DailyHalacha.com for Mobile Devices Now Available

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

      
(File size: 644 KB)
Pesah – Bringing Books to the Table, Using Tablecloths

Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv (contemporary) writes (listen to audio recording for precise citation) that it is proper during Pesah to use different books for Pizmonim and Birkat Ha’mazon. The Pizmonim and Birkat Ha’mazon books and cards used during the year often have food on them, as they are frequently brought to the table, and it is therefore proper to put them away for Pesah and use different books during the holiday. It may be too costly for some to purchase new Pizmonim books for Pesah, in which case they should be thoroughly cleaned and checked for Hametz, and may then be used during Pesah.

Books that are not normally brought to the table do not have to be checked before Pesah for Hametz. However, if a person has books that he occasionally brings to the table, he should ensure not to bring them to his table on Pesah, because there might a crumb in the book that could fall onto his plate. Hametz on Pesah is not subject to "Bittul" ("nullification"), meaning, it is forbidden even in the smallest proportion, and one should therefore ensure not to bring to the table books that might have Hametz crumbs in them. If he wishes, he can put down a towel or some other material on the table and then place the book on the towel.

One should ensure to use a tablecloth to cover his table whenever he eats on Pesah. Even if the table has been cleaned and one eats cold food, he should nevertheless make sure the table is covered. Rav Elyashiv even advises using a second covering in addition to the tablecloth, but one should at very least ensure to have a tablecloth so he does not eat directly on the table.

Summary: Birkat Ha’mazon and Pizmonim books used at the table during the year should not be used on Pesah. Books in general do not need to be checked for Hametz before Pesah, but a book that has occasionally been brought to the table should not be placed directly on the table during Pesah. One should use a tablecloth anytime he eats during Pesah, rather than eat directly on the table, even if it was thoroughly cleaned.

 


Recent Daily Halachot...
If Somebody Left After Eating Without Reciting Birkat Ha’mazon
Lifting and Holding the Cup of Wine During Birkat Ha’mazon
The Recitation of Birkat Ha’mazon
With What Hand Does a Left-Handed Person Hold the Cup of Wine During Birkat Ha-mazon?
Using a “Defective” Cup of Wine if No More Wine is Available
Using a Cup From Which One Had Drunk for “Kos Shel Beracha”
When Should Birkat Ha’mazon be Recited Over a Cup of Wine?
Performing Netilat Yadayim with Cloudy Water
Must One Dry His Hands Before Washing Netilat Yadayim?
The Importance of Netilat Yadayim After Waking
The Beracha of Asher Yasar after Using the Bathroom
Giving Praise to Hashem Before Blessing Others
Studying The Laws of Berachot-When Eating Grapes & Peanuts
If a Person Mistakenly Recited “Al Ha’mihya” Instead of “Mezonot” Before Eating, or “Boreh Nefashot” Instead of “Al Ha’mihya” After Eating
If One Mistakenly Recited “Al Ha’mihya” Instead of Birkat Ha’mazon
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found