Someone asked Rav Bentzion Mutzafi how he can get started in giving shiurim to women. He was looking for direction. It was not even a halachic question - just saying what he intended to do and asking for some direction.
Rav Mutzafi responded that it is completely prohibited for a male lecturer to lecture in front of women, and he is a sinner for doing so, as the Torah says "do not stray..and after your eyes". They should have a female lecturer who will prepare a week in advance with midrashim, mussar, and words of Chazal, and she should present them to the women.
source: Rav Mutzafi's ask the rabbi page, question #132480
I don't think this needs any further comment...
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I have a suspicion that the Rav's answer was not meant as a general rule but perhaps specifically because he felt the questioner wasn't interested in giving shiruim as much as he davka wanted to teach women in order to be around them.
ReplyDeleteBut I'm just guessing...
Why is it OK for a man to lecture 100s of women, when a woman can't lecture men? I'm for equality, so let's get men out of girls' high schools (scandals just waiting to happen...)
ReplyDeleteI happen to mostly agree. I think it is relatively sexist for men to run girls schools, when there are plenty of capable women around, and then taking into account the tzniyus issues that must arise regularly, along with the problem of a man surrounding himself all day with women. And especially in communities where gender mixing is such taboo to the extreme, but then we have male teachers and principals in seminaries and girls schools.. it doesnt make sense.
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