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| A Yoetzet Halacha answering questions on a hotline (JTA) |
For those unfamiliar with the term, Yoatzot are women who are specially trained in matters of Taharas Mishpacha (Halachos dealing with sexual intimacy). Taharas Mishpacha is one of the most complicated set of Halalchos, the violation of which in many cases is subject to Kareis – the cutting off of one’s soul from their people and death at the hands of heaven.
Violating these Halachos is far more serious than eating non kosher food – for example. And yet there are a lot of people that go to great lengths to a keep kosher home to the most minute detail and yet are clueless about some of the more complex intricacies of Taharas Hamishpacha.
This is not necessarily for lack of will. It is because of the intimate nature of questions that come up. Questions that more than a few women are embarrassed to ask a male rabbi about. Or even to have their husbands ask their rabbi about.
It is probably true that most Orthodox women will bite the bullet and ask (or have their husbands ask) the questions. But there are some that are just too embarrassed and won’t. Not that they will necessarily take a chance on a serious violation of Halacha. But that the opposite might happen by acting too stringently. That can have adverse consequences to the reproductive process – delaying or even denying a woman from having children.
This is where Yoatzot come in. These women have studied the relevant Halacha, have been tested and certified to answer most questions in writing. As per the condition of their certification they do not Paskin difficult complicated questions. Those are left to Poskim that are experienced experts in these matters. There is no fear that Yoatzot Halacha will act as rabbis. Which our Mesorah (tradition) does not allow for reasons I have mentioned before but are beyond the scope of this post. And in any case is not now - nor ever will be - accepted by the mainstream
For me this is a no brainer. The good so far outweighs the bad that it would be ridiculous to not acknowledge their value and utilize their talents.
The ‘bad’ I referred to is the fear among many Charedi Poskim that Yoatzot Halacha are doing what rabbis should be doing and are defacto women rabbis. Or very close to it. Or that it will lead to ordination of women.
But that has proven not to be the case. Yoatzot Halacha was founded under the auspicies of the late Posek (and author of rabbinic reposna entitled Shut Bnei Banim), R’ Yehuda Herzl Henkin. He drew some hard lines unequivocally assuring that Yoatzot were not being educated to become rabbis and are not subject to ordination. Women who choose this calling know that going in. They are acting as advisors. As the name suggests. (Yoatzot translates to female advisors.) They have been around for quite some time (probably about 20 years or so) and to the best of my knowledge they have not violated the conditions of certification.
Time has therefore shown that the slippery slope argument has no merit. Yoatzot are people that are not interested in rabbinic titles or breaking glass ceilings. They are very bright, highly motivated young women interested only in advancing the observance of Halacha. And should be supported. Which is apparently going to happen in Israel. From JTA:
In a first, Israel will pay 21 women to be advisers on Jewish law in the Orthodox community, a concept that has spread in the United States but that Israel’s Orthodox establishment has resisted.
Matan Kahana, the deputy religious services minister, said in a release Thursday he will hire the women for “communities across Israel” this year.
I believe this is something all Orthodox Jewish leaders should all support. It will certainly enhance the observance of Halacha in unprecedented ways. That is bolstered by the fact that polling in Israel has shown that there is a demand for the service among Orthodox women.
It remains to be seen, however, if the Charedi establishment rabbis support it. They haven’t till now but I hope that once this becomes a reality they will see the benefits of it and change their tune. I sure hope they do. But I wouldn’t bet the farm on it. I have a feeling they won’t.
There is precious little the new government can do that will please the Charedi establishment. They will surely continue to condemn it and keep insisting that there are Halachic problems with it. Which in my humble opinion will increase inadvertent sinful behavior among our people. People that would otherwise heed the advice they would seek from a woman which that they would not seek form a man.
We shall see.
