עברית
Halachot and Customs
Is Food That Was Slept Upon in Bed Prohibited to Eat?
Question
I understand there is a concern about food that was under a bed upon which someone slept during the night due to spiritual impurity. Is there a problem eating packaged snack bags that were inside an additional bag placed under the bed where someone slept overnight? Thank you very much.
Answer
Greetings, A. Ideally, one should certainly not place food and drink under a bed if it is intended for sleeping upon, because this causes a negative spiritual influence (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De'ah 147:5). B. This ruling applies even when the food and drink are covered (Shatnez Katan loc. cit. s.k. 14, see also She'elot Uteshuvot Yabia Omer, part 4, Choshen Mishpat 5, note 6). Therefore, ideally one should not place snack bags under the bed. C. However, retrospectively, if the floor beneath the bed was tiled, it is permitted even if it causes minor loss. And even if it was not tiled, it is permitted when dealing with a significant loss (She'elot Uteshuvot Yabia Omer, part 10, Yoreh De'ah 11, and Hilchot Olam, part 7, page 270). Blessings, Hillel Meirs
