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Rav Eliyahu Reingold, Rosh Kollel in the Yeshiva of Greater Washington, spent many years learning in the Telshe Yeshiva and Kollel where he was recognized as one of their foremost talmidim. He taught in the Telshe Mechina before coming to the Yeshiva of Greater Washington. He is a noted Baal Halacha and Baal Mussar, serving as a well-respected posek for the Yeshiva and community. Besides his responsibility in leading the Kollel, he delivers a high level shiur to advanced students, and provides many halacha shiurim throughout the year. His heartfelt weekly mussar shmuess in an inspiration to all.
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Eating Before Kiddush (Klal 6 Siman 19) Hilchos Shabbos - S0175
The current series, which will cover Maariv on Friday night and Kiddush, is available for sponsorship. Please contact Rabbi Reingold for more information.
We are continuing in siman 19, where the Chayei Adam discusses kiddush during the day. The Chayei Adam writes that the chiyuv kiddush does not take effect until a person davens shacharis. Kiddush is the introduction to the meal; since one is not allowed to eat before shacharis, there is no chiyuv kiddush. The Gemara explains that it is assur to eat before davening because a person must first daven for their life before eating. Alternatively, it is considered gaavah to consider one’s personal needs before praising Hashem. Thus, since there is no allowance to eat before shacharis, there is no chiyuv kiddush until one has finished davening.
However, although a person cannot eat before davening, they are allowed to drink. Since there is no chiyuv kiddush, they can drink without making kiddush.
Once a person davens shacharis, even if they have not yet davened mussaf, they can theoretically eat. Now that they have davened, the issur to eat is lifted, and, at the same time, the chiyuv kiddush takes effect. However, there is an additional issue, which is that Chazal limited what a person is allowed to eat before performing a mitzvah, out of concern that a person will get carried away and forget to perform the mitzvah. This halacha is not that a person cannot eat at all, but rather that there are limitations as to what a person can eat. Nevertheless, now that one is allowed to eat, they must make kiddush. They can drink the kiddush wine, or eat mezonos or even bread, but cannot sit down for a meal before mussaf. If a person is weak, they can eat a meal before mussaf.
We need to discuss the definition of a meal. The assumption in halacha is that it refers to eating not more than a k’beiah of bread. Rabbi Reingold’s mesorah regarding the size of a k’beiah is that it is equivalent to the volume of the middle slice of a standard 2-pound bakery loaf of rye bread. This shiur would apply to mezonos as well. For example, on Rosh Hashanah, the minhag of many yeshivos is to take a break and make kiddush before tekiyos. Rav Henkin ztl was very uncomfortable with it, but did not come out against it. At such a kiddush, one is limited to the volume mentioned above, since they have mitzvos to perform.
The volume of a k’beiah is calculated including the standard air pockets of such a volume of bread. Thus, theoretically, if one were to crush the bread or mezonos, they could add more volume of bread or mezonos to their shiur k’beiah.
Summary
It is assur to eat before davening shacharis, although one may drink.
Once a person has davened shacharis, the issur to eat is lifted, and the chiyuv kiddush takes effect.
If a person has a mitzvah to perform, such as davening mussaf, they are limited in what they can eat to a k’beiah.
Rabbi Reingold’s mesorah regarding the size of a k’beiah is that it is equivalent to the volume of the middle slice of a standard 2-pound bakery loaf of rye bread.