Q&A: An Egalitarian Minyan
An Egalitarian Minyan
Question
Hello Rabbi,
What is your opinion about an egalitarian minyan in which the men's section and the women's section are separated by a partition, and the ark is located in the middle? Is there any halakhic problem with such a minyan? Can women serve as prayer leaders?
If there is no halakhic obstacle, do you think it is appropriate to pray in such a minyan (in order to draw women closer to the service of God—women who are interested in that)?
Answer
I didn’t understand the question. If the sections are separated, what is the problem? That the ark is visible to the women as well? Does that invalidate it?
As for leading the prayers, in my opinion there is no issue of a woman's singing voice, but the question is whether they can fulfill others’ obligation, and with regard to matters of sanctity. On this issue there is more to discuss, but I do not recommend it. Women leading Pesukei DeZimra and the like, of course, is not a problem.
There is no problem praying in a minyan that observes all the rules of Jewish law. It all depends on your taste.