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...
The Week of Tisha B’Ab – Using Fresh Linens, Wearing a Freshly-Cleaned Tallit, and Ironing Garments
Is it Permissible to Eat Fish at the Final Meal Before Tisha B’Ab?
The Divergent Customs of the Sepharadim and Ashkenazim Regarding Bathing During the Nine Days
The Prohibition Against Taking a Hot Shower During the Week of Tisha B’Ab
Preparing One’s Clothes For the Week of Tisha B’Ab
Tisha BeAv- Brit Milah on Tisha BeAv
Some Laws of Motza'ei Tisha B'Av and the Tenth of Av
Extending Greetings on Tisha B’Ab and Haircutting, Shaving and Nail Cutting During the Week of Tisha B’Ab
Tisha BeAb – Wearing Freshly-Laundered Clothing; Washing Dishes
A Biblical Allusion to the Special Haftarot Before and After Tisha B’Ab
Habdala When Tisha B’Ab Falls on Sunday
Preparing Clothes Before the Week of Tisha B'Av
Tisha BeAv- Is It Permissible To Take Medicine and Wash Hands On Tisha BeAv
Tisha BeAv- Is it Permissible To Take A Hot Shower, Eat Meat, Shave And Clean Clothes At Then End of The Fast
Tisha BeAv- When Is It Appropriate To Remove One’s Shoes When Tisha BeAv Falls Out On Motzae Shabbat
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found