Women and Davening

The halachos that regulate women’s obligation in tefillah are complex. Do they have to daven? Which parts of davening? Why do many women not daven? Is there a difference between Shacharis, Minchah and Ma’ariv? What about Mussaf, Hallel and other parts of davening? Is there any point in coming to shul during the week to daven with a minyan? Many women have no time to daven the entire Shacharis – is there any point in saying just part?

All these questions and many others will be addressed in this issue.

Introduction – Mitzvas Asei Shehazman Grama

Women are exempt from mitzvas asei shehazman grama, mitzvos that are time bound, such as tefillin, sukkah, tzitzis, and shofar. There are some exceptions to this rule, such as the four cups on Pesach night, Megillah, ner Chanukah, and tefillah (see below). Some explain that since a woman is obligated to serve her husband she does not have time for certain mitzvos due to their time constraints. Others argue that if Hashem commands us to do a mitzvah it cannot be ignored because she has certain obligations to her husband. The answer is that running a household is a very time-consuming affair, and someone has to be available to tend to these errands. When a mitzvah arises that is bound by time (mitzvas asei shehazman grama) a dispute may arise in the home as to who should leave the work in the home and do the mitzvah. The Torah did not want a dispute in this area. Since women are usually the ones busy with the housework, they will do it and the men will do the mitzvah.

Is Tefillah a D’Oraisa or D’Rabbanan?

There is a major debate in the poskim if the obligation to daven is d’Oraisa or d’Rabbanan in nature. The Rambam and others hold that it is a d’Oraisa, while the Ramban and most poskim say that it is d’Rabbanan in nature. Even the Rambam agrees that the times to daven are d’Rabbanan.

Throughout the article, when we refer to tefillah we mean Shemoneh Esrei. We will first discuss Shemoneh Esrei and then discuss other areas in order of the davening.

Source / Reason

The Mishnah says that women are exempt from Krias Shema and tefillin, and are obligated in tefillah and mezuzah. This is codified by the poskim as well (regarding tefillah, see below regarding other areas of davening). The Gemara explains that one would assume that women are obligated in Krias Shema even though it is a mitzvas asei shehazman grama, since it involves kabbalas Malchus Shamayim. Therefore, the Mishnah needs to say that they are exempt. The Gemara continues that women are obligated in tefillah although it is considered a mitzvas asei shehazman grama, because tefillah is asking for mercy (and we all need mercy).

This reason is quoted by Rashi and others. The Rambam exempts women from tefillah because it is considered a mitzvas asei shelo zman grama. This reason is quoted by others as well.

Leniency

The Magen Avraham says that the Rambam’s obligation of tefillah d’Oraisa is to daven once a day, without any particular nusach. Therefore, those women who do not daven on a regular basis rely on a short tefillah that they recite when they awaken in the morning (we will discuss what this is later on). This is quoted by other poskim as well. Those who hold like the majority that tefillah is a d’Rabbanan would not agree with this. Accordingly, some are hard pressed to explain why women do not daven every day (see below).

The custom in some circles is to rely on the opinion of the Magen Avraham.

Another Leniency

In earlier years, women did not go to school and were not able to read Lashon Kodesh. Therefore, they were not able to daven. This is not the case today when girls go to school. Therefore, girls should daven (see below).

Which Kind of Short Tefillah

According to the leniency of the Magen Avraham quoted above, there must be some sort of bakashah (asking for needs) to constitute a tefillah. Others say that praise of Hashem is required as well.35 A woman should say Modeh Ani and the pesukim afterwards as praise, and then the brachah of Hama’avir Sheinah and the Yehi Ratzon in Birchos Hashachar as a request. Some suggest to say Birchas HaTorah (see below) which combines both praise and a request.

Busy with Children

The reason that women are obligated in tefillah is because they need to ask for mercy. If they cannot do so because they cannot concentrate properly, then they have enough of a reason to rely on the Rambam, as mentioned above. Women are very busy taking care of their children in the morning and sending them off to school. Young children need constant care. Therefore, it is difficult for women to find time to daven Shacharis properly. If it is possible to fit davening into their schedule, then this is preferred. However, this is not always the case, and in this situation women are exempt from davening.

Some are of the opinion that if women are busy with children all day they should at least daven Ma’ariv (see below).

Obviously, those women who do not have these obligations should daven. This would apply to girls and single women, or women who do not have any young children at home.

Which Tefillos

According to the opinion of the Rambam quoted earlier, it would seem that women are only obligated in one tefillah per day. However, many poskim say that women are obligated in Shacharis and Minchah. This would depend whether a woman is from a Sephardi background or not.

Many women are busy and do not daven Shacharis, but for the most part are careful to always daven Minchah.

Ma’ariv

Men accepted Ma’ariv upon themselves as an obligation, but this does not apply to women. There are some poskim who maintain that women should daven Ma’ariv, but this is not the custom.

However, women do daven Ma’ariv on Friday night. Since the tefillos of Shabbos are an obligation, this applies even to Ma’ariv on Friday night (see below). This does not apply to Ma’ariv on Motza’ei Shabbos.

Mussaf

There is a discussion in the poskim if women are obligated to daven Mussaf. Some wish to exempt women from Mussaf since it is a mitzvas asei shehazman grama.

Many say that since Mussaf is in place of korbanos (which do not apply to women), women are not obligated to daven Mussaf.

Others maintain that Mussaf is recited because of the kedushah of Shabbos. According to this, women should daven Mussaf. This would not apply to Mussaf of Rosh Chodesh and Chol Hamoed.

The accepted custom seems to be that women do not have to daven Mussaf, but if they wish to do so they may.

Women should daven Mussaf on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, and arrange for a babysitter.This is particularly true since we are asking for mercy in Mussaf during these days.

Modeh Ani

Women should say Modeh Ani and the pesukim afterwards when they awaken in the morning. Although the Magen Avraham rules that a short tefillah is sufficient, Modeh Ani is not enough. The proof to this is that the Magen Avraham himself rules that she should say the tefillah right after washing, and no washing is required before reciting Modeh Ani.

Birchos Hashachar

The Shulchan Aruch says that women change the brachah to “Baruch she’asani kirtzono.” All other brachos are the same.

It is questionable whether Birchos Hashachar are considered mitzvas asei shehazman grama. Some opinions hold that one may only recite Birchos Hashachar until chatzos. However, many poskim maintain that one may recite Birchos Hashachar all day and night; therefore, women should recite them.

Birchas HaTorah

Although women do not have an obligation to learn Torah, they do have an obligation to know the laws that apply to them; therefore, they should recite Birchas HaTorah. If they are not sure whether or not they said Birchas HaTorah, they are not obligated to repeat it.

Korbanos

There are poskim who maintain that women are obligated to recite korbanos. However, the overwhelming opinion is that women do not have an obligation to recite Parshas Hatamid or any other korbanos. One reason for the exemptions is that korbanos are not asking for mercy like tefillah. In addition, women do not have a connection to korbanos.

Pesukei D’zimrah The opinion of some poskim is that women should daven Pesukei D’zimrah.

Others say that they are only required to say Baruch She’amar, Ashrei, and Yishtabach. The opinion of most poskim is that a woman does not have to say any part of Pesukei D’zimrah. One of the reasons for this exemption is that the point of Pesukei D’zimrah is to praise Hashem before tefillah. Women are obligated in davening, but not the preparations to the Shemoneh Esrei.

The overwhelming custom is to be lenient regarding Pesukei D’zimrah. Nonetheless, if they wish, some maintain that they may recite it.

Krias Shema

Earlier, we explained why women are exempt from Krias Shema. Another reason is that in Krias Shema it says, “Teach your sons,” which implies not your daughters. In any event, women do not say Krias Shema. However, some say that it is proper (as a chumrah) to accept the yoke of Malchus Shamayim. Therefore, women should say Shema Yisrael Hashem Elokeinu Hashem Echad. There is no need to recite this within the time frame of Krias Shema.

Others add that women should say Baruch Shem etc. There are those who are of the opinion that women should recite kel Melech ne’eman before Krias Shema.

Today the custom seems to be that women recite the entire Krias Shema.

Women are not obligated in birchos Krias Shema (since they are mitzvos asei shehazman grama). They should recite Emes V’yatziv (since it mentions Yetzias Mitzrayim which is a d’Oraisa and there is no set time for it), and be somech geulah to tefillah (say Emes V’yatziv until ga’al Yisrael and then start Shemoneh Esrei right away). Others are lenient with the recital of Emes V’yatziv for women. Therefore, a woman may be lenient.

Tachanun One of the reasons for reciting Tachanan is to daven in all positions, such as sitting, standing, and nefilah. Women are not obligated in this. In addition, some poskim say that Tachanan is not an obligation; therefore, women are exempt.

Ashrei The main purpose of reciting Ashrei is to say the pasuk of pose’ach es yadecha etc. Since the main breadwinner in the family is the man, a woman does not have to recite Ashrei.

U’va L’tzion

U’va l’tzion was established as part of the davening in order that one should learn a bit each day. Since women are not commanded in talmud Torah they need not recite U’va L’tzion.

Shir Shel Yom One who says the shir shel yom is like he is building a mizbe’ach and bringing korbanos. Since women do not have a part in korbanos, they do not recite the shir shel yom.

Ein K’Elokeinu It is proper for women to recite Ein K’Elokeinu.

Aleinu

Aleinu is praise and thanks after davening. It is proper that women say this after they daven.

Shabbos and Yom Tov

Even though the tefillos of Shabbos and Yom Tov are praise, women are still obligated to recite them (this applies to Shemoneh Esrei and other parts that are said during the week). Some maintain that this means Ma’ariv on Friday night and Yom Tov night.

Kiddush Levanah

Women do not recite kiddush levanah since it is a mitzvas asei shehazman grama. Some say that they should say it without a Shem or Malchus, but the minhag is not like this.

Hallel

Women are exempt from Hallel since it is a mitzvas asei shehazman grama. Although they do perform mitzvos of zman grama like sukkah, they specifically omit Hallel, since Chavah caused the moon to become smaller. This applies to Hallel at any time, such as on Chanukah. Women are obligated in Hallel on the first nights of Pesach but not other Yamim Tovim. If women wish, they can recite Hallel with the brachos as well (for Ashkenazi women).

Going to Shul

There is a benefit for women to daven in a shul although they are not required to daven with a minyan. However, the custom in most places is that they only attend shul on Shabbos. Even on Shabbos, women should make sure that young children are not brought if they will disturb the tefillah.

Zman

Women who do daven should be careful to daven within the zman tefillah.

Davening at Work Some women want to daven during working hours. This should only be done during a scheduled break, in order to avoid stealing time from the employer. It is better not to daven at all than to steal.

Keeping Feet Together There is a discussion in the poskim whether women are required to keep their feet together during Shemoneh Esrei. We keep our feet together to imitate the angels. Although women may not be required to do this, there is no prohibition against it.

Women Eating before Davening

Women may not eat or drink before they daven. If a woman wants to eat she should first say Birchos Hashachar, Birchas HaTorah, and recite the first pasuk of Krias Shema.This will fulfill her obligation of tefillah even if she intends to daven more later. Girls who want to eat before they daven in school should say Birchos Hashachar and Birchas HaTorah.

Mistakes in Davening There is a discussion in the poskim if women make a mistake which would normally require one to repeat Shemoneh Esrei. Although the Magen Avraham holds that women can say a short tefillah, once they do daven the regular Shemoneh Esrei their dinim are the same as men and they would have to repeat Shemoneh Esrei. Others say that if a woman usually relies on the opinion of the Magen Avraham, then if she does daven Shemoneh Esrei and makes a mistake, she does NOT have to repeat Shemoneh Esrei.

Came Late to Davening on Shabbos It is very common for women to come to shul on Shabbos in the middle of krias haTorah. Should they daven Shacharis, or listen to krias haTorah and daven Mussaf, and forget about Shacharis? The poskim say that they should daven Shacharis and then Mussaf, even though they will be davening Shacharis at the time of krias haTorah, only if they will miss zman tefillah otherwise.

Matir Neder If a woman started davening Shacharis and Minchah regularly (or Ma’ariv according to those who hold they are obligated) and then realized that it is just too hard, she needs to be matir neder.

Conclusion

From our discussion, we see that according to the letter of the law women should daven at least twice a day. Those who are busy with children are exempt, but should recite a short tefillah in the morning before going about their day. For those women who are able to daven, it should be noted that they do not have to feel that they must daven the entire Shacharis. It is not all or nothing.

Below is a chart that lists which parts of tefillah women should daven (those who have time to daven).

Modeh Ani – Yes

Birchos Hashachar – Yes

Birchas HaTorah – Yes

Korbanos – No

Pesukei D’zimrah – No according to many poskim

Birchos Krias Shema – If she wants (Ashkenazi; some Sephardi poskim permit a Sephardi woman as well)

Shema Yisrael and Baruch Shem – Yes

Emes V’yatziv until ga’al Yisrael – Yes

Shemoneh Esrei of Shacharis – Yes (if busy with children, etc. – No)

Tachanan, Ashrei U’va L’tzion, Shir Shel Yom – No

Ein K’Elokeinu and Aleinu – It is proper to say them

Minchah – Yes

Ma’ariv – No

Hallel, Except for first nights of Pesach – No (if she wants she may say it – Ashkenazi woman)


Source: Rabbi Moishe Dovid Lebovits

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