The Jewish Year

Dedicated in Loving Memory of Beatrice Chernev

Tefillat Mussaf

 
What is the nature of the mussaf offering? How is it related to the mussaf prayer? Are women obligated to recite tefillat mussaf? Tefillat Mussaf
 

Hallel

 
What is Hallel? When is it recited and why? When are women obligated to recite it? Hallel
 

Rosh Chodesh

 
What makes Rosh Chodesh a women’s holiday? How does that affect its observance? Rosh Chodesh
 

Inclusion in the Miracle

 
What is the principle of af hen hayu be-oto ha-nes? When and how does it obligate women in mitzvot? Af Hen: Inclusion in the Miracle
 

Simchat Yom Tov

 
What is the nature of the mitzva of simchat yom tov (rejoicing on a festival)? What is a woman’s obligation in it? Simchat Yom Tov
 

Pesach

• At the seder, are women obligated in eating matza and maror? In drinking the four cups? The Seder: Part I
• Are women obligated to recline? To tell the story of yetzi’at Mitzrayim? The Seder: Part II

 

Shavuot

• What is the nature of the mitzva to count the omer? Are women obligated? How do the customs of this time period apply to women? Sefirat Ha-omer
• What is the source of the custom to stay up late to learn Torah on Shavuot? Does it apply to women? Tikkun Leil Shavuot

 

Rosh Ha-Shana

• Why do we blow shofar in Elul? Should a woman make an effort to hear it? Shofar in Elul
• What is the mitzva of shofar? Are women obligated in it? What are the practical halachot involved? The Mitzva of Shofar
• Who blows shofar for whom? Blowing Shofar

 

Yom Kippur

• What are the the mitzvot and customs of Erev Yom Kippur? Why are they significant? How do they apply to women? Erev Yom Kippur
• See more under Days of Fasting or Mourning

 

Simchat Torah

• How should a Sefer Torah be treated? May women handle it? Contact with a Sefer Torah
• How did the custom of dancing with a Sefer Torah on Simchat Torah come about? How can women celebrate during the hakafot? Dancing with a Torah

 

Chanuka

• Does a woman light her own Chanuka candles? When does she light for others? Chanuka I: Candle-Lighting

• What other observances of Chanuka are special to women? Are women obligated to recite Hallel on Chanuka? Chanuka II: Other Observances

 

Purim

From Megilla reading to mishlo’ach manot and beyond, what are women’s practical obligations on Purim?

• What are the four special Torah readings? Why do we read them and who must hear them? Are women obligated to hear Parashat Zachor?Arba Parashiyot
• What are the mitzvot of Purim aside from megilla reading? What are women’s obligations in them? Mitzvot of Purim

Days of Fasting or Mourning

Fast days and the three weeks are periods of affliction or mourning practices. To what extent do these practices apply to women?

• When do we fast and why? What is the level of obligation on each fast day? Who is obligated? Fast Days
• Must all Jewish women fast on the minor fast days? What if a woman is pregnant or breastfeeding? Postpartum or after pregnancy loss? Exemption from Minor Fasts
• Must all Jewish women fast on the minor fast days? What if a woman is pregnant or breastfeeding? Postpartum or after pregnancy loss? Exemption From Major Fasts
• What mourning practices apply as we approach Tish’a Be-Av? Do they have particular relevance for women? The 3 Weeks and the 9 Days

Read on to see what we’re planning for this section of the site–and let us know if you have a topic to suggest.

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Shabbat

What are women’s obligations at Shabbat’s entrance and exit, and in between?