Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Where Women Reign Supreme

In the previous post we explained that men bless Hashem that they were created male because they have an advantage over women insofar as that they shape and form society while the women take a more passive role. In a word - men are צורה while women are defined as חומר. 

Every quality trait has two sides. Middos are a double edged sword, if you will [what if you won't??]. Men are thankful for the positive aspects of their manliness and thank Hashem for them. However, there is also a downside and from a different perspective - women are spiritually superior [please - NO ANGRY EMAILS FROM MALE SUPREMICISTS!!:-)]. 

Since men give the world its shape, form, ideals and values, it often happens that they will distort the original will of Hashem and twist it to meet their own personal needs and wants. Women, on the other hand, since they are more passive and receptive are far more likely to receive and absorb the divine messages and ideals in their pure and original form! In this way - they remain faithful to the true will of Hashem. 

That is the meaning of their bracha where they thank Hashem שעשני כרצונו - I was made and designed to follow the pristine WILL and desire of Hashem. 

Men, given their proactive nature, cannot make such a bracha. 

One might suggest that the reason that women are not obligated to learn Torah is because they are more naturally attuned to and in line with the will of Hashem. As such, they don't need the rigorous demands of daily Torah study. Men, on the other side of the mechitza   hand, need intense daily study to train their minds and souls to conform with Hashem's will as expressed in the Torah. [See Maharal Drush Al Hatorah Page 27-28 and Rav Hirsch Vayikra 23/43]. 

In the words of Maran HaRav ztz"l: 




עם כל היתרון של האיש הפועל והרושם את רשמי השפעתו ומפעלותיו בחיים ובעולם, הנה יש לעומת זה ג"כ יתרון להאשה הנפעלת, שהיא עשויה בתכונה כזאת של קבלת רשמים, בזה שהפעולות והתעוררות המעשה העצמיות ירשם האדם על ידן בצמצום של כחו החמרי והרוחני, ויוכל לפעמים לסור עי"ז מהמגמה האלהית העליונה, מה שא"כ התכונה הנפעלת של האשה כשהיא ישרה, היא עלולה להרשם ולהפעל מתכונת השפע של המעשה אשר עשה האלהים, מהתכונה הישרה, כאשר עשה את האדם ואת העולם, את התכן החמרי והרוחני שבהויה, ישר מכוון לרצונו העליון הפשוט והישר, וע"כ מברכת היא האשה בהודאה על חלקה הטוב : שעשני כרצונו.