The Risenberg live in Bet Shemesh. On Friday afternoon, Mrs. Risenberg lit the Shabbos candles on time, 40 minutes before shkiya. After 10 minutes, she became thirsty and said to her three daughters, Emunah, Shirah and Rachel Leah: “Wow, we will make kiddush only in about an hour and a half when Abba and Eli return from shul, but I am already thirsty!”
Emunah sighed and said, “I guess the only solution, Imma, is for you to make kiddush now.” But Mrs. Risenberg did not like that idea, because she enjoyed when the whole family hears kiddush together.
Shira shook her head and said with much enthusiasm, “Just like we can drink water before Havdalah, we can drink water before kiddush.”
Rachel Leah looked at Shira and said, “Well I wouldn’t go that far, but I would say that it’s okay for Imma to drink water until shkiya.”
Mrs. Risenberg thought to herself, “I wish Yitzy would be here. He is a big talmid chacham.”
Question: Who is right - Emunah, Shirah or Rachel Leah?
Answers
Shemiras Shabbos Kehilchosa (43:45-46) writes: “Once the woman lights Shabbos candles, all laws of Shabbos apply to her. And from that point, the obligation of kiddush is also upon her. Therefore, she is not allowed to eat or drink until she makes Kiddush. [However] if she is thirsty, she can drink water until sunset.” (regarding drinking tea, see ibid.)
*Note: Menucha’s answer are not to be taken as final decisions in halacha, but rather as a springboard for discussions, questions to a moreh hora’ah.
