Purim Se’udah on Friday

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Hi,

TY for your Purim 5781 guidelines.

Can I ask, for someone who has no possibility to have a “brunch” seudah and the only way is to start before Shabbat and continue into the Friday night meal – how would that work in practice, for instance with davening, etc.

Many thanks

Celia

Dear Celia

TY for your question re Purim se’udah in the afternoon. The Talmud discusses an option known as poress mapah u-mekadesh, in which one interrupts his Friday afternoon meal shortly before sunset, covers the lechem mishneh, and recites kiddush. He then continues his meal, which becomes the Shabbos se’udah as well. However this approach brings with it an array of halakhic and other complications and in practice is not recommended.

The “good news” is that the requirements of the Purim se’udah are very basic indeed. As Rav JB Soloveitchik once remarked, one can fulfil the mitzvah “with a tuna sandwich”(if you like tuna). Others question if even bread is required, as long as the repast is specifically designated as a Purim feast. Meat (for those who enjoy it) is recommended, but again not required.

In extremis, one who has no opportunity to eat anything on Purim morning can begin his or her meal until 2:55pm (London time) on Purim afternoon.

Bon appetit

Rabbi Rashi Simon

 

 

Hi,

 

TY for your Purim 5781 guidelines.

Can I ask, for someone who has no possibility to have a “brunch” seudah and the only way is to start before Shabbat and continue into the Friday night meal – how would that work in practice, for instance with davening, etc.

 

Many thanks

 

Celia

 

Dear Celia

 

TY for your question re Purim se’udah in the afternoon. The Talmud discusses an option known as poress mapah u-mekadesh, in which one interrupts his Friday afternoon meal shortly before sunset, covers the lechem mishneh, and recites kiddush. He then continues his meal, which becomes the Shabbos se’udah as well. However this approach brings with it an array of halakhic and other complications and in practice is not recommended.

 

The “good news” is that the requirements of the Purim se’udah are very basic indeed. As Rav JB Soloveitchik once remarked, one can fulfil the mitzvah “with a tuna sandwich”(if you like tuna). Others question if even bread is required, as long as the repast is specifically designated as a Purim feast. Meat (for those who enjoy it) is recommended, but again not required.

 

In extremis, one who has no opportunity to eat anything on Purim morning can begin his or her meal until 2:55pm (London time) on Purim afternoon.

 

Bon appetit

 

rabbi rashi simon

 

 

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Ask the Rabbi: Quinoa on Pesach
Dear Rabbi Simon,
Where do you stand on quinoa (and the kitniyot ban) for Pesach?
Many thanks,
Tzippy
***
Dear Tzippy,
In line with other American authorities, I am in favour of quinoa. Although I reject completely the voices (mostly from Israel) seeking to abolish the ban on kitniyot entirely, IMO we do not need to include in the prohibition pseudo-grains that were unknown in the Old World until modern times. Best to buy with a Pesach hechsher though, to be free of any possible wheat contamination.
Rabbi Rashi Simon
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