DailyHalacha.com for Mobile Devices Now Available

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

      
(File size: 1.19 MB)
Leaving Leftover Bread on the Table for Birkat Ha’mazon

The Shulhan Aruch (Orah Haim 180:1) writes that it is not proper to recite Birkat Ha’mazon at an empty table, and one should therefore leave the leftover bread, and crumbs, on the table for the recitation of Birkat Ha’mazon. If all the bread was finished, one should not bring another full loaf to the table, as this was the practice of the pagans. If one has a partial loaf of bread, it may be brought to the table for Birkat Ha’mazon. A complete loaf that had been on the table during the meal may be left on the table for Birkat Ha’mazon.

The Ben Ish Hai (Rav Yosef Haim of Baghdad, 1833-1909) writes (in Parashat Shelah) that it is customary also to leave the bones, shells and peels on the table for Birkat Ha’mazon. These oftentimes have "Nisosot Kedusha" (sparks of holiness) within them, and reciting Birkat Ha’mazon with these on the table can have the effect of extracting the sparks. If one finds it uncomely to leave these things on the table, he may collect them onto a plate and move them to the side, but they should be left on the table.

Summary: It is proper to leave leftover bread on the table for Birkat Ha’mazon. If all the bread was eaten, one should not bring a new, complete loaf for Birkat Ha’mazon, but one may bring a new piece of bread. It is also proper to leave on the table bones, shells and peels for Birkat Ha’mazon.


 


Recent Daily Halachot...
Yom Tob Candle Lighting
What To Do If You Miss 'ViTodienu' On Motzae Shabbat That is Yom Tov
May One Cook on Yom Tob Food Which He is Unable to Eat?
Yom Tob Candle Lighting – Should the Beracha be Recited Before or After the Lighting?
Laws of Kiddush and Meals on Yom Tov
Traditional Recitations on Holidays According to the Customs of Halab
Carrying Outdoors on Yom Tob
If a Person Realizes Upon Arriving in the Synagogue That He Had Not Prepared an Erub Tabshilin
Does an Erub Tabshilin Allow Cooking on the First Day of Yom Tob for Shabbat?
Which Foods are Suitable for the Erub Tabshilin?
Must a Guest Prepare an Erub Tabshilin?
What Is The Latest Time On Erev Yom Tov, One Can Make Eruv Tavshilin?
Separating Halla from Dough on Yom Tob
Is it Permissible to Squeeze Fruit on Yom Tob?
The Controversy Surrounding the Recitation of the “Yag Middot” on Yom Tob
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found