‘Mishenichnas Av Mima’atim Besimcha.’ The Halacha tells us that as the month of Av enters, so things that would include festivities and happiness must be curtailed. It must be limited.
One of those laws includes the prohibition of eating of meat. According to our custom, this begins at the beginning of the month of Av, not including however, Rosh Chodesh itself, and not including Shabbat. Therefore on all the other days through the 9th of Av, it would be forbidden for us to eat meat or poultry.
Regarding food that was cooked in a meat pot. As example, if one cooked rice in a meat pot, the custom is not to be Machmir (strict) on such an item. Such an item would be permissible to eat. It’s not considered meat, even though it was cooked in a clean meat pot.
Halacha also prohibits the drinking of wine. Many people know that meat is forbidden during the 9 days, but are unaware of the prohibition of drinking wine. Now although Chachamim forbade wine, they did say that it is permissible obviously to make Kiddush on Friday night, and also to make Kiddush on Shabbat, and also to have wine on Rosh Chodesh. But we are talking about the other days, where it would be forbidden. However, beer, whiskey, Arak and those other type of items were not part of the ruling.
Now, regarding having meat on Shabbat for Seudah Shelishit. If one has some left overs, and he’s eating at home, and he wants to have some left over meat, it would be permissible. On Shabbat there is no Avelut (mouring). For that matter, he would be able to have wine also.
For that matter, it should also be pointed out, during the week, the 9 days we should say, although it is proper to make Birkat Hamazon with a cup of wine, like we said many times, but during the 9 days, one should refrain from making Birkat Hamazon with such cup of Wine. Of course that would not be applicable on Shabbat or Rosh Chodesh.
Lastly, there is a custom on Friday to taste the food that is being prepared for Shabbat. Chachamim tell us that it brings longevity to taste from the pots for Shabbat, to see maybe if more salt is needed, or to see if the food is tasty for the Shabbat. That would be permissible even during the 9 days. Even though it’s not Shabbat technically, it would be permissible to taste from the pot to see if the food is good. Of course that does not mean that it’s OK to sit and indulge, and to have a mini Seuda before Shabbat like some of us usually do. It just means to taste just to make sure that the it’s prepared correctly for Shabbat.
