1) One should not sit on a box/container that contains food, if by doing so there is a chance that the food inside will get ruined.
However, if the box is sturdy or if there is otherwise no chance at all that your sitting on it will affect the food, it is permissible. (Mishna Berura Siman 171:12-14)
2) Food that is intended for humans should not be given to animals or birds to eat.
However, if no other food is available to feed them, it is permissible to give them human food. (Mishna Berura 171:11 based on Rashi to Ta'anis 20b.Other Poskim are more lenient with this and maintain that it is permissible to feed regular food to animals in many situations. For more on this topic See Shu"t Shoel U'Meishiv, MaHadura Tinyana Vol. 2 Siman 72, Shu"t Minchas Yitzchok Vol. 3 Siman 45, Chayei Adam Klal 45:5. The Meiri to Ta'anis 20b learns that only human food that was prepared for human consumption is part of this prohibition, but food that is edible to humans, but wasn't yet prepared for consumption, is not a problem to give to animals)
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QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER:
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and Answers. Taken from the Q & A page on the Halacha For Today website.
Although the answers I give to questions are taken directly from the Sifrei HaPoskim, and aren't my own, they are still for study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha.
[ You wrote that salt needs to be on the table at each meal]. I have heard that salt need not be on the table at night, as karbanos were not brought in the evening. Is this correct?
Answer:
Interesting. I have never heard that and did not come across that in my research, and indeed the custom is to use salt at night, and in fact there is a debate in the Poskim as to the proper way to "dip" salt at the Pesach Seder....which can only be at night!
If you (or anyone else reading this) find a source for this, please be so kind as to let me know about it.Thank you.
Our holy sages, the Chazal tell us
תנא דבי אליהו כל השונה הלכות בכל יום מובטח לו שהוא בן עולם הבא, שנאמר הליכות עולם לו, אל תקרי הליכות אלא הלכות - one who studies [at least two] Halachos daily is assured a portion in Olam Haba - the world to come. (:מגילה כ"ח )
Important Numbers
