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Preparing for Shabbat: Difference between revisions
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==Tasting the food in preparation of Shabbat== | ==Tasting the food in preparation of Shabbat== | ||
# It is considered a great a mitzva to taste the [[Shabbat]] food every Friday afternoon | # It is considered a great a mitzva to taste the [[Shabbat]] food every Friday afternoon<ref>Torat Menachem (Rav Menachem Mendel Shneerson, vol 18, pg 104) discusses the importance of this minhag as a symbol for the coming of Mashiach. </ref> in order to ensure that it is tasty and fit to be served at the [[Shabbat]] meal.<ref>Magen Avraham 250:1 writes that there's a righteous practice to taste the food for [[Shabbat]] on Friday in order to know whether it's spiced and tasty. This is quoted by the achronim including Menuchat Ahava (vol 1, 2:3), Aruch Hashulchan, OC 250:4; Kaf Hachaim, OC 250:8; Mishna Brurah 250:2; Rivevot Ephraim 2:115:37. Mishna Brurah 250:2 writes that one should taste the [[Shabbat]] food on Friday in order to ensure that the is is tasty and fit for [[Shabbat]]. There's a number of source of this custom: | ||
* A hint for this custom can be found in the [[Shabbat]] [[Mussaf]] [[prayers]] which include the words "Those who taste it will merit long life". Although "taste it" in this context refers to [[Shabbat]] observance, poetic license allows these words to be interpreted as referring to the [[Shabbat]] foods, as well. There are those who take this teaching quite literally and insist that those who taste the [[Shabbat]] foods are assured a long life! (Machzor Vitri 181; Shibolei Haleket 82; Beit Yosef, OC 286, Elya Rabba 250:6) | * A hint for this custom can be found in the [[Shabbat]] [[Mussaf]] [[prayers]] which include the words "Those who taste it will merit long life". Although "taste it" in this context refers to [[Shabbat]] observance, poetic license allows these words to be interpreted as referring to the [[Shabbat]] foods, as well. There are those who take this teaching quite literally and insist that those who taste the [[Shabbat]] foods are assured a long life! (Machzor Vitri 181; Shibolei Haleket 82; Beit Yosef, OC 286, Elya Rabba 250:6) | ||
* Others suggest that the source for this custom derives from a mishna which enigmatically records that "Rabbi Yochanan Ben Zakkai was given from the foods to taste". Some commentators suggest that this is a reference to the [[Shabbat]] foods which Rabbi Yochanan Ben Zakkai would taste every Friday afternoon. (Torah Chaim 250:2 based on Mishna Sukka 26b) | * Others suggest that the source for this custom derives from a mishna which enigmatically records that "Rabbi Yochanan Ben Zakkai was given from the foods to taste". Some commentators suggest that this is a reference to the [[Shabbat]] foods which Rabbi Yochanan Ben Zakkai would taste every Friday afternoon. (Torah Chaim 250:2 based on Mishna Sukka 26b) | ||
* It is interesting to note that according to the Zohar, the mitzva of tasting the [[Shabbat]] food applies on Friday night and not prior to [[Shabbat]], as most are accustomed to. According to this approach, the reason for tasting the food Friday night is to ensure that the daytime [[Shabbat]] foods are tasty.(Zohar, Bereishit 48b.) This opinion is puzzling, however, since once [[Shabbat]] has begun all further [[cooking]] is forbidden. In most cases it is not even permissible to add spices or do anything else to a food which is [[cooking]] on the fire. ([[Amot]] Shel Halacha by Rabbi Ari Enkin) | * It is interesting to note that according to the Zohar, the mitzva of tasting the [[Shabbat]] food applies on Friday night and not prior to [[Shabbat]], as most are accustomed to. According to this approach, the reason for tasting the food Friday night is to ensure that the daytime [[Shabbat]] foods are tasty.(Zohar, Bereishit 48b.) This opinion is puzzling, however, since once [[Shabbat]] has begun all further [[cooking]] is forbidden. In most cases it is not even permissible to add spices or do anything else to a food which is [[cooking]] on the fire. ([[Amot]] Shel Halacha by Rabbi Ari Enkin) | ||
* There is another, somewhat unfamiliar, explanation for the custom of tasting the [[Shabbat]] foods, as well. There are those who suggest that the custom derives from an ancient practice to fast every Friday until shortly before the arrival of [[Shabbat]]. As fasting on a Friday is generally forbidden, the custom of tasting the [[Shabbat]] foods close to the onset of [[Shabbat]] was born. In this way, through the requirement to taste the [[Shabbat]] foods Friday afternoon, those who were fasting could rest assured that their fast didn’t accidentally extend into [[Shabbat]], which would be forbidden. So too, it ensures that one will not enter [[Shabbat]] in a state of discomfort or outright hunger. In fact, in some communities this tasting ritual was known as the "boi kalla" meal. (Aseh Lecha Rav 3:14)</ref>It is noted that the custom of tasting the [[Shabbat]] foods on Friday afternoons is one which is quite widespread. <ref> Mateh Moshe 408. The kabbalists were especially diligent to taste the [[Shabbat]] food on Erev [[Shabbat]], comparing it to the exacting preparations one undertakes in order to properly prepare for the arrival of an important guest.(Shulchan Aruch Ha'arizal 260:5; Pri Eitz Chaim, Shaar 18:3; Shaar Hakavanot, Tevilat Erev [[Shabbat]])</ref> | * There is another, somewhat unfamiliar, explanation for the custom of tasting the [[Shabbat]] foods, as well. There are those who suggest that the custom derives from an ancient practice to fast every Friday until shortly before the arrival of [[Shabbat]]. As fasting on a Friday is generally forbidden, the custom of tasting the [[Shabbat]] foods close to the onset of [[Shabbat]] was born. In this way, through the requirement to taste the [[Shabbat]] foods Friday afternoon, those who were fasting could rest assured that their fast didn’t accidentally extend into [[Shabbat]], which would be forbidden. So too, it ensures that one will not enter [[Shabbat]] in a state of discomfort or outright hunger. In fact, in some communities this tasting ritual was known as the "boi kalla" meal. (Aseh Lecha Rav 3:14)</ref> It is noted that the custom of tasting the [[Shabbat]] foods on Friday afternoons is one which is quite widespread. <ref> Mateh Moshe 408. The kabbalists were especially diligent to taste the [[Shabbat]] food on Erev [[Shabbat]], comparing it to the exacting preparations one undertakes in order to properly prepare for the arrival of an important guest.(Shulchan Aruch Ha'arizal 260:5; Pri Eitz Chaim, Shaar 18:3; Shaar Hakavanot, Tevilat Erev [[Shabbat]])</ref> | ||
# Similarly, there are those who suggest that in the event that one knows exactly how the [[Shabbat]] foods taste (i.e. the same recipe and results week after week) there is no obligation to do so. | # Similarly, there are those who suggest that in the event that one knows exactly how the [[Shabbat]] foods taste (i.e. the same recipe and results week after week) there is no obligation to do so.<ref> In fact, it might be a greater display of honor to [[Shabbat]] not to taste such food beforehand and to rather save the gastronomic pleasure exclusively for [[Shabbat]] itself. </ref> Nevertheless, in order to satisfy most opinions one should be sure to taste at least one dish in honor of [[Shabbat]] every Friday afternoon.<ref> Nimukei Orach Chaim 250 </ref> | ||
==Which | ==== Tasting Meat on Friday in the Nine Days or a Fast Day ==== | ||
# On Friday of [[Shabbat Chazon]], one shouldn’t taste the food.<ref>Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 42:61 </ref> According to Sephardim, if someone always tastes from the food before Shabbat to see if it needs more spices it is permitted to do so even before [[Shabbat Chazon]] even though it is in the [[Nine Days|nine days]]. One who is strict not to do so will be blessed.<ref>Yalkut Yosef Moadim (Dinei Yemey Tisha Bav no. 30)</ref> | |||
# If [[Asara BeTevet]] falls out to be on Friday one may taste the food if one spits it out and doesn’t swallow.<ref>Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 42:61 </ref> | |||
==== Which Foods Should be Tasted? ==== | |||
# Some authorities suggest that the mitzva of tasting the [[Shabbat]] food pertains specifically to the chulent<ref> Yosef Ometz, Minhagei Frankfurt 576 </ref> though most others insist that it applies equally to all the foods which one will be eating throughout [[Shabbat]].<ref> Magen Avraham, OC 250:1; Shulchan Aruch Harav, OC 250:8 </ref> | # Some authorities suggest that the mitzva of tasting the [[Shabbat]] food pertains specifically to the chulent<ref> Yosef Ometz, Minhagei Frankfurt 576 </ref> though most others insist that it applies equally to all the foods which one will be eating throughout [[Shabbat]].<ref> Magen Avraham, OC 250:1; Shulchan Aruch Harav, OC 250:8 </ref> | ||
==Who | |||
==== Who Should Taste the Food? ==== | |||
# There are a number of authorities who maintain that one is not obligated to taste every single [[Shabbat]] dish. It suffices for the lady of the house to taste the food in the course of her [[cooking]] to ensure that all the [[Shabbat]] foods are tasty.<ref> Piskei Teshuvot 250:1 </ref> | # There are a number of authorities who maintain that one is not obligated to taste every single [[Shabbat]] dish. It suffices for the lady of the house to taste the food in the course of her [[cooking]] to ensure that all the [[Shabbat]] foods are tasty.<ref> Piskei Teshuvot 250:1 </ref> | ||
