Sunday, 25 May 2014
Visiting the Sick - By Phone / Email
Friday, 23 May 2014
Tearing Keriah at the Kosel
Sunday, 18 May 2014
Left Handed
Sunday, 11 May 2014
Food Under Beds
Question: I have always stored food under my bed and recently learned that this is not recommended. Do I need to dispose of it?
Answer: The
Gemara (Pesachim 112a) advises against storing food under a bed, as it is
believed that a ruach ra’ah (evil spirit) will pass over it. The
Shulchan Aruch (YD 116:5) upholds this ruling. However, Rambam (Hilchos
Rotzeach 12:5) offers a different perspective, suggesting that this evil spirit
no longer exists (see Lechem Mishne, Hilchos Shevisas Asor 3:2).
R’ Yitzchak Yaakov
Weiss (Minchas Yitzchak 4:117) permits placing food at the bottom of a buggy,
even if a baby is sleeping in it. Medications, not being classified as food,
may also be stored under a bed (Halichos Shlomo, Tefilla 13:17; Tzitz Eliezer
17:35).
R’ Ovadia Yosef
(Yabia Omer YD 1:9) states that as the Vilna Gaon and others were stringent
about this practice, if food is inadvertently placed under a bed, it should
ideally be discarded. However, if the food is expensive, one may rely on more
lenient poskim. Other factors that may permit the food include if it was
raw, stored under a child’s bed, or if the floor was carpeted or tiled (Yabia
Omer YD 1:10; Tzitz Eliezer 10:35).
Most people follow
more lenient poskim (Aruch Hashulchan YD 116:11; Pischei Teshuvah YD
116:4; Rivevos Ephraim 1:8:1; 5:8) who allow such food to be consumed.
In conclusion, one should avoid storing food under a bed. If food is accidentally
placed there, it does not necessarily need to be discarded.