Wife Saying Havdalah Herself After Husband Already Made It

The Shulchan Aruch rules that women are obligated in Havdalah just as they are in Kiddush, so a woman may recite it herself. The Rema there writes that women should hear Havdalah from men instead. The Mishnah Berurah, however, cites the Bach that even according to the view that women are exempt, they may take the obligation on themselves and make Havdalah, as with shofar and lulav. He notes that the Magen Avraham concludes this is the main view.

The Mishnah Berurah then addresses this exact case. If the men have already made Havdalah for themselves, they should not repeat it only to include the women, because according to the dissenting view this would be a blessing in vain. Some authorities do allow a man who already made Havdalah to repeat it for women. Even so, the Mishnah Berurah asks why we should enter a doubtful blessing, “since she can make Havdalah herself.”

• Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 296:8 — women are obligated in Havdalah just as in Kiddush (the Rema there advises hearing it from men)
• Mishnah Berurah 296:35 — citing the Bach and Magen Avraham, women may make Havdalah for themselves
• Mishnah Berurah 296:36 — a man who already made Havdalah should not repeat it for women alone; she can make Havdalah herself