Home Home / Exchange with Judge Alvin Hellerstein on "Law and Love" Essay (1968)

Correspondence

February-March 1968

Exchange with Judge Alvin Hellerstein on "Law and Love" Essay (1968)

Women & Judaism
Background Information

Judge Hellerstein, a congregant at The Jewish Center, engaged in a number of robust written debates with Rabbi Lamm on the interface between Jewish law and contemporary issues.

Background Information

1. Alvin Hellerstein to R. Lamm

1. Alvin Hellerstein to R. Lamm (Feb. 27, 1968)

1. Alvin Hellerstein to R. Lamm (Feb. 27, 1968)

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Dear Rabbi Lamm: During our brief discussion at the meeting of Think Tank, I argued that we should not formulate a uniform policy to deal with problems of Women's Liberation. Instead, I felt that Rabbis should anticipate and deal with these problems as they occur in their communities. I also felt that in the process of reaching a solution, each Rabbi should, within halachic bounds, take into consideration the nature and circumstances of the problem, the individuals involved and the impact which his solution might have on the immediate community and the community at large. I realize that my approach may result in different standards of observance from community to community but I believe that there are sufficient precedents for such different standards. For example, some religious schools are co-educational, some Synagogues allow women to participate in singing and receptions, etc. You argued that my suggestion was not practical because conditions in New York are such that Rabbis fearing other Rabbis are reluctant to suggest new programs designed to make the observance of tradition by women more meaningful. You also implied that you favored the creation of an "Advisory Body" which would either approve new decisions or suggest alternate solutions. This prompted me to suggest to Rabbi Rackman that we discuss whether or not present day circumstances require the creation of a supreme Rabbinical Authority. Frankly, I would argue against it. I believe that as in the past, local Rabbis and Beth Dins should be accorded sufficient authority to solve problems as they arise. I think that this system has worked well for many years and I would be strongly opposed to changing it. I feel that the institutionalization of religion in Israel with its inherent red tape and patronage has had a catastrophic effect on religion and the respect for it everywhere. I am aware of the annoyances to which you are subjected particularly when you receive so many phone calls, but I do believe that…
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Dear Rabbi Lamm: I recently read the following paragraphs by Bruno Bettelheim about the role Judaism gives to the Jewish woman. He writes: “…And if the Jew was a woman, she felt even more degraded by a religion that required men to thank God each day that He had not created them female. Beyond this I have a feeling which I cannot substantiate. But few religions have been as rejecting of women as was the Jewish one. It was a religion that viewed her very feminity as a curse, that caused men to separate in a place of worship, that even forbade her to uncover her hair, and required her to shave it at marriage. It was this ritual rejection of femininity by her parents, and their own glorification of masculine pursuits, that may have influenced the first kibbutz generation to view man’s work as preferable to women’s, including the work of rearing children.” Bettelheim says, of course, that he cannot substantiate his feeling and thus his statement is nothing more than a generalization. Many people who, like Bettelheim, have not taken the trouble to substantiate their claims, very often express similar sentiments. Would you be interested in writing an article for us on this subject? I can offer you $75 for a 3,000 word piece which I would want to have by the end of March. I do hope you will say yes. Cordially, Merna Pollak, Editor
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