Press "Enter" to skip to content

Question regarding Sh’lo asani Isha

hey guys i have a question regarding this blessing.

if i’m correct, this is a blessing that men say to thank G-d for not being a woman, and if so, why is there no female equivalent? i’ve had it explained to me that this blessing is because men are expressing thanks for being able to perform more religious obligations, and they are just acknowledging the benefits of being a man, so it is not about female inferiority. in this case, why is there no equivalent for women to say “thank G-d I was not born a man”?

i am a young woman and trying to understand this the best way i can with the most open heart / head, but you have to admit this is a pretty tough thing to reckon with when there is a specific blessing that states that it is directly beneficial to NOT be a woman

i am not trying to be a contrarian nor am i here to argue/push a narrative, it is truly about clarity. i know the female prayer is being grateful for being made ‘as i am’ but why would it not be specifically being grateful for not being a man? i understand that this was a different time where women were considered less valuable in a social sense, but it seems interesting that the blessing is specifically referring to NOT being a woman, rather than just ‘being a man’. why was it so important to specifically highlight this – and why is there no true female equivalent? in theirs, it’s not even about being grateful to be a woman – it’s just about being made as ‘who they are’. is there a specific reason there is no blessing that says “thank G-d for not making me a man?” thanks so much!!!

submitted by /u/AppropriateSwitch787
[link] [comments]
Source: Reditt