The roles of men in Judaism include wearing prayer shawls, serving as rabbis who teach Jewish law and tradition, and leading prayers as chazans. Men are also expected to be heads of households, providing for and protecting their wives and children according to Jewish marriage contracts. While women's roles have diversified, traditions hold that they raise children, keep kosher homes, and pass on spiritual teachings, with flexibility to also work in business or study Jewish texts.

1. The roles of men
in Judaism
Prayer Shawls
•The tallit, or prayer shawl, is a rectangular garment with fringed tassels
known as tzitzit, hung from each of the four corners. The tradition of
wearing the tallit springs from the commandments contained in the Torah,
the Jewish religious book. As long as wool and linen are not intertwined to
make the tallit, any material can be used. Many young men receive their
first tallit on their 13th birthday as a Bar Mitzvah present.

2. Nutshell 1
• Teacher
• Rabbis are traditionally thought of as the Jewish equivalent to the Christian priest;
however, this is not the case. Though he can conduct funerals and wedding
ceremonies, a rabbi is more like a teacher who is well-versed in the Torah and all
aspects of the Jewish religion. The rabbi takes his knowledge and passes it on to
young men who are about to begin their bar mitzvah and continues to aid Jewish
scholars in their studies. There is no special religious authority associated with
becoming a rabbi other than the authority that the knowledge of the Torah gives
them. For many Jewish men, assuming the role of a rabbi and teacher is a natural
progression from the role of scholar that they assumed earlier in life.
• Prayer Leader
• The prayer leader, known as the Chazan in Judaism, traditionally and in most
modern Jewish congregations, is a male who is well-versed in the prayers and
melodies of the Jewish religion. If the rabbi is the one who educates in the Jewish
religion, the Chazan is the one who inspires. The Chazan leads the congregation in
prayer and shares the duty of conducting funerals and wedding ceremonies with
the rabbi. Though professional Chazans are ordained members of the clergy, any
member (though this is traditionally restricted to men) of a congregation can
assume the role of the Chazan to lead a service if he thinks himself able.

3. Nutshell 2
Prayer Leader
• The prayer leader, known as the Chazan in Judaism,
traditionally and in most modern Jewish congregations, is a
male who is well-versed in the prayers and melodies of the
Jewish religion. If the rabbi is the one who educates in the
Jewish religion, the Chazan is the one who inspires. The
Chazan leads the congregation in prayer and shares the
duty of conducting funerals and wedding ceremonies with
the rabbi. Though professional Chazans are ordained
members of the clergy, any member (though this is
traditionally restricted to men) of a congregation can
assume the role of the Chazan to lead a service if he thinks
himself able.

4. Nutshell 3
• Family Member
• Jewish men are expected to be the head of their
household and provide for their wife and children. In
fact, prior to getting married, a Jewish man must sign a
"Ketuvah," which is a type of marriage contract that
dictates that the man will provide food and clothing for
his wife during their marriage. The contract also states
the wife's conjugal rights and her rights in the case of a
divorce. Only the man in a marriage is required to sign
such a contract; the wife is not required to sign
anything. Even though the male may be placed in the
power role in the family, it is a role that he cannot
abuse without breaking his familial contract.

5. As Jews
 Virtually all the Biblical commandments, such as to honor
your parents, refrain from stealing, and to observe the
Sabbath, apply to men. Women are exempted from many
of the religious rituals (though they may perform them if
they wish) .
 In classical Judaism, only men can be counted toward the
minimum quorum of ten people (a "minyan") required for
communal prayer, since their prayer requirements are more
extensive than women's. Orthodox synagogues therefore
count only men for a minyan.

6. As Husbands
 Jewish law dictates that a married Jewish man must
provide his wife with adequate food, clothing and
pleasurable sex. As a culture, Jews encourage men to
treat their wives with respect and kindness. [Provider]
• Until the year 1,000 CE, polygamy was practiced in all
Jewish communities. Since then it has been banned for
Ashkenazi Jewry (those of German and East European
descent), and more recently it was banned in the
Sephardic world (those of Spanish, Middle East and North
African ancestry) as well. [Marry only one wife]

7. As Fathers
 Jewish law requires fathers to provide their
children with religious education, swimming
lessons, and, in the case of a boy, circumcision.
 In the absence of a father to provide these things,
the responsibility generally falls on the mother.
 As a culture, Jews typically are keen to provide
their children with the best available general
education as well, to prepare for future
professions. [Practical subjects]

8. As Scholars and Religious Leaders
 Traditionally, men were charged with the responsibility
(and privilege) of studying Talmud and Torah, the text
which forms the basis of rabbinic Judaism.
 Historically, only men became rabbis or synagogue
presidents, though in most streams of Judaism this has
changed.
 In the Orthodox world today, some sub-sects
encourage women to learn Talmud as well, and grant
them leadership positions (except the title of "rabbi").

9. Changes in Modern Society
 Jews do not live in a vacuum, and a man's perceived responsibilities
at home and in the working world are greatly influenced by the
expectations of his surrounding culture.
 Expectations regarding child care, household work and income vary
by region and generation. Members of the progressive streams of
Judaism generally take their cues from trends in Western culture.
 The Orthodox communities are intentionally more immune to such
influences, but even there, expectations have changed, particularly
among the Modern Orthodox in Western societies.

10. The roles of
Women
• The woman's role in Judaism is much more
varied than it used to be. (internal)
• They raise children and care for their
husbands. However, this is changing as
women have more opportunities in the
world.

11. More Roles/duties
• Keeper of the Home. Historically the home is
a major focus for any Jewish wife and mother.
• lighting the candles to welcome the Sabbath
and Jewish festivals, and ensuring
the house is ready for festivals,
especially Passover, which has
its own set of dietary guidelines.

12. More roles still
• A Jewish woman is charged with maintaining a
Kosher home
• Keeping to the law in the domestic
environment is every bit as important to
Judaism as praying
at the synagogue.

13. More again
• Business woman and Scholar
Judaism suggests that women possess intuition,
understanding and intelligence. This places
women in a good position to work in business
roles. Women had the right to buy, sell, and own
property, and make their own contracts,
Proverbs 31:10-31, which is traditionally read at
Jewish weddings, speaks repeatedly of business
acumen as a trait to be prized in women."

14. Roles of women in Judaism
• Traditionally, women's participation at
synagogue is limited, because the Torah does
not place any actual obligation on women to
attend formal religious services. The Torah, or
Old Testament, and rabbinical writings present
the woman as learned, wise and able to
educate and inspire her husband and family
about spiritual matters

15. Major role
• women traditionally raise the children, they are
excused from fulfilling any time-based
commandments, such as praying in the morning,
on the theory that women must adhere to their
children's schedule and not to the
commandments' schedule.
• They are also excused from commandments such
as reading the Torah and studying Jewish law
because these are non-domestic activities.