Shalosh Seudos - When Lunch Runs Late

QUESTION: I finished the Shabbos meal very late, and it is now close to sunset. I have not yet eaten Shalosh Seudos, but I cannot eat another bite. Must I force myself to eat Shalosh Seudos?

ANSWER: Shulchan Aruch (291:1) writes that even if one is not hungry, one can fulfill the Mitzvah of eating Shalosh Seudos by eating slightly more than an egg size portion of bread. The Mishnah Berurah (291:2) writes that if even this would be difficult, one can fulfill the mitzvah with just an olive size portion of bread (half the size of an egg). It should be noted, that if one plans to eat less than an egg size piece of bread, one must still wash netilas yadayim, but the beracha of “al netilas yadayim” is not said. If one really does not feel that they can eat even this much, they are exempt from eating Shalosh Seudos. Mishnah Berurah explains that the mitzvah of seudas Shabbos was given to us to enjoy (Oneg Shabbos). If eating will cause pain, there is no mitzvah. Moreover, if one really cannot eat, then even if one stuffs themselves they would not fulfill the mitzvah. However, Shulchan Aruch writes “Hachacham einov b’rosho” (the wise have their eyes in their head), meaning one should plan in advance to leave room for Shalosh Seudos so as not to lose out on this important mitzvah.

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The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.