# Ep. 85 - Laws of Breaking Bread (Siman 41)

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/everyday-judaism-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe-5732422/ep-85-laws-of-breaking-bread-siman-41
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/everyday-judaism-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe-5732422/ep-85-laws-of-breaking-bread-siman-41.md
Podcast: [Everyday Judaism · Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe](https://stenobird.com/podcast/everyday-judaism-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe-5732422)
Published: 2026-02-01T07:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://share.transistor.fm/s/fb4fe2d3
Audio file: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.transistor.fm/fb4fe2d3/c53a40f4.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/everyday-judaism-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe-5732422/episodes/ep-85-laws-of-breaking-bread-siman-41
Duration seconds: 2500

## Resource

In this Everyday Judaism episode, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe continues Kitzur Shulchan Aruch Siman 40 (laws of netilat yadayim before bread) and transitions to Siman 41 (breaking bread & hamotzi blessing). Key Halachot covered: Invalid waters — Salty, putrid, bitter, or muddy water is disqualified if unfit even for a dog to drink. Chatzitzah (interposition) — Hands must be free of barriers (remove rings, clean under long nails, remove substantial dirt/paint); incidental staining (e.g., ink) is not a chatzitzah, but substantial matter is. For certain occupations (painters, dyers, butchers), minor work-related staining is permitted unless it covers most of the hand. Dressings/band-aids are not chatzitzah if painful to remove (same for mikvah). Dipping foods — Wash hands (no blessing) before eating anything commonly dipped in liquid or still moist from liquid; only the seven liquids (wine, honey, olive oil, milk/whey, medicinal blood, water) trigger this—fruit juices/liquors usually do not. Preserves & butters — Hardened coatings are not liquid (no washing); soft/moist ones require it. Hamotzi & breaking bread — Recite hamotzi on actual bread (five grains + water, bread-like consistency); pas haba b'kisnin (snacks like pretzels, cake, danishes) get mezonot. Cut from choicest/hardest part (respect for blessing); minimize delay between blessing and eating (no interruption > ~12–30 seconds). Hold bread with all 10 fingers (corresponding to 10 mitzvot in bread production); on Shabbos, lift both loaves when saying Hashem's name. Salt on table — Mitzvah to have salt (table = altar; salt preserves covenant; repels evil forces); dip challah in salt. Order & customs — Head of household washes last to minimize delay; eat from blessed piece first; no feeding animals from b…

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## Transcript

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