In addition to the debate about whether women are obligated in Havdala (resolved in favor that they are obligated), there is a secondary dispute about whether women must recite “Borei Meorei Haesh.”
The Biur Halacha
The Biur Halacha (296:8 s.v. lo yavdilu l’atzman) raises the possibility that women are not obligated to recite this bracha, even according to the accepted view of the Rambam and Shulchan Aruch that women must say Havdala. Reciting “Borei Meorei Haesh” commemorates Adam HaRishon’s discovery of fire on the first Motzei Shabbat after creation (Pesachim 54a).
In other words, we celebrate innovation and creativity, which Hashem mandates humanity to engage in. The Torah (Bereishit 2:3) states, “Asher Bara Elokim, that Hashem created to do.” Hashem made the world to do—meaning to create and innovate. Kabbalah teaches that Hashem made the world incomplete, and our job is to complete it.
The Rambam and Shulchan Aruch obligate women to recite Havdala because it is part of the mitzvah of Kiddush. In other words, it is a component of the positives of Shabbat in which women are obligated. Accordingly, the Biur Halacha raises the possibility that the Borei Meorei Haesh recital is separate from Shabbat as it focuses on decidedly non-Shabbat activity. Once it is distinct from Shabbat, women are exempt since it is mitzvat aseh shehazeman grama, a time-bound positive mitzvah.
Yet, the Biur Halacha remains uncertain since Borei Meorei Haesh is integrated into Havdala. Therefore, all Havdala rules should apply to this bracha—including a woman’s obligation to recite it. Nonetheless, the Biur Halacha is inclined to say that women are exempt from this bracha.
Rav Moshe Feinstein
However, Rav Moshe Feinstein (Teshuvot Igrot Moshe, Choshen Mishpat 2:47) rules that women must recite Borei Meorei Haesh. He notes that the Shulchan Aruch does not distinguish between this bracha and the rest of Havdala. Moreover, he notes that Ashkenazic women recite brachot on mitzvot, which they are not obligated to do (Rama Orach Chayim 589:6).
Many poskim side with Rav Moshe, including Rav Ovadia Yosef (Teshuvot Yechave Daat 4:27). Rav Yosef’s ruling for women to recite this bracha in cases when they recite Havdala themselves is quite significant because Rav Yosef vigorously advocates avoiding reciting a bracha when there is substantial doubt (“safek brachot l’hakeil”). Rav Yosef’s ruling that women recite “Borei Meorei Haesh” shows he is thoroughly convinced one must recite this bracha.
Other major poskim agreeing with Rav Moshe include Rav Shmuel Wosner (Teshuvot Shevet HaLevi 6:42 and 7:77), Rav Eliezer Waldenberg (Teshuvot Tzitz Eliezer 14:43) and Rav Moshe Shternbuch (Teshuvot Vehanhagot 1:266).
Conclusion
Nonetheless, the Shemirat Shabbat Kehilchata (58:16) concludes that women should recite Borei Meorei Haesh when reciting Havdala by themselves. A practical consideration supporting this conclusion is the not infrequent reports of older women residing alone sustaining burn injuries from handling the Havdala candle. However, it is more difficult to advise Sephardic women to omit this bracha since the great Sephardic poskim (besides Rav Ovadia, the Ben Ish Chai Vayeitzei 22 and Kaf Hachaim 296:55) believe that women are obligated to recite this bracha.
Rabbi Jachter serves as the rav of Congregation Shaarei Orah, rebbe at Torah Academy of Bergen County and a get administrator with the Beth Din of Elizabeth. Rabbi Jachter’s 20 books may be purchased at Amazon and Judaica House.
