Bringing food to the table before Kiddush

Post Views: 3,524

May one bring food to the table prior to Kiddush?

Some[1] learn that one is to refrain from bringing any of the foods to the table prior to Kiddush, unless they are covered just like the Challahs.[2] However from Admur it is clear that it is only necessary to cover the bread and not the other foods[3], and so is the widespread custom.[4]

 

Must one place Challah on the table before Kiddush?[5]

Although initially the custom was not to bring the bread, or any of the food to the table prior to Kiddush, today the custom is to place Challah on the table before Kiddush and to cover it.[6]

 

 

[1] Peri Megadim 271 A”A 7; See Piskeiy Teshuvos 271 footnote 184

[2] The reason: As one of the reasons behind covering the bread is to show that the food was brought to the table for the sake of Shabbos [i.e. Yikra Deshabbasa]. Accordingly, the initial custom was not to bring the food at all to the table prior to Kiddush due to this [see Admur 271/17; M”A 271/7; Tur 271; Tosafus Pesachim 100b; Sheilasos Yisro 54; Rashbam Pesachim ibid], and now that we bring it to the table, at the very least one must cover it, and there is no difference between the Challah and the other foods. [P”M ibid]

[3] So is clear from the concluding wording of Admur ibid that “The custom is to bring it initially before Kiddush and cover the bread until after Kiddush”; See Hearos Ubiurim Tzemach Tzedek 7/257

The reason: Perhaps the reason for this is because the main aspect of the meal is the bread, and only by it is applicable the concept of Yikra Deshabbasa. Alternatively, perhaps it is a Tircha to cover all the foods and hence it is not done.

[4] Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid; So is also the custom by all Kiddushim and Frabrengens on Shabbos

[5] Admur 271/17 “The custom is to bring it initially before Kiddush and cover the bread until after Kiddush”; Aruch Hashulchan 271/22; Minchas Yitzchak 3/13-10; Piskeiy Teshuvos 271 footnote 184

Other customs: Some are accustomed not to place the Challahs on the table until after Kiddush. [Maaseh Rav 118]

[6] The reason: In order to diminish in making an interval between Kiddush and the meal. [See Admur ibid] Alternatively this should be done in memory of the Mun. [Aruch Hashulchan ibid; mentioned in Admur ibid]

About The Author

Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein is a 6th generation descendent of the famous Chief Rabbi of Izhmir, Rav Yehoshua Avraham Krispin, who authored a number of Sefarim, and was a colleague of Rav Chaim Falagi, and father in-law of the Pesach Hadvir. He currently lives with his wife Shayna, and twelve children K”H, in Tzfas, Israel. Rabbi Goldstein received Semicha from Rabbi Schneur Zalman Labkowski of the Tomchei Temimim headquarters in 2005 and served as a chaplain in the Lotar/Kalatz and K9 unit of the IDF from years 2005-2008. He is also a certified Shochet, and has performed Hashgacha work in slaughterhouses. Rabbi Goldstein is the director of Shulchanaruchharav.com, the world’s leading web-based Halacha database, and is the director of the Home Study Semicha Program, a self-study web-based Semicha program. He is a prolific author of over 50 Sefarim studied by a wide range of readers throughout the world, which is used regularly in Semicha programs around the globe. He is a world renowned Posek, answering questions to a web-based market, and serves as a local Posek, Rav, and Lecturer, in the Tzemach Tzedek community Shul in Tzefas, Israel. His many classes can be heard both from his website, Vimeo and YouTube channel. Students can join live to classes given in the Tzemach Tzedek Shul, through the “בית חבד צפת Chabad Tsfat” YouTube channel.

Leave A Comment?

You must be logged in to post a comment.