What could Jewish women do in Israelite society?

Answer 1

Jewish women are (not 'were') responsible for the Judaic observance and

atmosphere in the Jewish home, and for the early education of the children ...

the two most vital factors that account for the survival of the Jewish people

from the exiles, throughout the Diaspora and dispersion, until modern times.

Very simply, the existence of Jewish Society in the 21st Century is the outcome

of the role of Jewish women throughout Jewish history.

Answer 2

The Israelites pioneered in treating women differently than they were being treated elsewhere.

• Israelite women could own property, could initiate court cases, could have their own servants, and could own fields and businesses. Compare this to other ancient societies, in which only land-owning mature males had any rights at all.

• 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).

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