Reply To: Presidential Pecking Order

The Economist (a highly respected publication from London) magazine always uses the term “he” when referring to an unknown party.

Btw, I dare suggest your “puzzlement” about the Gemora stems from the Torah preclusion of women learning Torah Shel Baal Peh, of which the Gemorah is part of. See this old thread for a longer discussion on this issue:

http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/coffeeroom/topic/still-fuming-at-rabbi-belsky-and-mishpacha/page/9