Q. Hello Rav. I heard in a shiur that one (of many) segulot for parnasa is to leave over bread on the table. It wasn't clear if this meant just for Birkat Hamazon or if we should ALWAYS leave bread on the table. Is there a well-sourced segulah to leave bread on your table all the time?
Thank you.
A. Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 180: 1) based on Sahnedrin (92a), rules that one should not remove the bread from the table until after having recited birchas hamazon. Then adds (ibid. 2); that one who does not leave bread on his table, will not see any signs of bracha and blessing forever. Nevertheless, he should not place on the table a (new) complete bread on the table.
Mishna Berura (ibid. 1) explains that the bread remains demonstrate to all, that we thank Hashem for His great kindness and goodness, by giving us bountiful and abundant bread. He adds, that the bracha will not take hold on emptiness and therefore the remaining bread is needed. On the next clause (seif 2), he adds another reason for leaving some bread on the table, namely, in case an impoverished hungry person calls on the house, so one will have bread ready to share with him.
From the wording of the Shulchan Aruch quoted above, it seems that the bread is to remain on the table only until the final blessing is recited.
In addition, Poskim write that in our days, it is unusual to donate leftover bread to the destitute, as they usually come to collect monetary donations and not leftover food. Therefore, one need only leave on the table small pieces of the remaining bread or crumbs, to show Hashem's grace. (Oz Nidberu 1: 46, Rivavos Efraim 4: 46, and others). The above applies especially if there is concern that reusable pieces and slices of bread, may be discarded unnecessarily into the waste.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is similar. The Rov added, that although, we today do not usually donate food at the door, it is a great chessed to offer all collectors, a hot drink in cold winter days, or a cooling beverage in the heat of summer. (See That is Vayehi 78)
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
Important Numbers
