Does judaism value boys more than girls?

Answer 1

Strictly speaking both are supposed to be equally valued, and looking at ancient, semitic Judaism, yes the women do have somewhat lesser value regarding Hebrew identity. Somewhat, not completely valueless though be careful how you read what I type. Its complicated; to semitic mizrahi Jews, specifically Iraqi and Yemeni, ancient law clearly says, male converts are not allowed. Nowhere in the Tanakh, is there ever an incident of any outsider converting to Judaism, the clause for allowing male conversion only came during Talmudic times, the Talmud not even having been written by prophets.

You need to understand first and foremost, that Judaism originated in the Middle East, specifically speaking the semitic portion of the near east. Like all semitic peoples, the ancient Hebrews were a strictly patriarchal society where family bloodlines, the family name, was passed on father to son. Greater importance was placed on Hebrew women, than other semites placed on their women, largely to prevent Hebrew males from taking foreign brides. Its intent, was to prevent Jewish men, from marrying non-Jewish women. See during Joshua's time Hebrew men were taking Canaanite wives, and this really ticked off the priests.

If you wanted your son to carry your family name, the mother HAD TO BE Hebrew. The reason I said they were somewhat less valuable, is because ancient Judaism only allowed female converts, but she had to be an exceptional woman. The gold standard of what gentile woman was allowed to convert into Judaism, is Ruth.

In short both boys and girls are valuable.