Sakana - Under-Bed Food Storage

QUESTION: May one store food under their bed?

ANSWER: The Gemara (Pesachim 112a) writes that one may not place food or drink under a bed even if the food is covered with metal since a ru’ach ra’ah (damaging spirit) will rest upon it. This concern of ru’ach ra’ah is quoted by Shulchan Aruch (YD 116:5). This ruling is especially relevant for campers who might wish to store food under their beds. The Shvus Yaakov writes that the concern of ru’ach ra’ah under a bed is only a precaution. If food was placed under a bed, bedieved (after the fact) the food may still be eaten. However, the Vilna Gaon (quoted by Binas Adam, klal 63) writes that the food must be discarded in such a way that no one will ever eat from it. The Binas Adam himself writes that the custom is to be lenient after the fact. The Kaf Hachaim cites an opinion that the concern of ru’ach ra’ah was only when people had dirt floors under their beds. Nowadays that our floors are tiled or carpeted, one can be more lenient, and the Aruch Hashulchan (116:11) implies that many are no longer concerned for this ru’ach ra’ah at all, “v’shomer pesa’yim Hashem” (Hashem watches over the simple folk). 

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