Preparing for Kiddush
Maran Ha’Shulchan Aruch (289:1) writes that, before reciting Kiddush on Shabbat morning, “One’s table should be set, bed made, and a tablecloth spread on the table, just as one would for the Shabbat night meal. After Kiddush, one should perform Netilat Yadayim, recite Hamotzi on double bread, and begin the meal.”
The above is true because the Gemara and Poskim explain that the obligation to show honor to Shabbat is even greater on Shabbat day than it is on Shabbat night (see Shulchan Aruch Ch. 271). Thus, just as one should take care that the house is clean and tidy before Kiddush on Shabbat night, one should do the same on Shabbat day. (Nevertheless, according to the holy Zohar, the Mitzvah to show honor to Shabbat is greater during the night than it is during the day.)
It is therefore important to set the table nicely and put out a tablecloth for the Shabbat morning meal, as well.
Making Beds on Shabbat
When Maran writes that one should make one’s bed on Shabbat day, the Acharonim point out that this applies only if one plans on taking a nap after the Shabbat day meal during the afternoon, in which case it makes sense that one’s bed should be prepared before the meal so that one can begin calmly and joyfully. The Mishnah Berurah adds another possibility that even if one does not intend to take a Shabbat afternoon nap, making the bed before the day Kiddush will still be permissible if the bed is in the same room Kiddush is being recited, for it would be disrespectful to leave an unmade bed as is while Kiddush is being recited.
However, if the bed is in another room and one does not intend to sleep in it on Shabbat afternoon, making the bed on Shabbat day to prepare it for Motza’ei Shabbat would constitute a preparation on Shabbat for a weekday which is forbidden.
On the other hand, Mateh Yehuda rules that in any circumstance where one makes one’s bed on Shabbat day in order to make the house clean and orderly in honor of Shabbat, this is permissible even if one will not sleep in it on Shabbat afternoon.
Thus, nowadays, when it is customary to make the beds first thing in the morning in order for the house to look clean and orderly, it is permissible to do so on Shabbat morning as well and this does not pose a concern of weekday preparation. However, if one’s intention is merely for the beds to be prepared for Motza’ei Shabbat, this would be forbidden.
The Best Time for the Shabbat Meals
It is quite common nowadays for people to have their second Shabbat meal immediately after Mussaf prayers on Shabbat morning and the third Shabbat meal (Seudah Shelishit) following Mincha services, shortly before sunset.
Nevertheless, Rabbeinu Chaim Palagi writes in his Sefer Ruach Chaim that it is preferable to hold the Shabbat day meal immediately after prayers and have a light meal, not actual Chulent or Hamin, and then, to pray Mincha as soon as the time for earliest Mincha arrives. Immediately thereafter, the family should sit down to partake of Seudah Shelishit with a heavier, heartier meal, including Chulent/Hamin, essentially swapping the second and third Shabbat meals the way we usually have them today.
The benefit of Rav Palagi’s recommendation is that one will be able to study Torah calmly and easily after the second meal until Mincha, for people will not go to sleep before Mincha, plus people will eat Seudah Shelishit with appetite, even on short winter Shabbatot. Rav Palagi writes that this was the prevalent custom in Livorno, Italy, as quoted by Maran Ha’Chida (Responsa Chaim Sha’al, Ch. 74), as well as several other Jewish communities.
