Halacha for Wednesday 5 Adar 5781 February 17 2021

A Megillah Written by a Woman- The First Megillah in History

A Megillah used to read from to fulfill one’s obligation must be hand-written in Sefer Torah font and on parchment. It shares most of the same laws as writing a Sefer Torah. Although most members of the congregation do not have kosher Megillot, they nevertheless fulfill their obligation by listening to it being read from someone else from a kosher Megillah using the halachic mechanism of “one who listens is tantamount to having read.” This rule applies to hearing Sefer Torah, Megillah, and the like, as long as the reader has the congregation in mind and the congregation themselves have in mind to fulfill their obligation.

Regarding a Sefer Torah, the Gemara states (Gittin 45b) states that only a man may write a Sefer Torah, not a woman, for our Sages understood the juxtaposition of the verses “And you shall tie them as a sign onto your arm” and “You shall write them” to mean that only one who is obligated to don Tefillin on one’s arm may write a Sefer Torah. However, women, who are not obligated to do so, may not write a Sefer Torah.

With regards to Megillat Esther, however, we must analyze this dictum, for our Sages taught that women are obligated in the Mitzvah of Megillah reading (and all other Purim-related Mitzvot for that matter). Moreover, the entire Purim miracle was brought about through a woman, namely Queen Esther.

Maran Ha’Chida writes in his Sefer Birkei Yosef that a Megillah written by a woman is absolutely valid, for since they are obligated to read/listen to the Megillah, they may likewise write a Megillah. He supports this ruling from the fact that the Rambam omits the law that a Megillah written by a woman is invalid.

Likewise, Hagaon Rabbeinu Yonah Navon zt”l (rabbi of Maran Ha’Chida) writes in his Sefer Get Mekushar that a Megillah written by a woman is valid and he proceeds to support this with several proofs. Many great Acharonim rule likewise.

Hagaon Harav David Oppenheim brings a proof that a Megillah written by a woman is valid, for the verse in the Megillah states, “And Queen Esther wrote,” from which our Sages derived (Megillah 19a) that the Megillah must be written in a scroll with black ink. It would be counter-intuitive that the first Megillah in history which serves as a basis for the laws of writing a Megillah, was invalid.

Thus, halachically speaking, Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef zt”l rules (in his Chazon Ovadia-Purim, page 235) that a Megillah written by a woman is absolutely kosher. Similarly, the great Rishon Le’Zion, Hagaon Rabbeinu Yitzchak Yosef Shlit”a rules likewise in his Yalkut Yosef-Purim (page 515) for many different reasons.

8 Halachot Most Popular

Parashat Ki Tetze

Gathered from the teachings of Maran Rebbeinu Ovadia Yosef ztzvk”l (from the years 5744-5772) (written by his grandson HaRav Yaakov Sasson Shlit”a) (translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds UK) Ellul is the Time to Engage in Battle Against the Yetzer Hara, ......

Read Halacha

Eating and Washing Oneself on Yom Kippur

Regarding the custom of Kapparot, we have discussed in the past that this custom may be fulfilled through money. A bill is taken ($10, $20, etc.) and circled around the head of the atoned party three times, and the following text is recited: “This money is in your stead, your substitute, and y......

Read Halacha

Eating Cake on Shabbat Morning

Today's Halacha is dedicated for the merit and protection of All Our Dear Soldiers May Hashem give them strength and courage to vanquish our enemies and may they return home safe and sound amid health and joy. May Hashem protect all the captives and have mercy upon them so that no harm befalls......

Read Halacha

The Laws of Blood Found in Eggs

Blood in Eggs Blood found in eggs is forbidden for consumption, for this blood indicates the beginning of the embryotic development of the chick and this chick has the halachic status of “fowl” whose blood is forbidden for consumption by Torah law; thus, the opinion of the Rosh and Tosa......

Read Halacha


 The “Shehecheyanu” Blessing

Our Sages teach us (Eruvin 40b) that one should recite the “Shehecheyanu” blessing upon seeing a new fruit that renews once a year. Even if one sees this fruit in the hands of another person or on the tree, one should recite the “Shehecheyanu” blessing. Nevertheless, the P......

Read Halacha

Parashat Terumah

From HaGaon Rav Zevadia HaCohen Shlit”a, The Head of the Batei Din in Tel Aviv (translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds UK) The Difference Between Moshe and Betzalel [Understanding Why Betzalel Was Able to Make the Menorah, Whilst Moshe Couldn’t] This Sh......

Read Halacha

The Holiday of Sukkot

The Gemara (Sukkah 11b) explains that the Mitzvah of Sukkah is in commemoration of the clouds of glory that surrounded our ancestors when they left Egypt. The Gemara (Ta’anit 9a) states: “Three great leaders arose for the Jewish nation: Moshe, Aharon, and Miriam. Hashem gave the Jewis......

Read Halacha

So that We May Refrain from the Injustice of Our Hands

During the Ne’ilah prayer, the prayer that culminates all the Days of Awe recited towards the conclusion of Yom Kippur, we state: “And You, Hashem our G-d, have given us this Yom Kippur etc. for pardon, forgiveness, and atonement so that we may refrain from the injustice of our hands and......

Read Halacha