Daily Halacha - Prayer Laws, 5 Cheshvan 5778

Is it forbidden to eat before prayer?

It is forbidden to eat before the morning prayer (Shacharit) as it is written, "You shall not eat with the blood,"

and the Gemara (Berachot 10b) interprets this as "Do not eat before you pray for your blood (life)." However, many later authorities are lenient regarding drinking coffee or tea, even with a little milk mixed in. Specifically, drinking a glass of plain milk should be avoided. It is good to recite the morning blessings and Torah blessings beforehand [Yabia Omer 4, 11].

Is it permissible to give a minor (pre-Bar Mitzvah) food before prayer?

It is permissible to give a minor cakes before prayer, since only the timing causes the prohibition, and we can also consider the opinions of authorities who permit giving a minor rabbinical prohibitions directly, and furthermore, the status of a minor can be considered like that of a sick person. However, a healthy boy of 12 years should be educated in this matter as well (Yabia Omer 4, 12).

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