Can a woman be a rabbi

[Vaneide]

Shalom everyone,

I just want to know if a woman can be a rabbi. For example, if a woman can wear a talit, so, why she cannot be a rabbi?

Vaneide.

[Vaneide]

Also, I come from a denomination that there are female pastors.

[Chizuk Emunah]

It would depend on your definition of Rabbi. If by Rabbi you mean teacher, then yes I would say that a woman could be a Rabbi. But if you mean Rabbi as in someone who is in a position of leadership within a community, then I would say that you have ventured into a gray area.

There are several different schools of thought concerning this issue within Rabbinic Judaism:
1. Orthodox:
- There are currently no female Rabbonim within Orthodox Judaism, as they feel that it is a position of leadership that should fall to a man
2. Conservative:
- There are a few female Rabbonim with Conservative Judaism, but each Synagogue will have their own position on this issue
3. Reform
- Without exeception, females are granted full privileges as Rabbonim

Since Messianic Judaism is just now starting to train Rabbonim, I am unsure as to what the official position is.

[R' Y'hoshua Moshe]

I believe that as the writings of the Brit Hadashah (New Cov.) state, the more mature woman have a responsibility to teach the younger the things of ...

"and that older women likewise be reverent in behavior, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good; that they may train the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sober minded, chaste, workers at home, kind, being in subjection to their own husbands, that G-d's word may not be blasphemed."
- Tit.2:3-5

This is what the more wise and mature women of G'd should be doing...not pursuing the role of being a teacher of men. A problem arises when women become teachers of the assembly...because with that... (regardless if they want it or not) comes authority and responsibility over the men and people they are teaching...Thus, they naturally become leaders within the assembly. Up until recently women have not enjoyed the position of Rabbi...And, I believe there is a G'd ordained reason for this. If the women of G'd are staying busy with what they are actually called to do in the Kingdom of G'd (being wives, mothers, teachers of the younger women, attending to the needy, ect.), they will have no time to pursue a role given generally to the men of Yisrael. Just my two cents.

Shalom chaverim,

Reuel

[Vaneide]

But, Deborah was a leader that G-d called to help the Israelites, and also she was a prophetess. She was a wife and also she was a G-ds leader, if G-d just want men to a be a leader, why He called Deborah? In that time there weren't men with a gift of leadership in the middle of Israel?

I am just asking question,

Vaneide.

[Mark]

Deborah remained under the authority of Barak in her position. She also stated that this was a upon the nation of Israel, hardly sugesting that this was a legitimate standard of structure. There are God called, God appointed women leaders and pastors. Yet, this is not a theological women's suffrage- it is rather Adonai's condemnation against His Church.

Having said this, women are in leadership just as Reuel said. In fact, when men in leadership deny women of this vital role, they are placing themselves in an incredible position of compromise. The Greek from which Reuel quoted, describes with "older women" more accurately as "women who are elders" (presbuteros gunai) rather than just "older women" (presbutis).

[Vaneide]

Mark Shalom,

Sorry, but I dindin't undestand what you said in the first paragraf. You said: There are God called, God appointed women leasders and pastros. Yet, this is not a theological women's suffrage-it is rather Adonai's condemnation against his Church. What did you meant?

Vaneide

[Mercedes]

Concerning Deborah,

Judges 4:6 "And she sent and called for Barak, has not YHVH the God of Israel commanded, go and draw toward Mount Tabor take ten thousand men, the sons of Naphtali and Zebulon. And I shall draw Sisera and his army and multitude and shall give him into your hand."
Now Barak as Leader of the Army was given a direct command by God to go and prevail. But what was his response? he refused to go without Deborah's presence even though the Lord promised him victory. This is what was shameful, his lack of faith not the flesh of a woman. She then tells him that the military victory that was to be given to him would then go to a woman. And indeed it was given to Jael who drove a peg through the temple of Sisera.
The authority and command of Barak was through Deborah, and there was no need for her to attend the battlefield because the victory was made known by God but it was rather Barak's reluctance that brought her to the battle.
Shalom
Mercedes

[Vaneide]

Have a Look what that Rabbi think about that, I think is very interesting what he said. And I heard from another rabbi that if the woman is well prepared, she can be a rabbi, or pastor.

www.rabdavis.org/Womans%20Role.htm

[Mark]

Hi Vaneide,

I suppose I am responding a broader question than inquiry; but to more of the generic understanding that womens' roles have changed in the rest of the world and so should also change in the body of Messiah. I apologize for not being clear.

What I would suggest is that women have always held a role of respect and dignity in Adonai's method of governing and management. Yet, that role does not replace nor usurp the position that is designated as a male role.

We must not confuse the role of prophet with the role of rabbi. I once described "prophet" as when God steps into someone's shoes to step on someone else's toes. It is not a role of authority, it is the role of a messenger. There are several prophetesses mentioned throughout Scripture. Yet, Deborah didn't replace Barak. She didn't tell him to stay home; but she did go with him. It is a stretch to use this passage to suggest that she took charge.

[RoRK]

I am curious why no one has brought up the following passage.

1 Corinthians 14
As in all the congregations of the saints, 34women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says. 35If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.

Comments?

[Mercedes]

Now we are getting some where
Rork, and all who are reading this thread, can you tell me what scripture the apostle is pointing us to?

They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says.

Mercedes

[messimom]

You know, I think I choose to be a passive listener on this thread...........


Messimom

[Elishava]

Mercedes, maybe it's referring to this weeks portion about a women making a vow? Maybe we are misunderstanding what Shaul was saying??? It appears that YHVH used women all the time from Deborah to Mary, to Priscilla to Messimom, who just encouraged me with her prayer request/encouragement. All that being said scripture does say:
Mat 23:8 But don't you be called 'Rabbi,' for one is your teacher, the Messiah, and all of you are brothers.

So maybe no one should be called Rabbi ;D

[Vaneide]

messimom said:

You know, I think I choose to be a passive listener on this thread...........


Messimom

Shalom messimom,

Please don't be passive, say something, I will appreciate. I know that you have something to say.

Vaneide.