Rav Binyomin Zilber: Can You Start Eating Seudah Shlishis After Shkia?
The Mishna Brura (299:1) says that if you have not yet eaten Seudah Shlishis before Shkia you should do so after Shkia. Moreover, he says that even if you have already eaten Seudah Shlishis and you are hungry, you may eat until half an hour before Tzais HaKochavim. This half hour is because one may not eat within half an hour of Zman Krias Shema.
Rav Binyomin Zilber in Shu”t Uz Nidbiru (13:22) says that this only applies in countries where Tzais HaKochavim is much later than Shkia. In Eretz Yisroel where Tzais is a mere twenty minutes after Shkia you are already within the half hour and should not even eat Seudah Shlishis after Shkia. This applies even if you are machmir to wait at least 45 minutes for Tzais HaKochavim in Eretz Yisroel since this excessive time is only L’Chumra and not L’Kula.
He does say that if you haven’t eat Seudah Shlishis it is possible to be Meikil based on the later time of Tzais and wash for Seudah Shlishis within 15 minutes after Shkia.
Important Note: We try to convey the Tshuva to the best of our ability. We admit that our understanding may not be accurate. Please also understand that this Tshuva may not be the final word on this topic. One should consult a Rav before drawing any conclusions.
This article has not been reviewed by the posek of the AskRevach section, Rav Peretz Moncharsh. Any questions regarding this topic and Halacha L’Maaseh may be asked to him at www.revach.net/ask
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