Q. Thanks to Hashem, we have in our blessed large family boys and girls of all ages. The girls, some are already Bas Mitzva, want to recline at the Pesach Seder as their brothers do. My wife does not do Haseiva. Can we let our daughters recline also?
A. Shulchan Aruch (472: 4) rules that a woman is not required to recline by the Pesach Seder, unless she is an important woman. Rema (ibid.) adds that all our women are considered important, yet the do not recline since they rely on the opinion of the Rabiah who maintains that reclining does not apply in our days, since even in the most important official banquets given in the honor of kings and world rulers, no one reclines.
Kaf Hachaim, Ohr Letzion and others mention that women by Sefaradim do recline. Michtav Sofer writes that his mother the wife of the Chassam Sofer zt’l and the daughter of Rabi Akiva Eiger zt’l would indeed recline.
Hilchos Chag Bechag (22: 7) mentions in the name of Rav Chaim Kanievsky zt’l that by the Chazon Ish zt’l women would also do Haseiva. (See Piskei Teshuvos 472: 6).
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that although one should always maintain the traditions of his family, if the above would avoid conflict and keep the Sholom Bais, it is allowed.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised By Horav Dovid Pam Shlit’a,Horav Aharon Miller Shlit’a and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a
Important Numbers
