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BE”H, we will be starting Klal 9 on January 2nd. Klal 9 is all of the basic rules of meleches Shabbos, and therefore a very important klal. Sponsorships are available for the whole klal or individual concepts or individual shiurim. Please contact Rabbi Reingold at (301)996-5910 or rabbireingold@gmail.com to sponsor
We are beginning siman 35. The Chayei Adam writes that it is a mitzvah to increase light on Motzei Shabbos. The oneg and simcha of Shabbos should extend into Motzei Shabbos as well, and it expresses itself by having the home lit. The Chayei Adam writes that one should keep their Shabbos clothes on until after havdalah, and the Kaf Hachaim writes one should keep them on until after melaveh malka.
The Chayei Adam writes that the minhag is to sing zemiros on Motzei Shabbos which mention Eliyahu Hanavi. One reason is because we have a mesorah that Moshiach will not come on Shabbos. Now that Shabbos is over, we return to a time where the potential exists again for the geulah. Another reason is that Chazal teach us that on Motzei Shabbos, Eliyahu Hanavi sits down and writes the zechusim of Klal Yisroel. In deference to this fact, we make a point to mention him on Motzei Shabbos.
In siman 36, the Chayei Adam discusses melaveh malka. The Chayei Adam writes that the fourth seudah of Shabbos takes place after Shabbos, and is known as melavah malka. The Shabbos queen is leaving, and in order to accompany her, so to say, we show kavod through a special seudah. One should preferably wash, and minimally eat mezonos. The Chayei Adam writes it is a chiyuv gamur, but the Mishnah Berurah writes it is a mitzvah. In other words, according to the Mishnah Berurah, a person should certainly eat melavah malka because it is a mitzvah, but it does not have the same level of chiyuv as the other seudos of Shabbos.
One should try to eat bread, even if they only plan to have a kezayis. If they are going to be careful to eat only a kezayis of bread, they should wash netilas yadayim without reciting a bracha, which is not recited unless one is eating a k’beiah of bread. According to the Mishnah Berurah, even eating mezonos is not an absolute chiyuv, but a good practice.
There is a segulah on Motzei Shabbos that consuming hot items serves as a refuah. A person should try to eat or drink something hot. Rashi understands it refers to bathing in hot water as well. The Gemara understands that it helps a person heal from various illnesses.
Preferably, melaveh malka should be as close to after Shabbos as possible, since the whole idea is to accompany the leaving Shabbos Queen.
The Machatzis Hashekel points out that the chiyuv applies to men and women equally.
Summary
- There is a mitzvah to increase light on Motzei Shabbos and a minhag to sing zemiros related to Eliyahu Hanavi
- One should try to eat bread for melaveh malka, or minimally eat mezonos. It should be eaten as close to Shabbos as possible, and applies equally to men and women.
- There is a segulah to consume a hot item on Motzei Shabbos.
