Women and The Jewish Year • Deracheha

Dedicated in Loving Memory of Beatrice Chernev

Rosh Chodesh

What makes Rosh Chodesh a women’s holiday? How does that affect its observance? Rosh Chodesh
What is Hallel? When is it recited and why? When are women obligated to recite it? Hallel
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

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

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

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

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
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
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

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 Fast Days
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

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

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

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

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
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

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

Should women sleep in the sukka? Must women take the lulav and etrog?

What is the nature of a woman’s obligation in megilla? May women read it for men or women?