By Erik Steel
Though Jewish women's culture is as diverse as Jewish women themselves, there are traditional commonalities that can be discussed. A few of the sacred acts and times associated specifically with women can shed light on Jewish women's culture.
Mitzvot
Women are not obligated to perform time-bound mitzvot in Judaism, such as daily recitation of the Shema prayer and laying (donning) tefillin. The traditional understanding of this is that women are inherently more holy than men and need not take on these extra practices; however, some modern Jewish women have chosen to take on these mitzvot.
Hair Covering
All Jews are enjoined to be modest in the way they dress. For Orthodox Jewish women, this means covering the hair, especially after marriage. This can be accomplished with a number of head coverings, including hats, scarves, wigs or partial wigs. Practices vary from community to community. Reform and Conservative Jewish women do not generally cover their hair.
Mikvah
The mikvah is a ritual Jewish bath that is used for spiritual cleansing. Orthodox Jewish women visit the mikveh after their menstrual cycle has ended as part of a purity ritual.
Rosh Chodesh
Rosh Chodesh, the first day of every Hebrew month, is a holiday for Jewish women. According to Torah.org, Rosh Chodesh was dedicated to women because they would not participate in the building of the Golden Calf.
Candles
Traditionally, the female head of the household lights the Shabbat and other ritual candles and recites the blessing over them. While still common, many families adapt this ritual to their own situations.
The Home
Jewish women have traditionally kept watch over the home, maintaining a kosher kitchen and engaging mitzvot like challah (a small sacrifice of dough while baking). Some families have abandoned these traditions, while others have distributed the responsibility for keeping a Jewish home more equally between the sexes.
About the Author:
Erik Steel is a graduate of the University of Michigan, earning his bachelor's degree in Russian. Steel has worked as writer for more than four years and has contributed content to eHow and Pluck on Demand. His work recently appeared in the literary journal "Arsenic Lobster."
