A woman’s biological and economical functions have essential value in society and the Mishnah makes use of this. Women’s importance in the Mishnaic world is highlighted by the fact that the sages chose to name on of its six sections, the Division of Women. It would be interesting to note that the absence of a Division of Men reflects the fact that in patriarchies, men make rules about women, but women do not make rules about men. In matters that involve her sexuality, one can find the Mishnah treating the wife as her husband’s property. An example can be found in Kidushin 1:1 by which the Mishnah maintains strict control of women activities, especially their sexual and reproductive role in the social economy.

In the verse, a wife may be acquired in three wa

The Mishnah purposely keeps women out of the public domain because of its fear of female sexuality. In a wider realm, this includes menstruation taboos and the banning of sexual temptation from synagogue. Notions of superiority and subordination are defined by men and the rules they govern are upon the out-group or women. The view of “us” and “them” is evident in the treatment of women during the rabbinic time period. First, the fact that the Mishnah is the creation of men makes “male” normal and the “female” different. Second, intervene in the man’s world because of her sexuality to contaminate and distract his concentration of the spiritual and intellectual world. Therefore, there is a need to control her and man is the superior self whereas women become the subordinate other.

ys and she acquires her autonomy in two ways. She may be acquired by money, by a deed, or by intercourse. By money the school of Shammai holds by a dinar while Hillel holds by a perutah. She acquires her autonomy by a bill of divorce or by the death of her husband. A levirate widow is acquired by intercourse with her late husband’s brother and acquires her autonomy by halitzah or by the death of the husband’s brother.

In conclusion, Kedushin 1:1 ceases to portray her as a person. Instead this transitional woman (process of marriage or divorce) is treated like an object to be d

Some topics in this essay:
Division Women, Roman Palestine, , marriage divorce, money deed, levirate widow, acquires autonomy, sexual reproductive, wife acquired, woman’s sexuality, woman mishnah,