Question:I’ve heard that a woman should not light the havdala candle. Is there a source for this? Answer:We are not aware of any source in Halacha that a lady should not light the havdala candle. It should be mentioned that there is a prohibition to perform melochos before havdolo (Shulchan Aruch Orach Chayim Siman 299 Se’if 10). However, it is sufficient to recite havdolo in tefilla or to say “boruch hamavdil bein kodesh l’chol” to permit performing melochos (Shulchan Aruch ibid). Furthermore, the Remo (ibid) quotes an opinion that maintains that the prohibition of melocho only pertains to melochos that take time, however melochos that are performed easily “such as lighting a candle” are permitted even before havdolo. However, the conclusion of the Remo is that one should not perform any melocho before havdolo. There are opinions that maintain that ladies should not recite borei me’orei ho’eish (c.f. Mishna Berura Siman 296 s.k. 36, Bi’ur Halocho ibid). Nonetheless, this still would not prevent them from lighting the candle. |
Ladies Lighting Havdala Candle
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