[Avodah] Woman Saying Birkat haGomel from Bima

[Aryeh Frimer]

Below is my (abbreviated) conversation with Rabbi Idan Scher.   My analysis in Avodah Digest, Vol 43, Issue 59 was correct.  (See also Isaac Balaban's post)
His reply is published with his specific permission.
Gemar Hayima Tova
Aryeh Frimer


________________________________
From: Rabbi Idan Scher <rabbischer at cmhottawa.com<mailto:rabbischer at cmhottawa.com>>
Sent: Friday, September 19, 2025 3:20 AM
To: Aryeh Frimer <Aryeh.Frimer at biu.ac.il<mailto:Aryeh.Frimer at biu.ac.il>>
Subject: Re: Your Moving post on JTA


Dear Rabbi Frimer,

I so appreciate your derech eretz in reaching out to me to clarify the details.

Indeed, the recitation of Birkas HaGomel took place once davening was over. In our shul, once davening is completely over, we do invite women to speak from the bimah, and we hold bat mitzvah ceremonies there as well. This was done in the same context.

I would, of course, be happy to provide further detail if it would be helpful.

With deep respect and warm wishes for a Gut Yohr!

Idan

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 On Thu, Sep 18, 2025 at 3:03 AM Aryeh Frimer <Aryeh.Frimer at biu.ac.il<mailto:Aryeh.Frimer at biu.ac.il>> wrote:

Dear Rabbi Scher,
       The following appeared on the Avodah Discussion Group:

Message: 3
Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2025 14:28:17 +0000 (UTC)
From: Harry Maryles <hmaryles at yahoo.com>
To: The Avodah Torah Discussion Group <avodah at lists.aishdas.org>
Subject: [Avodah] A woman reciting Birchas Gomel at the Bimah on
        shabbos

There is a fascinating article in JTA (linked below) where the Rav of a MO shul allowed a woman to say Birchas Gomel at the Bimah on shabbos morning.?
My sense is that there is nothing wrong with that Halachicly. But My sense is also that this would never be allowed in a mainstrean Orthodox Shul that isn't MO. The Rav, Idan Scher, is not in any way OO and seems to be quite mainstream Orthodox by virtue of his educational background. I wonder how this event would be treated by the more right wing e 'Agudah'?type?shuls. Would they allow it? Is there a Hashkafa problem ...or maybe even a Halachic problem? and if so, what would those problems be??
https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.jta.org%2F2025%2F09%2F12%2Fideas%2Fmy-congregant-was-stabbed-for-being-jewish-what-happened-the-next-shabbat-was-incredible&data=05%7C02%7Caryeh.frimer%40biu.ac.il%7C54aebca61b604952ff8108ddf65bc64d%7C61234e145b874b67ac198feaa8ba8f12%7C0%7C0%7C638937599342134577%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C80000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=UzbXqqnODc%2Bm5hqCGAVlz1Pnn83pykY6DF93qWmXhMg%3D&reserved=0<https://www.jta.org/2025/09/12/ideas/my-congregant-was-stabbed-for-being-jewish-what-happened-the-next-shabbat-was-incredible>
HM

To this I replied:
There are very few details given in the article about exactly when the Birkat haGomel was said.
The poskim (Beer Heteiv, Mishna Berura) talk about a woman saying Birkat haGomel during Keri'at haTorah from the other side of the Mechitsa.
There is no mention in the Article of a Torah, only a "Podium".  The woman was surrounded by her Family and her recitation was followed by dancing.
Sounds more like a post-davening celebration.  Before guessing, the Shul rabbi should be consulted.
Kol Tuv,  Shana Tova, Beri'a, sheleiva u-metuka
Aryeh

Would you be so kind as to supply more details about the moving communal event,  timing, location etc.  and any Halakhic considerations involved.
Kol Tuv and Much thanks in advanced
Shana Tova, Beri'a, sheleiva u-metuka lanu u-le-khol Beit Yisrael!
Aryeh


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Professor Emeritus Aryeh A. Frimer
37 Hanassi Harishon
Rehovot 7630306, ISRAEL
E-mail (Preferred): Aryeh.Frimer at biu.ac.il
Cellphone: 972-54-7540761
Tel: 972-8-9473819/9470834
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aryeh_Frimer
E-mail (alternate): FrimerA at zahav.net.il



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