Our friend Anat Hoffman, the indefatigible rights campaigner, brings to our attention the instruction booklet for grooms-to-be from the Jerusalem Religious Council's compulsory marriage class.The "how-to" manual says that a "woman is like clay. The husband can shape and mold her as he pleases." It also says the wise husband will avoid his in-laws because "mothers-in-law tend to meddle."
The booklet encourages the liberal application of compliments, presents and flowers to wives. "Don't let a day go by without complimenting your wife at least five times…say it even if it's a lie. A woman who hasn't been complimented is like a fish out of the water.
But, it warns, a husband must not become "spineless." If a wife is "disrespectful you must not give in," it says. "You can get angry and stop talking to her until she realizes she was wrong."
easy to make fun of tradition, especially by taking it out of context.
ReplyDeletei know a lot of secular men and women who would benefit from this advice.