Our Slavic ancestors treated us with extraordinary respect. They believed that it was not just a meal, but a gift from heaven and earth symbolizing life, fertility and abundance, so if it fell, it should be immediately picked up and kissed.and then ask for forgiveness so as not to accidentally offend the divine forces.
Bread was an obligatory element of all the most important rituals. It accompanied people from birth, through weddings and holidays, to funerals. So it was unthinkable to simply throw it into the trash. The superstition that people should throw bread into the trash is still popular today .
In the culture of the Slavs, it was considered a kind of talisman that protected against misfortune, disease and evil powers.. It was believed to guard the connection with ancestors, nature and divine forces. Therefore, he was even put in a cradle and taken with him on long journeys.
The act of deliberately getting rid of it was perceived as waste, sin and desecration. The ancestors considered it as neglecting the gift, which could bring punishment on a person in the form of hunger, poverty, bad luck and financial problems.
That’s why some people still believe that you absolutely shouldn’t throw away bread. This is an underestimation of someone’s hard work and resourcesand blatantly showing a lack of compassion for those who lack this food. Just a lack of humility towards fate.
Instead of throwing away the bread, you should try to reuse it. If it is just a little stale and not moldy (mold is absolutely not suitable for consumption), make it into croutons or breadcrumbs. You can also soak it in egg and thus prepare a quite tasty dish.
However, if the bread is no longer suitable for use and you need to get rid of it (because it is moldy or completely spoiled), throw it into the bio-waste or mixed waste container (black container).
According to the belief of the ancestors, it is best to wrap it and dispose of the bread without disrespect. This is your way of showing respect. It’s not about never throwing away bread and keeping spoiled bread at home, but not about doing it thoughtlessly.
