#156: The Obligation of Women in Havdalah (Part 6)
- A child over approximately age six is obligated to listen to Havdalah, based on the mitzvah of chinuch (being educated in mitzvot). However, a child may not recite Havdalah on behalf of an adult man or woman (Mishnah Berurah 343:3; Shemirat Shabbat K’hilchatah 58:19). Therefore, if a woman is home alone with children under bar mitzvah age, she should recite Havdalah for them. They may also recite it for themselves.
- Girls above age six but under bat mitzvah age have a similar status to adult women with respect to Havdalah, based on the mitzvah of chinuch (Magen Avraham 343:1; “The Radiance of Shabbos,” p.115). Therefore, they should try to hear Havdalah from a man, but if needed, they may recite Havdalah themselves.
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Dedicated by Fran Broder as a zechus for the hostages to be released safely to their families and may everlasting peace come to Eretz Yisrael in the merit of learning Hilchos Shabbos.
