Shailah of the Week by Rabbi Zvi Nussbaum

Rabbinic Coordinator, Kosher Hotline Administrator for the Orthodox Union

Is it ok to eat meat at a siyum during the 9 Days?

There is a way to eat meat in the 9 Days! Celebrating a siyum can be done with a meat meal (Rama, 551:10).

There is a caveat from the Mishne Berurah: The celebrant would have done it in the same fashion for a siyum during the year. The mesayem may invite any person they would have ordinarily invited, according to Harav Moshe Feinstein, zt”l.  

A late arrival invitee who didn’t hear the actual siyum may also partake in the meal. This includes summer camps where campers and staff are considered friends of the mesayem who is a member of the camp.

Can I use wine vinegar during the 9 Days?

Yes. Rama (OC 551:9) writes that using wine vinegar is acceptable during 9 Nine Days. He explains that wine vinegar does not promote simcha (joy), and was not included in the wine restriction. Wine “vinegar” refers to wine that has fermented to the point where one would not drink it (MB 551:57).

(Part 1)