Melaveh Malkah – Ask the Rabbi
Q. What is a Melaveh Malkah?
A. It is a farewell to Shabbat. The term literally means “accompanying the queen”, since Shabbat is personified as a queen whom we treat as a distinguished guest in our midst.
The Melaveh Malkah meal is regarded as the banquet of King David, because David was informed that he would die on a Sabbath and therefore, when darkness came on Saturday night and he found himself still alive, he would feast and celebrate.
A Melaveh Malkah is a memorable, emotional way of allowing the Sabbath spirit to linger before finally taking its leave until next week.
