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...
If a Person Did Not Recite Habdala on Mosa’eh Shabbat
Abelut When Somebody Passes Away on Ereb Shabuot
If Yom Tob Occurs During the Sheloshim Mourning Period
Shiba and Sheloshim When Somebody Passes Away During or Just Before Yom Tob
Which Restrictions Apply to Mourners When Somebody Passes Away During Yom Tob?
Is Hallel Recited in a House of Mourning on Rosh Hodesh?
The Status of the Clothing, Shoes and Hair of a Deceased Person
The Tombstone – When it Should be Erected, and How the Deceased’s Name Should be Written
May a Woman in Mourning During Hol Ha’mo’ed Immerse in the Mikveh?
Which Mourning Practices are Observed During Hol Ha’mo’ed?
May a Mourner Attend a Hachnasat Sefer Torah Celebration?
Does a Mourner Lean at the Seder on Pesah?
Does an Onen Perform the Misvot at the Seder?
The Status of Family Members Before the Funeral on Hol Ha’mo’ed Regarding Aninut and Sefirat Ha’omer
Wearing New or Freshly Laundered Garments During Abelut
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found