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 Candle Falls on the Table During Shabbat
May One Ask a Non-Jew to Light the Shabbat Candles After Shabbat Has Started?
Using Olive Oil and Wax Candles for the Shabbat Candle Lighting
Making a Verbal Declaration When Preparing for Shabbat
Covering the Bread on the Table on Shabbat and Yom Tob
Must One Eat Bread at Seudah Shlishit?
Must the Halla be on the Table During Kiddush?
Adding Aliyot on Shabbat
The Requirement to Eat Bread at Se’uda Shelishit
Until When Can One Recite “Asher Natan Shabbatot Li’mnuha” in Lieu of “Reseh” in Birkat Ha’mazon?
Shabbat – Practicing Penmanship in the Air; Observing a Mechanic
Having Children Perform Melacha on Shabbat; Halachot of Children During the Nine Days and Hol Ha’mo’ed
Leniencies That Apply During Ben Ha’shemashot at the Beginning and End of Shabbat
Separating Pages in a Book That are Attached
Annulling Vows on Shabbat
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found