What should be eaten for melaveh malka?

The Mishna Berura writes [1] that we see from the gemora that l’chatchila one should wash for bread for melaveh malka, as it is compared to the other Shabbos meals. [2] If possible, one should even eat meat or other cooked items. If however, one is satiated from the Shabbos meals, such as in summer when Shabbos is out late, one should eat cake or at least fruit.

The Vilna Ga’on would l’chatchila eat freshly baked bread for melaveh malka. [3]

Must the table be set as if for a Shabbos meal?

The Shulchan Aruch says that one must set the table after Shabbos and the poskim [4] explain this to mean that a tablecloth should be spread together with other fine items that are appropriate for special occasions. Consequently, melaveh malka should not be of a lesser importance than other Shabbos meals and when possible one should attempt to honor this meal with bread/challa and hot dishes.

Are there particular rules as to when Shabbos clothes may be changed for weekday ones?

The Magen Avraham states that one should wear Shabbos clothes until after havdala and the Kaf haChaim adds that it is correct not to remove Shabbos clothes until after eating melaveh malka. [5]

When is one to remove Shabbos clothes after Shabbos during the 9 days?

The prevalent custom [6] is to wear Shabbos clothes on Shabbos Chazon, although others follow the Rama [7] who holds that one may not wear Shabbos clothes on that Shabbos. The question is, since one may not wear Shabbos clothes during the 9 days, except for Shabbos, as stated, must one ‘hurry’ and remove the Shabbos clothes immediately after Shabbos or do we say that one may continue wearing the same Shabbos clothes?

Similarly, must a mourner during ‘shiva’ remove Shabbos clothing right after Shabbos? To compound the question, a mourner who lost a parent (Hashem yishmor) and does not change his Shabbos clothes, must he rend them? [8]

The Eshel Avraham [9] says that one need not remove one’s Shabbos clothes as soon as Shabbos Chazon is out. Rav Ezriel Auerbach agreed that this is the accepted custom.

However, mourners during the shiva must remove their Shabbos clothes as soon as Shabbos is out. He said that many say Baruch hamvdil bein kodesh l’chol and remove their Shabbos clothes even before Ma’ariv. If for some reason they could not change their Shabbos clothes, they need not rend them. [10]

If wine is not available, how can one make havdala?

When wine or grape juice is not obtainable one may use a beverage that is chamar medinah. One of the definitions of chamar medinah is a beverage one would offer guests or drink at a meal and is substituted for wine (which was regularly imbibed).

Seeing that it is a complicated issue and there are several definitions for chamar medinah, it is preferable to receive rabbinical guidance before using beverages other than wine or grape juice.

Is it permitted to run on Shabbos?

It is all too common for the working person to rush from place to place in a stressed hurry to accomplish tasks and pursue goals. [11]

On Shabbos, the prophet tells us åëáãúå îòùåú ãøëéê   - one’s gait on Shabbos must be different from a weekday, meaning that on Shabbos one may not run or even walk hurriedly. A person on Shabbos is supposed to think that all work is completed and there is no need to think about pending contracts and transactions. Walking with serenity is a sign that one does not have a care in the world and everything is wonderful. With this attitude there is no need to rush to anything.

What about running to shul?

Running to do a mitzvah is different and one may run to shul or to accomplish a mitzvah. It is not a weekday – materialistic activity and thus permitted on Shabbos. [12]