same same...but different

“We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”  ̶  Thomas Jefferson

“We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men and women are created equal.”  ̶  Elizabeth Cady Stanton

“Same same ... but different”  ̶  Nike

The world has developed and progressed in virtually every area of gender equality. Whereas once women could not vote, today we have seen many female prime ministers internationally, as well as a potential United States president. Women were once denied all educational opportunities, but now in most developed nations, women outnumber men in tertiary institutions.

But there are still two areas where the difference between men and women is very stark and pronounced: religion and sport.

In the sporting arena, athletes compete in gender-separate events in virtually every category. Equality is not expected and we demand that the sports remain segregated. The natural physiological differences deny the opportunity for a level playing field. We accept this fact, and although there are campaigns to equate the quality of the sportsmanship and publicity of women’s events, the status quo is accepted.

In other words, men and women are the same, but they are different.

What should our approach be to the question of religious equality, both in observance and leadership? On the one hand men and women are not the same, but on the other hand, aren’t we? Is religion more akin to the sports field or the classroom?

We need to distinguish between divinely ordained differences, be they physical or spiritual, and those imposed by social conventions.

The question is, which is which?

Can a woman teach Halacha? Give a sermon? Lead a community? Officiate?

Many of these questions have clear answers, but some still fall into a grey area.

Perhaps the personal question we should ask is if it is our social norms or the divine imperative that drives our motives  ̶  whether that be towards equality or ‘digging in’ the heels of tradition.