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Bnei Brak Gedolim Express Opposition to Academic Studies for Women

At a gathering in Bnei Brak last night, a number of local Gedolim and Roshei Yeshiva, including Rabbi Chaim Kanevsky and the Vizhnitzer Rebbe, expressed opposition to secular academic studies for young women in Charedi educational institutions.

From Yeshiva World News:

Gedolei Hador Shlita participated in the Kinos held in Bnei Brak on Tuesday night the eve of 20 Kislev including HaGaon HaRav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita and the Vishnitzer Rebbe Shlita. Many roshei yeshivos were present as well, as were principals of girl’s high schools were present.

A very short letter was sent by HaGaon HaRav Aryeh Yehuda Leib Shteinman Shlita expressing opposition to the teaching of secular subjects to girls in high school and to “educate the girls in the exclusive framework of Beis Yaakov”.

“כבר עוררנו בעבר על חומר הלימוד במקומות שאין רוח חכמים נוחה מהם, ואנו שבים ומעוררים שהמקום היחידי שאפשר וראוי לחנך בו בנות ישראל הוא במסגרות בית יעקב בלבד”

The gathering was organized by the Education Committee of the joint Torah Councils of both Agudas Yisrael and Degel Hatorah to emphasize the dangers posed to the children by introducing “foreign education into the camp”.

The main points delivered to participants include:

· Gedolei Yisrael are responsible for the education of Jewish girls from the youngest age until completion.

· There is a real danger in all institutions that teach secular subjects from both the subject matter and lecturers. Therefore, Jewish girls and women should not study in academic institutions including those which are extensions of this institutions, even if they calls themselves ‘seminaries’ but give an academic diploma.

· Bnos Yisrael should not get a matriculation diploma (bagrut) or engage in studies preparing them for higher learning without exception and one must not take the tests independently. This must be stringently enforced by principals.

· All studies and continuing education seminars attended by the girls and teachers in Beis Yaakov must be exclusively in the framework of Beis Yaakov and no other institution and it goes without saying a woman should not seek an academic diploma.

· We call on school principals and administrators not to recognize any degree from any institution not under the guidance of the Vaad Chinuch (Education Committee).

The son of the Slonimer Rebbe Shlita, Rosh Yeshivas Slonim HaGaon HaTzaddik Rav Mosher Brazovsky Shlita stated most of the girls are not seeking the academic education or degree but are seeking a means of supporting a family. He warned that while this may be so, one cannot compromise one’s neshama and emunah for the sake of earning a livelihood.

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17 Comments

  • Yet another

    Yet another self-inflicted act, of loss of credibility.
    Isn’t it so easy (for anyone) to ban secular education when the government (USA, Israel, Europe) supports them?
    I wonder what they would say, if the “gravy-train” stopped? Necessity is indeed the mother of invention.

  • I Agree

    We should keep em dumb, barefoot, and pregnant in the kitchen, while their husbands spend their lives in kollel. God will provide. smh…..

  • They don't stop

    Let’s just live in caves .. That will keep us safe. Oh no but we want to use airplanes cell phones computers medicine all given to us by research done by secular .. So bec they don’t love or believe like us we can’t learn from their truths .. Sounds like we are very insecure with what we are selling … Time to merge torah with derech Eretz

  • Jay Sorid

    Chabad.org describes Emunah as “So too, emunah grows taller and deeper as you accustom yourself to see all the phenomena of life as manifestations of the Creator’s presence and glory”

    If you deny Jewish girls the opportunity of learning secular subjects which can help them earn a livelihood and support one’s family, aren’t you preventing them from manifesting and realizing Hashem’s presence and glory?

    Does it seem a little hypocritical to deny Jewish girls the right to secular studies, yet then have Jewish families put out their hands for welfare, which comes from taxes from women who studied secular subjects?

    Regarding Kiryas Joel, an ultra orthodox neighborhood in upstate NY, about half the residents receive food stamps, and one-third receive Medicaid benefits and rely on federal vouchers to help pay their housing costs.: ( NY TImes – April 20, 2011) Average price of a house in Kiryas Joel, NY is $250,000 ( Realtor.com).

    This decision will have a negative impact on the future growth of Jewish communities in Brooklyn and Queens where housing/rental prices are on the rise.

    Will those who made this decision agree to help the Jewish husband who is out of work, and whose wife has no job, pay for groceries ?

  • CR

    Reading between the lines this looks like a power play by the Degel Torah and Agudat Yisrael parties. There have been a number of smaller upstart parties in municipal elections in recent years who are becoming a political threat to these old-time stalwarts. This is their way of demonstrating they still have the “defender of the faith” cred while also pointing out the “moom ra” in the competition.

    And the Trusty, Rusty Trench Tool (a.k.a Yated Ne’eman) and related publications dutifully carry water for the established parties.

  • Brooklyn New York City Resident

    A lot of married men need their wives to have secular education & a college degree to be able to support them while they learn in Kollel for 20 years

    • Only 20 years???

      I know someone who is a grandfather, maybe by now an alterer zeide, who has never worked a day in his life. He is still learning. You would think by now he knows it all!

      Meanwhile, his overworked, overburdened wife is still shlepping to work.

      I wonder what his great granddaughters will do now they aren’t allowed to get any skills.

  • MaidofCH

    I’m not in the habit of dissing authority, but I feel that these rabbis are in either deep denial or blithe disregard for the practical & financial issues faced by those outside their ivory tower. They are trying to preserve an outdated system that no longer makes sense.

    They forbid Jewish women from pursuing advanced studies in order to support their families, yet offer no viable alternatives. They don’t want men, either, to go out and work or pursue advanced training. Rather, we should all either 1) live off the welfare system or 2) find a rich parent or benefactor. Where do they think these people, governments, or institutions are getting THEIR money?

    I understand the dangers of the outside world; perhaps secular studies can be monitored. Schools like Touro tailor programs to the needs of the Orthodox. Not all women want, or can, be morahs. Especially on the pay. I heard the Agudah conference brought up the suggestion of giving them higher salaries — and paying them in a timely manner. I am reading between the lines: they are having trouble keeping Jewish women within a sheltered, innocent environment.

    What is probably bothering the rabbonim is the sophistication of the modern Jewish woman. They would rather she remain simple & childlike. This is insulting to mature, intellectual women, who may not be sweet & innocent enough. It is also dated.

    Maybe this news is appropriate for 19 Kislev, since Chassidus is needed now more than ever. As men & women alike are forced to interact in the outside world, the new challenge will be maintaining compassion & yiras shomayim.

  • cnl

    I guess all the men in kollel will finally have to get jobs OR The woman will have to work 24/7 to put food on the table! What world are these people living in?

  • Anonymous

    For all of the people , who are insulting the decision of the rabbis. Do not forget what crown heights and flatbush and other jewsih communities are turning into. The fact that everyone can just from an article insult these rabbis . shows the disrespect and insensitivity of the effects the secular world has influenced us. Plenty of women do get a education and it is where and very much when they should. Like it or not colledge has a effect on people more so girls because of their need to socialize and their will to fit in and make friends. Its the women who will be the future for the generations. They tell the kids everything. Its extremly important that they get the right atmosphere . Just look at the world around you. THe publicschools there is only sex and no religeon. The colledges there is more and more hate for israel and jews. There is definitly no concept of morality and to these places. the new colledges you want to stick the foundation of tomorrow in. Are you nuts! Its true we do need a education but where and when is the decision for each community. womens rights is not just about her . In juduaism we are not combating the problems other religeons had of their views of women and property. in judaism Its the family unit. If 100 women go to a colledge and its not the right time and place . That effects a 100 families and it very much effects the community and how they operate. Please do your research before you bash these rabbis and their way of life. They are trying to keep their families and community safe.

  • not so wrong

    The Alter Rebbe and all the Rebbeim, including the Rebbe, were not in favor of secular studies. To believe that one needs secular studies to have parnassa is a lack of emunah. Secular studies have been very destructive in many ways and the Rebbe was very much against it, not only for boys but for girls as well. I dont see why this is a wrong attitude. I think we need to trust our Rebbeim and do what Hashem wants. THAT is what brings success in life.