But if he wishes to criticize it in the presence of his family so that they will not repeat such a thing, then this is permissible; rather, it is a form of instruction. In this case, he has not criticized the food itself, but rather his family’s preparation of it.

His statement, “joining dates together,” means that it is disliked to eat two dates at once.

His statement, “without qualification,” means whether or not another person is sharing with him. Some scholars say that if no one is sharing with him, then he is free to join two or three together. But if someone is with him, it is disliked, because he will eat more than his companion, and this constitutes unfairness.

As for its being disliked when he is alone, that is because it indicates greediness; moreover, he may choke on them and be harmed.

His statement, “dates,” excludes things other than dates, such as grapes and pistachios, for it is permissible to eat these in pairs—unless someone else is with him and this would leave him with too little, in which case he should not do so.

His statement, “and deliberately surprising people when they are setting out their food”: this is what is called a parasitic guest. When he thinks that they have served the food, he suddenly appears before them so that they cannot say anything to him.

Such conduct is disliked because, firstly, it is base; and secondly, it puts the members of the household in an awkward position.

But if it is unintentional—for example, if someone wishes to visit his friend, enters, and finds them eating—then there is nothing wrong with that.

His statement, “and eating so much that it harms him,” means that this is disliked. A sign of harm is difficulty in breathing, fatigue when standing up or lying down, and the like.