Q. Is (the mitzva of Kiddush) the same for men or women? What if the person has low blood sugar or other issues that require eating, can one eat before Kiddush?
A. Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 289: 1) rules that similarly to the night of Shabbos, one is not allowed to taste any food before the Kiddush of the day. However he adds, one may drink water before davening since the obligation of reciting Kiddush has not yet began.
Mishna Berura (6) adds that the same applies to women, since regarding all the Shabbos mitzvos men and women are equal. Biur Halacha (ibid) adds that if one is permitted to eat or drink before davening due to his medical concerns, has to recite Kiddush before eating.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
Important Numbers
