274. Salt

41:6 There is a mitzvah to have salt on the table for hamotzi and to dip the bread into it. (Mishnah Brurah 167:33 cites a practice to dip the bread three times in the salt.) This is because our tables are like the altar in the Temple and our food is like the sacrifices. Leviticus 2:13 tells us that all sacrifices are to include salt, so we salt our bread. Since our tables are like the altar, we should try not to kill bugs at the table.

41:7 When distributing the bread on which hamotzi was said to the other diners, it should not be thrown because throwing bread is prohibited. It should also not not be placed directly in their hands. The proper way is to put it in front of them.