Comments on: Arrested for Wearing a Tallit?

By: David Scholem

David Scholem — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 20:27:26 +0000

Context. Perspective. These are important elements in evaluating something. Whether the majority population of Israel does or doesn’t view an act as inflammatory–and you should check if you are right on this particular one–the CONTEXT of this particular action is the area of the Kotel. The people at this spot are not the median voting demographic; it is a place of sanctity and the majority there are not at ease with what they feel are flagrant acts of disrespect. And in-your-face confrontation that is passed off as something innocent and “justified” by referring to some ancient text is plain dishonest. It is as hurtful as the use of some ancient text to oppress others today– you don’t fight fire with fire, you fight it with water. I repeat, it is just plain disrespectful of the custom of the place, and however objectionable someone may find a particular custom, spitting on it is sure to inflame the situation, not ameliorate it.

By: Amitai

Amitai — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 13:50:09 +0000

{I concede that this is only part of one side of an argument; but I think it demonstrates that such a defense is not “most definitely against Halacha”}

 Menachot 43a: “Rav Yehudah attached tzitzit to the aprons of women in his household, and would make the blessing every morning.”
 Rambam (Hil. Tzitzit 3:9): “Women and slaves who want to wrap themselves in tzitzit may do so without a berakha.”
 Rashba (Teshuva §123): “I agree with those who say that if they desire they can do all such mitzvot and recite the blessings, on the basis of Mikhal bat Shaul who used to wear tefillin and they did not protest; indeed she did so with the approval of the sages, and by the nature of the matter since she puts on tefillin she blesses”.
 Shulchan Aruch (Orah Hayyim 17:2): women and slaves are exempt from tzitzit;
 Rema: nevertheless, if they wish to wrap themselves and say the blessing, it is permissible as with all positive time-bound commandments (based on Tosafot, Rosh, Ran)
 R. Moshe Feinstein (Igrot Moshe, Orach Chayim 4:49 s.v. ibra d’ika): “women are permitted to perform even mitzvot from which they are exempt by the Torah, and they get a mitzvah and a reward upon performing them…. and if so, also regarding tzitzit it is appropriate for a woman who wants to wear a garment that is different from a man’s clothing but has four corners, that she put on tzitzit and fulfill this mitzvah.”
 R. Yehuda Herzl Henkin: to a women’s prayer group, Shirat Sara: a woman who wishes to wear a tallit during services should wear one that appears “distinct from the current style of men’s tallitot.” (http://elmsintheyard.blogspot.com/2005/11/tiger-tzitzit-tzitzit-ritual-fringes.html)

By: Dov

Dov — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 21:56:02 +0000

“We cannot ignore that normative Halacha does not permit women to wear tallitot.”

And where exactly do we see that prohibition spelled out?

Also, I was unaware that Israeli police are charged with inforcing halacha.

By: Jona Bass

Jona Bass — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 13:52:58 +0000

We cannot ignore that normative Halacha does not permit women to wear tallitot. While it is important to voice opposition to extremism, in this instant, it is not appropriate for us to take action. Such a defense is most definitely against Halacha, as well as, intellectualy dishonest.

By: David Sher

David Sher — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 13:40:58 +0000

From one DS to another, you must understand that inflammatory acts are in the eyes of the beholder. We decry all of the nothings that are claimed to be inflammatory acts by the Palestinians (such as rebuilding a broken bridge near the temple mount) and yet it is somehow acceptable to riot at the drop of a hat if Intel chooses to run its plant on Shabbat or if a women wears a tallit. The essence of the inflammatory act argument is that it is undemocratic. Since the majority of the citizens of Israel do not view those acts as inflammatory, their will should prevail in any public setting. The Hardim don’t accept this. They are wrong not to.

By: David Scholem

David Scholem — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 02:30:00 +0000

I’m a stranger in these parts. And I have something to say. But because this is not my turf, I will refrain, it would be rude and coarse to be an oberchochum. You would feel offended. and rightly so. It is just common decency to respect the ways of others in their own place, keep one’s peace, know what is respectful.

In similar mode, there are traditional ways at the Kotel. And inflammatory acts, even some portraying themselves as totally innocent and being done in the name of some more important other values, are simply not respectful. Flagrant defiance of custom can never bring a harmonious outcome. That an architect of such actions portays herself as “outraged”, and even more huffily as “shocked” at the reactions they trigger stretches credulity.