We are introduced to a new Mishna. It reminds us that a father is not obligated
to provide for his daughters, though it is a mitzvah to do so. According to the halachot of inheritance,
fathers are obligated to provide for their sons’ thought their mothers’
inheritance If she died. The rabbis
extrapolate from this comment and suggest that father must only provide for
their sons. Their daughters are provided
for through the father’s’ estate after he dies.
The rabbis remind us that husbands are required to provide
housing and full care for their children up until the age of six. After that point, there is a disagreement as
to whether or not and how much fathers are obliged to care for their children
through their young adult years. Wealthy
fathers will be able to be coerced by the court to care for his family.
The daf ends with the rabbis focusing on a husband’s
obligations to his wife. It is clear
that husbands are required to sustain their wives.
Today’s daf brings to life some of the incredible conflict
between ancient and modern perspectives.
Thousands of years ago, women required a man in order to be assured of
safety, security, and basic sustenance.
Now we take issue with that notion.
Today, women are considered to be independent beings who are just as
much the ‘storymakers’ as they are the ‘babymakers’.
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