'Outrageous questions' (illustration)
Photo: Yoav Friedman
Haredi seminary test: Woman's job is to cook for her husband
Exam taken by girls studying in special education class in Jerusalem reveals how women are educated in ultra-Orthodox schools.
"What is the woman's duty in the world? To prepare food for her husband." This was one of the correct answers in an exam for girls studying in a special education class in an ultra-Orthodox seminary in Jerusalem, which was obtained by Ynet.
In one of the questions, the students were asked to "explain the woman's purpose in the world, using the verse: 'It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make for him a companion suitable for helping him.'" The answer, according to one of the students who received a "well done" from her teacher, is: "To make sure that her husband won’t lack a thing."
This outrageous question and others – including "how does a woman make her husband happy?" and "how would you define a bad woman?" – point to the way women are educated in haredi schools.
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And what does the husband need "help"? The young woman with special needs replies, "Because his job is to study, and he can't do the woman's stuff" – a full and correct answer, according to the examiner.
Part of the test. 'How does a woman encourage and make her husband happy?'
A relative of one of the students studying in the seminary told Ynet she was "amazed and shocked by this outrageous content." She added that "it's even more serious since we are talking about students with special needs."
She clarified that she expected the authorities to look into the content the girls are exposed to.
What is a 'bad woman'?
Asked why a woman who prepares food for her husband "lights up his eyes and puts him on his feet," the student replied: "Because it's her job."
And how does the Talmud define "a bad woman"? According to the seminary's curriculum, it's a woman "who cooks and sets and decorates the table, and then when her husband arrives, she goes into the room and closes the door."
When asked to provide "examples for how a woman should make her husband happy," the outstanding student wrote: "Smile at him and take care of all his needs."
The Education Ministry said in response that it would look into the issue with the relevant professional sources.
