#5: Eating on Friday

Rabbi Eli Ozarowski
  1. The Shulchan Aruch (O.C. 249:2) writes that one may not eat a large meal on Friday that is bigger than one's regular weekday meals, in order to maintain the honor of Shabbat and to make sure one has an appetite on Friday night.
  2. One is permitted to eat a normal weekday meal during the day on Friday, but it is a mitzvah to avoid having even a normal meal (though not forbidden) late in the afternoon, from the 9th halachic hour and on (this time of year is around 2:20 pm or so (Shulchan Aruch, ibid.). Snacking without eating a regular weekday meal is permitted all day (Shulchan Aruch, ibid.).
  3. A Seudat Mitzvah, such as for a brit, pidyon haben, or Purim seudah is permitted even on Friday, though ideally it should be held in the morning. (Rema, 249:2 and Mishnah Berurah there).

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Dedicated by Fran Broder as a zechus for the hostages to be released safely to their families and may everlasting peace come to Eretz Yisrael in the merit of learning Hilchos Shabbos.