Womens' Zimun...

Rav David Sperling Speaks

Q: Assuming that 3 women can make a mizumin, can it be understood that a mizumin of 10 women can add Hashem's name?

A: 3. Three women who ate bread together may make a zimun (see Shulchan Aruch 199,7). Even though there are many communities where this is not customary, there are no halachic opinions that forbid this. The opposite is true - there are opinions who obligate three women in zimun, and many who encourage it (see Ben Ish Hai, Parshat Korach 13 (first year) who advises men to instruct the women in their families to form a zimun when three or more of them eat together). In my opinion it is a wonderful thing for women to make a zimun (who wouldn't want to praise G-d with the words "Blessed be (our G-d) he of whose bounty we have partaken, and through whose goodness we live" in unison with one's friends!), as long as it does not offend the sensibilities (rightly or wrongly) of those around you.

However, the Shulchan Aruch (199, 6) writes that the term "Elo-kainu" can only be added to the zimun if ten men are present - and not ten women. This is because the use of G-ds name in this context requires the stringencies of a minyan (see the Mishna Brurah there).

While we are discussing women's zimun, it is a good opportunity to mention that even when one or two men are present, three women can still make a zimun. Only when three men or more ate together are the women to refrain from making the zimun (unless they separate from the men altogether). This matter is discussed at length in Rabbi Henkin's work "Responsa on Contemporary Jewish Women's Issues" (Ktav publishers).


Rav David Sperling is the Mashgiach Ruchani at
Nishmat.