Can Women Dance With the Torah?

A historical, halachic and cultural exploration of women's celebration of Simchas Torah. Through a poll of women's experiences, a deep dive into relevant halachic and historical sources, and an analysis of Rabbi Shlomo Riskin's visit to the Lubavitcher Rebbe asking if the women of his community could dance with the Torah, we explore questions like: Is Simchas Torah a “men’s holiday”? Is there an essential difference between men and women’s relationship to this day? How did the custom to dance with the Torah develop? Can women dance with the Torah? Should women dance at all?Join us in exploring women's relationship to this joyful, celebratory holiday. Sources:The Diary of Samuel Pepys, entry for October 14, 1663 "Law as Love" by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks Shlomo Riskin, Listening to G-d (New Milford, CT: Maggid, 2010), pp.193-96Lubavitcher Rebbe's letter to Rabbi Shlomo Riskin, 13 Kislev 1976Rambam Hilchot Shofar V'sukka V'lulav 8:14Chemdat Yamim III Sukka 8"Dancing With the Torah" by Laurie NovickR. Moshe Meiselman, Jewish Woman in Jewish Law (New York, 1978)Shulchan Aruch OC 88 * * * * * * *To inquire about sponsorship & advertising opportunities, please email us at [email protected] support our work, visit humanandholy.com/sponsor.Find us on Instagram @humanandholy & subscribe to our channel to stay up to date on all our upcoming conversations ✨Human & Holy podcast is available on all podcast streaming platforms. New episodes every Sunday & Wednesday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts.* * * * * * *TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Introduction: Why We're Exploring This Topic02:49 What Simchas Torah Means to Me05:24 Poll Results on Women's Experiences of Simchas Torah7:00 Is There an Essential Difference Between Men and Women's Relationship to Dancing on Simchas Torah?9:39 Participating Through Watching 10:32 Being a Bystander 11:18 The Pain of Alienation13:39 Why Do Women Dance?14:40 What Motivates Women's Desire to Dance With the Torah?17:20 When Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Went to Ask the Lubavitcher Rebbe's Advice21:18 The Lubavitcher Rebbe's Retraction 23:50 When Samuel Pepys Visited a Synagogue in 166325:30 The Evolution of the Tradition of Dancing 29:11 What is the Barrier to Women Dancing with the Torah?31:10 Diversity of Rabbinic Perspectives on the Topic 32:40 Exploring the Custom Women Took Upon Themselves Not to Touch the Torah 39:15 Recognizing the Nuances of this Topic 41:30 Women Yearning to Dance with the Torah43:55 Cultural Impact of Each Woman's Experience 45:00 Ensuring a Vibrant Women's Section 47:00 Simchas Torah Belongs to the Entire Jewish People