Removing An Ancient Landmark

NEVER before had conservative Judaism agreed to train women as rabbis.

But as from September 1984 women candidates would be accepted for the

four to five years' training needed for ordination as rabbis of the orthodox

Jewish synagogues in North America.

This significant break from conservative tradition within Judaism was the ultimate responsibility of the faculty of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America - "the only (American) institution which trains and ordains rabbis for the Conservative Branch of Judaism".

It should be made clear, of course, that since 1972 the Reform Branch of Judaism has accepted the training of female rabbis, and there are said to be now over seventy women serving as rabbis in the United States and Canada.

Saul of Tarsus had been trained "at the feet of Gamaliel, instructed according to the strict manner of the law" (Acts 22:3). It was no empty boast when he wrote: "I advanced in the Jews' religion beyond many of mine own age among my countrymen, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers" (Gal. 1:14). Mercifully he was enlightened to understand that "the law hath been our tutor to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith" (Gal. 3:24). A "chosen vessel", his vast knowledge of Old Testament Scripture was harnessed and directed by the Holy Spirit to elucidate great principles of truth for the guidance of disciples of Christ.

Among these principles was the relative place in service of men and women in churches of God. Touching this point he wrote in 1 Cor.14:34 "Let the women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but let them be in subjection, as also saith the law" Who better to understand what "the law" said than one so deeply learned in the Jewish religion as Paul? He introduces the point about the law to remind the disciples in Corinth that the whole weight of Old Testament precedent confirmed the subject place of women in relation to the ordinances of divine service in Israel. Taking "the law" in the wider sense of the whole of the Pentateuch, the divinely intended relationship has its foundation in Genesis chapters 2 and 3. As the Holy Spirit again emphasizes through Paul in 1 Tim. 2:13,14 -

"For Adam was first formed, then Eve; and Adam was not beguiled, but the woman being beguiled hath fallen into transgression"

Moreover God's law for Israel made no provision for female priests or Levites, female elders or rabbis.

When considering the phrase "as also saith the law" in 1 Cor. 14:34, it's relevant to take into account the understanding of orthodox Judaism about the place given to women by the law of Moses in relation to leadership in spiritual service. For the orthodox or conservative wing of Judaism has maintained its belief in the Old Testament as God's word. Admittedly they have tended to "make void the word of God" by tradition, as the Pharisees did before them (Mat. 15:6). Nevertheless, in contrast to the "reformed" wing of Judaism, which has adopted modernist "liberal" methods of treating the Old Testament, the orthodox theologian does subscribe to the 'fact that Israel was entrusted with God's "living oracles" (Acts 7:38). It is therefore highly significant that through all the centuries they have sustained what Paul wrote in 1 Cor. 14:34

- that in public spiritual service women should be "in subjection".

So there were no facilities for ordaining women rabbis in conservative Jewish training institutions. That ancient landmark was removed by a vote in the faculty of the New York Jewish Theological Seminary in October 1983. This was hailed with delight by many Jewish women activists: to them it was another victory for feminist equalities and rights.

As Christian believers we sadly recognize Judaism to be a religion without the key knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. With Paul, our hearts' desire and supplication to God for them should be that they may be saved. But this new development in conservative Judaism is worthy of note by the believer. For it illustrates a trend reflected even in many evangelical associations to set aside God's word regarding the place of women in divine service, and to substitute arrangements based on human reasoning.

"The time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine" (2 Tim. 4:3)

"But abide thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured

of" (2 Tim. 3:14).

unknown | Jul 1985
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