Berakhot 056

Suzan Herskowitz has a possible explanation of why the mitzvah of Mezuzzah is not excused for women: We have been discussing that women almost always went from their fathers' homes to their husbands' homes. They rarely stayed single. In fact, most widowed or divorced women probably went back to their families as well, either the father or brother. It would be difficult then for a woman to live in a home without mezuzzot, considering the males must perform the mitzvah. While it appears that the sages left no stones unturned, perhaps they assumed that due to the socioeconomic realities of the time, the women will perform this mitzvah whether they want to or not by virtue of their status (or lack thereof.)

Concerning Keri'at Shema I wrote that Everything that has been mentioned in this paragraph (#23) should preferably be recited in Hebrew; however, those who are "Hebraically challenged" may recite the Shema in any language that they understand … provided that a reliable translation of the Hebrew text is being used.

Tara Cazaubon asks:

Is it preferable to recite in Hebrew even if one doesn't understand the words one is saying, or to recite in English and understand every word?

I respond:

The best solution is teach teach yourself enough Hebrew to be able to understand the Shema in Hebrew. The next best solution is to know the general import of the Shema so that when you recite it in Hebrew you understand what you are saying even if you do not understand the precise meaning of each word. However, if neither of those solutions is appropriate for you then it should be recited in English with no halakhic qualms at all.

To be continued.