Does a Woman Repeating Maariv Three Times Create a Lifelong Obligation?
Question:
If a woman has davened (prayed) the Maariv service three times, does that create a halachic obligation or vow to continue praying Maariv for the rest of her life? Someone told me this might be the case—can you clarify if this is true?
Answer:
According to the final ruling in poskim (halachic authorities), women are exempt from davening Maariv, as it is a non-obligatory prayer (reshut). However, if a woman chooses to daven Maariv regularly the poskim discuss whether it may be considered a form of acceptance that creates an ongoing obligation. They indeed conclude that davening Maariv three times—especially consecutively—can be considered a form of acceptance that may create an ongoing obligation of a Neder. Therefore, a woman who wishes to daven Maariv regularly should ideally say “bli neder” before beginning this practice. It is sufficient to say this once, before the first time she begins davening Maariv, with the intention that all future Maariv prayers are not binding as a vow. However, if she has already davened Maariv three times—particularly if it was three times in a row—and now wishes to stop, she should perform hataras nedarim. This can be done easily in front of a beit din of three adult Jewish men over the age of 18, including family members [although not a husband] if necessary.
Note:
This exemption applies specifically to the Amidah (Shemoneh Esrei) and Shema portions of Maariv. However, a woman is biblically obligated to recite the section from “Vayomer” through “Ga’al Yisrael” every night. This is due to the Torah commandment for both men and women to mention the Exodus from Egypt (yetziat Mitzrayim) daily and nightly.
Sources:
Peri Megadim Pesicha Tefila end; Noam 12:48; Tefila Kehilchasa 1:11; Rivivos Efraim 1:173
See regarding doing a Chumra three times becoming a Neder:
See Yoreh Deah 214:1; Admur 249:13; 161:8; 468:17; Nussach of Hataras Nedarim in Siddur; Shaar Hakolel 41:3 [see there for a lengthy discussion of proofs for this matter] Alef Hamagen 581:102; Glosses of Rav Raskin on Siddur [Miluim 25]
See regarding women Davening Maariv: Admur 106:1-4; 70:1-5; 299:18; M”A 299:16; P”M 271 M”Z 1; M”B 106:4; 299:37; Aruch Hashulchan 106:7; Kaf Hachaim 70 and 106; 299:62; Igeres Hateshuvah Rabbeinu Yona; Piskeiy Teshuvos 70 and 106; Tefila Kehilchasa 1:8-35
See regarding women being obligated in Yetzias Mitzrayim of Maariv: See Admur 70:1; M”B 70:2; Kaf Hachaim 70:1; Piskeiy Teshuvah 70:1
See regarding women doing Hataras Nedarim:
Daily Halacha Monday 5th Marcheshvan: Women performing Hataras Nedarim – shulchanaruchharav.com
