Havdalah

From Halachipedia

Obligation

  1. There's a dispute whether Havdalah is Deorittah or Derabbanan. [1]

Structure

Timing

Women

  1. There's a dispute whether women are obligated in Havdalah. Nonetheless, women may make the it for themselves. [2]

References

  1. Rambam (Hilchot Shabbat 29:1) writes that the command of "Zachor Et Yom HaShabbat" (Shemot 20:7) includes the positive mitzvahs of Kiddish and Havdalah every week. Other Rishonim that agree with Rambam include Ravi’ah Brachot 3:1, Ritvah as quoted by the Nimukei Yosef Pesachim 55, and Sefer Hachinuch Mitvah 31. However, Tosfot (Tosfot Nazir 4a D"H My Hee in name of Rabbenu Tam) and the Rosh (Sh"t 11:3).
  2. Rambam (Hilchot Shabbat 29:1) writes that the Havdalah is a positive command just like Kiddish. Maggid Mishna (Hilchot Shabbat 29:1) implies from the Rambam that women are obligated in Havdalah jus tlike they are obligated in Kiddish. Maggid Mishna suggests that even according to those who argue on the Rambam, women can be obligated if the rabbis instituted Havdalah to be just like Kiddish. Orchot Chaim (Hilchot Havdalah 18; quoted by Bet Yosef 296:8) writes that because there's a dispute whether women are obligated women shouldn't make Havdalah for themselves. Nonetheless, S"A 296:8 rules as Stam (anonymous opinion) that women are obligated in Havdalah. Bach adds that for Ashkenazim there is an additional reason to permit women to make the bracha considering that Ashkenazim allow one to make a bracha even for Mitzvot that one is not obligated in such as lulav. Even though this is stark contrast to the Rama on this topic, the achronim rule like the Bach including the Magan Avraham and Mishna Brurah 296:35.