Eating Properly

A Jew is must always eat in a dignified manner. One of the characteristics of the “rebellious son,” who would be sentenced to death in ancient times, was his undignified manner of eating.(1) the halacha writes that eating when standing may be detriment to ones health, so if it would depend if it affect you when eating standing then it is forbidden some people it doesn't effect so it is permissible

O (5) One must not lick one’s fingers, or to burp in front of others, if it disturbs them(6)

The Talmud teaches that eating in public is inappropriate and one who does so is comparable to a dog. (7) Eating in public might even disqualify a person from serving as a witness in ritual matters. (8) Eating while walking is especially forbidden. (9) It is permitted, however, to eat in a restaurant or any other circumstance where eating in public is appropriate. In the event that one must drink in public, using a straw is preferable to drinking directly from a bottle this is politeness.

The Talmud says that the ancient Persians had exemplary table manners. (10) Proper table manners are so important that the Yom Kippur confessional includes a passage for inappropriate table manners! One should always offer one's guests something to eat as it is considered improper for a guest to ask for food. (11) It is forbidden to throw food (12) (13) One should never speak while eating. (14)

One must be sensitive about spreading germs when eating. The Talmud relates that Rabbi Yossi and Rabbi Yehuda were eating porridge out of the same bowl, one with his dirty hands and the other with a utensil. The one eating with the utensil said to the one eating with his hands, “Until when will you keep feeding me your excrement?” The one eating with his hands then said to the one eating with the utensil, “Until when will you keep feeding me your saliva?” From here we learn the importance of consideration and attention to hygiene and germs, especially if it affects others at mealtime. (15) So too, one should never drink out of the same cup as someone else, if he doesn't know who drank from it, since he may be not well and spreading germs(16)

One should eat just enough so that one is no longer hungry. (17) (18) One is also obligated to say divrei Torah during the course of a meal. (19) Some rely on Birkat Hamazon to fulfill this obligation, as it includes words of Torah this is bedieved, Lechatchillah one should add one's own words of Torah or recite a chapter of Tehillim at every meal. (20)

One should only eat when hungry and only drink when thirsty. (21) It goes without saying that wasting food is a serious sin. (22) One who sees bread on the ground and it is still fit for human consumption then one should pick it up and properly dispose of it (23) or if it is not fit for human consumption then at least move it to the side. (24) One should not stare at someone when they’re eating if it causes them embarrassment. (25) One should never eat from food which has been eaten from by an animal (26) nor should food that is perfectly acceptable for human consumption be given to an animal to eat.(27)

1. Sefer Hamitzvot, Negative 195; Aruch Hashulchan, OC 157:1; Elya Rabba 170:23.

2. Rambam, Hilchot Deot 4:3; Ben Ish Chai, Behar 11.

3. Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 42:2; Mishna Berura 296:6; Rav Pe’alim 2:45.

4. Gittin 70b.

5. Minhag Yisrael Torah, OC 170:11.

6. Derech Eretz 4:1; Be’er Heitev, OC 170:16.

7. Kiddushin 40b.

8. Rambam, Hilchot Edut 11:4; CM 34:18.

[9] Rambam, Hilchot Edut 11:4; Ya’avetz , Kiddushin 40b.

[10] Berachot 8b.

11 OC 170:13.

12 Berachot 50a; OC 167:18, 171:1; Mishna Berura 168:88, 171:9; Kaf Hachaim, OC 171:6; Aruch Hashulchan, OC 171:3.

13 Hitorerut Teshuva 1:121,178.

14 OC 170:1.

15 Nedarim 49b. See also Chagiga 5a, Sefer Chassidim 44, and Rambam, Hilchot Ma'achalot Assurot 17:29-31.

16 OC 170:16; Mishna Berura 37; Sefer Chassidim 111.

17 Pesachim 114a.

18 Eruvin 83b.

19 Avot 3:3; Mishna Berura 170:1.

20 Aruch Hashulchan, OC 170:1.

21 Sefer Chassidim 127.

22 Devarim 20:19.

23 Eruvin 65b; Bava Metzia 23a; Mishna Berura 171:11.

24 Rabbeinu Yehonatan, Eruvin 19b.

25 Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 42:13; OC 170:4; Sefer Chassidim 180

26 Be'er Heitev, OC 170:12.

27 Taanit 20a; Minhag Yisrael Torah, OC 171:1.