What are the Halachos in regards for women to be in shul. I want to do the right thing always Is there an obligation in Halacha for women to be in shul and if so, when should they be?
e.g. to hear the shofar on Rosh Hashanah or if she hears it during the month of Elul and fulfill her obligation of the mitzvah of hearing the shofar for Rosh Hashanah
Thank you so very much for your kindness and help
Answer:
There is no formal obligation for a woman to go to shul.
However, according to some opinions a woman has an obligation to hear Parashas Zachor, and for this purpose the common custom is for women to attend the Torah reading on the Shabbos before Purim.
In addition, a woman has an obligation to hear Megillas Esther, and to hear the Shofar on Rosh Hashanah, however, these obligations can also be fulfilled at home (without a minyan).
Many women prefer to go to shul for the purpose of hearing the Shofar, and for davening on the Yamim Nora’im, because it is easier to reach a higher level of devotion and inspiration in shul than at home.
Certainly, there is a virtue of being in shul, for one will be able to participate in the parts of davening that require a minyan. However, for a woman these parts of davening are not obligatory.
The Gemara (Sukkah 46) makes a point of the importance of women’s participation in the Simchas Beis Ha-Sho’evah of Sukkos, for which a special ladies’ gallery was built in the Beis Ha-Mikdash. Although this refers to participation in the festival joy, several authorities (see Beis Shlomo 28, also mentioning the Shaul U-Meishiv) write of the importance of including a ladies’ gallery in shul, which will allow women to participate in the davening.
Best wishes and much hatzlacha!
