#77: Eating Before Kiddush (Part 2)
- We mentioned previously that one is not allowed to eat or drink after Shabbat begins before Kiddush is recited. To avoid this issue, one should try to eat or drink before accepting Shabbat. Some poskim say that for those who are ill, weak, pregnant, or the like, one may either: A) drink water after candle lighting before sunset, if needed, B) stipulate that one does not accept Shabbat when lighting candles until after eating/drinking (this applies to Ashkenazim; Sephardim need not stipulate, as we have learned previously that they can accept Shabbat after lighting candles), or C) delay candle lighting by a short time (provided at least a few minutes remain before sunset) (see Shemirat Shabbat K'hilchatah 52:3).
- If one cannot wait to eat or drink after sunset, one can recite Kiddush oneself first without waiting for one’s family to return home. Ideally, one should then recite Hamotzi on Lechem Mishneh immediately after as well to fulfill the requirement of having Kiddush together with a meal (this will be discussed in more detail in future posts). If reciting hamotzi is difficult or not possible, one may instead eat at least a k'zayit (about 27 grams) of mezonot food with the Kiddush, which fulfills the requirement according to some.
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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.
