Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi teaches that women are obligated to hear the reading of the megillah, she'af hen hayu be-oto ha-nes – that they were involved in the miracle of Purim. There is a difference of opinion regarding this teaching. According to Rashi and most of the commentaries, Jewish women were included in Haman's decrees of destruction, and are therefore obligated to participate in the thanksgiving festivities that celebrate the rescue of the Jewish people. Rav Hai Ga'on, the Rashbam and others argues that the Gemara's intent is that Jewish women played a crucial role in the miracle, in that Esther orchestrated the events that led to Haman's discovery and hanging.
In either case it is clear that women are obligated in the mitzvot of the day. How this affects women and their own reading of the megillah is the source of some dispute.
According to Rashi and the Rambam it appears that women are obligated in reading the megillah and therefore can read for others, as well. The Me'iri and the Ritva rule that women are obligated in the mitzvah, but they nevertheless cannot read for others because of an external reason, for example because it is not appropriate for the honor of the community for women to play such a public role. Finally there are those who suggest that women cannot read for others because their obligation is not to read the megillah, but only to hear the megillah. for more information visit here http://www.daat.ac.il/daat/english/tfila/frimer2.htm
1 comment:
great points, Elie
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