Where's The Outrage? The Surreal Mistreatment Of Women At The Western Wall

The group Women of the Wall have been called whores, lesbians, goyim, and much worse. Chairs have been thrown at them as they chant the morning prayers together. Soiled diapers are hurled over the mechitza in a strange display of contempt and disgust.  One can only wonder to oneself, “Do the fervently Orthodox bring the soiled diapers with them on the bus to the Kotel on Rosh Hodesh? Or, are the dirtied diapers manufactured on the spot?”

The Surreal Treatment of the Women of the Wall in Israel: Where is the Outrage?
Moses L. Pava  • Special to FailedMessiah.Com

It is surreal, even Kafkaesque. A group of mainly Orthodox women have been gathering together at the Kotel, Judaism’s holiest site, every month for the past twenty-two years.  The sole purpose of these regular gatherings is to pray together as a community, to read from the Torah, and to sing praises to God. The group is known officially as the Women of the Wall.

These kinds of prayer groups, while controversial among the right wing of Orthodoxy, have become relatively commonplace in Modern Orthodox circles. In fact, in my own hometown of Springfield, MA, best known as the birthplace of basketball and almost never mentioned for its avant-garde and cutting-edge behavior, a women’s prayer group is scheduled for this coming Shabbat, at our own Modern Orthodox synagogue.

But religious women prayer groups that are ho-hum and business as usual in Orthodox circles in Springfield, MA provoke intense, visceral, and primitive reactions among the fervently religious in Jerusalem. Over the years, the Women of the Wall have been called whores, lesbians, goyim, and much worse (all available, by the way, for your perusal at Youtube.com). Chairs have been thrown at them as they chant the morning prayers together. Soiled diapers are hurled over the mechitza in a strange display of contempt and disgust.  One can only wonder to oneself, “Do the fervently Orthodox bring the soiled diapers with them on the bus to the Kotel on Rosh Hodesh? Or, are the dirtied diapers manufactured on the spot?”

But, we haven’t gotten to the weird part of this story yet. Twice in the last year, leaders of Women of the Wall have been arrested by Jerusalem Police. While the details of these arrests are somewhat murky, it appears that the crime these women have been charged with is the dual offense of carrying a Torah at the Kotel and wearing a Tallit.

To the best of my knowledge, as of this writing, the Israeli government is still deliberating on whether or not to pursue police recommended charges against Anat Hoffman, Chairwoman of the Woman of the Wall, that carry a three-year sentence. Talk about blaming the victim! From an ethical point of view, this is nothing short of outrageous.

In response to this kind of systematic police harassment, more than 400 rabbis from around the world have signed a “Statement of Support of Women of the Wall.” According to a Jerusalem Post report, “The letter, co-authored by 28 rabbis, has also been signed by close to 500 other individuals and organizations from various Jewish denominations across the world. It was also sent to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Jewish Agency chairman Natan Sharansky.”

The letter, easily accessible online, asks the Police for protection as the women pray at the Kotel each Rosh Hodesh.  “We call upon the government of Israel and its police forces and military to immediately institute and enforce a zero tolerance policy against attacking women in any way whatsoever…”  In addition, it asks the government of Israel and its leaders to “find appropriate and safe venues at the Kotel for Jews who are not comfortable with women leading worship or holding the Torah, or reading from it to enjoy their practice of Judaism unhindered and physically separated from other designated portions of the Kotel where women are allowed to lead worship, wear, a tallit, wear tefillin, hold the Torah and read from the Torah.”

These requests are both understated and common-sense. First, protect female worshippers from harassment and physical harm – period. No ifs, ands, or buts. Second, allow everyone to pray in accordance to their custom and their understanding of Jewish law.

To the extent that Israel’s claim to the Temple Mount area is a legitimate one, as I believe wholeheartedly that it is, Israel must find a way to promote religious toleration and diversity --  not as a matter of political expediency,  but as a matter of political and religious principle . In a Jewish democracy, at an absolute minimum, there must exist a degree of religious freedom broad enough to encompass the right of halachically-sanctioned women’s prayer groups to gather together monthly at the Kotel.

For those who otherwise might support the Women of the Wall to abandon them now on the grounds that some of its members and leaders are not Orthodox is a grave error in judgment. Groups like the Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance, better known as JOFA, should send an unambiguous and public signal of strong support to its Israeli sisters.( My repeated attempts to contact JOFA for this piece have  gone unanswered.) Modern Orthodox Rabbis, who have taken courageous steps in recent months in supporting increased toleration for homosexuals in the Orthodox community, must step up to the plate again and voice their affirmative halakhic opinions on women’s prayer groups.

Rabbi Shmuel Herzfeld, an Orthodox Rabbi who serves as spiritual leader of Ohev Shalom – The National Synagogue in Washington DC, told the Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren that “If a Jew had been arrested for wearing a prayer shawl in any other country…there would be outrage…”  I ask, where is the outrage, especially among the Modern Orthodox feminist leaders and Rabbinate?

On Hanukah, each year, we recall the martyrdom of Hannah and her seven sons who died in order to exercise their religious beliefs and principles. Tonight, as we light the seventh candle, memorializing the re-dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem more than two thousand years ago, let us take a brief moment to bracket our joy and to contemplate the unbearable irony of re-gained Jewish sovereignty of Jerusalem and the arrest of Jewish women by Jewish policemen for holding a Torah there.

Moses Pava is the Alvin Einbender Professor of Business Ethics at Yeshiva University.

Comments

[Alter Kocker]

Once again: the socially and sexually backward minions of Haredi judaism cannot begin to fathom tolerance for anyone that does not subscribe to their narrow world and religious view.

It is not Anat Hoffman that should be arrested, Kotel is for every Jew, not just the black hatted (and hearted) bastards that would throw a chair or a soiled diaper over the mechitsa. Where are the police as these mindless fucks decide that the girls shouldn't be allowed into their 'boys only' club!

If it were up to me, I would arm every "woman of the wall" with a taser.

[ah-pee-chorus]

AK - you are right. it is shameful that the israeli govt. acquiesces to the demands of one sect , in effect elevating their interperetation of the bible above all others. yet these hypocrites known as haredim have the nerve to claim that others dont let them live and practice their religion in peace.
memo to haredim: these women are not throwing diapers at you for excluding women from your minyan. seculars dont stone your wives and daughters for dressing in a manner they do not like. YOU ARE THE CAUSE OF THE HATRED!!

[Sarah K]

The haredim claim that the area around the Kotel is a synagogue. Is it permitted to bring soiled diapers into a shul near the Torahs or "manufacture" them there? Has anyone asked them about that? Just wondering.
Sarah K

[effie]

The police could set up surveillance or cameras and arrest those who behave like that - but they won't. Not sure why Israeli citizens are expected to pay taxes to fund places that they are barred from.

[Neo-Conservaguy]

The disturbing actions of the ever-troublesome radical, violent cheredim are one category of issue. WOW's actions are another. Each must be evaluated separately. If presented the false dichotomy of choosing between those two groups, I would chose WOW - but that doesn't address the issues of WOW.

With respect to WOW, Moses Pava has provided enough virtual rope to hang his own argument. Using his own examples, I look forward to hearing about the reaction of the Orthodox congregation in Springfield when the woman's tefilla group marches into the woman's section(s) of the main room on Shabbat wearing tallitot holding a sefer Torah and starts their own Torah reading service. On one hand, I doubt the small American city "MO" Jews will be throwing disgusting items over the low mechitsah. On the other hand, you can bet the women would be told in no uncertain terms to hold their service in the previously designated location rather than the main service.

And BTW, for what it's worth, it's completely unclear that the majority of WOW affiliate with Orthodoxy. I know for a fact that not all MO women that go to the Kotel to pray appreciate the actions of WOW independent of the even more disturbing actions of some men in the other section. WOW doesn't represent the normative viewpoint of most of those women.

[YbM]

i do not care much about the plight of these women. in many ways they are asking for it. not that i care much about rabinowitz and his thugs either. but the kotel, justifiably in my opinion have been run by orthodox rabbis. much before any reformed cared about it & certainly before JTS started being called conservative. so why do they think that they will get away with it. granted, the haredi 'guardians' are savages and animals, but with all due respect, the women of the wall are 'disturbing the peace'. i have nothing but disdain for those stirring shit be they left or right. reminds me of the foolish pronouncement by sally fields during the last presidential campaing in the US, that the US needs a female president because males will continue fighting. oh! and her passion, I could throw up.
and for those who disagree with me, I am not a misogynist and all for equality.
would it occur to these ladies to foment trouble in catholic churches if we shared the same "saint"? say the tomb of rachel immeinu if it was run by a catholic order under the name of order of saint rachel? and why not try praying on the omar mosque - the dome of the rock- believed by judaism to contain "even hashtiyah" (foundation) ? To be kind to them, their struggle is foolish, sorry for them!

[Canuck]

Shmarya, the article is clearly a hoax. Is it a parody? If so, I don't quite get the joke.

[Mr. Apikoros]

They are no more disturbing the peace than those African Americans who sat down at segregated lunch counters. Sure, there were plenty of bigots who believed that, but ultimately, the bigots lost and society as a whole won.

Sometimes it's necessary to stir the shit. This is one of those times. BTW, Sally Fields is one of my favorite actresses.

[nobody]

This nonsense is so irrelevant, you are taking away attention from the more important issues you cover such as the pedophiles and their enablers whom we need to hold accountable. The reform and conservative "movements" are never going to make an inroads in Israel, they sat out from the beginning and they can just keep dreaming about it. Nobody cares about their desires to expand their business.

[nobody]

btw I've seen some of these "women of the wall" wearing kippot - Orthodox women do not wear a yarmulka - that's a man's garment. So I don't know how she calls them "mostly orthodox" except to garner sympathy. The funny thing is, Jews are not allowed to even PRAY on the Temple Mount, and I'm sure this radical feminist group would be in support of that, but they are obsessed with taking over the "jewish" western wall

[Rebitzman]

What exactly is 'manly' about a Kipah? Especially a woman's Kipah.

I have heard the 'mans garment' argument before. It was crap - it remains crap - and will always BE crap.

A Kipah is a freakin' hat - it has neither testicles or a vagina. It is about as gender neutral a 'garment' as exists,

[Mr. Apikoros]

So Jews aren't allowed to pray on the Temple Mount? Does that mean Jews have to be a bunch of intolerant bastards just like the Muslims?

I guess in your world of haredi excrement, they do. Fortunately, Jewish pond scum like yourself are a small (if vocal) minority, in and out of Israel.

Screw you.

[ah-pee-chorus]

++++but the kotel, justifiably in my opinion have been run by orthodox rabbis. much before any reformed cared about it & certainly before JTS...+++++
posted by ybm

if being first makes control justifiable, then since the vast majority of haredim were against the zionist movement, the haredim should forever be under others control in every area of life in israel including the kotel.

+++women of the wall are 'disturbing the peace'. i have nothing but disdain for those stirring shit be they left or right+++

thats a term which is so often used by those who are restricting another groups freedoms in describing those actions undertaken by that group to achieve their equal rights.

+++all for equality. +++

yup, as long as they dont seek equality in those areas you believe they shouldnt have it. like davening at the kotel.

if you dont see how this is blatant discrimination against women and against other paths of understanding the 3000 year old book you are blind.

[Neo-Conservaguy]

I have heard the 'mans garment' argument before. It was crap - it remains crap - and will always BE crap.

Well then, thanks for setting me straight with that brilliant logic. In fact, kippot most certainly are not generalized hats, but rather evolved into specific religious garb worn by - get ready for it - men. If women wish to cover their heads - a laudable objective than one could argue is required when praying - they should, and many do, claim their own style of head covering and stop buying into the supposedly feminist argument that to be "egalitarian" means you must be like a man in all terms, including dress.

[nobody]

""What exactly is 'manly' about a Kipah? Especially a woman's Kipah.

I have heard the 'mans garment' argument before. It was crap - it remains crap - and will always BE crap.

A Kipah is a freakin' hat - it has neither testicles or a vagina. It is about as gender neutral a 'garment' as exists,

Posted by: Rebitzman | December 07, 2010 at 08:42 PM "

It's really quite simple. Jewish men have worn kippot as a traditional garment of a Jewish man. Not something that chinese men wear, and also not something that Jewish women wear. That's historical reality whether you like it or not. Can't you wear your own garb?

[nobody]

Mrs. A never fails to make an A of himself. That's the A also called a donkey.

[Mr. Apikoros]

"Mrs. A. never fails to make an A of himself."

You just proved my point, putz.

[Ann]

there are no requirements for women to pray communally.
Doing so does not make them any better than any other woman.
If their point is to cause trouble, in my opinion, they miss the whole point of ritual religion.
Women are on a higher spiritual level than men and do not need this type of ritual UNLESS they feel inadequate as women.
"Feminists" are unbalanced and buy into media ideals of what a post modern woman must be, not what they should be, can be or are. They believe the equality bs they were fed in school. Women are their own worst enemy.

[Neo-Conservaguy]

Women are on a higher spiritual level than men and do not need this type of ritual UNLESS they feel inadequate as women.

If you post this stuff I will be forced to take the side of the egalitarian feminists, even though I am a "vive la différence" kinda non-egalitarian guy. Please save me from that fate.

[Ann]

Why...does the truth hurt? Your fate is entirely up to you. I hope it is a good one.
Point is, women don't need men's crap and have enough of their own to sort through without worrying about prayers, chanting and swaying and bending and wrapping themselves with pagan strings.
Really, they should be more concerned about the status of their white hanky if they really want to show their religion.

[Ann]

If these women were true feminists,really believing in fairness in religion and I am supposing they are majorly Ashkenazi women, they would ask for the ban to be lifted on men taking more than one wife. Then, we could all probably talk about marching about carrying a Kosher Torah Scroll and praying in a minyan.
Once you start banning and changing, where does it end???
BTW, the unfortunate woman in EY would have the surgery because her husband could take another wife and not have to divorce her because she could not have children. She could work full time and increase everyone's interest. More money, more status, better schools for her husbands children. The best matches.
After all, it IS the man's mitzvah to procreate, not hers.
Feminists my a**.

[Neo-Conservaguy]

Ann, what you are presenting is not "truth" but rather a hash of regurgitated, poorly formed Orthodox and/or Chassidic debate statements. If you read my comments you will understand that I both decry the actions of WOW but also reject bizarre, false distinctions.

[Ann]

Okay. In order to rebel from something, it has to be believed. Yes or no? Otherwise, why even care? A true atheist, for example, would not fight against a G-d they do not believe in. They would give a sh**. Just like reformers who think our tradition, practiced for thousands of years, is wrong. Okay, it is wrong THEN step away. Being a Jew means nothing because it is all a lie anyway.

Was Jewish tradition relatively not reformed until recent times? Yes or no?

If these Orthodox women call themself Orthodox or mainly Orthodox as does the author, then they had to have believed in traditional normative Judaism in order to know that they "were missing out" on some mitzvah or other. Yes or no?

If you do not believe that there is any truth in the statement that women are spiritually higher than men, a normative traditional Jewish belief, you obviously do not accept the tradition of the Jewish religion.

So, why are you a Jew? Why are they Jews? Why don't they call their/your religion something else? How about "Pick and Chose Hebrew-like Religion"?
Changing tradition and practice and calling it "Orthodox or Observant" Judaism is an oxymoron.
Because these men act wrongly does not make the actions of these women correct. they are both exhibiting bad behaviour. Neither can change what or how they should act, even if they do and try to justify it.
All sides are wrong and these women do not practice Judaism.