DailyHalacha.com for Mobile Devices Now Available

Click Here to Sponsor Daily Halacha
"Delivered to Over 6000 Registered Recipients Each Day"

      
(File size: 474 KB)
Is It Permissible To Hang a Bag of Bread on a Hook

May one hang a bag or basket containing bread on a hook in a pantry, or on the wall, such that the bread is suspended in the air?

Chacham Benzion Abba Shaul (Jerusalem, 1924-1998) in Or L’tzion, Helek 2, addressed this question and cited the Gemara's comment in Masechet Pesachim (111b), "If something is suspended in one's home, it brings poverty." Rashi explains this as referring to suspending a bag or basket of bread in one's home. Certainly, then, one would want to avoid hanging bread on a hook.

The question was asked as to whether teachers may hang their young students' knapsacks on hooks on the wall in school, given that the knapsacks generally contain the children's lunches. If a teacher hangs the knapsacks, does he expose himself to the risk mentioned in the Gemara?

Chacham Ben Tzion noted that Rashi speaks specifically of one who "hangs his bread," suggesting that the Gemara refers only to hanging one's own bread on a hook. The threat of poverty does not present itself to somebody who hangs a bag of somebody else's bread.

Thus, one must ensure not to hang a bag or basket containing his own bread on a hook on the wall or in a closet, but he need not be concerned of hanging a bag with somebody else's bread.

 


Recent Daily Halachot...
Simhat Hatan Ve’kala – Bringing Joy to a Bride and Groom at Their Wedding
Are Sheba Berachot Recited for a Second Marriage?
Should Weddings be Scheduled Specifically During the First Half of the Month?
Understanding the Nature of Birkat Erusin
Under What Circumstances Does a Forbidden Marriage Take Effect?
Marrying One’s Wife’s Sister After Death or Divorce
May the Daughter of a Jewish Woman and Non-Jewish Father Marry a Kohen?
Situations Where a Pregnant or Nursing Woman May Remarry Immediately After Being Widowed or Divorced
Under What Circumstances May a Divorced Couple Remarry?
How Soon May a Widow or Divorcee Begin Dating?
The Importance of Following the Proper Halachic Procedures When Getting Divorced
Peru U’r’bu – Marrying an Infertile Woman; Delaying Marriage; Adopting Orphans; If a Convert Had Children Before Conversion
Nidda – The Inspections During the “Seven Clean Days”
The Prohibition of Relations With a Non-Jewish Woman, and With One’s Wife’s Immediate Relatives
Nidda – When is the Proper Time of Day For the Hefsek Tahara Inspection?
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found