צאינה וראינה

The Sefer צאינה וראינה, a collection of beautiful Midrashim
in Yiddish, authored by R.Yakov b Yitzchok Ashkenazi
(1550-1624) was geared specifically for women.

It was the most popular Sefer until about 80 years ago,
(after Siddur & Tehillim)  Yiddish speaking women possessed.

Most women acquired their Torah knowledge from their
mothers & the צאינה וראינה.

Illiterate women had a "Zogerrin" who would read the
צאינה וראינה for such​ ​groups of women.

The Chofetz Chaim in a letter promoting the Bais Yakov
Schools writes, there is a need for  Bais Yakov because
many women stopped reading the צאינה וראינה on Shabbos.

There is a well known Midrash quoted by many but is
not found in any Midrash we have today. The first and
only Mokor (source) for it is the צאינה וראינה

"Originally ברית מילה was performed with a sharpened
stone the way Tziporah performed the ברית on her son.

Because the metal helmet on Golias's head allowed
the rock  to penetrate and hit Golias's forehead,
therefore metal was rewarded and from then on
all בריתות​ are performed  with metal knives."