Listening to Music and the Shabbos Siren
The poskim write that one shouldn’t listen to music on a fast (Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, 122:1), even when the fast falls on erev Shabbos, there is no room for leniency, as it is not something they allowed for kavod Shabbos (Netei Gavriel – Chanukah, 60:6). However, there is no need to be stringent in regards to the erev Shabbos music that is played to announce that it is nearly Shabbos.
Tasting Shabbos Foods
Many have the custom of tasting the Shabbos foods before Shabbos to make sure they are properly seasoned and cooked. The Mishnah Berurah (250, s.k. 2) brings from the Magen Avraham that there is a mitzvah to do so, in order to fix up the food if need be. (The Machzor Vitri - Tefillas Mussaf Shel Shabbos, siman 191 – writes, that the reward for doing so, is long life). The Machozr Vitri adds, that doing so avoids one getting angry at his family members for burning the food. The Shemiras Shabbos (Perek 42, he’orah 235) writes, that tasting the food helps avoid chillul Shabbos, as it saves one having to add in salt on Shabbos etc. (which if one doesn’t know what he is doing can lead to chillul Shabbos).
This year, since Friday is a fast day, this custom requires clarification. According to the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 567:1) tasting foods the amount of less than a reviis (86-150 ml) without swallowing is permitted on any fast day. However, the Rema is of opinion that it is forbidden completely. On erev Shabbos, though, the Mishnah Berurah writes (6) that one who tastes the food that is being cooked to ensure that the food which will be served at a seudas mitzva (in this case, the Shabbos meal) is tasty can rely upon the Shulchan Aruch’s opinion and taste the food without swallowing it. It's important to add, then when tasting without swallowing, no berachah rishonah is required.
The Piskei Teshuvos adds, though, that one who knows the food is properly seasoned and only wants to taste it for the custom is not permitted to do so on a fast day, even if he does not swallow the food.
