my spindle

R. Eliezer answered her: There is no wisdom in woman except with the spindle (pelech). Thus also does Scripture say: And all the women that were wise-hearted did spin with their hands...*b. yoma 66b* there are wise women who do more than spin...

Thursday, February 24, 2005

the blessings of beginnings...

I offer thanks and blessings to the wise scholar who taught me a bit of Talmud today, i learned something new, which I share here:

from Yoma 66b (so he was one side off....)


שאלה אשה חכמה את רבי אליעזר: מאחר שמעשה העגל שוין מפני מה אין מיתתן שוה? אמר לה: אין חכמה לאשה אלא בפלך, וכן הוא אומר (שמות לה) וכל אשה חכמת לב בידיה טוו

A wise woman asked R. Eliezer: Since with regard to the offence with the golden calf all were evenly associated, why was not the penalty of death the same? — He answered her: There is no wisdom in woman except with the spindle. Thus also does Scripture say: And all the women that were wise-hearted did spin with their hands. (a reference to Exodus 35:25 -- And all the women who were wise hearted did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun, both of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine linen.)

so....this is my explanation for the title (pelech = spindle or distaff) and the url (myspindle.blogspot.com)... I hope to be a wise woman, I hope to find wisdom not only with my spindle (well, my sewing machine...) but with my learning and teaching.

so. why a blog, and why now?

stay tuned.