What were the roles of Jewish men and women?

Answer 1

In traditional Judaism, the husband is seen as the head of the household. At the same time, it should be borne in mind that thousands of years before other societies had done so, the Torah established rights for women, and the Torah-sages urged us to honor and respect our wives (Talmud, Bava Metzia 59a).

• Israelite women could own property, could initiate court cases, could have their own servants, and could own fields and businesses.
• The Torah specifies marital rights for women (Exodus 21:10).
• Any husband who anguishes his wife can expect Divine punishment (Talmud, Bava Metzia 59).
• Several Israelite women achieved prophecy (Talmud, Megillah 14a).
• One of the Judges, Deborah, was a woman. Together with another woman named Jael, she brought about a great victory against Canaanite oppressors (Judges ch.4).
• A circumspect husband will seek out the advice of his wife (Genesis 31:3-16), because she can be trusted to supervise the goings-on in the home (Proverbs 31:27), just like a Chief Executive Officer.
• The righteous among the Israelites would treasure their wives (Proverbs 31:11); as Rabbi Akiva (2nd century CE) said, "All that I accomplished (in Torah) is hers (is thanks to her)" (Talmud, Ketubot 63a).

It may be noted that traditional Judaism looks askance upon modern feminism, which is seen as destructive and divisive.

See also:

Criticisms against Judaism

Answer 2

In Orthodox Judaism, men were in charge of the synagogue and the women were in charge of the home.