Where does it come from the minhag to put out food for the birds this Erev Shabbos? (Beshalach)
Answer:
Some write that the source of the minhag is because of the midrash concerning birds eating the manna that was leftover by the wicked among Israel.
However, the true source of the minhag, which is quoted by the Magen Avraham (324:7), is that on Shabbos Shira we “invite” the birds to sing with us, as they did at the time of the original shira. This is mentioned by the Aruch Ha-Shulchan and others.
The Magen Avraham (cited by Mishnah Berurah) writes that one should not place food out for birds on Shabbos itself, and this should be done before the commencement of Shabbos.
Now comes the real question, where’s that “Midrash”!?!
No idea. Never seen it, and I only know about it from the kids in kindergarden. Does it exist? As noted, this is not the true source of the custom…
I’m pretty sure it doesn’t exist (after some research and asking those that have a bekius in these things. I figured I would try asking in more place :).
However in the sefer “Shar Bas Rabim” it is brought in the name of the Chozeh M’Lublin this tam. So the question is where did *he* get it from…
I think at this point a whole sefer could be made of things children are taught in cheder that are said over as “medreshim” but really have no makor.
In regards to the M”A — see Aruch HaShulchan that writes to give the food on Shabbos is minhag Yisrael Torah as well Das Torah brings from Tosfos Shabbos support for the minhag (very interesting…)
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