Jawish Custom While Eating

There are many Halakha discussions regarding proper conduct while eating

. Although these may seem logical at times and out of date other times, they are all relevant.

There is an interesting Halakha regarding a person that is hired to serve in your home. If the waiter is not permitted to eat from your food without first having your explicit permission, one is obligated to feed him or her before eating. The reason for this is because it is not healthy for a person to smell food that is desirable when it is known that he may not be able to eat from it.

This Halacha does not apply to guests that are invited to eat with you, as they know that eventually they will be parting in the same meal you are eating. As a matter of fact, we are taught that it is proper etiquette for the guest to wait for the owner of the home before partaking in the meal.

Based on this, if someone comes collecting charity at your home while you are eating a meal, and the one collecting smells the food, one may perhaps be obligated to feed him, even if a large donation is given. This Halacha may apply to guests that come to visit without knowing you are in the middle of eating as well.

If the waiter or guest know that they are welcome to take whatever they like without a formal invitation, one is not obligated to offer them to eat.

In Halakha it is written that one should not speak while eating. The reason for this is because it is a health hazard, as it can cause choking.

Aruch Hashulchan speculates that according to this Halacha one should not even speak between courses.

In addition, the Arch Hashulchan questions the widespread accepted practice of speaking during the meal. Aruch Hashulchan brings several answers to justify this practice. Firstly, the prohibition was only enacted for the times of the Talmud when people would lean while eating. Today we eat without leaning; we therefore are not in danger to the same extent, as the windpipe only moves higher than the food pipe when reclining. In addition, the prohibition was only extensive discussion. One is permitted to carry on short conversations anyhow. Also, one is permitted to speak between courses.

Chofetz Chaim clearly rules that there is no problem with speaking between courses. He brings this from the Eliya Rabah.

by: Billy Kite

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