Starting this evening, we begin observing Rosh Chodesh Av. The restrictions of the Nine Days commence at nightfall, including our practice of refraining from eating meat. Because Rosh Chodesh coincides with Erev Shabbat, the Shemirat Shabbat Kehilchata permits tasting Shabbat food on this day even if it is fleishig (note that this would not apply to next Shabbat, when one not be permitted to sample Shabbat food in advance).
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Ariel Rackovsky
Congregation Shaare Tefilla 6131 Churchill Way Dallas, TX 75230
