(c) Apr 18 2001 RashiYomi Inc. MY COLLECTED & INDEXED MAIL JEWISH POSTINGS-Ver #1
Individual Postings 1st appeared(& were copied in html form) on the Email List Mail Jewish

From: Russell Hendel <rhendel@mcs.drexel.edu> Date: Sun, 27 Jun 1999 16:20:05 -0400 (EDT) Subject: An explanation of "Who did not make me a woman" based on Caring The issue of the blessing "Who has not made me a woman" came up in v28n88. I just wanted to repeat a possible explanation of mine that was published on the email group Torah-Forum about a year ago. The blessing "Who has not made me a woman" occurs in a context of other blessings that help disabled people: "Who openeth the blind", "Who closeth the naked", "Who releaseth the imprisoned". Thus the CONTEXT suggests that all these blessings were instituted to remind me of my obligation to help people who are not as well off as me. If I see a naked, imprisoned, or blind person I should bless God that I can help them. Similarly if I see women who tend to get picked on in the workplace more than men (even today!) then I should thank God that I can help them. Russell Jay Hendel; Phd ASA; rhendel@mcs.drexel.edu Moderator Rashi Is Simple; http://www.shamash.org/rashi/