Rabbi Braun: Halachos For The Jewish Woman
We present a collection of halachic Q&A’s related to song by women, by HaRav Yosef Yeshaya Braun shlita, Mara D’Asra and member of the Badatz of Crown Heights • From Beis Moshiach Magazine • Full Article
From Beis Moshiach Magazine
Can a woman recite Birchas Hagomel at the Torah?
It is permissible to do so from the women’s gallery but not from the Torah, and this is the custom in many places.
However, the general custom in many circles is that women don’t bentch Hagomel. It’s advisable for them to hear Barchu in Shul. Likewise, to have kavana [about their miracle] when reciting the bracha “Hagomel Chasadim Tovim” in the morning brachos. Tzedaka should also be given. #6063*
Women and Girls Kissing a Sefer Torah
What are the exact halachos of a woman or girl who is a niddah in regards to kissing a Sefer Torah or looking at an open scroll?
Out of respect, women have adopted a custom not to look at an open Torah scroll or touch a Torah scroll when they are in the state of niddah. This isn’t strictly required halachically, but it’s a custom that has developed out of reverence for the Torah. This stringency is only observed while she is still menstruating (even though halachically a woman is considered to be in a state of niddah until she immerses in the mikva).
This stringency applies even on Simchas Torah when many women and girls kiss the Torah scrolls. While some are particular for this reason not to bring the Torah scrolls into the women’s section, there is no halachic objection in doing so.
There’s really no need to do something if women and girls are kissing the Torah or looking at an open Torah scroll. #17205
Can a few women split the daily Chitas between themselves?
I so badly want to fulfill the Rebbes hora’ah especially with everything that’s going on in the world and to bring Moshiach. but Chitas is too long for me to actually do while raising my kids etc. I had in mind to make a WhatsApp group to divide it between other women. Would that be considered fulfilling the chitas?
The takanato learn Chitas is on an individual basis, where everyone will finish the Chumash and Tanya throughout the year. And the Tehillim on a monthly basis.
Splitting up the Chitas is not the ideal method, since you as an individual will not have completed the above. There is however some merit in it, since you, as part of a group, will have it completed (similar to the division of Shas has done on 19 Kislev, although as noted, this was not the original takana of Chitas).
I suggest that in addition to splitting it among your friends, you also try to learn just the Chumash without Rashi, or to cover a certain amount throughout the day and complete the rest at a later point. The same can be with Tehillim (first kapitel) and Tanya. #9101
Women and Birkas Hamazon
If I understand correctly, women do not take part in a zimun for bentching. But are they supposed to answer – “Yehi Shem…” and “Baruch She’achalnu…”?
If there are three men who are obligated to bentch b’zimun, the women are obligated to respond. They have the actual mitzva of zimun and should not leave the table without doing so. If they are sitting on the other side of the mechitza and can’t see the men, they should not respond with Hashem’s name (Baruch Elokeinu… when there are ten men) unless there is a shared waiter. #4502*
Women In the Public Eye
Are women allowed to be in the public eye? As in: social media stars, make videos for the public, etc.?
This is not fitting with the rules of tznius. Even if a woman will dress and speak in a tznius way, nonetheless there is the concern that a woman being in the public eye brings bad thoughts to men. This conduct is forbidden as it says, “One shall not place a stumbling block in front of the blind.”
As a general principle, the Torah tells us that the beauty of women is when she is “pnimah” – inward, not out in the limelight. The aim of a Jewish woman is to seek to be “pnimah”, and not to look to be in the public eye. #2806
Are women allowed to give a speech when their audience includes men as well?
This is not proper for a religious crowd [as men need to look at the speaker, and to have men looking at a woman speak for a long period of time is not tznius. We find in the poskim that by the age of 9 it is important to have only male teachers.]
As such, poskim advise against this. Some even forbid it outright.
However, if the crowd is not religious, and the purpose is to teach them Torah, there could be some room for leniency in very specific scenarios, and one should seek guidance from a Rav. #2806
Women In the Military
Can there be a problem halachically for Jewish women to serve in the IDF (or any army)?
Absolutely forbidden. It goes against all basic rules of modesty. Furthermore, it touches upon the worst prohibitions in Torah, namely, it’s halachically considered an extension of adultery.
All Torah sages have ruled so and voiced their strong opposition to any form of drafting women in the army.
The Rebbe explained that women who are in the army are actually endangering the entire army, ruining themselves and others. They should instead focus on fulfilling their primary mission, building Jewish families. #14954
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