#157: The Obligation of Women in Havdalah (Part 7)

Rabbi Eli Ozarowski
  1. We have learned that according to all opinions, women should ideally fulfill the mitzvah of hearing Havdalah after Shabbat in some form. The Shemoneh Esrei contains another element of Havdalah that most who daven Ma’ariv recite – the paragraph of “Atah Chonantanu,” which also discusses the separation between Shabbat and the week (see Mishnah Berurah 299:37). However, a woman need not recite Ma’ariv after Shabbat.
  2. If a woman wishes, she may recite Ma’ariv with “Atah Chonantanu,” even according to those who recommend her not reciting Havdalah herself (Taz 296:7). However, she must still listen to Havdalah recited on a cup of wine , just as men do not fulfill the complete mitzvah of Havdalah through the recitation of “Atah Chonantanu” alone.

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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.