#151: The Obligation of Women in Havdalah (Part 2)

Rabbi Eli Ozarowski
  1. We mentioned last time that Ashkenazi women should preferably hear Havdalah from a man because some opinions hold they are not obligated. Many have a custom for women not to drink from the Havdalah wine (Mishnah Berurah 296:35), both for Kabbalistic and halachic reasons (see Magen Avraham 296:4; Piskei Teshuvot 296:8). This is an additional basis for why Ashkenazi women generally do not recite Havdalah themselves.
  2. However, as mentioned previously, if an Ashkenazi woman cannot hear Havdalah from a man, she should recite it herself. In this case, she should drink the wine or grape juice herself as well (Aruch Hashulchan 296:5).

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Dedicated by Fran Broder as a zechus for the hostages to be released safely to their families and may everlasting peace come to Eretz Yisrael in the merit of learning Hilchos Shabbos.