Shalosh Seudos - Bentching Al HaKos

QUESTION: If Shalosh Seudos ends after shkia, is there still reason to bentch “al hakos” (over a cup of wine), since after bentching it is forbidden to drink wine until reciting Havdalah?

ANSWER: Although ordinarily one is not permitted to drink before Havdalah, if someone always bentches over a cup of wine, this is considered an obligation for him and he is allowed to drink the wine before Havdalah. However, if one does not always bentch “al hakos,” he may not drink the wine until after Havdalah. In this case, is there a reason to bentch “al hakos”? Mishnah Berurah (Beiur Halacha 299) writes that the custom is to bentch “al hakos” and save the cup of wine for Havdalah. The Levushei Mordechai (Kama 115) was asked: isn’t this a problem of using one cup of wine for two mitzvos (ein osin mitzvos chavilos chavilos) which is considered inappropriate? In fact, Shulchan Aruch writes that one should pour two cups of wine, one for bentching and one for Havdalah. The same cup should not be used twice, because it looks like one is trying to bundle his mitzvos together. The Levushei Mordechai answers that since we have a large break between bentching and Havdalah (because we daven ma’ariv in between), this no longer looks like we are bundling mitzvos. Aishel Avrohom (Buchach) answers that since there is no other choice, it is as though there is only one cup, and it is permitted. If Havdalah will not be recited on the kos, the Shevet HaLevi (8:242:3) writes that one should still bentch “al hakos” even though no one will drink it. He explains that this is included in what Chazal say “ein omrim shira ela al ha’yayin” (one should only sing praises to Hashem, such as bentching, accompanied by wine).

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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.