They Too Were Included in the Miracle: Exclusion and Inclusion on International Women's Day

Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said: Women are obligated in the Hanukkah light, as they too were included in that miracle.

And Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi also said: Women are obligated in the reading of the Megilla, as they too were included in that miracle.

And Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said: Women are obligated in these four cups, as they too were included in that miracle.

That they too were included in the miracle - ... it was through the merit of the righteous women of that generation that the Israelites were saved [from Egypt]... and it was through Esther [from Haman]... and on Chanukah... [through Judith].

Included in that [Chanukah] miracle - ... a woman's actions [Judith's] brought about the miracle.

That they too were significant partners in that miracle [of Purim].

They too were included in the miracle - that the Greeks decreed the virgins would be subject to jus primae noctis...

That they too were included in the miracle - the women too were decreed by Haman to be destroyed, to be murdered, and to perish, young and old, children and women.

That they too were included in that miracle of the Exodus, therefore they are obligated to rejoice in it.

Since they too were included in that miracle. Rashbam explained, that the primary part of the miracle was done by them; Purim - by Esther, Chanukah - by Judith, Pesach - for they were saved in the merit of the righteous ones of that generation. And this [interpretation] is difficult, for the language "since they were also" implies that they were secondary, and according to his [Rashbam's] interpretation, it should have said "since they were". Therefore, it seems to me, that they were also potentially going to be wiped out and killed, and so too on Pesach, when they were enslaved to Pharaoh in Egypt, and in Chanukah, the decrees applied to them too.