>I've heard this one before, and frankly find it tremendously patronizing.
>If women are on a higher spiritual level than men, then why are all the laws
>made by men rather than women, and why do they restrict women's behaviour
>rather than men's? Is this merely a line?
Have you looked at what the restrictions are for men? Men's behavior is
also restricted. While they do not have "lines" which must be covered, they
are supposed to dress and act appropriately. Men have as much of a
responsibility to *act* modestly as do women.
But the idea that women are on a higher spiritual level is far from a
"line." Think of what a man is supposed to wear. They wear kipot to remind
themselves that there is a higher power. They wear tzissit (sp?) in order
to have a visual reminder of Hashem. They need to have the Torah's laws as
"frontlets" before their eyes. This is all because men need the external
reinforcement than women find from within.
Personally I think that the Torah must think much higher of me if all I
have to do is cover my knees and elbows.
>I don't want to be extolled, I want to be treated with the same respect due
>a man for my humanity. I don't want to be protected, I want the same
>opportunity for spiritual growth and fulfilment that a man has.
How does wearing a skirt inhibit your spiritual growth? Where are you
limited? The protection which the Torah gives to women enables us to live
in a community where we are not treated as sex objects and are valued as
people. Being talked to as a person is much more fulfilling than having
someone spending all their time looking at my legs.
Nechama Cox
nechama@borealis.com