| Exodus 19:15 has had a significant affect on | | | | women still are to this day viewed as lesser |
| Jewish women's participation in ritual practices. | | | | bearers of Jewish tradition ritual and customs. |
| This text describes the central event in Jewish | | | | In the Jewish tradition, the present is based on |
| history when the Jewish people were preparing to | | | | the past as all of the practices have roots in |
| receive the covenant. However, as the people | | | | historical events .The fact that such a great Judaic |
| were readying to receive the covenant, Moses | | | | historical event shuns women, breaks down all |
| speaks to Hebrew nation as all male. | | | | efforts towards change or towards an increased |
| The fact that Moses addressed the community | | | | role for women in Judaism. Had it been an event |
| only as men gives the implicit message that the | | | | of lesser significance, there would have been |
| covenant is only between God and man. As | | | | opportunity for change. However, having the |
| women are excluded at this time, the message is | | | | women at the back in the most important event |
| given that whatever is transpiring at that time is | | | | in Jewish history shuts the door on any attempt |
| not for them. Moses discriminates because he | | | | at a shift to equality for women in tradition and |
| does not say male and female stay away from | | | | practice. |
| one another. .Instead, Moses' clear; "do not go | | | | An example is the rabbinical order which prohibits |
| near a woman", denotes a difference in the worth | | | | women from being a rabbi. Jews would not feel |
| and responsibility of males and females to this | | | | as Jewish on the occasion that a woman would |
| covenant and as a result the rest of Judaism. | | | | be a rabbi because in this long Jewish history only |
| Here, Moses sets a standard for the Jewish | | | | men have held this role.. At Sinai men were placed |
| community and the role of women in Judaism. | | | | at the forefront as the leaders and because of |
| Due to apparent divinely ordered invisibility and | | | | this fact women are still left behind. |
| subordinate role that women were given at Sinai, | | | | |