Women and Kiddush: Although it is the custom of women to recite the She’heche’yanuwhen they light the holiday candles, I have not been able to find a basis for this among any of the early or later decisors of Jewish law. I wrote to my father regarding this matter and he has answered me that others have expressed surprise about this matter as well. Actually, the She’heche’yanu should be recited over the first cup of wine. Still my father has written that we should allow women this practice since it gives them pleasure. Also we learn in the Talmud that the She’heche’yanu can be recited anywhere, even in the market place. I wrote back to my father about this matter I and added that if a woman has already said the She’heche’yanu when she lit the candles, she should not say it again if she is the one reciting the Kiddush. If a man is the one lighting the candles then it is better for him to wait and recite the She’heche’yanu when he says the Kiddush and not when he lights the candles. My learned father agreed with me that this is the proper observance in this matter.