Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson (hereinafter RMM), leader of the Habad movement in the second half of the twentieth century, was exceptional in the conservative Hasidic world for integrating modern elements into traditional Hasidic teachings. This unique approach is best featured in his attitude towards feminism, or ‘women`s liberation’ as he called it. On the one hand, RMM continued the Habad Hasidic movement’s 200-year tradition unchanged, but, on the other hand, his leadership was revolutionary. Under his leadership, its guiding principle was outward, This outgoing approach had practical significance most notably in the Habad mission. This had an effect also on RMM’s attitude to the role of women, and particularly towards feminism, or ‘women`s liberation’ as he calls the movement.
However he grasped that because we are now in what he described as the Seventh Generation, in which exile will end and redemption begin, women`s role may be fulfilled equally by leaving the home, provided they maintain the principles of personal modesty. In line with the mission of this Seventh Generation to prepare the world for the coming of the messiah, women must enter the wider Jewish community and use their special qualities to bring Jews closer to the Torah. This demanding task, which includes leaving the protection of home, requires young women to be trained to study Talmud and Hassidic teachings in particular.
In my presentation, I will examine RMM’s complex views on women and the women`s organization he founded in 1953, and described how Habad women responded to these contradictory approaches.