Jerusalem – Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger publicly declared that women are allowed, according to Halachah (Jewish law), to lead the Passover Seder, and it is even obligatory to allow women to read parts of the Haggadah,
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Metzger addressed the issue during his sermon over the weekend at the Great Shabbat (Shabbat Hagadol) celebration at the Jerusalem Great Synagogue. The Great Shabbat celebration, observed on the Shabbat before Passover, includes a special Haftarah reading (a portion from either the Prophets or the Writings read on Shabbat, which usually correlates with the week’s Torah portion) and a lengthy sermon to the community on Saturday afternoon.
Metzger delivered his sermon to hundreds of people, explaining that in the event that a woman’s husband is not at home – serving in reserves duty or traveling outside the country for example – the woman is allowed to lead the Seder herself. Metzger noted that many religious people are unfamiliar with this Halachah, which was recently reiterated in a book by the late Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, citing the rulings of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef.
Metzger added that even if the husband is at home on the night of the Seder, the family should rotate reading sections of the Haggadah and the wives and daughters should read as well. He says that it is forbidden that the women only hear the Haggadah, they must also be part of telling the story of the Exodus from Egypt.
“People think that in deference to modesty, they should forbid women from reading aloud. Many religious people do not know it, but there is actually a law [against this],” Metzger told Israel Hayom on Saturday night.
“A negative impression regarding the exclusion of women has become prevalent,” he added. “Women aren’t excluded from everything. When it comes to such an important mitzvah (commandment), which only happens once a year and tells the entire exodus from Egypt, women are a key part of the event.”
“a special Haftarah reading (a portion from either the Prophets or the Writings read on Shabbat,.”
What haftarah comes from the Writings?
Why are so many people unfamiliar with this halacha? What’s the point of all those yeshiva for life students if they don’t learn such important halachos? Reform and Conservative shuls know this halacha well and their women lead Seders.
Woman can also lead Sheva Brachot !
So… We men are gonna sit like goilemes and let these women take everything over, eh?
Regardless whether Rabbi Metzker is right or wrong, you quote him as if he were a TORAH scholar. He is simply a political hack that was appointed in a political process. No one looks up to him for any TORAH values or halacha.
He may be a wonderful person but what?
What next? Allow them to work?
Perfect example of how modern and trending ideas such as equality can distort true halacha. Now I see why no one takes this man seriously.
Rabbi Metzger is a big Am H’aretz a bar mitzvah boy from any yeshivah, know’s halacha better than him
To #15
I hope the yeshiva boys you speak of have more derech cheretz than you.
Monday morning Rav Metzger will have people stand when he walks into a room- you on the other hand will have people wondering who left the barn door open !
If there is a man than he should lead as he is obligated to eat reclinong unlike females. These modern orthodox are distorting yiddishkeit. I just read that some of these quaks are putting a tomatoe to symbolize the poor workers and oranges for toeva marriage and rights. Sick and getting sicker.
To #19 - Reb Hersh- Why do you, and some other commentators on this board feel so threatened by what you refer to as “the modern Orthodox”. Are they considered “trefe” by you? Does everyone have to wear a streimel, frock coat, gartel, and have payot and a long beard, in order to be considered as an “acceptable Jew”? Anytime there is a ruling which gives more responsibilities to a woman, the rumbling and mumbling begins! As Abba Eban stated at the United Nations during the Six Day War, “Most clocks move forward, and not backwards”.
Lead a seder yet still sit at the back of the bus?
i dont see the chidish her my wife has been leading the Seder for 30 yrs,,,,,,,,she just lets me sit at the head of table
I suppose if there is no father figure at the head of the household,I don’t see why a woman couldn’t lead her family’s seder.
I don’t know who this Mr metzger is, but 1 thing I do know is that the halucha says that women are pooter from saying the story of mitzrayim, just the men are m’chiyev to tell it for the women.
I read all of the above with great sadness and I’m horrified. I am not a “chasid” of Rabbi Metzger nor do I live in EY, but the vile comments about Rabbi Metzger’s lamdonus, frumkeit and character are downright disgusting and Motzie Shem Ra. Halacha is strong and wide enough (and has been for millenia) to deal with differing opinions in practical day to day Jewish life. You don’t agree with his psak? Don’t follow his psak. But how dare anyone judge another. You’re a bigger talmid chochom than him? Then you ought to know the Al Cheit that everyone says on Yom Kippur: Al cheit shechotonu lefonecha beflilus (“passing judgment” in case you can’t translate). This is why the Beis Hamikdosh still isn’t rebuilt. Shame.
This promotes peace in families. Good word Rabbi.
#17 , the fact is that a psak from Rabbi Metzger has No Relevance at all in the Torah World