Ultra-Orthodox Jewish rabbis in the Satmar sect have banned women from going to university as a “dangerous” threat to their faith. A decree has been issued against what is described as what “has lately become the new trend that girls and married women are pursuing degrees in special education. Some attend classes and others online. And so we’d like to let their parents know that it is against the Torah.”
With their decree, the rabbis put themselves in the same company of the most extreme Islamic clerics. The rabbis pledge that
“We will be very strict about this. No girls attending our school are allowed to study and get a degree. It is dangerous. Girls who will not abide will be forced to leave our school. Also, we will not give any jobs or teaching position in the school to girls who’ve been to college or have a degree. We have to keep our school safe and we can’t allow any secular influences in our holy environment. It is against the base upon which our Mosed was built.”
The rabbis are described as “pre-enlightenment” in their religious interpretations. They dress in 19th century Eastern European dress including long black coats and black hats. Women must cover their hair and wear modest dress.
We have previously discussed how ultra-orthodox rabbis have banned girls over five from riding bikes as “provocative.’
So morality demands that women not be educated, ride bikes, or enjoy equality with men. “Pre-enlightment” seems too generous a description for such views.