Beginning seudah shlishit after sunset

Hi,

One should not begin a meal, even the mitzvah meal of seudah shlishit, after sunset on Shabbat afternoon. There is leeway for several minutes, though, for one who has not yet fulfilled the mitzvah of seudah shlishit; opinions vary regarding how much time one has. [See Mishneh Berurah 299:1 and this responsum of Rav Moshe Feinstein.]

One who begins after the permitted time should not be included in the 10 needed for a mezuman invoking Gd's Name. [I believe he would respond to the mezuman, though. - MT]

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 4:69:6)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Seudah Shlishit vs. Melaveh Malkah

Hi,

The practice of eating a special meal after Havdalah is a good practice, but it is not obligatory. On the other hand, the practice of eating three meals during Shabbat is actually linked to biblical verses.

Therefore, a person who must choose between the two practices (such as one who would become so full from Seudah Shlishit that he could not eat Melaveh Malkah) should opt to have three meals during Shabbat and skip the meal after Shabbat.

(Mishneh Berurah 300:2)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Eating after sunset on Shabbat

Hi,

We have already noted that one may not begin a meal before reciting Havdalah, after sunset on Shabbat, even if one does not intend to end Shabbat for hours.

However, one who has not yet eaten Seudah Shlishit (the third meal of Shabbat) should start it even after sunset, until 30 minutes before the stars emerge (about ten minutes after sunset, depending on one's latitude and the time of year).

(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 299:1; Mishneh Berurah 299:1)

Have a great day,
Mordechai