Halachot and Customs
Is It Permitted to Eat Lunch Close to Mincha Gedolah?
Question
Hello,
I would like to ask whether it is permitted to eat lunch before the Mincha prayer when there is no concern that I will forget to pray, since this is at work and we are being called to complete a minyan?
If it is forbidden, how long before prayer is it permitted to eat?
We pray at our factory at 12:20. If possible, may I eat at about 11:50? I am Sephardi, Edot HaMizrach.
Thank you in advance
Answer
Good week,
You may be lenient in this matter.
Sources: It is true that the view of the Shulchan Aruch (section 232, paragraph 2) is that it is forbidden to eat even an ordinary meal close to Mincha Gedolah. However, it has already been written that even Sephardim are accustomed to be lenient in this, so long as the time close to Mincha Ketanah has not yet arrived (that is, until the end of nine hours of the day), relying on the fact that they have a fixed time to go and pray Mincha, or that there is one person there who will watch over him while he is eating and remind him to pray Mincha. Nevertheless, if it is possible to pray Mincha Gedolah before eating an ordinary meal, it is preferable to do so (see Halacha Berurah there, paragraph 6). Therefore, in your case, since there is a fixed time for the Mincha prayer, and in addition there is someone who calls you to come and complete a minyan, you may be lenient and eat close to Mincha Gedolah.
With blessings,
Hillel Meirs
