“Whose Torah is it, anyway?” Author Laura Ben-David asks this pointed question in her article about Simchat Torah. (The obvious response would be that the Torah is everyone’s, right?) If you’re Orthodox, the answer may not be clear. Some members of that community do not allow women to dance with the Torah, even though it’s customary for the other branches of Judaism to do so.

Coming from a Reform background, exclusions like this not only mystify me, they make me sad. I respect tradition and I think it’s fine that each synagogue observes in its own way. I’m not against Orthodoxy; I’m for progress—and there is a difference. Denying women the right to observe a holiday the same way that men do, with no Halachic reason, is just plain wrong!

Simchat Torah is about rejoicing. How can women rejoice if we can’t dance, sing, or be called up for an Aliyah? It would be impossible. That’s why I believe this holiday, and all the others, needs to be fully inclusive—for men, women, and children. If the Orthodox wish to worship separately, that’s their right, but don’t deny women a critical part of the celebration.

Share your opinion. Do you think women should dance with the Torah? Why or why not?