0

Can a woman lead birchat hamazon if there are men that partook in the meal? Can they lead it if the men leave?

5
  • how many people are there?
    – Double AA
    Jul 1, 2014 at 11:46
  • 1
    See judaism.stackexchange.com/questions/3873/… - possible dupe. Jul 1, 2014 at 13:16
  • Looks like a dupe to me. Interesting to note that implied in the cited halachot (answer) to the linked question is the general notion that men and women are allowed to eat a meal together in the first place.
    – DanF
    Jul 1, 2014 at 15:10
  • The preexisting question sounds like it's asking what a woman should do if a zimun is taking place. This one sounds like it's asking whether she can start one.
    – msh210
    Jul 1, 2014 at 17:59
  • Related: judaism.stackexchange.com/q/26825
    – Fred
    Jul 1, 2014 at 22:41

1 Answer 1

1

The ביאור הלכה in סימן קצט ד"ה ויוצאות says from the יד קטנה that a woman may not lead the zimun on behalf of men who are מחויב. Moreover he writes that the women must hear the zimun from a man, implying that three women at such a meal could not form their own zimun, following the rules of division of zimun found in סימן קצג סעיף א. However the מ"ב ס"ק יח quotes the גר"ז that the regular rules of division would apply and three women can choose to form their own zimun if they do not want to participate in the men's zimun. In שער הציון אות ט he rules in accordance with the latter opinion.

Accordingly: If there are three women and less than ten men, they may form and lead their own zimun which will be of no consequence to the men. If there are less than three women and more than three men OR three or more women and ten or more men, the women must listen to a man lead the zimun. There is no indication in these sources that the men's presence has any effect in the former case, though as in all cases, if there are three men there the women must find some way to discharge their obligation in zimun.

0

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .