If you happen to be a man searching for a Jewish wife, you may already have an idea of what you hope she might be like. You’re probably assuming she will be witty and intelligent, enthusiastic about her family, and obviously kind and compassionate to others around her. Jewish women typically embody all of these qualities and more, and their cultural background and upbringing make them a unique catch in a diverse world full of many different types of ladies. In this article, we’ll discuss why finding a Jewish wife can be the most rewarding experience a man can ask for.
Traditional vs. Contemporary Roles of Jewish Wives
The role of Jewish women in the family largely remains the same as it always was, and that is to remain in equilibrium with her husband, proactively deciding if and when to bear children and acting as a caretaker or mediator throughout developmental times. But there are a few distinct differences that are apparent when it comes to their traditional responsibilities in comparison to their modern position in both society and the family.
Traditional Roles
Like in many ancient traditions that date back to Biblical times, the women in Jewish communities often took up the domestic duties of the household while fulfilling the roles etched in religious texts, such as “Shalom Bayit,” which translated to “peace in the home.” These sorts of duties involved cooking, cleaning, and raising children while also maintaining a presence in both the social and religious communities in their local place of living. The family was the most important focus for the wife, while the husband was often expected to be solely responsible for both the work and reputation of his kin, meaning he would also bring in financial stability and be the one credited with their status.
Contemporary Roles
In more modern times, the religious traditions that once captivated Jewish people all over have become more lax, and with more liberal and reformed versions of Judaism being present throughout the world, women’s individuality and freedom of choice are largely on display. In fact, Jewish women aren’t even limited to specifically Jewish partners anymore in Western countries, and their positions in the workforce have gained more responsibility and professionalism in the passing years. Egalitarianism is now in full swing, and the man and women’s roles in the Jewish household are more or less the same, with subtle differences or skills separating their duties. This also includes childcare as well as domestic duties, and women are completely free to participate in their own outside interests and hobbies.
Preserving Jewish Traditions
While modernity has presented a shift in Jewish cultural practices for the most part, there’s still a deeply engrained heritage that dictates the calendar and many of the unique activities that are frequent in most Jewish people’s lives. These still hold a dear place in lots of Jews’ hearts, whether they consider themselves overtly spiritual or not. It’s important to take the wife’s role into account when considering what these practices mean in today’s age and factoring just how a Jewish woman masterfully implements a dose of culture into your routine lifestyle.
Education
One thing that has not changed since the origins of Jewish ethnicity is the mother’s role in raising children, which inevitably includes the education of the young when it comes to the cultural beliefs and traditions of their people. This can range in anything from teaching them to read and write traditional Hebrew to learning about the meanings behind the Jewish religion and what the Jewish identity looks like in their life. The most likely takeaway young children will have is the value of their customs, giving them a sense of hopefulness and pride in their culture.
Kosher Diets
Maintaining a Kosher kitchen within the home is a more strenuous process than some may think because not only are you tasked with adhering to strict religious laws in regard to what you may eat, but overseeing the procurement and upholding of a Kosher kitchen throughout the day-to-day requires lots of intentionality. Many of the ingredients used while cooking need to be altered or overseen, and the divine writings in the Torah urge these methods to be taken seriously. Because so much uncertainty can contribute to difficulties in this dietary practice, it’s often safest to shop at places that offer Kosher-certified foods. Luckily, many Jewish women are fluent in these expectations and are knowledgeable of what the Torah does or doesn’t allow.
Community Involvement
Women have long been involved in the social identity of a Jewish household, and while men used to be held accountable for the work, a wife would often be a contributing member of their local social scene, actively hosting or participating in cultural and religious events taking place in their community. Not only is this evident in the involvement in the family’s life, but it helps build relationships with neighbors and other members of the surrounding Jewish population, making volunteering at synagogue or local non-profit organizations even more rewarding. These sorts of proactive engagements with like-minded people often strengthen bonds within your circles and offer an inviting presence to those who are looking for a strong Jewish community to join.
Religious Observance
While not exclusively their responsibility, we all know how much more seriously wives and moms usually take the holidays, and Jewish women are no different. It’s not that they are in charge of leading the procession but orchestrating how the family will approach the celebration of your religious beliefs, either in or outside of the home. These can include all activities from participating in the synagogue, preparing traditional holiday recipes, or taking over weekly Shabbat duties as a host in the neighborhood. Jewish fundamental practices are still alive and well across many spiritual homes, so women can be quite passionate about upholding the Jewish observances in their own families.
Family and Home Responsibilities
Many of the female roles in the modern Jewish house remain the same in duty but different in practice. Finding a Jewish wife is now less about the importance of her remaining solely in the home and more about reveling in the wonders of motherhood while allowing her to carve out her own individuality. While still a more equal household, there are common aspects every Jewish wife and mother exhibits without even having to try.
Childcare
Raising children isn’t solely dependent on Jewish women anymore, but everyone understands the unbreakable bond a mother has with her children. The nurturing process that comes with raising children from infants to adolescents involves lots of time and personal commitment, especially in the early stages when babies are more dependent on their mothers for nourishment. While time may eventually allow a mother to return to work or her involvement in the community, the developmental stages of life call for her guidance in many additional aspects of life, ranging from spirituality to Jewish identity and much more. A modern Jewish mother still bears the unconditional love for her children that one would have many centuries ago.
Domestic Duties
While the idea of performing domestic duties isn’t as much of a role but a necessity for everyone living under one roof these days, Jewish women still take pride in facilitating an organized and welcoming home for both their own family and any eventual visitors. The typical cooking and cleaning responsibilities may be delegated to them from time to time, but many women feel proud to pass down these skills that they learned from their mothers to their children. It’s more about taking pride in your home and family rather than a cultural commandment, which also allows more freedom in the practices and less judgment from either their husbands or even outside hecklers.
Financial Assistance
You may not think it, but women in Jewish homes are just as involved in the financial decision-making as the man. As a family, budgeting and planning can be a delicate process, but sharing the details and conditions of a financial situation is imperative in Jewish culture. There’s never to be any deception when assessing where money is coming from and where it should be allocated according to Jewish law, so wives often track their income and spending habits in relation to the husband, with a heightened focus on the children if the family has them, and even factoring contributions to your respective Jewish community through donations.
Cultural Hosting
Who doesn’t love hosting celebratory cultural events? In Jewish cultures, these vibrant festivities often involve tons of people, food, and music, and there’s nothing better than taking pride in hosting these sorts of events in one’s home. You can easily see why mothers would love to organize a gathering for their son’s Barmitzvah or why being the favorite household to join together for Shabbat brings a sense of honor to the family. Showing a will for accommodation and offering a community gathering place allows others within the local Jewish scene to know you’re a devout Jewish family who is active and welcoming to others in the area.
Personal Growth
Being a man of any background who is in pursuit of a Jewish wife means that you’ll need to acknowledge the independence they have in comparison to something your grandfather or even father may have told you. Not only are they much less conservative than in decades past, but Jewish women are free to obtain the highest education of their choosing, allowing them to work in whatever field or profession they feel most passionate about. They’re also much more likely to participate in their own specific hobbies and interests, whether that be athletics, creative arts, or any other recreational activities that bring them joy.
However, spirituality often strengthens as anyone gets older, and any prospective Jewish lady is no different. Taking these religious observances and rituals into account is necessary for any hopeful suitor, and complying with or fostering an understanding of these practices can be a great way to show compassion and dedication in your relationship. Oftentimes, this also applies to your family’s role in the community because it’s nearly impossible to attend local Jewish groups or synagogue without continuously seeking opportunities to grow, not only with your own direct kin but also with those who are spiritually engaged around you on a regular basis. These types of personal and social initiatives help create a formidable bond with surrounding Jewish peoples, and more times than not, you can thank your woman for being the initiator in the overall growth of a Jewish family’s identity.
There is a perception about how great Jewish guys are as husbands. In particular, the stereotype is that they are great providers who are good to their wives. Well, what about Jewish women? Did you know that the stereotype of Jewish women is that they are loud-mouthed, tough broads who control their husbands? It is time to unload this image and celebrate Jewish women for all their fabulous qualities.
1. Jewish Women Are Strong Partners
Hello, Sheryl Sandberg? Judaism has a history of strong women, and its culture and religious practices support the development of the self-possessed woman. Jewish women speak their minds, don’t hold back and are prepared to walk arm in arm through joy and adversity with their partner. This strength is really attractive to men who desire to have partners that are interested in 50-50 partnerships. So men, “Lean In!”
2. Jewish Women Value Tradition And Family
Jewish holidays and Friday night Shabbat dinners encourage large, family-oriented celebrations where lots of food is served, traditions are passed down, music is shared, discussions are debated and guests are made to feel part of the family. This cultural value is seen as a big plus to prospective baes who desire to become a part of a large (sometimes great, sometimes dysfunctional) extended family where respect for tradition is a priority.
3. Jewish Women Are Fiercely Loyal To Their Family And Friends
Like a lioness protecting her cubs, Jewish women will go the extra mile to support and defend their loved ones. They are not afraid to be pushy or aggressive, and they won’t hesitate to turn on you if you don’t do right by their kin.
4. Jewish Women Are Highly Competent And Value Education And Hard Work
Most Jewish women grow up in homes where education is emphasized, becoming a professional is the goal and having a successful career is highly valued. After all, this is the mother’s bragging rights at the Mahjong table. Despite the fact that they might be a little lovingly neurotic as a result of being held to such high expectations, Jewish women grow up in homes that are highly supportive of their educational pursuits and they, too, hold these values for their children.
5. Jewish Women Have A Good Sense Of Humor
With a tradition of Joan Rivers, Gilda Radner, Roseanne Barr and Sarah Silverman, it is no wonder that Jewish women can appreciate a good joke and laugh at themselves. Humor is an important element to get through a difficult patch in any relationship, and Jewish women are exposed to it in spades.
6. Jewish Women Are Skilled Cooks
Jewish women know that the way to a man’s heart is a good brisket. There is something comforting and grounding to a Jewish man about being with a partner who can make all the traditional foods that he experienced growing up – matzah ball soup, noodle kugel, crispy latkes, etc. Could you imagine having Thanksgiving and not being with a partner who could make a stuffed turkey and the trimmings? The holiday would be empty!
And if this wasn’t enough, dating a Jewish woman also means that you are going to have a partner with a compatible idea of what constitutes a schmear. You won’t have to spend hours explaining why the fluffy bagel from the grocery store isn’t a real bagel. Such is the benefit of dating within the Tribe.
Are you man enough to marry a Jewish woman? It takes a strong man to be with a strong woman like this, but the benefits you’ll experience over your lifetime are incredible.
You may also be interested in 6 Ways To Court A Jewish Girl The Right Way