Kol Deracheha (Rachel Leshaw)

Join us as we meet Laurie Novick, Deracheha's Site Director, and learn more about her goals for the site. We'll discuss everything from favorite holidays to the ways Deracheha is changing the conversation around the role women play in transmitting halacha. Trust us, you don't want to miss this conversation!

Want to read more about women and halacha? Click here https://www.deracheha.org/concepts-introduction/

May a woman perform mitzvot voluntarily? The test case is Smicha or semikhah (Hebrew: סמיכה‬, "leaning [of the hands]"), also smichut (סמיכות‬, "ordination"), smicha lerabbanut (סמיכה לרבנות‬, "rabbinical ordination"), or smicha lehazzanut (סמיכה לחזנות‬, "cantorial ordination"), is derived from a Hebrew word which means to "rely on" or "to be authorized".

In this shiur, Laurie Novick analyzes the type of Hallel said on Chanuka, as well as the unique relationship of women to Chanuka, in order to understand the special obligation of women to recite Hallel on Chanukah.

In this episode we dicuss women and tefilla be-tzibbur. Specifically, what is the nature of communal prayer? What is the role of Shaliach Tzibbur, and who can fill it? What is the significance of women’s participation?

Click here for the full article: https://www.deracheha.org/tefilla-be-tzibbur/

This episode was dedicated in memory of Michael ben Yosef Halevi Lebenbaum

In this episode we go behind the scenes with Deracheha site director Laurie Novick to hear about the challenges and inspiration that went into writing our series on head-covering.

You can read the series here https://www.deracheha.org/passages/#head-covering/

Buy the book here: https://korenpub.com/products/lamentations-faith-in-a-turbulent-world

• In this episode we discuss what is chinuch for mitzvot, who is obligated, and at what stage.
• Dedicated by Sarah Kenigsberg Le-ilui Nishmat Chaya Miriam Bat Kasriel.
• Full article available here: https://www.deracheha.org/chinuch/

What is Hallel? When is it recited and why? When do women have an obligation to recite Hallel?

Read the full article here: https://www.deracheha.org/hallel/

In this episode we discuss the setting in which the obligation to cover the head applies, including the difference between public and private spaces, and whether there are others present. 

To read more, click here https://www.deracheha.org/head-covering-5-where/

What is the principle of af hen hayu be-oto ha-nes? When and how does it obligate women in mitzvot? Does it only apply to Chanukah, Purim and Pesach?

Read the full article here: https://www.deracheha.org/af-hen/

This week is the fourth installment in our series on prayer. We’ve already discussed the general obligation of women in prayer, including shemoneh esrei, and the prayers we say immediately upon waking up. In this week’s podcast we are going to talk about what follows the initial berachot, namely, the recitation of bikot hashachar.

To see all the sources referenced in today's podcast, check out the full article on our site here: https://www.deracheha.org/prayer-4-birchot-ha-shachar/ 

In this episode we discuss how and when a person can discharge someone else’s halachic obligation. Who can do this for whom, and what are the halachic mechanisms that allow this to work?

In this episode we discuss where head-covering is mentioned in the Torah, and in which contexts it is raised in the Mishnah and Gemara. We'll discuss sources which relate head-covering strongly to the concept of "dat yehudit", and secondarily to the concept of "erva".

To read more about the sources mentioned in the podcast, click over to our full article here: https://www.deracheha.org/head-covering-1-halachic-basis/

What is the mitzva of Lighting Shabbat and Yom Tov candles? Who lights? Where?

In this episode we discuss when we need a mechitza or gender separation outside of prayer.

To read all the sources mentioned in this episode, click here: https://www.deracheha.org/mechitza-3-separation-in-society/

In this episode we discuss the halachic basis for the concept of Kol Isha. How does Halacha view song in general? What is of specific concern with kol isha? When and to which type of voice does kol isha apply?

To see the sources inside, click here https://www.deracheha.org/kol-isha-1-halachic-basis/

What is the mitzva of Birkat Ha-mazon? What is the reason for the mitzva, and what must be included?

Read the full article on our site here: https://www.deracheha.org/birkat-ha-mazon/

In this episode we address some fundamental questions about minyan.

What is a minyan and what is it for? Who does and doesn’t count toward a minyan, and why?

To read all the sources mentions in this podcast, head to https://www.deracheha.org/minyan/

Last week we spoke about women's obligation in prayer in general. This week we'll focus on shemoneh esrei specifically. Do women have an obligation to recite Shemoneh Esrei? How many times a day? Are there justifications for women who recite fewer than two shemoneh esreis a day? We'll discuss all the different halachic approaches to this question, taking into account the different lived experiences of women at different periods in their lives. 

To see all the sources referenced in today's podcast, check out the full article on our site here: https://www.deracheha.org/prayer-2-shemoneh-esrei/

This episode continues our eight part series on prayer. We’ve already discussed the general obligation of women in prayer, including shemoneh esrei, and now we’re going to start from the beginning, discussing the prayers we say immediately upon waking up. In this episode we will discuss why we start our day the way we do, and the specific question of whether women are obligated in the birchot hatorah.

To see all the sources referenced in today's podcast, check out the full article on our site here: https://www.deracheha.org/prayer-3-upon-arising/ 

What areas of Torah may, and should, a woman study? And how? In this episode we'll discuss different modern approaches to women studying Oral Torah, from those who approve on a limited basis, to those who believe it's an absolute imperative at this stage in time.

To read the sources mentioned in this episode, click here https://www.deracheha.org/learning-torah-4-what-to-study/

In this episode we discuss the concept of yuhara and its applicability to women voluntarily wearing tzitzit. 

To read the sources discussed in context, check out the full article on our site at https://www.deracheha.org/tzitzit-2-yuhara/.

In the second episode in our podcast series we discuss whether men and women can combine to form a Birkat_Hamazon#Zimmun (Wikipedia)

What is the mitzva of tefillin? Why are women exempt from it? Is there precedent for laying tefillin voluntarily?

Read up on the sources here: https://www.deracheha.org/tefillin-1-exemption/

Challa, candle-lighting and nidda are three mitzvot in which women's performance takes precedence over men's. Taken together, what do they teach us about women and halacha?

Today we’re going to continue our series on prayer and talk about the last section of shacharit, after the shemoneh esrei.

Today we’re going to continue our series on prayer. We’ve already discussed the general obligation of women in prayer, including shemoneh esrei, the prayers we say immediately upon waking up, and birkot hashachar. In this week’s podcast we’re going to zoom in and take a closer look at the first 3 brachot of birkot hashachar. 

To see all the sources referenced in today's podcast, check out the full article on our site here: https://www.deracheha.org/prayer-5-she-lo-asani-isha-she-asani-kirtzono/

In this episode we discuss the four special Torah readings that precede Purim and Pesach Why do we read them and who must hear them? Are women obligated to hear Parashat Zachor?

Does a woman light her own Chanuka candles? When does she light for others?

In this new podcast we go behind-the-scenes with Shayna Goldberg, Contributing Editor to Deracheha and author of the new book "What Do You Really Want?" In her conversation with Rachel, Shayna explains how the book came to be, how it relates to her work as an educator, and lessons she's learned from her years of teaching and providing halakhic guidance. 

Learn more about the book here: https://korenpub.com/products/what-do-you-really-want

And read about Deracheha's approach to writing about halakha in our introduction here: https://www.deracheha.org/concepts-introduction/

In this episode we'll discuss women's obligation in Tefillat Mussaf. We'll start by discussing the nature of the mussaf offering and how is it related to the mussaf prayer. From there we'll move on to how this impacts women's obligation in Tefillat Mussaf.

To read the sources mentioned in this episode, click here https://www.deracheha.org/mussaf/

In this espisode we discuss Selicht - what are Selichot? Are women obligated to recite them? Do they require a minyan?

Read the full article here: https://www.deracheha.org/selichot/

Rav Ezra Bick's commentary on the Yud Gimmel Middot - https://www.etzion.org.il/en/series/understanding-13-middot-en

All Deracheha's Elul content available here: https://www.deracheha.org/elul-tishrei/

How much of her head or hair does a woman need to cover? Where do the variations in custom come from?

To see the sources mentioned in the podcast, click here https://www.deracheha.org/head-covering-4-how/

What are the the mitzvot and customs of Erev Yom Kippur? Why are they significant? How do they apply to women?

Full article here: www.deracheha.org/erev-yom-kippur/

In this episode we discuss the  mitzva of shofar on Rosh Hashana, whether women are obligated, and some practical issues that arise. 

To read the full article on our site, click here: https://www.deracheha.org/the-mitzva-of-shofar/

After discussing tzniut as a concept in a previous podcast, in this episode we'll focus specifically on dress. What is the purpose of clothing? How does this relate to tzeniut? What does Halacha say about dress?

Read all the sources in the podcast here: https://www.deracheha.org/dress-1-the-basics/

In this podcast, the first of our series on women's prayer, we'll identify prayer as "rachamei", seeking divine mercy. We'll discuss the various opinions about whether the obligation to pray daily is Biblical or Rabbinic, and how that relates to women's obligation in prayer. 

To see all the sources referenced in this episode, check out the article on our site here: https://www.deracheha.org/prayer-1-obligation/

In this episode we discuss women's obligation in Birkat Ha-Mazon, and what questions the test of Birkat Ha-Mazon may raise for women. 

Read the full article here (starting from obligation): https://www.deracheha.org/birkat-ha-mazon/

In this episode we discuss the mitzvot of Purim - mishlo'ach manot, matanot la-evyonim and se'uda. Where do these obligations stem from, and what are women's obligations in them? (The topic of women and megilla reading will be addressed in the next podcast.)

What is a woman's obligation in Torah study? The Talmud teaches that women are exempt from the Torah-level obligation to learn or teach Torah. What does this mean women should actually do? In this episode we'll explore opinions that approve or disapprove of a father teaching Torah to his daughter, and discuss how this influences the obvious obligation for women to know basic halacha in order for them to practice as observant Jews.

To read more about the sources mentioned in this episode, click here https://www.deracheha.org/learning-torah-2-obligation/

This week is the fifth installment in our series on prayer. We’ve already discussed the general obligation of women in prayer, including shemoneh esrei, the prayers we say immediately upon waking up, and birkot hashachar. 

Today we’re going to continue our series on prayer and talk about korbanot and psukei dezimra. 

To see all the sources referenced in today's podcast, check out the full article on our site here:https://www.deracheha.org/prayer-6-pesukei-de-zimra/

For more on Kol Isha (articles and podcasts) on Deracheha, click here https://www.deracheha.org/constants/#kol-isha

Learn more about our guests:

Elena Tal - https://www.elenatal.net/

Nina Tokayer (Yonina) - https://www.yoninamusic.com/

Full article available here: https://www.deracheha.org/kiddush-2-practical-issues/

In this episode we'll discuss some of the details of women's dress - what was traditionally covered, what is the status of the zeroa (arm), and how communal standards play into the halacha.

To read all the sources mentioned in the podcast, click here: https://www.deracheha.org/dress-2-the-details/

In this episode we discuss the mitzva of kiddush, both on Shabbat and Yom Tov, at night and during the day. We discuss a woman's obligation, and also how  a couple should handle kiddush during Niddah (Wikipedia)

What explanations for the mitzva of head-covering emerge from the sources? What other meanings might a woman find in the mitzva?

In this episode we'll discuss who can blow shofar for whom on Rosh Hashanah, and specific issues that arise because of the difference in obligation between men and women.

To read the full article, click here: https://www.deracheha.org/blowing-shofar/

After establishing in our previous podcast than men and women are viewed as having equal sanctity in Judaism, we'll explore the halachic obligations of men and women - when are they the same and when are they different? We'll discuss rules of thumb for gender differences in halacha, and how we're meant to understand these differences. 

In this episode we discuss the purpose of mechitza and why gender separation is a part of prayer.

This episode is dedicated in honor of Ilana Abramson's birthday by her daughter, Raphaela.

Full article available here: https://www.deracheha.org/mechitza-1-purpose/

In our first podcast on Zimmun we discuss the mitzva of zimmun, who is obligated in it, and under what circumstances women recite it.

Full article with sources: https://www.deracheha.org/zimmun-part-1/

Women's Zimmun Card available here: https://www.deracheha.org/zimmun-card/

What other observances of Chanuka are special to women? Are women obligated to recite Hallel on Chanuka?

Read the full article here: https://www.deracheha.org/chanuka-2-other-observances/

Was gender hierarchy built into creation? Are men and women really created equal? All this, and more, in the first of our three-part series on women's status in Judaism

In this short episode, Rachel goes behind the scenes with Laurie to discuss Deracheha's most recent article on menstruation and Shabbat. Learn what made writing this article so challenging, what surprised Laurie as she was writing it, and what's next on Deracheha's to-do list.

To read the article, click here: www.deracheha.org/menstruation-and-shabbat/

In this interview, Rachel sat down with Devorah Katz of Pat Bamelach bakery in Efrat right before Pesach to talk about chametz, matza and more. Listen to find out what a bakery does with its sourdough starter on Pesach, and the surprising ways food brought people together during the coronavirus pandemic. (And lots more, like Deracheha's zimmun cards, the creative women of Pat Bamelach, and the Katz family Pesach Seder!)

Find all of Deracheha's Pesach content here: www.deracheha.org/pesach-page/

Find Deracheha's Zimmun Cards here: www.deracheha.org/zimmun-card/ 

What early opportunities developed for women’s formal Torah study? On what halachic basis?

To read the sources mentioned in this episode, click here https://www.deracheha.org/learning-torah-3-openings/

What is the source of the custom to stay up late to learn Torah on Shavuot? Does it apply to women?

Read the full article here: https://www.deracheha.org/tikkun-leil-shavuot/

In this episode we discuss the nature of the mitzva of sefirat ha-omer and whether women are obligated in the mitzva. We also discuss the customs of the omer period and the way they apply to women. To read the full article, click the link below.

https://www.deracheha.org/sefirat-ha-omer/

What is a guf naki? How is it connected to tefillin, and to women?

To read all the sources, click here: https://www.deracheha.org/tefillin-2-guf-naki/

In our last podcast we discussed the general value of voluntary mitzva performance. This week we're discussing whether it's appropriate to make a beracha when voluntarily performing a mitzva. We'll discuss the purpose of a birkat hamitzva, the possible concerns with reciting one in this case, and the differences in practical halacha for Ashkenazim and Sefardim.

Read the full article here: https://www.deracheha.org/beracha-on-voluntary-performance/

In this episode we discuss different ways of thinking about tzniut, whether it is based on societal standards, and why tzniut is often linked specifically to women.

To read the full article, click here https://www.deracheha.org/tzeniut/

In this episode, we discuss our personal inspirations and approaches to chinuch for our children.

Article on Chinuch available here: https://www.deracheha.org/chinuch/

In this episode we discuss simchat yom tov (rejoicing on a festival). What is the nature of this mitzva? What is a woman’s obligation in it?

Read the full article on our site here: https://www.deracheha.org/simchat-yom-tov/

In this episode we discuss the halachic significance of bat mitzva and how should it be observed or celebrated.

Full article available here: https://www.deracheha.org/bat-mitzva/

This week is the seventh installment in our series on prayer. 

Today we’re going to talk about Keri'at Shema.

To see all the sources referenced in today's podcast, check out the full article on our site here: https://www.deracheha.org/prayer-7-shema/

In this episode we discuss how contextual factors can affect the application of kol isha, and whether the halacha is different in a religious context.

To read the full article, click here https://www.deracheha.org/kol-isha-3-in-context/

In this episode we discuss women's obligation in reclining at the seder and telling the story of the exodus from Egypt.

Read the full article with sources here: https://www.deracheha.org/the-seder-part-2/

In this episode we discuss the source of the ruling that the obligation to cover the head takes effect only upon marriage, and how this affects divorced women and brides.

In this episode we discuss the reasons we blow shofar in Elul, and whether women should make an effort to hear the shofar blown. To read the full article on our site, click here: https://www.deracheha.org/shofar-in-elul/

How do the laws of erva shift in interpersonal settings? How does this affect the laws of women’s clothing? And what are the halachot concerning skirts and pants?

To read all the sources mentioned in the podcast, click here https://www.deracheha.org/dress-3-more-details/

In this episode we discuss the structural requirements for a mechitza and whether the ezrat nashim‘s structure has a halachic effect on prayers said within it.

Find all the sources discussed in this episode on our website here: https://www.deracheha.org/mechitza-2-structure/

In this episode we'll discuss what the mitzva of tzitzit is, as well as why women have not customarily performed this mitzva. We'll also discuss whether a woman can perform the mitzva, and the potential halachic issue of keli gever (men's garb) that may apply in this case. 

To read all the sources mentioned in this episode, check out our article here: https://www.deracheha.org/tzitzit-1-keli-gever/

In this episode we discuss women's obligation at the Pesach seder. Are women obligated in Pesach, matza and maror? In the four cups? In Hallel?

Read the full article here: https://www.deracheha.org/the-seder-part-1

What is the mitzvah of learning Torah? Does it apply to women? In this episode we'll see that the definition of Talmud Torah is more broad than we might have thought, although women are exempt from studying Torah in a formal way. 

To read the sources mentioned in this episode, click here https://www.deracheha.org/learning-torah/

In this episode we'll discuss Rosh Chodesh, what makes it a woman’s holiday, and this affect its observance.

To read the full article, click here: 

https://www.deracheha.org/rosh-chodesh/

Today we’re going to continue our series on prayer and talk about Birchot kriat shema.

For Deracheha's full article on this topic: https://www.deracheha.org/prayer-8-birchot-shema/

In practice, may a woman choose to lay tefillin? What are the practical halachic rulings on this?

To read the full article on our site, click here https://www.deracheha.org/tefillin-3-in-practice/

Why are women generally exempt from positive time-bound mitzvot? We'll discuss the rule, exceptions, and possible rationales, including whether these explanations are "just apologetics".

In this episode we discuss men’s and women’s responsibilities with respect to kol isha, and whether a woman may freely listen to men sing, or sing herself.

To read the full article, click here: https://www.deracheha.org/kol-isha-2-mutual-responsibility/

Why is it important for women to engage directly with halachic texts? In this introduction to Deracheha we'll discuss the different ways Jewish tradition can be transmitted, and the role Jewish women have played in that transmission throughout Jewish history. 

To read the sources mentioned in this episode, click here https://www.deracheha.org/concepts-introduction/

Join us as we speak to Shayna Goldberg, contributing editor at Deracheha, about how Torah influences her life and what she envisions for her students. 

Must all Jewish women fast on the minor fast days? What if a woman is pregnant or breastfeeding? Postpartum or after pregnancy loss?

Read Deracheha's full article here: https://www.deracheha.org/exemption-from-minor-fasts/

In this special behind the scenes episode, Rachel speaks to Laurie about tzeniut, and the challenges of writing about tzeniut as its own concept, not as it relates to clothing. Plus some thoughts on coronavirus, trampolines and backyard weddings.

To read the sources referenced, click here https://www.deracheha.org/tzeniut/

Read the full article here: https://www.deracheha.org/dress-4-keli-gever/

In part 2 of our megilla reading podcast we discuss who constitutes a quorum for megilla reading, and whether women may read for herself and others.

Read all the sources here: https://www.deracheha.org/megilla-reading/

In this episode we discuss the nature of women's obligation in megilla reading and the brachot recited. Part 2 will discuss who constitutes a quorum for megilla reading, and who a woman may read for.

Read more in our article here: https://www.deracheha.org/megilla-reading/

In this episode we discuss the mourning practices of the period leading up to Tisha B'av, and whether they have particular relevance for women.

To read the whole article, click here https://www.deracheha.org/3-weeks-9-days/

In this episode we discuss whether all women must fast on Yom Kippur and Tish’a Be-Av? What if a woman is pregnant, postpartum, or nursing? How do the laws of the two fast days differ?

Read the full article here:  https://www.deracheha.org/exemption-from-major-fasts

In this episode we interview Dr. Deena Zimmerman, MD MPH IBCLC and yoetzet halacha, about nursing and fasting. We discuss what a nursing mother can expect if she fasts, how to prepare for the fast, and when a woman should consult with a halachic expert to decide whether she should fast. 

Learn more here: https://www.deracheha.org/exemption-from-major-fasts/

In this episode we discuss when a woman can discharge a man's mitzva obligations, and cases where she technically can, but maybe should not. Why would that be the case? Listen to find out, and gain insight into differences between birkat hamazon, kiddush and megilla.

Read the full article here: https://www.deracheha.org/discharging-obligations-in-practice/

In this episode, the first in our series on fast days, we discuss when do we fast and why, including background on the fasts of Yom Kippur, Asarah Be-tevet, 17 Be-tammuz, Tisha Be-av, Tzom Gedalya and Ta'anit Esther. We also discuss the level of obligation on each fast day and who is obligated. 

To read the full article, click here: https://www.deracheha.org/fast-days/