up current obligations. Is there any other solution for this problem (other that have a minyon at every house where there are babies) that does not require the breaking of halacha or not fulfilling a person's obligation? I have given this as an example, but could pose a number of other situations. So, in examining this problem, let us not use the red herring that most men don't perform the mitzvot. Most Orthodox men pray with a minyon on Shabbat if they are able to do so. Michael L. Schneider *** REPLACE THIS LINE WITH YOUR MESSAGE ***