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Are there any mitzvahs exclusively for women?

by Rabbi Mendy Hecht




In addition to the general obligation to perform Mitzvahs, women are given three exclusive Mitzvahs that fan the feminine essence:

1. Turning ordinary food into soul food

The laws of Kosher food preparation, highlighted by the laws of Separating Challah, are primarily the woman's privilege. The woman is given the task and responsibility of insuring that her family is nurtured both physically and spiritually, and she accomplishes this through maintaining a (well stocked, tasty and nutritious) kosher home.

2. Turning darkness into light

Perhaps the most central woman's Mitzvah is lighting candles for Shabbat and the Holidays. The candles are several things, but above all, they are symbols of inner light, symbols of harmony, of peace, of domestic tranquility. That's why there's one candle per family member. The woman is the axis around which the family world turns, and on Shabbat, the Jewish woman, the life force of the home, ushers all those things in.

3. Turning corporal passions into sacred intimacy

It is the married woman's privilege to preserve the sanctity of the marriage through immersing monthly in the purifying waters of the Mikvah, known as the laws of Family Purity. The woman is the conduit through which purity is channeled to the entire household.

[Although separating Challah and lighting Shabbat candles are primarily a woman's mitzvah, in the absence of a woman a man must fulfill these commandments].




mitzvot for men and women

Posted by: Shara on Jun 13, 2006

You stated in the absence of a woman, men are required to fulfill the mitvot of lighting shabbat candles, and separating the challah portion. In the absense of a man then, should a woman perform the kiddush blessing? Also, If a woman wanted to wear kippot, tzizit, or tefillin, is this allowed?

Editor's Comment

1) A woman must make kiddush if no man is present.

2) It is not customary for women to wear kippot. See "May a woman wear a Kippah?"

3) Women do not wear tzitzit or tefillin. The reasons for this are discussed in their respective sections of our knowledgebase ( "Why can't women wear Tefillin?" and "Why doesn't a woman wear a Tallit?" ).


Women & Judaism » Women's Mitzvot » Obligations/ Exemptions
