The “Rabbinic” View of Women in the New Testament Era, and the Contrast with Jesus’ Interactions with them
The rabbis of Jesus’ day had little use for women. Their attitude, reflected in the sayings and rulings of the sages recorded during the two centuries after Christ, seem especially strange today. Take for example the dictum of Yose b. Yohanan of Jerusalem, “Talk not much with womankind” (mAbot 1.5). Rabbinic writings contain many comments on this pronouncement. The Mishna (IV, 493) notes, “They said this of a man’s own wife; how much more of his fellow’s wife,” while the Talmud says, “It was taught: Do not speak excessively with a woman lest this ultimately lead you to adultery” (bNed.201). Continue Reading Here