Q. Is it permitted on Simchas Torah to wash and have a small seuda (with bread and a little fish) before hakafos and Mussaf, in order to comply with Rav Miller’s opinion that the seudas Yom Tov should be held before chatzos?
A. On question 2083 regarding Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion to start the Shabbos day seuda before chatzos, we wrote that it also applies to Yom Tov, even when it does not coincide with Shabbos, and an effort should be done to start the seuda before chatzos if possible.
The Rov maintains that one may indeed eat a small private seuda if it does not disturb the others attending and one does not miss Kerias Hatorah and Mussaf. (Some may add also after having a hakofo).
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit’a