Question
Yesterday, Shabbos was Erev Rosh Chodesh, and our Shalosh Seudos continued well into the night after Rosh Chodesh had already begun. A major discussion broke out at the table. Some argued that since we began the meal on Shabbos, we should only say Retzei. Others claimed that since it was already Rosh Chodesh, we should only say Ya’aleh Veyavo. Still others insisted that both should be recited. What is the correct ruling?
Answer
The practical ruling depends on whether a Kezayis of bread was eaten after nightfall.
- If no Kezayis of bread was eaten after nightfall, one recites Retzei only.
- If a Kezayis of bread was eaten after nightfall, one recites both Retzei and Ya’aleh Veyavo.
- Retzei is recited first and Ya’aleh Veyavo afterward, as usual.
- If one already davened Maariv, recited Havdalah, or even said “Baruch Hamavdil Bein Kodesh Lechol” before Bentching, then Retzei is no longer recited and only Ya’aleh Veyavo is said.
Explanation
The above question involves one of the classic disputes regarding Bentching when a meal spans two different days. In our case, the meal began on Shabbos, yet Bentching is taking place on Rosh Chodesh. The question becomes: Do we follow the beginning of the meal or the time of Bentching?
Step One: Was Bread Eaten After Nightfall?
Before discussing the special case of a meal that began on Shabbos and continued into Rosh Chodesh, we must first address a fundamental dispute regarding any meal that begins on Erev Rosh Chodesh and continues into Rosh Chodesh.
The Alter Rebbe records a dispute in this matter. Some authorities rule that Ya’aleh Veyavo is recited only if one ate a Kezayis of bread after nightfall, after Rosh Chodesh has already begun. According to this view, the obligation to mention Rosh Chodesh in Bentching depends on having eaten a significant amount of bread during Rosh Chodesh itself. Other authorities maintain that Ya’aleh Veyavo should be recited even if no Kezayis of bread was eaten after nightfall, since the Bentching is being recited during Rosh Chodesh. Practically, however, the accepted custom follows the first opinion, and therefore Ya’aleh Veyavo is recited only if a Kezayis of bread was eaten after nightfall. If no Kezayis was eaten after nightfall, Ya’aleh Veyavo is omitted. The accepted custom of all Jewry follows this opinion. Therefore, if the meal simply dragged on into the night but no significant amount of bread was eaten after nightfall, the meal remains essentially a Shabbos meal and only Retzei is recited.
Once this principle is established, we can now address the more complicated case of a Shabbos meal that continues into Motzei Shabbos Rosh Chodesh. At that point, there is not only a question of whether Ya’aleh Veyavo should be said, but also whether one may recite both Retzei and Ya’aleh Veyavo in the same Bentching. This matter is subject to a famous dispute between the Taz and the Magen Avraham, as will now be explained.
The Great Dispute: Can One Say Both Retzei and Ya’aleh Veyavo?
When a Kezayis of bread was eaten after nightfall, a new question emerges. Can one mention both days in the same Bentching? After all, Retzei refers to Shabbos while Ya’aleh Veyavo refers to Rosh Chodesh.
The Opinion of the Magen Avraham
The Magen Avraham maintains that one should not recite additions from two different days in the same Bentching. Doing so appears contradictory. According to this approach, once the meal has become a Rosh Chodesh meal through eating at night, only Ya’aleh Veyavo should be recited.
The Opinion of the Taz
The Taz strongly disagrees. He argues that there is no contradiction when the additions are recited in chronological order. The meal genuinely began on Shabbos and genuinely continued into Rosh Chodesh. Accordingly, both events are relevant.
Therefore, the Taz rules that one may recite:
- Retzei
- Ya’aleh Veyavo
in that order.
The Final Ruling
The Alter Rebbe brings both opinions and concludes in accordance with the Taz.
Therefore, when:
- The meal began on Shabbos,
- Continued into Rosh Chodesh,
- And a Kezayis of bread was eaten after nightfall,
one recites both Retzei and Ya’aleh Veyavo.
The order is crucial:
- First Retzei.
- Then Ya’aleh Veyavo.
Since Shabbos preceded Rosh Chodesh, there is no contradiction.
Why Is There No Contradiction?
The logic is simple. The meal belongs to both days. It began during Shabbos, obligating Retzei.
It continued into Rosh Chodesh, obligating Ya’aleh Veyavo. Since the two additions are mentioned in their proper sequence, they accurately reflect what occurred and are not viewed as contradictory. This is the reasoning of the Taz that the Alter Rebbe accepts.
What If Maariv Was Already Davened?
This changes everything. If before Bentching one:
- Davened Maariv,
- Recited Havdalah,
- Or even said “Baruch Hamavdil Bein Kodesh Lechol”,
then he has already accepted the departure of Shabbos. In such a case Retzei may no longer be recited, as it would be contradictory to mention Shabbos after already formally ending it.
Accordingly:
- If a Kezayis was eaten after nightfall, he says only Ya’aleh Veyavo.
- He does not say Retzei.
What If the Bread Was Only Eaten During Bein Hashmashos?
This is less clear. The Alter Rebbe’s wording requires eating a Kezayis after it is actually night. Therefore, if the Kezayis was eaten only during Bein Hashmashos, the matter remains doubtful. Some suggest there may be grounds to say Ya’aleh Veyavo due to a double doubt, but the issue is not definitively resolved.
Summary Table
| Situation | Retzei | Ya’aleh Veyavo |
| Meal began on Shabbos and ended after nightfall, but no Kezayis eaten at night | Yes | No |
| Kezayis eaten after nightfall | Yes | Yes |
| Kezayis eaten after nightfall and one already davened Maariv | No | Yes |
| Havdalah recited before Bentching | No | Yes |
| Baruch Hamavdil said before Bentching | No | Yes |
| Kezayis eaten only during Bein Hashmashos | Questionable | Questionable |
Sources
- Regarding the dispute whether Ya’aleh Veyavo is recited when the meal began on Erev Rosh Chodesh and concluded on Rosh Chodesh: Admur 188:17; Michaber and Rama 271:6, 10; 695:3; Ketzos Hashulchan 47:9.
- Regarding the practical custom that Ya’aleh Veyavo is only recited if a Kezayis of bread was eaten after nightfall: Admur 188:17; Ketzos Hashulchan 47:9.
- Regarding a Shabbos meal which continued into Motzei Shabbos Rosh Chodesh: Admur 188:17; Taz 188:7; Magen Avraham 188:18; Mishnah Berurah 188:33; Ketzos Hashulchan 47:10 footnote 22
- Regarding the dispute whether one may recite both Retzei and Ya’aleh Veyavo in the same Bentching: Taz 188:7; Magen Avraham 188:18; Admur 188:17; Ketzos Hashulchan 47:10 footnote 22; Darkei Chaim Veshalom 307; Shoel Umeishiv 3:1:373.
- Regarding one who already davened Maariv before Bentching: Admur 188:17; Ketzos Hashulchan 47:8.