Julian Ungar-Sargon

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Daf Ditty

A wide-ranging commentary on the daily page of Talmud.

Art by Zalman Kleinman

Sotah 21: מְלַמְּדָהּ תִּיפְלוּת

jyungar April 19, 2023

For the source text click/tap here: Sotah 21

To download, click/tap here: PDF

Rabbi Eliezer said: If someone teaches his daughter Torah, he is teaching her lewdness. Tosfos cites a Yerushalmi which notes that Ben Azzai does not follow the exposition of Rabbi Elozar ben Azaryah. For it is written regarding the mitzvah of Hakhel that men, women, and children should assemble.

The Rambam rules that a woman who studies Torah receives reward, but not in the same capacity as a man. However, the Chachamim commanded a father not to teach Torah to his daughter, for women, in general, are not capable of understanding the intricacies and the fine details of the Torah, and it will lead them to incorrect halachic conclusions.

This admonition is only applicable to the Oral Law; however, with respect of the Written Law, one should not teach it to her, but if he does, it is not regarded as if he taught her lewdness.

We explore women’s learning from a number of perspectives.

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Julian Ungar-Sargon

This is Julian Ungar-Sargon's personal website. It contains poems, essays, and podcasts for the spiritual seeker and interdisciplinary aficionado.​