Question:
Is it better to wash for shalosh seudas after shkia or not eat shalosh seudas at all?
Answer:
Hello,
The issue with washing after shkia is that we may not eat, when it is already close to time to daven maariv ana make havdala. in the states, it takes more than half an hour between shkia and when one may daven maariv. Therefore, one may wash a few minutes after shkia, as long as it is still half an hour before the time that one can daven maariv. In Eretz Yisroel however there are people who daven even 22-25 minutes after shkiya, therefore it is more of an issue there. However, there are those (chassidim) whose custom is to go with the shkiya of Rabbeinu Tam, and they will wash even after shliya in Eretz Yisroel.
Best wishes
