No. In fact, among men too, there are differences. Certain commandments apply exclusively to Kohanim (priests), other to Levi’im (Levites), and still others to Yisraelim (other Jews, who fit neither of the above two categories). Similarly, not all commandments apply at all times, or all places.
In all of the Torah, there are a total of 613 mitzvot (commandments); 248 positive (things that should be done), and 365 negative (things which should not be done). In addition, there are seven rabbinical mitzvot. Of all those, thirty do not apply to women[i]; primarily, positive commandments which are time-specific (with some exceptions), studying Torah (though women are obligated to study the practical Halachot (Torah laws) which apply to them[ii]), circumcision (which is impossible for women), and the commandment to have children. They also do not have the negative commandment of not shaving the side locks (payos) and beards (which is usually not applicable biologically anyway). With most of these, although women are not obligated to fulfill the commandments, they still receive spiritual reward if they do (with the exception of wearing a tallit and tefillin, which they should not do[iii]).
There are three mitzvot, which, although they apply to men too, are primarily considered the domain of women. These are: Lighting Shabbat candles, taking off “challah” from dough, and keeping the laws of family purity[iv].
By Rabbi Pinchos Fried
Get answers to more questions about the role of women in Judaism.
[i] See http://www.yhy.co.il/content/view/444/43/lang,he/ for a full list (in Hebrew)
[ii] Biur Halacha 47, 14
[iii] See Igros Moshe O.C. 4, 49
[iv] Shabbos 31b
