The prohibition of eating and drinking before prayer begins at amud hashachar<\/i>, for that is the earliest time one may recite Shacharit<\/i>. Regarding eating a meal the prohibition begins a half-hour before amud hashachar<\/i>, lest he become so involved in his meal that he will forget to recite Keriat Shema<\/i> and the Amidah<\/i>. However, eating a snack is permitted before amud hashachar<\/i>. Therefore, it is permitted to eat an unrestricted amount of fruits, vegetables, and cooked food before amud hashachar<\/i>. Even eating an unlimited number of cooked foods made from various types of grain, such as pasta, is permissible before amud hashachar<\/i>. However, bread and cake are permissible to eat only in an amount less than k\u2019beitzah<\/i> (like an egg), for that quantity does not constitute the eating of a meal (Shulchan Aruch <\/i>232:3; Mishnah Berurah<\/i> 35; Sha\u2019ar HaTzion<\/i> 89:33).<\/p>\n
Prior to the half hour before amud hashachar<\/i>, one is permitted to eat anything. Nevertheless, once amud hashachar<\/i> arrives, all eating and drinking must cease (Shulchan Aruch<\/i> 89:5; Mishnah Berurah <\/i>27 and 29).<\/p>\n
According to Kabbalah, some are accustomed to act stringently, maintaining that anyone who awakens after a regular sleep at night, even before chatzot<\/i>, must not eat and drink until after praying Shacharit<\/i>. Even though according to halachah it is permitted to eat and drink before amud hashachar<\/i>, l’chatchilah<\/i>, it is proper to be cautious in doing so. However, if the lack of food will cause neglect of Torah learning, it is better to eat and drink before amud hashachar<\/i> (Mishnah Berurah<\/i> 89:28). Similarly, those accustomed to waking up on Shabbat night to recite special prayers (\u201cbakashot<\/i>\u201d) are allowed to eat and drink, especially if that will help awaken them more to serve Hashem. (Those who follow Kabbalah are more stringent concerning this. See Kaf HaChaim<\/i> 89:28 and 43; see Yabia Omer<\/i>, part 5, 22:5-6).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The prohibition of eating and drinking before prayer begins at amud hashachar, for that is the earliest time one may recite Shacharit. Regarding eating a meal the prohibition begins a half-hour before amud hashachar, lest he become so involved in his meal that he will forget to recite Keriat Shema and the Amidah. However, eating […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6209","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-12-before-the-shacharit-prayer"],"yoast_head":"\n