Jewish Beliefs about Family Life (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Religious Studies): Revision Note

What does Judaism teach about the roles and responsibilities of men and women?

• In Judaism, the roles of men and women have been a subject of interpretation for centuries, with different traditions offering different beliefs and practices

• Many of the Jewish teachings on gender roles often originate from the creation story in Genesis

  • However, they also include other parts of the Torah and Jewish law that have been interpreted in different ways by various Jewish traditions

• Many Jews point to the creation story in Genesis 1:27 as evidence of the equality between men and women:

• This passage suggests that men and women were created at the same time and are both made in G-d’s image

  • Many Jews interpret this to mean that men and women have equal status before G-d

  • This idea is central to the belief that men and women should be treated with equal respect and dignity

• In some traditions, women are permitted to have the same roles as men and undertake important roles in the synagogue

  • For example, Liberal Judaism permits the ordination of female rabbis and allows women to serve as leaders in the synagogue

  • In some Reform synagogues, female rabbis lead services, deliver sermons and perform religious duties, just as their male counterparts do

    • This reflects a shift away from traditional gender roles, where men were seen as the sole religious leaders

  • In more liberal Jewish families, gender roles in the home are often more flexible, with both men and women raising children, managing the household and working outside the home

    • For example, in some Reform Jewish families:

• The concept of gender equality is complicated by another passage in the Torah, which states:

• This verse is interpreted by some Jews as evidence that men and women have distinct roles, with men being placed in a position of authority over women

  • This has been used to justify gendered roles in Jewish law and society

  • Some traditions view men as the primary money earners and leaders and see women as caretakers of the home and family

• In traditional Jewish communities, men are often responsible for public prayer, leading the synagogue service and making important family decisions, while women are expected to focus on taking care of the home, raising children and ensuring the well-being of the family

  • This interpretation has influenced how gender roles are viewed in more conservative Jewish communities (for example, Orthodox)

  • In Orthodox Judaism, women are generally not permitted to serve as rabbi, cantor or lead minyan (prayer quorum) 

    • Women are also traditionally not allowed to read from the Torah in the presence of men, nor can they be counted in a minyan

What are Jewish teachings about nurturing the young?

• In Judaism the family has three main roles:

  • Preserving the faith

  • Growing the faith

  • Raising children in the faith

Preserving the faith

• To preserve the faith within Judaism, it is considered ideal if both parents are Jewish

  • Mothers are of great importance

  • Orthodox Jews believe the line of religious descent passes through the mother

  • However, Liberal Jews believe it can also be passed through the father

Growing the faith

• This is an important aim for Jewish people

  • The Torah contains the command from G-d to “Be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 1:28)

  • This is interpreted by many Jews to mean that procreation is one main role of the family

Raising children in the faith

• Finally, and perhaps the most important, is raising children in the faith

  • Parents have a responsibility to share the faith with children and encourage them to attend synagogue and Heder

  • Children may be taught to take part in various rituals at home, such as Shabbat or keeping kashrut

  • Some may learn Hebrew so they can read and understand scriptures

• There are many other passages from Jewish scripture that show the importance of nurturing children

• This shows that raising and educating children is a sacred duty

• It is also important that Jewish parents teach their children about Judaism and its commands

• This includes teaching about the Torah, commandments (mitzvot) and Jewish values

• Jewish boys and girls are expected to go through a Bar/Bat Mitzvah

  • At 13 (boys) and 12 (girls), children become responsible for their own religious duties

  • This marks the transition to adulthood in the eyes of the community

• Parents are also supposed to guide their children to understand the Talmud

  • The Talmud teaches: “A father is obligated to teach his son Torah, a trade and to swim”

  • This shows the balance of spiritual, practical and physical development

• Parents are also expected to influence the behaviour of their children

• This shows that, according to Jewish belief, parents should teach their children right from wrong 

What are Jewish teachings about caring for the elderly?

• Judaism teaches that respect for the elderly is a religious obligation

  • Respect for elders is directly linked to respect for G-d

• Honouring your father and mother is one of the Ten Commandments

  • This includes caring for them in old age, not just during childhood

• The elderly are viewed as a source of wisdom in Judaism

• The Jewish community has a collective duty to care for vulnerable people, including the elderly (based on the mitzvot)

• The Talmud teaches that caring for parents — even when it is difficult — is important, showing that respect and compassion must remain constant

• Due to Jewish teachings about the elderly, there are certain practices that are common:

  • Family-based care: It is common in Jewish families to look after elderly relatives at home

  • Jewish charities: Organisations such as Jewish Care help support older people with services and housing

  • Synagogue involvement: Elders are often included in community life and celebrated for their contributions

Marriage within Judaism

• For all Jews, marriage is seen as a holy covenant between a man and a woman, often described as a mitzvah (commandment)

• The importance of marriage is based upon scripture

• It is believed that G-d created Eve, the first woman, as a companion for Adam

  • In Judaism, this is recreated when a man marries a woman

• Marriage is viewed as significant because it provides the following:

  • Companionship and love for the couple

  • A stable environment for raising children

  • Fulfilment of G-d’s will

• However, there are some distinct differences as to how marriage is viewed within different Jewish traditions

Orthodox Judaism and marriage

• In the Orthodox tradition, marriage is arranged or chosen with family involvement

  • Same-sex marriage is not accepted

  • Marriage is ideally between a Jewish man and a Jewish woman

Reform or Liberal Judaism and marriage

•  The Reform or Liberal Jewish tradition might be more open to love-based marriages

  • This could include interfaith and same-sex marriages (in some communities)

  • There is less emphasis on traditional roles

Divorce and remarriage within Judaism

• Divorce is permitted in Jewish teaching, but it is seen as a last resort

  • Deuteronomy 24:1–4 allows for divorce if the marriage cannot continue

The Nevi’im says that G-d hates divorce

• The Talmud speaks of G-d’s sorrow when a marriage ends:

• Maimonides sets out conditions for when a divorce can happen in the Mishneh Torah (Ishut 24)

• These conditions include the situation when a man knows his wife has committed adultery

• There are different beliefs and practices dependent upon the Jewish tradition

Orthodox Judaism & divorce

• In Orthodox Judaism, divorce has a strict process

  • A husband must give a Get to officially divorce his wife in Orthodox Judaism

    • Without a Get, a woman becomes an agunah and cannot remarry within Jewish law

  • A religious court (Beit Din) is often involved

  • Divorce is discouraged but allowed

• Remarriage is allowed in Orthodox Judaism after a valid Get

  • However, Cohanim may not marry divorced women

Reform or Liberal Judaism and divorce

• Reform or Liberal Judaism allows a civil divorce without requiring a Get

  • There is more emphasis on personal freedom and mutual consent

• Remarriage in Reform or Liberal Judaism is generally accepted

  • There is more flexibility on who can remarry and how