Q. Are women obliged to say hallel on Chanuka as they are on lighting the menorah since they were also included in the miracle? Can they just say a few tehilim of praise to Hashem in case of need?
A. Poskim disagree Moadin Uzmanim (2: 146) quotes Tosafos (Suka 38a D'H Mi) that they are obliged on reciting hallel in Pesach since they were also included in the miracle and that applies to Chanuka too. (Minchas Pittim 683, Hisorerus Teshuva 1: 51, Igrois Moshe 1: 190, Shevet Halevy 1: 205, Hagrach Kanievsky Shlit'a).
However, many quote the Rambam (H. Chanuka 3: 14), who rules they are exempt. (Sdei Chemed M. Chanuka 9, quoting Binyan Shlomo, Beis Sheorim O.H. 359, Minchas Shlomo 2: 58, Yabia Omer 6: 45 and others).
Yeshuos Yaakov (422) maintains that they are not bound to say it, but it is recommended they do.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is to be lenient.
Sdei Chemed (ibid.) also quotes opinions that they comply with any mizmor of thanks and praise to Hashem.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a.
Important Numbers
