Are women allowed to learn the Zohar?
Answer:
The Zohar, and the kabbalistic tradition in general, is a part of Torah like other parts of the Oral Tradition, and it is halachically accepted that women study only those parts that are relevant for their daily routine and lives.
Nonetheless, some write that although it is wrong to teach a woman (in depth) Torah, it is permitted for her to study the Torah on her own, and there have been unique women in history (see introduction to Chavas Yair) who were great Torah scholars. Yet, some mention kabbalistic reasons for why kabbalah is not suitable for women.
Sources: See Sotah 21b, where Torah study for women is clearly frowned upon; this is ruled in Yoreh De’ah 246:6. See Sefer Chasidim (313) which states that one should teach one’s daughters Torah laws, but not enter into the depth of the matters, and not their secrets. A similar ruling is found in Maharil (chadashos, 45), though he does not mention the secrets of Torah.
See also Shevet Halevi 6:150, who adds that women may not teach themselves Torah. Yet, Perishah (246:15) and Maharil (chadashos 45:2) seem to imply that if a woman teaches herself Torah, this proves that she is among the few that are able to do so, and it is therefore permitted for her to do so. Shevet Halevi (8:211) addresses this, and writes a novel interpretation of the ruling, according to which when asked, one must still tell a woman that she should not study Torah, even on her own.
