论中世纪西欧犹太妇女在犹太会堂中的地位和作用——以法、德为个案

尽管犹太妇女在犹太会堂中的地位依然受到传统的犹太律法及习俗的束缚,但是在中世纪的西欧,尤其是在12-13世纪的法国和德国,犹太妇女在犹太会堂中的地位仍然有了很大的改善.她们不仅拥有自己的会堂或者祈祷室,而且有自己的领唱员(cantor),犹太妇女不仅在安息日而且在平时也去会堂进行公共祈祷.除此之外,犹太妇女还积极地参加会堂的慈善活动.这不仅丰富了犹太妇女的精神生活,提高了犹太妇女的宗教和社会地位,而且极大地改善了犹太妇女的社会形象.

On the Status and Functions of Jewish Women in the Synagogue in Medieval Western European Countries——With France and Germany as Examples

Though the status of Jewish women in the synagogue was still hampered by traditional Jewish laws and customs,it was improved a lot in the Medieval Western European countries,especially in France and Germany in the 12-13th centuries.They not only had their own synagogues or their designated prayer sections in the main synagogues,but also had their own women cantors.They went to the prayer there in the Shabbat and during the weekdays as well.Besides,Jewish women played an active role in the charities of the synagogues.All of these not only enhanced their spiritual lives,but also improved their religious and social status,which greatly improved their public images.