Rosh Yeshiva Responds
Rabbi Linzer answers halakhic questions from rabbis and community members

21 07, 2026

Making a Siyum on Mishnayot with Artscroll Commentary During Nine Days

July 21st, 2026|Orach Chayim, Talmud Torah, Tisha B'Av - 3 Weeks|

QUESTION

Does completing a masechet of Mishnayot with the Artscroll commentary constitute a significant enough accomplishment for a 14-year-old to make a siyum and eat meat during the Nine Days? May he recite the hadran and special kaddish?

ANSWER

If it was a meaningful accomplishment and took ongoing time and investment, then yes.

See Iggrot Moshe Orach Chaim 1:157:

בדבר אם יש להחשיב סעודת מצוה לפטור הבכורים מהתענית ערב פסח ולאכול בשר מר”ח אב עד התענית גם כשמסיימין בחבורה שלומדים מקרא בעיון …אבל מ”מ נראה

16 01, 2023

Eating on Ta’anit Bechorot After a Women’s Siyum Masechet

January 16th, 2023|Orach Chayim, Pesach, Ta'anit Bechorot, Talmud Torah, Women's Torah Learning|

QUESTION

PARIS, FRANCE

Kvod Ha-Rav,
I teach Gemara (Pesachim) to a group of women. We plan to make a siyum that we would like to set Erev Pesach. Can the men who will attend consider this siyum as ‘סיום בכורות’ (the siyum of the firstborn) instead of fasting ?

ANSWER
Yes. Women making a siyum on learning equally warrants a seudat mitzvah.