Posted by:
Tevai
(
)
Date: November 13, 2017 09:11PM
I just skimmed through Jewish history (contemporary history back to ancient times), as it relates to women, and I cannot find any reference to anything like this ("...a woman that has lots of sons is prized above all other women").
On the contrary, I cannot find any reference from any source which differentiates between the genders of any Jewish woman's offspring. It is a non-issue from medieval times forward, and was probably a non-issue in ancient times as well.
Here is what IS valued about a woman in Judaism. It is Proverbs 31 (familiarly known to Jews as "A Woman of Valor," and in observant households especially, is sung or said by a man to his wife on special occasions (either religious holidays, or her birthday, etc.)...is often quoted...and often hangs on the walls in Jewish homes to constantly "say": "This, my wife or my mother, is what we, your family, think of YOU."...
A woman of valor, who can find?
Her worth is far above jewels.
The heart of her husband trusts in her, and nothing shall he lack.
She renders him good and not evil all the days of her life.
She opens her hand to the needy, and extends her hand to the poor.
She is robed in strength and dignity, and cheerfully faces whatever may come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom.
Her tongue is guided by kindness.
She tends to the affairs of her household, and eats not the bread of idleness.
Her children come forward and bless her.
Her husband too, and he praises her.
Many women have done superbly, but you surpass them all.
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a God-fearing woman is much to be praised.
Place before her the fruit of her hands.
Wherever people gather, her deeds speak her praise.
In my skimming through history, there IS a reference to women having "lots of sons," but it is to Afghani culture, and the practice there of raising daughters as sons, if the woman has not produced "enough" sons. Afghani culture is, however, basically a polar opposite to Jewish culture.
Edited 5 time(s). Last edit at 11/13/2017 09:19PM by Tevai.