Whereas men were expected to read and write Hebrew, participate in public worship, and be very knowledgeable about the Torah, women were not. According to Jewish law, they could not participate in synagogues; therefore most were not taught. They were, however, expected to know Jewish law relating to what was considered their own realm: personal purity, the dietary laws, and maintaining the proper conditions for celebrating the Sabbath and festivals at home. From all accounts, the women were fully supportive of these arrangements and of their own role in the Jewish community.