Food Before Kiddush (Cont'd)

QUESTION: Is it permissible to eat or drink before hearing kiddush on Shabbos morning?

ANSWER: There are two restrictions that apply to eating in the morning:

Generally, one may not drink or eat before davening. This is true during the week and Shabbos. Nonetheless, there are some exceptions; it is permissible to drink water (Orach Chaim 89:3) and tea and coffee. (See Piskei Teshuvos 89, footnote 213, for sources).

On Shabbos and Yom Tov, one may not eat or drink before reciting Kiddush. This restriction includes water as well. However, the restriction begins only after one is obligated to recite Kiddush. Before davening, there is no requirement to recite Kiddush, as it is not permissible to drink wine until one has davened (Orach Chaim 289:1). Therefore, before Shacharis, one can drink water, (ibid.) tea, or coffee (Mishna Berura 89:22). Once one davens Shacharis (even if they have not yet read the Torah or davened Musaf), one becomes obligated in Kiddush and may not eat or drink (even water) before hearing Kiddush.

The Elya Rabba (286:9) writes that if one is feeling weak and has no wine for Kiddush, he may eat or drink after Shacharis. Though we normally follow the viewpoint that the obligation of Kiddush begins after Shacharis, in cases of necessity we rely on those who say it commences after Musaf.

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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.