252. Bread

38:1 The Sages prohibited eating bread made by non-Jews, though in some places they are lenient in this matter if there is no Jewish baker or if the Jewish baker’s wares are inferior. One may not be so lenient when it comes to the bread of a non-Jew who is not a baker. One who is on the road, if he can obtain fit bread later on, he should travel a parsang (about three miles) before settling. The definition of a private individual is one who bakes bread for his family. If he made it for sale, he is considered a baker even if such is not his profession. Similarly, a professional baker who made bread for his own family is considered a private individual in the matter. Some authorities permit even the bread of an individual in locations where there is no baker and such is the accepted practice.

38:2 If a Jew throws even one stick of wood in the oven’s fire, the bread is no longer considered the bread of non-Jews and it may be eaten.