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...
One Explanation for the Phrase “Sabri Maranan”
Trickery, Lying, and Deceiving, Are Forms of Stealing:"Geneivat Da'at" – Thievery Through Deception
Must a Convert Immerse All His Utensils After His Conversion?
May the Chazan Invite Somebody Else to Lead Birkat Kohanim in His Stead?
Is It Permissible To Stand or Sit With Your Back To The Hechal
May a Guest Refuse the Host's Invitation to Lead the Zimun?
The Power of Learning Mishnayot
Is It A Transgression To Simply Bypass A Request (Email) To Pray For Others In Need, and How To Properly Refer To One's Parents In A Blessing
May a Kohen Leave Israel?
Refusing an Aliya to the Torah
May a New Bride or Groom Attend Somebody Else’s Wedding?
Coming Late To A Reception, Unauthorized Acceptance and Collection of Valued Goods and Services
Pat Shacharit - Bread Of The Morning (Breakfast)
Reading Pirkeh Abot Between Pesah and Shabuot
Birkat Ha'ilanot – Reciting the Beracha with a Minyan, and Reciting the Beracha Upon the Second Sighting of Blossoming Trees
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found