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Maharat is a term for a female leader in Judaism. The word maharat is a Hebrew acronym for words manhiga hilkhatit rukhanit Toranit (Hebrew: מנהיגה הלכתית רוחנית תורנית) denoting a female "leader of Jewish law spirituality and Torah". Maharat, as a clergy title in orthodox judaism, is awarded with smicha to the graduates of a 4 year-long program composed of profound studies of Jewish law, Talmud, Torah, Jewish thought, leadership training, and pastoral counseling. And the granting of the credentials of “toreh toreh”[clarification needed].
History
In 2009, the Rabbinical Council of America publically ordained Sara Hurwitz. She was the first woman to receive the title.[1] Same year, together with her mentor, rabbi Avi Weiss, she has founded a yeshivat (religious school) for women: Yeshivat Maharat, where rabba Hurwitz serves as dean. By 2014, 5 women have been ordained after graduating of this school.[2] Together with smicha, they were also granted the credentials of the toreh toreh.
In 2015, the title of maharat has been granted to the first European: Miriam Gonczarska of Poland.[3]
There is an ongoing debate in the orthodox Jewish world whether women can be called rabbis[4]. Sara Hurwitz with smicha has received a rabbi title. However this has called a strong protests from the orthodox rabbis council, so it was accepted that she would be called rabba (female version of rabbi), but all her followers could receive only the maharat title. Her mentor rabbi Weiss has continously tried to advocate for the right for female clergy to use the rabbi title. In protest for denying this right to women, rabbi Weiss resigned from Rabbinical Council of America[5][6][7][8]
References
- ^ "The Maharat Movement - Editorial –". Forward.com. 2013-06-13. Retrieved 2015-06-18.
- ^ "Mission and History — Yeshivat Maharat". Yeshivatmaharat.org. Retrieved 2015-06-18.
- ^ "Miriam Gonczarska". Yeshivat Maharat. Retrieved 2015-06-15.
- ^ "What to call an Orthodox female clergyperson?". Retrieved 2015-06-30.
- ^ "Rabbi Avi Weiss quits Rabbinical Council of America in protest - Jewish World News". Retrieved 2015-06-30.
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(help) - ^ Ettinger, Yair. "Newly-minted female Orthodox rabbis to be called 'rabba' - Jewish World News". Retrieved 2015-06-30.
- ^ "In protest, Avi Weiss quits Rabbinical Council of America". Retrieved 2015-06-30.
- ^ "Avi Weiss Quits Rabbinic Group in Flap Over School - Breaking News". Retrieved 2015-06-30.