Hi,
Kiddush is a mitzvah for both men and women. Therefore, either a man or a woman may recite Kiddush for the household.
A man who recites Kiddush and drinks in the synagogue should not be the one to recite Kiddush for the family at home; he should have another adult household member recite Kiddush.
(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chayyim 271:2; Mishneh Berurah 271:4)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
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Good evening,
ReplyDeleteI was just having a conversation with one of the local rebbeim, precisely about this point. He agreed that as for halachas of Kiddush, a woman could recite for the household (or presumably for a larger Shabbos table of family and guests. He pointed out, however, that it may be a violation of the halachas of 'tznuah'. And, for that reason, he suggested, one should have only men recite Kiddush. That conclusion, however, seems to differ from what you are saying. Your thoughts?
Michael
Hi Michael,
ReplyDeleteI think this is an important point.
Tzniut, as a concept beyond the more technical halachos of ervah, mandates that men and women not act in a way that draws attention to ourselves. There are many facets to this issue; it is a matter of הצנע לכת עם אלקיך as well as avoiding inappropriate relationships, of course.
I would agree that in terms of tzniut and kiddush, it would be appropriate to avoid eyebrow-raising activities in public.
That said, the definition of "eyebrow-raising" as well as "public" is quite subjective...
Hello,
ReplyDeleteIs it as simple as "when in Rom..." That is, if one is so inclined to an understanding of "public" and "eyebrow raising", is it halachically acceptable for the woman to recite publicly in that crowd while the man would be the one in the more "right leaning" crowd. And, is this just an example of following "minhag hamakom" or can one be fairly accused of halachic relativism?
Hi Michael,
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't invoke minhag hamakom here; it's not about minhag, but about normal expectations. Expectations are not even about popular practice, necessarily.