[Avodah] Halacha Yomis - Eating Before Davening, Women

[Professor L. Levine]

>From today's OU Halacha Yomis

Does the prohibition of not eating before davening also apply to women? I usually say Modeh Ani and Birchas Hashachar and then eat breakfast, and then daven Shmoneh Esrei later. Is this permitted? (Subscriber's Question)


A. Shulchan Aruch (OC 106:2) writes that women are obligated in Tefillah (i.e. Shmoneh Esrei). However, the Magen Avrohom (106:2) points out that most women do not regularly daven Shmoneh Esrei, but instead fulfill their obligation with any prayer, such as a short prayer that they recite when they awake in the morning. The Mishnah Berurah writes that this is a minority opinion, and therefore women should make sure to daven Shacharis and Mincha daily.

Igeros Moshe (OC 4:101) writes that based on the Magen Avrohom, there is a basis for a woman to be lenient and eat before davening Shacharis, so long as she has already recited some prayer. Teshuvos V'Hanhagos (3:37) writes that women who are very busy in the mornings (e.g., taking care of children) are exempt from Tefillah at that time, and therefore may eat. However, he too writes that women should nevertheless recite Birchas Hashachar and the first pasuk of Shema before eating. He concludes that although it is proper for women to daven Shacharis (like the Mishnah Berurah), regarding eating before davening, they may rely on the Magen Avrohom.



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