Is It Permissible to Throw Away Bread?

When I was in kindergarten, I was taught not to throw away bread. In elementary school, I was taught that if you throw it away – you should kiss it before discarding it. Later, I understood that it is recommended to throw it away wrapped in one or two bags, and in certain cases, it is better to give it to birds. With so many different suggestions, it seems that the proper conduct regarding excess bread isn't clear.

Is it permissible to place it in a corner by a tree?

 ertainly if you can take leftover bread and give it to birds, it's "a great mitzvah," says Rabbi Pinchas Badush. It is said in the Book of Psalms that Hashem's mercy extends to all His creations. Once a young scholar came to Rabbi Yitzchak Zilberstein and told him  about problems he was having at home. The rabbi began to inquire whether he had recently caused suffering to animals. The scholar recounted that there were doves where they hung laundry, so they put up a net in that place to keep the doves away. The rabbi said that the doves had suffered, and from this, among other things, came the troubles. From this we learn about the importance of preventing suffering of animals, and there is certainly great value in giving to doves. For those who cannot give to doves or birds – the bread should be discarded in two bags. If throwing it in a garbage the bread can be wrapped in one bag because the garbage bag is considered the second covering."

Some people hang entire bags of challah, especially after Shabbat, on garbage cans, thinking this prevents disrespecting the bread. Is this correct?
"There are those who hang it above the trash can, but this is not recommended, because it's a greater dishonor. When sanitation workers lift the can with the truck, this causes the bread to fall.

Is it permissible to throw large pieces of leftover bread near trees for doves?
"If it's in a place where it will certainly be eaten – there's no problem."

But people step on it in the street.
"If it's placed in a corner near a tree – there's no problem. Additionally, one should take into account that if food ends up on the street, it already loses its definition as food, since it will no longer be eaten by humans. In the past, one had to maintain the dignity of bread even in the street, because due to hunger and poverty, people would take even from the street. But today there is great abundance and a person will not eat bread from the floor. Therefore, if doves can benefit from it – on the contrary, why not? Of course, one shouldn't put out a whole loaf of bread, but it should be crumbled and scattered as much as possible, and placed where the bread will be eaten".

Rabbi Yiftach Sofer shares an interesting story related to this topic: "The Talmud tells of someone who was decreed to become poor, but the angel assigned to carry this out failed in his mission. Why? Because that man was careful not to throw away bread. One day he ate on the grass, and inevitably, crumbs fell onto the grass. The responsible minister rejoiced at this and wanted to make him poor, but then Hashem brought a wind that blew the crumbs into the sea, so that fish ate the bread, and it was no longer considered disrespect for the food. Generally, this is measure for measure- when a person disrespects food - they may come to poverty. Therefore, it is certainly better to give to birds."

But when giving bread to birds, doesn't the bread become disrespected?
"Certainly it's better to avoid situations where bread must be thrown away, but when it's unavoidable – it is better to give it to animals. This doesn't only apply to bread, but to all kinds of foods. If a person knows that at the supermarket there's a sale on tomatoes for 20 agorot, they are not obligated to buy 10 kilos and throw away 9 of them. Hashem gives a person food, and they should use it in the right way."