Footnote

a The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia explains: “Women did not eat with male guests, and men were discouraged from talking with women. . . . Conversation with a woman in a public place was particularly scandalous.” The Jewish Mishnah, a collection of rabbinic teachings, advised: “Talk not much with womankind. . . . He that talks much with womankind brings evil upon himself and neglects the study of the Law and at the last will inherit Gehenna.”​—Aboth 1:5.