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...
Speaking Words of Torah and Other Matters During a Meal
Reciting "Le'Shem Yichud" Before Performing a Mitzva
Is It Permissible or Required To Donate A Kidney To Save A Life
Recommended Procedures After Experiencing a Dream
Cutting Down Fruit-Bearing Trees
May a Yeshiva Accept a Child Born to a Jewish Mother and Non-Jewish Father?
Teaching Complex Matters of Halacha to Students Who Might Misunderstand
Announcing the New Month on the Shabbat Preceding Rosh Chodesh
Reciting Birkat Ha'levana Before Seven Complete Days Have Passed Since the Molad; Reciting Birkat Ha'levana Indoors
Some Halachot Concerning Hallel
Avoiding Items That Causes One To Forget His Learning
From The Concept of Havilot Havilot- Is it Permissible To Have One Sedua for 2 Siyumim
Eating or Drinking in a Synagogue or Beit Midrash
The Requirement of Mechitza During Prayer and Other Events
Foods and Substances One Must Avoid Due to Potential Risks
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found