(c) Apr 18 2001 RashiYomi Inc. MY COLLECTED & INDEXED MAIL JEWISH POSTINGS-Ver #1
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From: Russell Hendel <rhendel@saber.towson.edu>
Date: Sun, 16 Jan 2000 18:15:48 -0500 (EST)
Subject: reedom to Profession and Marriage

I was shocked (but not surprised) by Rivkah Tuttle's remarks in v30n91
concerning pressures of Bais Yaakov education to mold students in only
certain professions and certain dating patterns. Several non-halachik
points should be made

* Rav Hirsch severely criticizes the Patriarch Yitzchak for trying to
make both Esauv and Yaakov into Kollelnicks. Esauv was an outdoorsman.
He loved to hunt and camp. Yitzchak alienated him by not allowing Esauv
to hunt and camp in a torhadich manner.

By contrast the Patriarch Jacob, clearly blesses EACH of his children
with that profession that they are good at (Gen 49). The famous
partnership of the Learners of Yissachar and the sea-farers of Zevulun
is but one example

* Num 36 is an ENTIRE Biblical chapter devoted to the statement that
women aren't pawns in an economic game. We are told that even when they
have restrictions they "should marry someone who is good in there eyes"

The message is clear---we should be free to date whom we want and marry
whom we want. Rivkah herself pointed out that I am not asking for a
radical change....introducing some COPE type computer programs in Bais
Yaakov would INCREASE the amount of learning these devoted young ladies
could enable their husbands with.

Finally Rivkah spoke about the hypocrosy and alienation. I would be very
interested in statisitics on how many people we are losing (to either
frumkeit or Judaism) because of these Bais Yaakov Policies.

I really think a topic like this ("Advice of Bais Yaakov teachers on
marriage and work) is the type of thread that should occupy mail jewish
for 10-30 issues.

Russell Hendel; Phd ASA; Math Towson Univ;
Moderator Rashi is Simple
Http://www.shamash.org/rashi/