Voices of WRJ: Matot-Mas'ei

by Lucretia Levy This week’s Torah portion is a double portion. In the first portion, Matot, the Tribes, Numbers 30:2−32:42, Moses explains to the Israelites the laws concerning vows made by men and women. Israel wages war against the Midianites. The laws regarding the spoils of war are outlined. Finally, the tribes of Reuben and Gad are granted permission to stay on the east bank of the Jordan River. In the second portion, Mas'ei, the Marches, Numbers 33:1-36:13, the itinerary of the Israelites through the wilderness from Egypt to Jordan is delineated. Moses tells Israel to remove the current inhabitants of the land that God will give them and to destroy their gods. The boundaries of the Land of Israel are defined, along with those of the Levitical cities and the cities of refuge. God makes a precise distinction between murder and manslaughter. Lastly, the laws of inheritance as they apply to Israelite women are delineated. My d’var Torah will focus on the laws concerning vows made by men and women. In this section of the Torah portion, if a woman makes a vow to God or assumes an obligation and she lives in her father’s house, her father can restrain the vow or obligation. If she is married when or gets married after she makes the vow or obligation, her husband can restrain the vow or obligation. God will forgive the woman if her father or husband restrains the vow or obligation; if the father or husband offers no objection on the day he learns of them, then the vows or obligations stand. But if a widow or divorced woman makes a vow, it will be binding on her. So the only time that a woman can make a vow or an obligation without the threat of a veto by a man is if she is widowed or divorced. In today’s society in the developed world, women are free to make vows or obligations by themselves, without approval from a man. When Blair Marks was installed as WRJ President at WRJ Assembly in San Diego in December 2013, she noted all of the various occupations that her fellow WRJ Board members held, and at the end of that long and varied and distinguished list, she said that this was not Carrie O. Simon’s Board! While most (possibly all) of Simon’s Board were women who did not hold full time employment, the current WRJ Board includes engineers, woman in important management positions of major companies, and me, a federal government contracting officer with the power to authorize the expenditure of U.S. taxpayer dollars without a father, husband, or male supervisor’s approval! Let me emphasize that all of these women did not get into these positions because they are women. They attained these positions because of their talent, their ability, and their experience: in short, on merit. There are still some glass ceilings out there, but many of them have been shattered and more are being shattered every day. For example, in 2009 the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act codified into law the right of all women to earn equal pay for equal work, outlawing wage discrimination on the basis of sex. Of course it is important to note that while the law has changed, many work places have not implemented it. But as WRJ and people around the world fight for women's rights, the law helps us make a difference. [Ed. note: This November, Lilly Ledbetter will be given the Jane Evans Pursuit of Justice Award at WRJ Assembly 2015 in Orlando, FL. Join us there to help recognize her accomplishments!] WRJ plays a critical role, through the YES Fund and other means, in supporting Reform Judaism. In my temple, a majority of the temple board is made up of women, many past presidents have been women, and the current nominee for president is a woman. Most temple events happen because of sisterhood support. Most of the “doers,” the people who roll up their sleeves and get things done, are members of the sisterhood. Sisterhood makes contributions, including monetary, in kind, and labor, to my temple, without any male requesting or approving these obligations. My temple would struggle mightily without the contributions of my sisterhood. While in the world of the Torah, a woman’s vow or obligation required a man’s approval in most cases, today we are free to make vows and obligations. Women, without approval from men, are performing tikkun olam, making the world a better place for all. Lucretia Levy is a WRJ Board member, WRJ Mid- Atlantic District Vice President of Development & Special Projects and a member of Congregation Ner Shalom, Woodbridge, VA.