How did Jewish Laws treat women?

Answer 1

(Talmud, Berachot 17a): "Greater is the promise that God made to women than to men."

"A virtuous wife is a crown to her husband." (Proverbs 12:4)

"This is the way of Jewish men: they honor and support their wives in truth" (from the Jewish marriage contract).

"Her counsel must be respected. She need not beg for money. The husband must side with her against his kin. He must express frequent appreciation, and remember her from time to time with gifts. Husband and wife should always say "Please" and "Thank You" and never forget to be always polite to each other (Rabbi Avigdor Miller).

Meiri commentary to Talmud, Bava Metzia 59a: "A person should always be careful not to embarrass his wife. He will be punished if he distresses her."

"A person should honor his wife more than himself, and love her like himself" (Talmud, Gittin 6b).

"A man has no legal basis to hit his wife or shame her" (Rabbi Hananiah Gaon).

We're not perfect, but these statements are the ideal by which we are obligated.

Answer 2

Yes.

Israelite women, unlike women in many other ancient societies, were educated. They learned their traditions and the appropriate portions of Torah-laws during their childhood. As married adults, they had authority in the home; they were not chattel.

Also:

• 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); and any husband who anguished his wife could expect Divine punishment (Talmud, Bava Metzia 59).
• Several 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 would seek out the advice of his wife (Genesis 31:3-16), because she could 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).