Halacha for Thursday 29 Cheshvan 5782 November 4 2021

A Woman’s Obligation to Recite Kiddush

Women are obligated by Torah law to recite Kiddush. Although women are exempt from all positive, time-bound Mitzvot (such as, Shofar, Lulav, Sukkah etc.) as we have explained on several different occasions, they are nevertheless biblically obligated to recite Kiddush, for inscribed on the first pair of Tablets (in Parashat Yitro) was the verse “Remember the day of Shabbat to sanctify it” while on the second pair of Tablets (in Parashat Va’etchanan), the verse “Guard the day of Shabbat to sanctify it” was inscribed on it. Our Sages explain that the words “Remember” (“Zachor”) and “Guard” (“Shamor”) were uttered in unison by Hashem in order to teach us that whoever is obligated in the “guarding” aspect of Shabbat, i.e. not to perform forbidden works on Shabbat, is obligated in the “remembrance” aspect of Shabbat, i.e. reciting Kiddush. Since women are likewise obligated to observe the Shabbat with all of its vast laws (since women are obligated to observe all negative Torah commandments, similar to eating on Yom Kippur), they are likewise obligated to recite Kiddush on Shabbat (see Berachot 20b). It is for this reason that women may recite Kiddush on behalf of men on Shabbat since both men and women share the same level of obligation when it comes to Kiddush. Nevertheless, out of concerns for modesty, it is improper for a woman to recite Kiddush on behalf of men unless those men are members of her household.

Since children who have not yet reached the age of Mitzvot (Bar/Bat Mitzvah) are not obligated to recite Kiddush on a Torah level, they cannot recite Kiddush on behalf of other adults who are obligated to recite Kiddush on a Torah level.

A blind man is obligated to perform all of the commandments of the Torah, in accordance with the opinion of the Sages (see Baba Kama 87a). Thus, a blind man may recite Kiddush on behalf of his entire household and they all fulfill their obligation in this way.

In the times of the Sages of the Talmud, wine was exceptionally strong and sharp and could not be consumed without first diluting it with some water. Thus, they would be obligated to first dilute the wine with water and only then could they recite Kiddush upon it. In our days, however, there is no obligation to dilute our wine. This is especially true with regards to grape juice since it is not strong at all. Nevertheless, Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef zt”l writes that it is preferable to dilute the wine with some water by pouring some drops of water into the wine three times; this should preferably be done when reciting Kiddush on grape juice as well. There is a deep Kabbalistic reason for this as Rabbeinu Yosef Haim zt”l writes in the name of the author of the Sefer Ma’avar Yabok. One should therefore dilute the wine by pouring in one drop of water three times. The dilution should be done right before beginning Kiddush, i.e. “Yom Ha’Shishi”, and not during the actual recitation of the Kiddush.

8 Halachot Most Popular

The Laws of Bowing During the Amida Prayer-Continued

In the previous Halacha we have discussed the basic laws of bowing during the Amida prayer, i.e. at the beginning and end of the “Magen Avraham” and “Modim” blessings. We have likewise explained the proper way to bow. Let us now discuss whether or not the custom that many hav......

Read Halacha

The Laws of Concentration During the Amida Prayer - The Laws of Bowing During the Amida Prayer

Question: At what points of the Amida should one bow and what is the correct method of bowing? Answer: Our Sages that one should bow several times during the Amida prayer. The blessings during which one must bow within the Amida are as follows: At the beginning and end of the “Magen Avra......

Read Halacha

Mincha Prayer on the Fast of the Tenth of Tevet

By popular request: This year when the Fast of the Tenth of Tevet coincides with Erev Shabbat, what is the best time for Mincha prayers to be held? The Custom Throughout the Year In general, Mincha on Friday afternoons is held in the synagogue approximately twenty minutes before sunset, after wh......

Read Halacha

The Fast of the Tenth of Tevet When it Coincides with Erev Shabbat

This coming Friday will mark the Tenth of Tevet, a public fast day observed throughout the Jewish nation until the arrival of Mashiach which marks the day the king of Babylon besieged Jerusalem with the intent of destroying it. The verse (Yechezkel 24) states: “And the word of Hashem was to me......

Read Halacha


Parashat Beshalach

 (From the teachings of Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef ztvk”l) (written by his grandson HaRav Yaakov Sasson Shlit”a) (translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds UK) Paro’s Regret at Freeing Am Yisrael, he Only Appreciated Their Qualities After......

Read Halacha

Parashat Bo

(From the teachings of Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef ztvk”l) (written by his grandson HaRav Yaakov Sasson Shlit”a) (translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds UK) Examining the Significance of Certain Phrases Used Regarding the Plagues, and the Differen......

Read Halacha

Parashat Vaera

(From the teachings of Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef ztvk”l) (written by his grandson HaRav Yaakov Sasson Shlit”a) (translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds UK) Hashem’s Divine Providence (Hashgachah Pratit) and The Epic Story of Hananyah, Mishael an......

Read Halacha

The Custom of Spreading One’s Palms Wide Open While Reciting the Verse “Pote’ach Et Yadecha”

Question: Is there any basis for the custom of opening one’s hands wide while reciting the verse “Pote’ach Et Yadecha U’Masbia Le’Chol Chai Ratzon” or is this an incorrect custom? Similarly, should one rise while reciting “Yishtabach Shimcha” during th......

Read Halacha