Arachin 3: Ha'Kol are Commanded; How are Women Included?

Regarding yesterday's Mishna, we continue to learn about ha'kol ma'arichin v'n'erachin, everyone takes vows of valuations and everyone is evaluated.  Today we consider ha'kol - who is everyone?  The rabbis look at other Mishnayot that open with this same expression.

Today's daf also discusses 

• ha'kol shochatim, everyone is fit to perform ritual slaughter
• ha'kol chayavim b'sukka, everyone is obligated in the mitzvah of sukkah
• ha'kol chayavim b'tefillin, everyone is obligated in the mitzvah of phylacteries 
• ha'kol chayavim b'teki'at shofar, everyone is obligated in the mitzvah of to sound the shofar on Rosh Ha'shana

The Gemara discusses who is left out of these halachot despite the obligation ha'kol.  One example regards the mitzvah to read Megillat Esther on Purim.  The Gemara says that this includes women.  Usually, women are excluded from the obligation to perform mitzvot ash sh'hazman geramah, positive commandments that are dependent on time.

We learn from Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi that women. are obligated in the reading of the Megillat, sh'af hen hayu b'oto harness, since they were involved in the miracle of Purim.  Rashi and others argue that Jewish women were included in Haman's decrees of destruction and thus they must participate in the thanksgiving and celebration of the rescue of Jews.  Rav Hai Gaon, the Rashbam and others suggest that the Gemara is emphasizing women's roles in the miracle of Purim, and that Esther was the facilitator of events that led to Haman's capture and hanging.

And so the rabbis agree that women are obligated in the mitzvot of reading Megillat Esther on Purim.  But how does this affect women?  Rashi and the Rambam suggest that women are obligated to read the Megillat and thus can read for others as well.  The Meiri and the Ritva rule that women are obligated to read but cannot read for others because it is not appropriate for "the honour of the community" for women to play such a public role.  There are also others who suggest that women cannot read for others because their obligation is not to read the megilla but only to hear the megilla.

Amazing that these debates about women's religious leadership continue to rage.  If ha'kol are commanded to do something, why would we simply to decide that it is not appropriate for women to lead that reading?