Note: These Halachos are just as important for men to learn and know, as they are for women.
When Reading in Shul, DO NOT Read During Davening or Krias HaTorah
...Continued from previous week
1) In certain communities it is customary for women to wash Mayim Achronim before Birchas Hamazon, while in other communities it is less prevalent for women to do so.
Both Minhagim are acceptable. (See Aruch HaShulchan 181:5, Shu"t Teshuvos V'hanhagos Vol. 1 Siman 174, Shu"t Shevet Haleivi Vol. 4 Siman 23 and Shu"t V'Yevarech Dovid Siman 30)
2) It is a good practice to train children in the washing of Mayim Achronim (Rav Chaim Kanievsky Zatzal, quoted in Sefer Otzar Hamayim Chapter 4).
If the women in any particular home wash Mayim Achronim, then female children should be taught to do so as well.
3) One who eats bread, and it satisfies their hunger is obligated biblically to recite Birchas HaMazon (Benching), as the Posuk Says (Devarim 8:10) "V'Achalta, V'Savata, U'Verachta- You shall eat, You shall be satiated, and you shall bless [and thank Hashem]" (See Talmud Brachos 48b)
The sages required reciting Birchas HaMazon after eating a Kzayis of bread (approximately 1.1 fl. oz.) within a certain time frame known as Kdei Achilas Pras (around 3-4 minutes), even if it hasn't satiated you.
4) If less than a Kzayis of bread was eaten, no Benching (or any Bracha Achrona) is required. (Unlike the Bracha of Hamotzi, where even on a small bite, the Bracha is required.) (Mishna Berura Siman 184: 21 and 22)
Women are obligated in Birchas HaMazon. (Though there is a debate among the Poskim if their obligation is biblical or rabbinical. See Mishna Berura Siman 186:1 and 2. See also Shu"t Chasam Sofer Orach Chaim Siman 48, Aruch HaShulchan 184:3 and Shulchan Aruch HaRav 184:1)
5) A woman who inadvertently omitted Ya'aleh V'Yavo in Birchas Hamazon on Yom Tov (except during the bentching at the Pesach Seder), does not need to repeat the Bentching, as women may, M'Ikar Hadin, fast on Yom Tov.
6) However, if she omitted Retzei on Shabbos or Ya'aleh V'yavo during the bentching at the Pesach Seder, she does need to repeat, as she is obligated in Seudas Shabbos as well as in eating Matzah on Pesach. (See Shu"t Rav Akiva Eiger Siman 1 and Sdei Chemed; Brachos;Asifas Dinim Siman 4:3)
7) A woman who ate a meal with two men cannot join with them to form the group of three required to recite Birchas Hamazon with "Zimun". (See Shulchab Aruch Siman 199:6)
However, if three or more men are forming a group to recite Birchas Hamazon with Zimun, a woman who ate with them is required to, join them in their Zimun. (See Shulchan Aruch Siman 199:7)
8) A group of three or more women who ate together may perform Zimun as a group for themselves. (See Shulchab Aruch Siman 199:6)
Even if the women ate together with the men, if they want to split off for Bentching and have their own group for Zimun, they are permitted to do so. (Ruling of Shulchan Aruch HaRav quoted in Mishna Berura Siman 199 S"K 18)
...To be continued B’Ezras Hashem next week
