Matan Women's Institute for Torah Studies
The Matan Women's Institute for Torah Studies, established in 1988, pioneered the teaching of Talmud and other rabbinic literature to women in Israel. "Matan" abbreviates the Hebrew מכון תורני לנשים, Machon Torani l’Nashim, i.e. "Torah Institute for Women". It offers numerous classes, a year-long bet midrash program, as well as the following certification programs:
- in Jewish education: Eshkolot and Lapidot - master's level training in Tanach and rabbinic literature
- as "Halachic advisors": the programs are Hilkhata and Morot L’Halakha; these are Talmud-intensive, largely as at a men's Yeshiva.
Part of a series of articles on |
Women rabbis and Torah scholars |
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First ordination by denomination |
Sandy Sasso: 1974 (Reconstructionist) Lynn Gottlieb: 1981 (Jewish Renewal) Amy Eilberg: 1985 (Conservative Judaism) Tamara Kolton: 1999 (Humanistic Judaism) Sara Hurwitz: 2009 (Orthodox Judaism) |
Pre-modern figures |
Bruriah (2nd Century) Rashi's daughters (11th-12th Century) Paula Dei Mansi (13th Century) Fioretta of Modena (1522-1580) Asenath Barzani (1590-1670) |
Early-modern figures |
Ray Frank (1861-1948) Regina Jonas (1902-1944) |
Alternate rabbinical roles |
Organisations |
Other |
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Matan's founder, leader, and first teacher was Malke Bina, who had studied at the Michlala Jerusalem College for Women and the Revel Graduate School of Yeshiva University.[1] With its Modern Orthodox approach, Matan's Council of Rabbis was headed by Aharon Lichtenstein; its faculty includes Rachelle Sprecher Fraenkel and Avivah Gottlieb Zornberg.[2]
In 2012, Matan held the first siyyum for women who had completed the Daf Yomi 7-year cycle of Talmud study. Fifteen women were honored;[3] ”the first [such] in the history of the Jewish people." [4]
See also
- Jewish feminism
- Midrasha - overview of higher Jewish learning institutions for women.
- Role of women in Judaism - discusses various views of woman's study, including Haredi objections to Talmud study by women.
- Torah study - discusses the mitzvah of learning.
- Similarly focused Midrashot:
- Nishmat
- Midreshet Lindenbaum
- Midreshet Ein HaNetziv
- Drisha Institute[5]
References
- Sofer, Barbara (October 2, 2014). "The Human Spirit: Being Malke Bina". Jerusalem Post. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
- "Teaching Staff". Matan. Archived from the original on January 4, 2015. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
- Sokol, Sam (October 7, 2012). "The Female Talmudists". Jerusalem Post. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
- Ettinger, Yair (August 1, 2012). "Learning Talmud without asking for men's permission". Ha'aretz. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
- drisha.co.il