A woman...

This is written in the Hebrew Talmud, the book where all of the sayings and preaching of Rabbis are conserved over time. It says: "Be very careful if you make a woman cry, because God counts her tears. The woman came out of a man's rib. Not from his feet to be walked on. Not from his head to be superior, but from the side to be equal. Under the arm to be protected, and next to the heart to be loved."

I remember hearing people quote the scriptures years ago as to how a man and woman should live as husband and wife. It seemed that the woman was supposed to serve the man, not as an equal but rather as a "wife" (as though that was a lower class of humanity...). I even used to make jokes of where a woman's rightful place should be and now I understand why most women were offended by such language. Oh the misdirected ways of youth!

I've since come to know that the texts talk of how a man should love a woman as Christ loves the church - unconditionally, always serving, listening, holding, sharing, and so many other things that Christ does for us. But the words above speak to more than just the woman we marry, it speaks to how we should treat all women. How are we doing in that area? How is the world doing? What are we doing about making it better? About making it equal? Anyone got any thoughts?