Parshat Matot-Masei

2004

A Woman's Word

As we approach the end of the book of Numbers, the parsha Mattot opens by emphasizing the seriousness of the vows and oaths we make. We learn from Torah that words are very powerful, and we must think carefully about how we use them. In the first few verses of the parsha we read that any pledge that a man makes in the presence of God can be fulfilled. However, a pledge or oath made by a woman can be overruled by her father if she lives in his house or her husband if she is married. We read:

Numbers 30:4-9

1. If a woman makes a vow to the Lord or assumes an obligation while still in her father's household by reason of her youth, 2. And her father learns of her vow or her self-imposed obligation and offers no objection, all her vows shall stand and every self-imposed obligation shall stand. 3. But if her father restrains her on the day he finds out, none of her vows or self-imposed obligations shall stand; and the Lord will forgive her, since her father restrained her. 4. If she should marry while her vow or the commitment to which she bound herself is still in force,
5. And her husband learns of it and offers no objection on the day he finds out, her vows shall stand. 6. But if her husband restrains her on the day that he learns of it, he thereby annuls her vow which was in force or the commitment to which she bound herself; and the Lord will forgive her.

Your Torah Navigator

1. If vows were once so vitally important, why does the Torah make it clear that a woman's word, or vow, could be annulled at the word of her husband or father? 2. What does this say about a woman's status within the Jewish people during ancient times? 3. How have gender roles in Judaism changed since ancient days? 4. How do we read Torah and give it the honor it is due when it seems contradictory to our views today?

A Word

These rules reflect an age when a woman was subordinated to her husband or father. But Judaism has given us what could be seen as the first steps in women's liberation. In later generations, our rabbis and sages limited the above law to young girls not past the age of 11 or 12. The ketubah, or traditional marriage contract, too, is often viewed as a positive step forward for women that was institutionalized and made binding by the rabbis. With the establishment of the ketubah, women were given documentary proof of their marriage and some protection in case of divorce from their husbands.

In modern times, the Jewish people has come a long way in recognizing the strength and importance of women, both in the life of a family as well as in the life of the Jewish people. Today, women serve many congregations and Jewish communities in positions of leadership. Although the movements may differ in the types of roles that men and women offer the synagogue, our Jewish tradition reflects an understanding of just how much women can and do contribute to the continuation of the Jewish people. It is sometimes difficult to read words of our beloved Torah and wonder how they could apply to us today. But we can be proud that our Jewish tradition reflects an ongoing understanding of the individuals who make up the Jewish people. Furthermore, our Jewish tradition teaches us to honor and respect the words of a woman.

Prepared by Rabbi Andrea Steinberger, Campus Rabbi, Hillel at the University of Wisconsin.

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Additional commentaries and text studies on Parshat Matot at MyJewishLearning.com.