Question: Should women bentch gomel after giving
birth?
Answer: The Gemara (Berachos 54a) says that in the
times of the Beis Hamikdash, one brought a korban toda upon
surviving a potentially life-threatening situation, including crossing a desert
or a sea, imprisonment or serious illness. Nowadays, we substitute this
offering with a public blessing, known as hagomel. The minhag is
to recite it within 3 days of the incident after krias hatorah, though
it may be recited later if necessary (Shulchan Aruch OC 219:6; Mishna Berura
20).
The Chayei Adam (after 69) wrote a prayer
after surviving an explosion. He writes that one should say this, along with
the pesukim of the korban toda and give charity equal to
the value of the animal he would have brought in Temple times. (See Mishna
Berura 218:31).
While women would also bring korbanei todah,
the custom developed among many Ashkenazi communities that women don’t say the beracha,
as the public recital is deemed immodest. The Magen Avraham (OC 219:4) writes
that her husband should recite it on her behalf, while the Mishna Berura says
that she recites it in front of ten women and a man. The Aruch Hashulchan (OC
219:6) suggests that this custom may have developed because women weren’t
always present for leining. Nonetheless, the Baer Hetev (219:1), Chayei Adam
(65:6), Yechave Daas (4:15) and others all allow a woman to say it loudly from
her side of the mechitza. Thus, Sefardi women should only say it in the
presence of a minyan.
In what is likely the last teshuva R’
Moshe Feinstein ever wrote (OC 5:14), he paskens that a new mother
should recite the beracha in front of another, ideally her husband, and
there is no need for a minyan.
In England, we generally follow the Minchas
Yitzchak (4:11). Women go to shul and respond to their husband’s borchu
and beracha (when he’s called up), with intent to thank Hashem.
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