Parshat Terumah-Sexual Intimacy
Parshat Terumah The Case: Limmud is a three-day conference where Jews of all denominations come together to study through seminars about topics related to Judaism and beyond. The beautiful thing about Limmud is the fact that it reminds all of us about the greatest words of our sages: “Who is wise? One who learns from everyone.” [i] . I learned a powerful message from a class entitled, “Feminine Oppression in the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch” [ii] . The lessons I learned from this session had nothing to do with any degradation of our tradition, nor did it concern the session leaders’ false statements regarding the “sources referring to sexual intimacy.” Rather, I realized, that many beautiful and holy concepts within Judaism have been disguised and delegitimized by secular society. According to this teacher at Limmud, sexual intimacy within the realm of halachik parameters is a male-driven act that is consequently oppressive to women. The Kitzur Shulchan Aruch states, ...