Sydney V • December 26, 2020

Who Was The First Rabbi To Teach Women About God?

Jesus.

“As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, 'Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!' 'Martha, Martha,' the Lord answered, 'you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.'”
Luke 10:38-42 NIV

Jesus was an advocate for Mary, something very unexpected at the time. When Mary sat at Jesus' feet to learn about God and his teachings, she was scolded by her sister, Martha. Mary was scolded by her sister because she wasn't helping in the kitchen like she was supposed to, this was her purpose as a woman. Obviously there is nothing wrong with helping in the kitchen, but in this time women were treated as objects, seen but not heard nor valued as people. But Jesus said no, he said that her choice to learn about God was the best choice. Jesus said that her education would not be taken away from her. No other rabbi let women or children sit at their feet and learn, but Jesus did. Although that seems to be the bare minimum, he was the first to do so, and he led others to follow him in that action. Jesus opened up a path for women in Christianity to create a connection with God. If it weren't for Jesus, Mary would've stayed in the kitchen and she wouldn't have known her worth, or how she is so loved by God. That goes for you too. ♡