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1993
"What's Right with Women and Zimmun," Zivitofsky, Ari Z. & Naomi. Judaism, 42:4, 1993, 453-464.
Synopsis: This article discusses the halakhic sources on the matter of women's obligation or option to lead a zimmun, the call to say the grace after meals, and the controversy surrounding male and female joint participation in zimmun. The Zivitofskys discuss the medieval and early modern commentators' understanding of these sources, contemporary discussions, and the contemporary halakhic view. Though it is possible to nitpick and point out a few inaccuracies in this article, it is an excellent source of citations for the serious student to pursue further study of the topic and to understand the development of its halakha. The Zivotofskys are deserving of praise for their encouragement of women to hold a zimmun and for their efforts to educate the Jewish public.
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2007
"Straight from the Sources Mouth: Women Examine Halakha Anew," Berkovits, Rahel and Koren, Debby. JOFA 6th International Conference. 2007.
Synopsis: Some women are not comfortable with mention of the "covenant that You have inscribed on our flesh" in the grace after meals. The second lecture at this session addresses the opinions about the requirement for this language in birkat hamazon. Dr. Debby Koren opens the session with an introduction about the development of halakha as a dialectic continuum of multiple, equally valid attempts at understanding and interpreting the rabbinic literature. Then, following Rahel Berkovits' presentation on kaddish, (approximately at the 35 minute marker) Dr. Koren addresses the topic of the required language in birkat hamazon, and the halakhic implications of omitting mention of the covenant, which include the possible inclusion of women in a mixed-gender zimmun.
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ADDITIONAL READING
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2008
"'With Your Permission': Zimmun in Cyber-Halakha," Wolowelsky, Joel. Tradition, 41:2, 2008.
Synopsis: Dr. Wolowelsky discusses an exchange between a questioner and R. Ya'akov Ariel, an influential rabbi in Israel, about requesting the permission of the questioner's mother when calling the zimmun. R. Ariel attributes such a desire to "change for the sake of change", influenced by current feminist values, while Dr. Wolowelsky presents a more positive view of such a desire.
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2005
"Separate but Equal? Feminism and Post-Feminism in Birkat Hamazon," Koren, Debby. JOFA Journal, V:3, 2005, 1-3, 14-15.
Synopsis: Dr. Koren presents the sources that debate the level of women's obligation in birkat hamazon - an issue that affects their equal participation in zimmun. She argues that if women want to be treated as equals, a version of the text which meets the needs of men and women alike is preferred to separate gender-defined texts.
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2001
"Social Attitudes Disguised as Halakhah: Zila Milta, Ein Havrutan Na'ah, Kevod Hatzibbur," Millen, Rochelle. Nashim, 4, 2001, 178-193.
Synopsis: Professor Millen discusses several meta-halakhic social values that are used at times to limit women's participation in ritual. Among the rituals that these concepts affect are women's obligation in zimmun, and participation in a joint male-female zimmun.
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2000
"Women and Zimmun," Breger, Jennifer Stern. The Orthodox Jewish Woman and Ritual: Options and Opportunities - Shabbat, 2000, 14-15.
Synopsis: Based on the articles by R. Ari Zivotofsky (cited on this page), this article summarizes some laws regarding women and zimmun.
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1977
"The Eating Fellowship: An Exploration," Wolowelsky, Joel. Tradition, 16:3, 1977, 75-82.
Synopsis: This article discusses women partaking in and leading their own zimmun. The article by the Zivotofskys (cited on this page in the "JOFA Recommends" listing) is a superior article in its thoroughness and fidelity to the sources.
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Fall 5760/1999
"What's the Truth About ...Women's Zimun?," Zivotofsky, Ari Z.. Jewish Action, Fall 5760/1999.
Synopsis: This is a one-page brief on the topic of women and zimmun. R. Zivotofsky's aim is to shatter myths and to enlighten people, and he provides reference to his (jointly authored) much more thorough article referenced and recommended on this page in the JOFA Online Library. A letter written in reaction to R. Zivotofsky, can be seen at this location (last column on the fourth page).
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2004
"The Shabbat Table: Kiddush, Motzi and Zimmun," Tessler, Joel. JOFA / MERCAZ: Beth Tfiloh Baltimore Regional Conference. 2004.
Synopsis: R. Tessler conducts a study session on the halakhic sources concerning the permissibility of women to fulfill these mitzvot in their homes, both for themselves and for others.
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1998
"Shulkhan Aruch - New Settings at the Table," Millen Rochelle. JOFA 2nd International Conference. 1998.
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2005
Traditions & Celebrations for the Bat Mitzvah. Elper, Ora Wiskind, ed.. Urim Publications, 2005.
Synopsis: Since the Bat Mitzvah celebration is not founded in ancient tradition, much confusion surrounds it. In this volume, Rabbis and Rabbaniyot, male and female educators, come together to deal with the milestone of the Bat Mitzvah from a halakhic, philosophical and educational perspective. Chapter 18 addresses the topic of "Women and Zimmun," relevant to this category.
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2003
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?userid=4QIT611HVB&isbn=9657108527&itm=1. Henkin, Yehuda Herzl. Ktav, 2003.
Synopsis: This book includes twenty-four modern responsa translated from Hebrew. Topics relevant to this category in the JOFA online library include "Women's Zimun When Men Are Present", "Can a Man Lead Women's Zimun? (I)", and "Wording of Women's Zimun, and Can a Man Lead Women's Zimun? (II).
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New sources are continually being added to JOFA.org. Check back often!
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