Prayer At The Western Wall Essay

581 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Essay on religious rights for women

Quote: “For the past 24 years on the first day of every Hebrew month, a group that calls themselves “women of the wall”, have gathered here at the western wall, for a prayer service. But in Israeli law, and a 2003 supreme court ruling prevent them from wearing prayer shawls, or praying with the torah as they would like to. Because it is said that it would provoke outrage among the ultra-orthodox who dominate” (Elterman, 0:23).

Question: The quote above left me asking so many questions of how a country can dictate a branch of the Jewish culture from being able to pray where they want to. How can a countries government not allow these people to pray where they want to? The Western Wall is a holy place for they Jewish religion, but now not all parts of the Jewish faith are allowed to pray in the same area. There must be a separate of church and state, as it is in the United States. What are some ways that we can advocate for the equality for people to pray at the Western Wall where they please to?

Response: …show more content…

It doesn’t make sense to me that they were arrested for wearing their prayer shawls, and holding the torah. This is no different than a catholic going to a Chapel, or Church with a bible to pray. I don’t think it is fair at all that women are being arrested for simply practicing their religion in a peaceful way. Looking back at the quote it is astonished that they are basing their decision on the outrage that would come from the majority group. This is just another form of racism, or sexism and should not be tolerated. An example of this would be a law preventing Blacks from going to pray at a Chapel because it might cause outrage with the Whites. The country is causing this divide of women from the rest of the culture, and blaming women for these issues when it is the government that is treating them

Show More
Related

  • France is Brave and Right to Ban the Burqa by Phyllis Chesler

    811 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...th her point of view. Dr. Hargey also pokes fun at Muslims by insinuating that clearly-thing Muslims will not oppose the ban. Another example of ethos is the passage first cited as a logical appeal—the statement that “many eloquent, equally educated Muslim religious… women insist that the Koran does not mandate that women cover their faces… Leading Islamic scholars agree with them.” This passage, while mostly a logos appeal, subtly boosts Chesler’s credibility because practicing Muslim men and women recognize the burqas and niqabs are not required by the Koran. Because these men and women, simultaneously educated and religious, acknowledge that burqas are optional, readers can begin to support the argument, too, as it comes from reputable sources.

    Read More

  • Martha Nussbaum's Essay 'Veiled Threats'

    657 Words  | 2 Pages

    For some women wearing a veil is not something that is forced on them but rather a choice of their own. Martha Nussbaum and Maysan Haydar are both authors that try to explain their reasoning that veiling isn't an oppressive tool used against women. Martha Nussbaum's article “Veiled Threats”, is a political and philosophical take on why banning the burqa is a violation of human rights. On the other hand Maysan Haydar’s article “Don’t Judge a Muslim Girl by Her Covering”, is a more humorous and personal take on why veiling shouldn't be as judged or stereotyped. Though Nussbaum and Haydar have equal goals this essay is being used to understand the main argument, claims and whether or not each article has any weaknesses.

    Read More

  • Grace Cathedral Essay

    942 Words  | 2 Pages

    As I walked up the street toward the front of Grace Cathedral, I was in awe at the size and ornateness of this cathedral. It was tall and wide and looked very much like the churches we had been studying in class in the prior weeks. As I got closer and closer I began to make out The Ghiberti Doors, also known as the gates of paradise. These are the main cathedral doors made out of bronze, and are replicas of the originals which stood centuries ago at the east entrance to the Baptistry of Florence Cathedral (the Duomo) Italy. I approached and spent about fifteen minutes, just examining all the different engraved scenes within the ten sections in the two doors. After I had finished looking at the Ghiberti Doors, I entered through one of the side doors, since you are not able to use the Ghiberti Doors, because they weight too much. Before I stepped inside the cathedral, I pulled out my text analysis and read over it, so that when I entered I could examine whether or not this cathedral exuded the same sacredness as the cathedral in the text analysis. I feel this Cathedral really does exude not entirely the purity of heaven, but does seem to somewhat separate you from the outer world, as Abbot Suger spoke of. Also, it brings in some of the surrounding beauty from St. Denis, such as the sapphire and stained glass, as well as the gold plating.

    Read More

  • Do Muslim Women Need Saving

    1021 Words  | 3 Pages

    Do Muslim Women Really Need Saving by Lila Abu-Lughod describes Western feminist beliefs on Muslim women and their burqa/veil and how focusing on these misconceptions are doing far more harm than good. This causes Western feminists reduce the culture and beliefs of Muslim women down to a single piece of clothing. The burqa is a type of veil worn by Muslim women for a number of reasons such as proprietary and signaling their relationship with God. The burqa is often seen a symbol of suppression amongst the Western world and it was expected for women to throw it off in a show of independence once liberated from the Taliban. The saving of Muslim women is often used to justify the “War on Terrorism” as exemplified in Laura Bush 's 2001 speech. The belief that Muslim women needed saving existed before the “War on Terrorism” as seen when Marnia Lazreg wrote about a skit where two Afghan girls talked about the beauty of the free Christian France.

    Read More

  • The Women of the Wall

    2205 Words  | 5 Pages

    The Women of the Wall, also known as WOW, are a religiously and socially distinctive group of women that join together once a month, on Rosh Chodesh to daven at the Western Wall, in Jerusalem, one of the Jews’ holiest sites. WOW has been doing this continually ever since the group’s establishment in December of 1989. The women who joined the union can be classified as “ Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist, and self-defined Jews.” WOW is “unaffiliated with any group, religious or political, and is the only group in the Jewish religious world that brings together Jews from across the religious spectrum for the purpose of prayer.” They have battled since 1988 up until today to accomplish their purpose and their “life’s duty” to permit women to daven “freely” at the Western Wall (“Women for the Wall,” n.d.).

    Read More

  • Analysis Of The Politics Of The Veil By Joan Scotts

    856 Words  | 2 Pages

    Muslims, Sikhs, and many other religious affiliations have often been targeted for hate crimes, racial slurs, and misfortunate events. We are all different in our own ways some are good and some are bad yet one event changes everything for everyone affiliated with the group. The book The Politics of the Veil by Joan Scott a renowned pioneer in gender studies gives a detailed and analytical book of about the French views towards the Muslim females in France during 2004. The author talks about why the French governments official embargo of wearing conspicuous signs is mainly towards the headscarves for Muslim girls under the age of eighteen in public schools. The main themes of book are gender inequality, sexism, and cultural inequality historical schools used in the book are history of below, woman’s history, cultural history, and political history. In this essay, I will talk about why Joan Scotts argument on why the French government’s ban on wearing conspicuous signs was

    Read More

  • Summary Of The Western Women's Harem By Fatema Mernissi

    1273 Words  | 3 Pages

    When speaking about Western males she uses very aggressive adjectives and expressions to convey male dominance over American women. But, when expressing male dominance for Muslim men she does not use the same aggressive language. I believe this creates controversial stigmas that limit the ability to share the full picture to the readers. By forcing the idea that Western men are horribly wicked, it creates the impression that American women are extremely oppressed and have zero authoritative power in the Western society. “By putting the spotlight on the prepubescent female, the Western man veils the older, more mature woman, wrapping her in shrouds of ugliness” (214). Ultimately, she is conveying the idea that trying to fit into a size 6 is more punishing than hiding your face with a veil. I shared similar thoughts with the author about the choice to wear a veil, I believe that wearing a veil is equivalent to a woman freeing herself from societal

    Read More

  • Prayer By Richard Wright: Chapter Summary

    493 Words  | 1 Pages

    James discussed not just listening to the Word, but doing what it says. It also discussed prayer and how we should approach it. Wright mainly discussed worship and the different ways as Christians we are able to worship. He also discusses prayer in chapter twelve and discusses how we are able to pray in many different ways. Foster discussed Spiritual Disciplines as a whole and how they are useful and what they are able to accomplish for us. I will first write about worship. Wright discusses that we all worship in different ways. Singing is not the only way to worship. We can worship and thank the Lord by reading scripture, dancing, preaching, and in our everyday activities. James also discusses how we should give thanks to God. This is a form

    Read More

  • Why Didn T Wear The Veil Chapter Summaries

    735 Words  | 2 Pages

    veil for the simple reason they didn't see any reason to wear it. This is a perfect example of the oppression the author and many other people in Iran faced. The government forced a seemingly pointless law upon the women of their country and gave no reason, but the women that didn't obey would be punished severely. This theme of oppression is reoccurring as the government continuously forces pointless laws and punishment upon the people because they say so.

    Read More

  • Harriet Harman Abolish Muslim Veil Summary

    690 Words  | 2 Pages

    Harriet Harman called for a campaign to abolish Muslim veils for it kept women down and hid them from society. The veil makes some feel uncomfortable and in danger. Harman believes that the veil is an obstacle to women’s participation, on equal terms, in society.

    Read More

  • 3rd Crusade Essay

    683 Words  | 2 Pages

    After hundreds of attempts by the crusaders in Jerusalem trying to capture Egypt Nural- Din’s forces captured Cairo in 1169 this forced the crusader army to evacuate. Shirkuh was the leader of this and after his death his nephew Saladin took over and started the campaign of conquest that happened after Nural- Din's death in 1174. In 1187, Saladin began a serious campaign against the crusader kingdom in Jerusalem. Him and his troops destroyed the Christian army at the battle of Hattin and took control of the city and some property as well. This caused the third crusade to begin, because the people were angry with the new of defeat, leaders of the third crusade included Emperor Frederick barbarossa,King Philip II, and King Richard I. Frederick

    Read More

  • Importance Of The Headscarf

    1106 Words  | 3 Pages

    Unfortunately, one of the most common misconceptions regarding headscarf is that it is an icon of oppression and lack of freedom. Since the September 11 terrorist attacks, western perceptions of Muslims and Islam have caused much confusion and debate. “Visible Muslim minorities, such as women who practice headscarf, are at the center of misinterpretations associated with the faith while the western world is learning more about Islam” (Khosroshahi n.p.). Some believe that women are commanded by their fathers or husbands or even bro...

    Read More

  • Prayer Flags Research Paper

    305 Words  | 1 Pages

    Prayer flags have a long history, have multiple types and meanings, and are very symbolic.

    Read More

  • Behind The Veil

    208 Words  | 1 Pages

    I do like your ideas you brought up about the Marjane and children in wearing of the veil. Growing up as a child required a lot of questions and wondering, especially seeing a different character and the attitude of the people. Marjane and the others female girl was not happy about the wearing of the veil. They keep saying that they do not understand the reason behind the veil. I would say that some of the culture in our society has brought a lot of oppression that women faced today. However, I am not saying that the society does not supposed to have their own culture guiding them. What I am trying to say is that they should make their culture in a way that, no one should rebel or become intimidated about the culture. In addition, most of the

    Read More

  • Is Religion A Basis For Morality?

    2003 Words  | 5 Pages

    From the perspective of equality, freedom, and improving the human condition, it is easy to say that religious laws are highly immoral, and thus are a detriment to the development of our society. An example of this is for the thousands of years that religions have to address longstanding issues like slavery, race and gender equality, and sanctity of life, but all of these issues are failed to deal and solve. Even today, in Kashmir and other Islamic nations, women are forced to wear burkas from head to toe. This rule is only the one which is on a long list of Islamic laws that subdue women; the list includes ideas that women cannot marry without male guardian's permission, in addition, the rule is even restrictive for women's freedom that they cannot travel outside of their hometown without a male chaperone who must be a close relative; and for the most frightening, a woman's witness is worth half that of a man's. There is also a fact exist that shows a lack of respect toward women, which is that women cannot be the priests in the Catholic Church. It is not only women who have been lowered in status are treated invidiously by the religious world, but also the homosexuals are inequitable to be treated in the religious world. In the article "Atheism Teaches

    Read More

More about Prayer At The Western Wall Essay

Open Document