Melaveh Malka: Difference between revisions

The proper way to escort out the [[Shabbat]] is to have a festive meal after it is over just like we bring it in with the utmost respect.

#A person should set his table on Saturday night even if one only plans on eating a [[Kezayit]] so as to respect the exiting of [[Shabbat]].<ref>Shulchan Aruch O.C. 300:1 writes that a person should set his table for Malveh Malka on Saturday night. This is based on the Gemara [[Shabbat]] 119b. Tur 300:1 says that this is the proper way to escort the [[Shabbat]] out just like we bring it in with proper respect. Mishna Brurah 300:1 explains that although it is important, [[melava malka]] is not quite as important as the three [[shabbat]] meals, meaning if you can't afford to eat [[melava malka]] unless you eliminate one of the [[Shabbat]] meals you shouldn't do that. Mishna Brurah 300:2 explains that the reason is to give respect to the exiting of [[Shabbat]].</ref> Even though many aren’t careful about it, a Yireh Shamayim (a G-d fearing person) should make an extra effort to keep it.<ref>Aruch HaShulchan 300:3, Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 63:1. The Midrash Kohelet Rabba 12:5 says that in the future, a person will be resurrected using a bone located in one’s spine. The Kaf Hachayim 300:1-2 says that this bone called the luz is fed only with food eaten at a melave malka. Mishna Brurah 300:2 quotes the Taz saying the same thing but calls the bone the nisko. In Shaar Hatziyun 300:7, he explains that since this bone didn't get pleasure from Adam's sin, this bone was spared the curse of death. </ref>

#At the end of [[Birkat HaMazon]] for [[Melava Malka]], some authorities hold that one should say say "migdol yishuot malko" like on [[shabbat]] itself, instead of "magdil yishuot"<ref>Kaf Hachaim 189:11</ref>, while others say that one should say the regular "magdil yishuot" on [[Melava Malka]] just like during the week. <ref>Yalkut Yosef (Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 300:4) </ref>

#Some poskim allow eating meat leftovers on motzaei [[shabbat]] even during the [[nine days]] while some poskim say that it's prohibited. See [[Nine_Days#Shabbat_and_Leftovers]] for the sources.

#Women are also obligated to eat [[Melava Malka]].<ref>Pri Megadim A”A 300:1, Yechave Daat 4:25, Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 63:3. Magen Avraham 291:15 quotes the Avudarham saying that some women had the custom not to do chores on motzaei [[shabbat]]. The Gra in Maaseh Rav 150 says that he was also very strict on his wife. </ref>

==When should one Perform Melava Malka?==

#Melva Malka should be fulfilled as soon after [[Shabbat]] as possible. If one isn’t hungry one may have it later but shouldn’t do an established activity before having Melveh Malka. However, certainly one shouldn’t delay it past [[Chatzot]] of the night. However, if one did delay past [[Chatzot]] one may still fulfill it until [[Olot HaShachar]]. <ref>Mishna Brurah 300:2 and Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 63:5 write that Melveh Malka should be done right after [[Shabbat]] and shouldn’t do a established activity before Melvah Malka. However, they add, at least one should eat [[Melava Malka]] by [[Chatzot]] because the Shaare Teshuva 300:1 quotes the arizal that the holiness of [[shabbat]] only remains until [[chatzot]]. Nonetheless, Yalkut Yosef ([[Shabbat]] vol 1 pg 630) adds that if one didn’t do it before [[Chatzot]] one may still fulfill this mitzvah until [[Olot HaShachar]]. One of his proofs is from a story about the Gra in Tosefet Maaseh Rav (39). One time the Gra was sick on Saturday night and didn't eat [[Melava Malka]], when he got somewhat better it was still before Alot Hashachar and so he ate [[Melava Malka]]. Kaf Hachayim 300:14 says it should lechatchila be eaten within four halachic hours of [[shabbat]]. </ref>

#If one extended his [[Seudat Shelishit]] until it got dark, some say that one is exempt from having Melveh Malka, and some argue. <ref>Eliyah Rabba 300:1 writes that he heard that if [[Seudat Shelishit]] until it got dark one is exempt from having Melveh Malka. However, Tehillat David 300, Kaf HaChaim 300:11 disagree with this. </ref>

#There’s no obligation for having Malveh Malka on Motzei [[Yom Tov]].<ref>Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 63:4 rules that there's no obligation to eat Melveh Malka on [[Yom Tov]]. See also Sh”t Rivivot Efraim 3:292 who writes that the Chazon Ish would have a Malveh Malka on Motzei [[Yom Tov]]. </ref>

#One should try to eat bread for [[Melava Malka]], but if he cannot then cake is sufficient. If he cannot even eat cake he should at least have some fruits or vegetables. <ref>Mishna Brurah 300:1. Yalkut Yosef ([[Shabbat]] vol 1, 300:1). The Gra in Biur Hagra 300:1 says that bread must be eaten at the seuda. In Maaseh Rav 150 it says that the Gra was extremely strict about this halacha. It tells a story about when Rav Chaim Volozhin came to visit him and hadn't ate [[melava malka]] because he wasn't feeling well and the Gra told him to eat. Rav Moshe Shternbuch in Teshuvot vihanhagot 2:166 explains that the reason the gra was so strict on this is because he felt it was something that was very neglected. </ref>