Introduction
Haviva Ner-David may not appear to be a revolutionary at first glance. Residing in Bak'a, Jerusalem, she leads a seemingly ordinary life with her husband and five children. However, her true mission is to restore balance by giving women a voice they have long been denied. Becoming a rabbi after years of dedication and study is a significant step towards achieving this goal.
Challenging the Status Quo
Aryeh Strikovsky, the orthodox rabbi who ordained Ner-David, advised her against using the title in controversial settings, believing that the orthodox community was not ready for a female rabbi. However, Ner-David firmly believes that there are no halachic (Jewish legal) reasons why women cannot be rabbis. While movements such as Conservative, Reform, and Reconstructionist have been ordaining women for years, Ner-David chose to stay within the Orthodox world, driven by her desire to inspire Orthodox girls. She recalls how witnessing even one female teacher observing the mitzvot (commandments) of tallit and tefillin during her high school years would have made an enormous impact on her own faith.
Orthodox Reactions
Since her ordination, Haviva Ner-David has received positive feedback from her local community. While controversies may be brewing online, she chooses not to engage with them. One incident that particularly warmed her heart occurred when a right-wing individual approached her and said that a discussion on her ordination had taken place at their Shabbat table, and it was concluded that since it was a local matter, it was acceptable. This individual expressed gratitude for having another trusted resource for his daughters' questions.
A Growing Perspective
Initially seeking an Orthodox ordination, Ner-David now questions the limitations of labels. She recognizes that many individuals are striving for an authentic and passionate connection with their Jewish identity and with God, and they are less concerned with denominational boundaries. As her perspective evolves, she has undertaken the creation of a marriage center in Jerusalem. The aim is to provide couples with a more woman-friendly ceremony, a ketubah (marriage contract), as well as legal and financial advice, couples counseling, and a mikveh open to couples. Ner-David goes further, suggesting that couples who desire it may consider marrying outside of the rabbinate, aiming to address the persistent issue of agunot (chained women) by reevaluating the traditional marriage ceremony.
Redefining the Role of a Rabbi
While Ner-David acknowledges that her understanding of her role as a rabbi may differ from the traditional perspective, she believes it is essential to redefine the concept of holy living. She emphasizes that a holy life encompasses more than prayer and Torah study; it also involves cherishing time with family.
About the Author
Ruth Mason is a freelance writer based in Jerusalem. She is passionate about sharing stories that shed light on extraordinary individuals like Haviva Ner-David, who are working to bring about positive change in their communities.
Article topic: Haviva Ner-David: Bringing a Woman’s Perspective to the Orthodox Rabbinate
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