[Avodah] Gentlemen and Ladies - Who Goes First?

[Meir Rabi]

In response to the apparent inconsistency of YaAkov usually giving priority
to the men: yet when YaAkov gets the family introduced to Uncle Esau, the
ladies go first [until Yosef steps in front of his mother]. R' Micha Berger
wrote on Nov 29, 2007 2:18 PM,: - Safety before kavod.


It would be helpful to hear a fuller explanation of the added safety
acquired by having the mothers precede their children. Presumably the
meeting was not on neutral territory but in Eisavs's domain. Whatever
strategic placements YaAkov had arranged would not have, within the normal
framework of military operations, provided much true protection had Eisav
decided to lay a trap. Were the women put first to be the human shields to
protect the more important sons in the background?

meir