His statement, “with its master preceding them,” means that the master of the house should be the first to wash his hands.

His statement, “and with its master coming after them,” means that, after the meal, the master of the house should be the last of the people to wash his hands. This is a matter that returns to customary practice and propriety. In our time, however, the usual practice is that the master of the house does not eat with the people.

His statement, “and it is disliked to return anything from one’s mouth to the vessel,” is because this is contrary to propriety and makes the food unappealing to people. A person should treat others well and observe the finest manners.

If it is a piece of fruit or a morsel, this is even more objectionable. Another example is when someone takes a piece of meat intending to eat it, finds it tough, and then returns it to the vessel. This is disliked and contrary to propriety.

His statement, “and eating it while hot,” means that it is disliked to eat food that is intensely hot, such that it causes the stomach pain. Food passes through three things: the hand, the mouth, and the stomach. The hand feels the heat more, because it is not accustomed to hot food. At times, food may feel hot to the hand, yet when a person puts it into his mouth, he is not affected by it. Some people, when food is hot in their mouths and harms them, quickly send it down into their stomachs. This is wrong, for it may cause the stomach to be seared and ulcers to develop in it. Therefore, I am of the view that if the master of the house sees that the food is hot, he should wait until it cools and then serve it to the guests, lest he harm them without their realizing it.

His statement, “or from the middle of the dish”: likewise, it is disliked to eat from