The Daily Halacha Moment - Respecting Food
״כל השונה הלכות בכל יום - מובטח לו שהוא בן העולם הבא״ (נידה עג ע״א, מגילה כח:)
“Anyone who studies Halachot every day is guaranteed that he is destined for the world-to-come” (Megilla 28b, Niddah 73a)
Question:
What is the proper way to respect food?
Answer:
Throwing Food
It is prohibited to throw food if doing so will cause it to become ruined or inedible. Food is considered a gift from Hashem, and treating it with care reflects appreciation for His blessings. However, food that does not get ruined when thrown—such as wrapped candy or small bags of snacks—may be thrown, but only in a place where the floor is clean and the food will not become dirty. This is common in scenarios like throwing candy at a wedding or a bar mitzvah, where care should still be taken to ensure that the food remains intact and fit for consumption. [1]
Picking Up Food from the Floor
If one sees food on the floor, they should pick it up out of respect, especially if it is still edible. Allowing food to remain on the floor is a form of disrespect and can lead to waste, which is halachically discouraged. [2]
Respect for Bread
Bread holds special significance in Jewish law and must be treated with extra reverence. Because of its importance as a staple food, it is forbidden to throw bread, *even if it will not get ruined*. This applies in all situations, whether one is at home, in a public setting, or at a meal. [3]
Proper Disposal of Bread [4]
- If one has a *kezayit (olive-sized piece) of bread* that they need to dispose of, they should not throw it directly into the garbage. Instead, it should be placed in a separate bag before being discarded.
- This practice ensures that the bread is treated with a level of dignity before disposal.
Respect for Crumbs
Crumbs also require respectful treatment.
- It is discouraged to disrespect crumbs, as doing so is considered a bad sign and is a bad omen for poverty. [5]
- The proper way to dispose of crumbs is to wrap them before throwing them into the garbage. [6]
- Some authorities rule that only throwing crumbs onto the floor or trampling them is forbidden, while discarding them directly into the garbage in a respectful manner is allowed, even without wrapping them.
Sources:
[1]. Shulchan Aruch 171:1 writes that nuts may be thrown since they won’t get ruined when thrown. Mishnah Berurah 171:11 adds that if the floor is dirty then it’s forbidden no matter what. Yalkut Yosef (vol 3, p 153) agrees.
[2]. Mishnah Berurah 171:11, Yalkut Yosef (Brachot pg 153)
[3]. Shulchan Aruch 171:1. Mishnah Berurah 171:9 and Yalkut Yosef (Brachot pg 156), Halacha Berurah 9:49, Peri Megadim Eshel Avraham 167:38 add that it’s forbidden to throw even if the bread won’t get ruined if it falls.
[4]. Bayit Baruch 54:22, Vezot HaBracha pg 16
[5]. Shulchan Aruch 180:4.
[6]. Vezot Habracha ch. 2 p. 16 citing Rav Yakov Yisrael Fisher, Rav Sheinburg, and Rav Elyashiv, Piskei Teshuvot 180:4.
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