daf bit: Horiyot 13

[cellio]

Today's daf talks about prioritization of saving people's lives or paying ransom. The mishna teaches: in matters of saving a life or restoring lost property a man takes precedence over a woman, but in matters of ransom from captivity or in clothing, a woman takes precedence over a man. (I assume "clothing" is shorthand for "providing for the poor"; I've seen that principle elsewhere in talmud.) The rabbis in the g'mara taught: if a man, his teacher, and his father are in captivity, the man takes precedence over the others (you must save yourself first). His teacher takes precedence over his father, but his mother takes precedence over all of them (including the man). A scholar takes precedence over a king of Israel because kings are more easily replaced. A king takes precedence over a high priest and a high priest over a prophet. The pecking order among priests is then given. (13a)

There is an "out" in the mishna: if both would be subjected to "immoral degradation" (not explained here, but the implication is sexual), a man is ransomed before a woman. Except, if my reading is correct, mom still takes priority even in this case.

Comments

[browngirl.livejournal.com]

How do... what are you taught is the way to deal with this now, and/or how do you personally conceptualize it? I remember that what I was taught about women's place in the religion of my birth is one of the reasons I left it, but I have met many people since who I really believe would not use it to say women are lesser.

[cellio]

I study talmud for the insights into the early rabbinic mind, not necessarily to get answers. In this case, I remind myself that this law was expounded by male scholars, who naturally will have a particular perspective that may not match mine.