Wife’s leftovers - Nishmat Yoatzot Halacha

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Wife’s leftovers

March 7, 2005

Question

To what point do restrictions such as that of not eating from a dish that my wife ate from apply? First of all, many times she tastes the food in the pot while in my sight. Is the entire dinner then forbidden to me?

Also, if in fact she accidentally partakes of a large expensive dish in a restaurant (or at home for that matter) and decides she doesn't like it, do we then have to throw out the dish thus violating baal tashchit of both money and food?

Your kind response is greatly appreciated.

Answer

A husband may eat his wife's leftovers once they have been transferred into another dish (the problem is only eating directly from the same dish). If your wife tastes something in a pot or serving dish, you can put it on your plate and then eat it. Likewise in a restaurant, you could ask the waiter for a separate plate and dish the food onto another plate. There is no need to throw away the food.