DailyHalacha.com for Mobile Devices Now Available

Click Here to Sponsor Daily Halacha
"Delivered to Over 6000 Registered Recipients Each Day"

      
(File size: 424 KB)
Rosh Hashanah – Women’s Recitation of Musaf; Reading Hallel as Part of Tehillim

Generally speaking, women are exempt from the Musaf prayer recited on Shabbat, Rosh Hodesh and festivals, and they should not recite this prayer even if they wish to. On Rosh Hashanah, however, the Musaf prayer includes numerous verses and passages relating to the theme of divine mercy and our prayers for a good year, and thus women may recite Musaf on Rosh Hashanah. In fact, according to some views, women are obligated to recite Musaf on Rosh Hashanah, as well as on Yom Kippur. It goes without saying that women may recite the Ne’ila prayer on Yom Kippur.

Even though Hallel is normally recited on Yom Tob, we do not recite Hallel on Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur. As these occasions are days of judgment when the books of life and death are opened before God, it is inappropriate to conduct the joyous reading of Hallel. And although we feel confident on Rosh Hashanah that we will be inscribed for a good year, we must nevertheless approach our judgment with fear and dread, emotions which are incompatible with the singing of Hallel.

However, if a person recites Tehillim on Rosh Hashanah, and over the course of his reading he reaches the chapters of Hallel, he may recite these chapters. Since he recites these chapters as part of his normal reading of Tehillim, and not in the context of the festive Hallel recitation, this is permissible.

Summary: Women may recite Musaf on Rosh Hashanah, and, according to some opinions, they are required to recite Musaf on Rosh Hashanah. Hallel is not recited on Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur, though one who recites Tehillim may recite the chapters of Hallel as part of his Tehillim reading.

 


Recent Daily Halachot...
The Power of Speech
The Importance of Learning during the Summer
Respecting One’s Father When He Visits on Shabbat
Must One Stand for His Rabbi or Parent While he Studies Torah, Prays or Recites Birkat Ha’mazon?
When Must One Stand in His Parent’s Presence?
Standing Up for a Parent Who is One’s Student
Standing in the Presence of One’s Parent
Laws Pertaining to Meals: Etiquette for Guests and Hosts, and Torah Scholars Eating with an Am Ha’aretz
Are There Restrictions on Whom a Female Kohen May Marry?
If a Kohen Marries a Woman Forbidden for Him
May a Kohen Fly on a Plane That is Carrying a Dead Body?
May a Kohen Visit the Gravesite of a Sadik?
May a Doctor Who is a Kohen Perform Biopsies or be in the Same Room as Body Parts From a Living Person?
May a Non-Kohen Bless Somebody With Birkat Kohanim?
Reciting the Verse of “Vi’yhi Noam” Before Praying or Performing a Misva
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found