Ep. 87 - Laws of Proper Conduct for a Meal - 1 (Siman 42)

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In this Everyday Judaism episode, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe begins Kitzur Shulchan Aruch Siman 42: proper conduct during a meal (after hamotzi and netilat yadayim).

Key halachot:

• Feed animals first — One who owns animals/fowl must feed them before eating (Torah obligation); humans come first for drinking.
• No gluttony — Don’t eat/drink while standing; eat/drink in moderation; table must be clean/covered; don’t hold large pieces (>kezayis/egg-size) in hand while eating; don’t gulp wine (2–3 sips ideal unless cup is tiny/large).
• No interrupting speech — Don’t converse (even Torah) while eating (choking danger); permissible to speak Torah after eating bread but before Birkas Hamazon.
• Bread etiquette — Don’t bite bread and return it to table/plate (repulsive); don’t throw bread; don’t use bread to support dishes; don’t wash hands with wine/other beverages (degrades them).
• Salt on table — Mitzvah to have salt (table = altar; preserves covenant; repels evil); dip challah in salt.
• Food in hand — Don’t eat large quantities directly from hand; tear with other hand (degrades bread).
• Cleanliness & dignity — Don’t sit on sacks of fruit (degrades them); pick up fallen food; don’t feed fit-for-human food to animals (degrades it); if used medicinally, permissible even if repulsive.
• Aroma & craving — If food/drink has savory aroma and you crave it, give server a bite immediately (saliva produced is harmful if unmet).
• Serving & sharing — Don’t give food someone else touched in covered areas; don’t drink from cup and pass it (repulsive); prominent person eats first.

The rabbi stresses spiritual depth: food is a gift from Hashem—eat with dignity, gratitude, and self-control (e.g., personal story of son resisting babka temptation before Kiddush). Meals are for bonding, not just sustenance—eat together, wait for others, show nechbadus (respect). 

The episode concludes with a transition to the Ask Away #30.

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The Everyday Judaism Podcast is dedicated to learning, understanding and appreciating the greatness of Jewish heritage and the Torah through the simplified, concise study of Halacha, Jewish Law, thereby enhancing our understanding of how Hashem wants us to live our daily lives in a Jewish way.
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• Download & Print the Everyday Judaism Halacha Notes:
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This episode of the Everyday Judaism Podcast by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe of TORCH is dedicated to my dearest friends, Marshall & Doreen Lerner! May Hashem bless you and always lovingly accept your prayer for good health, success and true happiness!!!

Recorded in the TORCH Centre - Levin Family Studio (B) to a live audience on January 11, 2026, in Houston, Texas.
Released as Podcast on February 1, 2026
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