The Prohibition of Eating Before Havdalah

Quiz

1 - Why can’t you eat before havdalah?

• So that you should have appetite for wine
• The sages forbade eating prior to fulfilling a mitzvah for fear that one would become distracted during mealtime and forget to perform the mitzvah
• You should make sure that your meals took place on the Shabbat

2 - Can you drink before havdalah?

• No
• Yes
• Only water

3 - Can you continue a meal that you began on Shabbat afternoon?

• If the meal began before sunset, one may continue eating and drinking until after nightfall
• This applies only to a meal that includes bread
• One always has to stop at sunset