After watching this segment of "the view" where this quack was interviewd, where they are underhandedly demonizing good traditional housewives as failures. I am just so sick and tired of "enlightened" 21st century society lecturing us about women's rights and demonizing our ways. Their society has divorce rates above 50% and that is for those that got married. what is the precentage of those born out of wedlock? how about crime, prostitution, drugs, violence, domestic abuse etc;?
Here is a partial response in regards to the way Jews treat woman and marriage:
Jews were the pioneers of women's rights, as well as equality Liberty, and self government. Jews did not emancipate their women, as did western society, for the reason that they never enslaved them. Jews did not grant women equality as the women's movement strives for, for the reason that equality simply would not apply; women are not equal to men, as men are not equal to women. There is simply no superior gender. Both man and Women is both superior in their own sphere. Jewish men see great powers in women that men do not possess, and according to psychological differences have left to women such duties as they are best adapted to by nature, in order to accomplish the most efficient results. In Genesis it says "I will make for him (man) a helpmate". Translated from Hebrew it means "even", "parallel". Unlike the conception of certain other religions that the women are made only for the man.
The Tanach recounts the story of Deborah a prophetess a ruler and a judge, who in time of distress took a similar role of joan of arc (although about 3000 years before the episode). The Jews appreciated the value of this great woman, unlike the shameful and tragic burning alive of Joan of Arc.
The Book of Esther recounts and tells us of a women's modesty, wisdom and self sacrifice and of how she saved her people from destruction. Not only Jews but Christians and Muslims should also be thankful to Esther for had it not been for her, who knows whether there would be any Jews or their religious offspring namely Christians and Muslims, on earth?
The list goes on and on, Rebbekah, Ruth, Sarah, Chanah, during the roman pillaging, during the crusades etc; The women has been the fortress that kept Judaism strong, vibrant and let the nation endure.
The Talmud declared that women have binah yiseirah extra intelligence. The great rabbi akiva attributed all the honor and fame to his dear wife, Rachel.
Chazal Commanded "love your wife as yourself, but honor her more than yourself" "the husband should treat his wife with respesct for his home owes it's blessing to her" etc;
Unlike other races who talk about their women vulgarly when drunk, their love songs being of vulgar impulses, their immodest paintings under the precept of art. The Jew talks about his women when religiously intoxicated during the climax of divine inspiration when he sees angels, Friday night.
With all the progress towards equality for woman has made, the jewish ancient tradition is still way ahead and olways will be, for it is divine.
In many non jewish marriages they use the term "to obey". On the other hand the jewish groom does not, rather contrary he makes the pledge in the kesubah among of which states "I shall serve, honor, and provide for you according to the manner of jewish husbands, who honor serve and provide for their wives in truth".
And let's not forget that all this was practiced in a time when the Christians considered their wives as satan, from which sin comes from.
