[Avodah] Women and Matza

[Saul Mashbaum]

I wrote
>>

In fact, the exceptions to the rule that "mitzvos asei shehazman gerama
nashim pturot" are few
indeed : pesach (sh'chitato vachilato), matza, kiddush on Shabbat, and
simchat yom tov. See Rambam AZ 12:3.
>>
In an offlist communication, a chaver pointed out that I incorrectly omitted
Hakhel from this list.

Although the Rambam in the Mishne Torah AZ 12:3, explicitly lists only 5
mitzvot as exceptions to the rule that  "mitzvot ashe shehazman grama nashim
pturot", there is some indication that there is a further category of
time-bound positive mitzvot women are obligated in.
In his Sefer Hamizvot, mitzvot aseh 154-171, the Rambam list many mitzvot
aseh
related to Shabbat, YK, and YT: To refrain from work on these days (each
chag is a separate mitzva), to make kiddush on Shabbat, to rid oneself of
the possession of chometz,
 sippur yetziat mitzrayim, to eat matza,  and the mitzvot of sfirat haomer,
daled minim, succa, and shofar. Regarding the last four mitzvot, the Rambam
explicitly says that women are exempt. He says this about none of the other
mitzvot in this group. We know that women are obligated in at least two of
them (matza and kiddush hayom) and it does seem that the Rambam implies that
women are obligated in the other ones as well. The Chinuch, who generally
follows the Rambam, definitely holds this (See mitzva 297 and the Minchat
Chinuch there) . Thus it is possible that RMB's reference to "numerous
exceptions" to the general rule  was not as far off the mark as I indicated
in my previous posting.

Saul Mashbaum
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