Since Shabbat starts early now, if we have Kiddush and dinner early and are up until 9:30-10 PM and hungry, can we wash and have the second meal Friday night, and then have Seudah Shlishit on Shabbat afternoon when we normally have the second meal?
Eating an Extra Meal on Friday Night Instead of the Second Shabbat Meal
Question
Answer
You can have another seudah Friday night, but do two meals during the day.
Sources
The Rambam rules that a person must eat three meals on Shabbat: “one in the evening, one in the morning, and one in the afternoon.” Two of the three meals are fixed during the day. An extra meal eaten Friday night therefore does not take the place of the daytime meal.
The Shulchan Aruch adds that the time for the third meal begins at mincha time, from six and a half hours into the day. If it is eaten earlier, the mitzvah of the third meal is not fulfilled. So a second meal on Friday night cannot count as seudah shlishit, and one still needs the two meals on Shabbat day.
- Rambam Hilchot Shabbat 30:9 — one must eat three meals on Shabbat: one in the evening, one in the morning and one in the afternoon
- Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 291:2 — the time of the third meal is from mincha time; if eaten earlier, one has not fulfilled the mitzvah of the third meal
Author
Rabbi Shay Tahan
Share this
Have a question of your own?
Ask Rabbi Tahan