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知azon

The Shulhan Aruch (Orah Haim 180:1) writes that it is not proper to recite Birkat Ha知azon at an empty table, and one should therefore leave the leftover bread, and crumbs, on the table for the recitation of Birkat Ha知azon. 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知azon. A complete loaf that had been on the table during the meal may be left on the table for Birkat Ha知azon.

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知azon. These oftentimes have "Nisosot Kedusha" (sparks of holiness) within them, and reciting Birkat Ha知azon 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知azon. If all the bread was eaten, one should not bring a new, complete loaf for Birkat Ha知azon, 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知azon.


 


Recent Daily Halachot...
Avoiding Saying the Names of Angels and the Full Name of Satan
Respecting Parents When it Entails Great Difficulty
Respecting One痴 Stepparents; Respecting Siblings
Accepting Services From a Parent
Respecting Parents After Their Passing
Standing in One痴 Parent痴 Honor
Must One Incur Expenses For the Misva of Honoring His Parents?
The Prohibition Against Contradicting One痴 Parent
The Extent to Which the Torah Demands Respecting Parents
Acknowledging That Even Life's Misfortunes are Somehow for the Best
Collecting Interest From the Estate of a Debtor If His Inheritors are Minors
Lending Money to Gentiles on Interest
May a Renter Request a Discount in Exchange for Paying Up Front?
Receiving a Discount on Service in Exchange for Prepaying
If Somebody Owes a Worker Money But Neither of Them Has Change
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found