עברית
Women
What is the Text of Kri'at Shema for a Woman?
Question
Hello,
1. Following a question that was asked, what should a woman say as part of the Kri'at Shema said at bedtime?
2. What are women obligated to do regarding prayers - the Shmoneh Esrei three times a day? If so, when is it most recommended? Or is a woman not obligated in Shmoneh Esrei at all?
Best regards and thanks in advance, Hadas
Answer
Hello and blessings,
1. A woman recites the Kri'at Shema at bedtime exactly as a man does. The main obligation is to recite the blessing of the Hamapil with the Divine Name, and to read the first paragraph of Kri'at Shema, which is from "Shema Yisrael" until the end of "*Ve'ahavta*".
2. A Sephardic woman is obligated to pray the Shmoneh Esrei once a day only. The most recommended time for this is during the morning prayer, Shacharit. Ashkenazi women usually pray Shmoneh Esrei three times a day. (Shulchan Aruch, siman 106, section A. Yalkut Yosef part A, pp. 185-187).
It is important to note that a woman is required to recite the morning blessings, including the blessings of the Torah. It is preferable for a woman to recite the Kri'at Shema in the morning to accept the yoke of the heavenly kingdom upon herself; if she does not have time, she should at least recite the first verse of Kri'at Shema. However, this is not an absolute obligation. (Shulchan Aruch, end of siman 47, and siman 6, section A).
Best regards,
Menache Ben Porat
