How can Jewish tradition authentically expand women's religious roles while preserving core halakhic principles? Two scholars offer contrasting frameworks for addressing this fundamental tension in contemporary Judaism. Shapiro challenges restrictive interpretations through historical-textual analysis of Talmudic literature, midrash, and biblical narratives, uncovering numerous examples of women as religious leaders, scholars, and ritual participants. Her work highlights how selective readings of halakhic sources have obscured positive models of Jewish womanhood, particularly overlooking women-specific traditions like Rosh Hodesh observance. Pearl takes a more conservative stance, drawing key distinctions between ritual participation and marriage law. While supporting expanded synagogue roles for women based on the principle that exemption does not equal prohibition, he advocates maintaining traditional marriage ceremonies as essential legal and social structures. Both scholars critique superficial equality measures that discount women's distinctive religious contributions. Their analyses suggest that meaningful advancement of women's status requires thorough examination of traditional sources and careful differentiation between mutable customs and fundamental legal frameworks - supporting gradual evolution rather than wholesale revolution in Jewish practice.