Rabbi Dov Linzer, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Chovevei Torah in New York, explored with us several different angles from which to view Mechitzah: Is it based on a division of space in the Beit Hamikdash? What was that division, a barrier or balcony? What is the purpose of a mechitzah in a house of prayer, and what ramifications do the various opinions have in terms of structure and location?
Underlying it all, what does the institution say about the role of women in the community? To what extent can the changing role of women in society affect the insitution and use of mechitzah, if at all?
It was especially interesting to consider how the sources might be viewed from a gender-neutral perspective, even if they were not conceived as such: for example, should we be concerned about the presence of men distracting women from prayer? We didn’t get to explore these fascinating implications, but the shiur certiainly piqued my curiosity.
–Submitted by Student Rabbi David Swidler
