Ask the Rabbi with Rabbi Chaim Mintz
Since women are not obligated to study Torah, why is Torah learning such a significant part of their education in school? And does the angel also teach Torah to girls in the womb, even though they don’t have the same obligation as boys?
Rabbi Chaim Mintz responds:
Although women do not have the formal obligation to study Torah daily that men have, there is still a great deal they must learn to live as Torah-observant Jews.
Halachic Obligations of Torah Learning for Women
Every Jewish woman is required to master the laws that apply to her, and this alone demands substantial Torah study. Sadly, many men and women alike are not sufficiently fluent in the laws that govern their daily lives.
Take the laws of brachot, blessings, for example. These laws are quite complex, and without proper study, it is impossible to become proficient in them. Consider just a few of the details: which brachah (blessing) to recite on each food, the correct order of brachot, if leaving the room nullifies the brachah, and how long after eating may a brachah acharonah (after-blessing) still be recited.
And that’s just blessings! There’s also Shabbat, monetary laws, lashon hara (laws of speech), prayer, and many more. The list is long, and each topic takes time to master.
Building a Torah-Based Worldview for Girls
Beyond knowing halachah (Torah laws), girls need to build a strong foundation in Torah values and worldview (hashkafah). Especially in our times, when there are so many harmful ideologies and challenges attempting to lure us away from Hashem (God) and a Torah-way of life, it is essential to develop a strong worldview and cultivate a warm connection to Torah.
When Sarah Schenirer wished to found the Beit Yaakov movement, she sought the backing of the Torah leaders of her generation. The Chofetz Chaim was one of those who offered support, explaining that while in earlier generations girls could simply absorb proper hashkafah at home, the growing influence of heresy made it necessary for them to learn it through studying the relevant parts of the Torah.
What Should Be Taught in Girls’ Torah Education?
One of the most valuable sources of Torah values is Chumash (The Five Books of the Torah) with its commentaries, particularly Rashi and Ramban. But not every commentary needs to be taught. Just as boys are not taught every commentary, girls should also be taught selectively—focusing on ideas that are relevant.
The goal is not academic mastery, but to arm them with a deep understanding and appreciation for Yiddishkeit (Judaism).
Why Girls Don’t Study Gemara
However, one subject that halachically (according to Torah law) girls should not study is Gemara. The in-depth study of Gemara requires intensive focus and countless hours, something not practical for women. A woman has the unique mission of building a Jewish home, raising children, and creating an atmosphere of sanctity in the home, which does not allow her the time needed to invest in learning Gemara properly.
But as we’ve said, there is still plenty of learning she must do—and with her many obligations and responsibilities, it’s challenging enough to find time for the areas she is obligated to master.
Does the Angel Teach Torah to Girls in the Womb?
As for the angel teaching the baby in the womb, this is based on the statement in the Gemara (Niddah 30b) that when a fetus is in the womb, it is taught the entire Torah. Upon birth, an angel strikes the baby on the mouth, causing it to forget everything it learned.
Since the Gemara does not differentiate between boys and girls, and women have a significant amount of Torah they are required to learn, it is reasonable to assume that this applies to them as well. However, I have not seen anything explicitly written on this point, so I cannot say with absolute certainty.
Summary: Women’s Obligation to Learn Torah
In short: Although women are not obligated to study Torah like men, they are still required to learn all halachah relevant to them. They should also learn the parts of the Torah—such as with select commentaries—that will help them develop a strong hashkafah, Torah view on life. It is likely that girls are also taught Torah in the womb.
Women’s Torah study may not stem from the same command as men’s, but it remains a deeply essential part of their growth, observance, and connection to Judaism.
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