DVAR HALACHA 6

DVAR HALACHA

The Shulchan Aruch in siman reish mem tes, while discussing the laws of kavod Shabbos, addresses how we prepare ourselves for the Friday night seudah. In order to ensure that we will be able to eat the Shabbos meal with the fullest amount of appetite and enjoyment, Chazal advise that we refrain from eating a large meal on Erev Shabbos. A seudah that is larger or more elaborate than what we would normally eat during the week should not be eaten at any point during the day. However, it is certainly permitted to eat normal meals earlier in the day, such as a regular breakfast and a regular lunch. Later in the afternoon, once the ninth halachic hour of the day has passed, even a regular meal should not be eaten. At that point, however, snacking is still permitted, which even includes eating bread provided that the amount is a k’beitza or less. In fact, one is not allowed to fast on Erev Shabbos, because it would not be proper kavod Shabbos to enter Shabbos in a weakened physical state or in an unpleasant mood. 

There is, however, an important exception. If a seudas mitzvah falls on Erev Shabbos, it may be eaten even if it is a large meal. The poskim advise that such a meal should preferably begin before chatzos, midday. At the very least, it should be started before the end of the ninth hour of the day.

One practical example of this halacha occurs when Purim falls on Friday. The Mishnah Berurah writes that in such a case it is preferable to begin the Purim Seudah before chatzos, although technically it may be started any time before the end of the ninth hour.

Another example would be a Bris Milah, where the seudas mitzvah may also be held on Erev Shabbos within these time guidelines.

When Yom Tov falls on Erev Shabbos, however, there is a disagreement among the poskim as to whether one must make a special effort to begin the Yom Tov seudah before chatzos, or if beginning before the end of the nineth hour suffices.

All of these halachos remind us that part of honoring Shabbos is not only preparing our homes and meals, but also preparing our appetite and mindset, so that we can properly enjoy the seudah of Shabbos.

Good Shabbos,

Rabbi Reuven Eidlitz

Yeshiva Eitz Chaim, Monsey NY  

This dvar halacha is l’zchus refuah sheleima for Avraham ben Chaya Leah and Shmuel Avigdor ben Rivka b’soch sha’ar choley Yisroel