Shulchan Arukh Orach Chayim · Siman 169

Shulchan Arukh Orach Chayim 169 — English translation

Translation: Sefaria Community Translation. Section numbers match the Hebrew text above.

1. 1Anything that is brought before a person that has a fragrance and the person desires it, one must give from it to the meal attendant immediately. And it is a pious practice to give to him immediately from every type. And one should not give to him while the cup is in his hand or in the hand of the host. [And this is specifically regarding the attendant, but regarding another person at the meal, it is permitted to give in this manner.] R' Yonah, chapter "Elu Devarim." And it is forbidden to give him a piece of bread unless he knows that he has washed his hands.
2. 2He should not give [food] to eat except to one whom he knows will recite a blessing. And some are lenient if he gives to a poor person as charity [Rabbi Yonah, beginning of chapter 'Elu Devarim'].
3. 3The servant recites the blessing "who creates the fruit of the vine" over each and every cup that is given to him, because he is like a king. He recites the final blessing only at the end. He does not need to recite a blessing over each piece of bread if there is an important person at the meal, since he knows they will give him all the bread he needs. But if there is no important person at the meal, he must recite a blessing over each piece of bread, just as he does over the wine. Rema: When two people are eating together, the servant may eat with them without asking permission, so that they may join together for zimmun. [See below, section 170:21]

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