Q. Last week (parshas Yisro) Rov Miller spoke at a Bar Mitzvah about the mitzvah of reading the weekly parasha with targum (translation). He mentioned that women should read the parsha using a reliable English translation if they do not understand the Hebrew text. I have a few questions about this: (1a) Is that understanding of what the Rov said accurately stated? (1b) I understood this means women should read the whole of every parsha - is that accurate? (2) What level of obligation or mitzvah is this for women?
A. Poiskim give two reasons for the obligation of completing the weekly parshios together with the congregation (Brochos 8a,b – O.H. 285:1) commonly known as reciting Shnaim Mikro Veechod Targum (twice the Hebrew chumash text and once the Aramaic translation). One is that it is an extension of the mitzvah of Torah learning and Torah knowledge. Therefore, they argue that since women are exempt from this particular mitzvah, they are also excepted from the mitzvah of completing the parshios. (Mishne Halochos 6, 60 – Likras Shabbos 5, 10 – Hashabbos Vehilchoseho p. 48). The second reason given is that it relates to the mitzvah of K'rias Hatorah or the weekly reading of the Torah by the congregation. Since according to Maseches Soifrim (18,4) quoted by Mogen Avrohom (ibid. 6) women are included in the mitzvah of K'rias Hatorah, which he compares to the reading of Hakhel, then it follows that women would also be incorporated in completing the weekly parsha. However in actual practice, Mishna Berura (ibid. 12) And Oruch Hashulchan (ibid.11) comment that women are not in the habit of attending the reading of the Torah on a regular Shabbos. As this constitutes the widespread practice today in most Kehilos, there is no reason to compel them in completing Shnaim Mikro Veechod Targum.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is that women have no obligation, nor are they encouraged or dissuaded from completing the parshios and reciting Shnaim Mikro Vechod Targum, yet he recommends that they should read the Parsha on the original or as a translation. (Please see next question (#262) in regards to women learning Tanach)
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
Important Numbers
