In discussing the practices concerning saying grace after meals the mishna brings the following debate. “The school of Shammai says, "Sweep the room, and afterward rinse the hands." The school of Hillel says, "Rinse the hands, and afterward sweep the room." There is a halacha calling for a person to wash their hands before saying birchas hamazon. In a meal where a person has used Sodom salt (מלח סדומית) it would be required. Melech sedomit was used in ancient times. Also the custom was to take a pinch of salt rather than use a salt shaker. Consequently it would get on a person’s fingers and in the eyes if they touched them. The salt could damage a person’s eyes therefore it was an obligation to wash the hands after eating.
However it was also considered a mitzvah to wash the hands before saying grace in order sanctify yourself before a blessing. This is because it is not befitting to say a birchas hamazon when the hands are dirty from the food. The Talmud (Brachos 53:) explains that just like pollution voids the service in the Temple so too dirty hands void birchas hamazon as it says in the Torah, “sanctify yourselves and you will be sacred”, (Leviticus 11:44).
Both Beis Shammai and Beis Hillel agree that the floor should be swept before grace after meals. The Talmud explains that there difference of opinion revolves around whether the waiter is schooled or unschooled. The concern is that in rinsing the hands that a drop water may accidentally on a large crumb of bread that fell on the floor rendering them inedible because they are disgusting. The basic idea is that one should not be wasteful with bread, food, or anything of value. A schooled waiter would immediately pick up a small piece of bread that fell down but an ignorant waiter would just leave on the ground. Beis Hillel rules that to avoid the problem only a proper waiter should be used. Beis Shammai permits an unschooled waiter but requires that you be careful not to ruin any bread because of him.
It would seem that the essential reason to sweep the floor is because it is appropriate to say a blessing in a clean place. Rashi in explaining the mishnah rules if one had a luxurious meal where they were laying on a divan with a little table next to it then the floor should be swept of any crumbs. When dining at a table, the table should be swept of any remains of food. The Mishna Brura (180:3 see paragraph 3) poskins like Rashi but adds that when dining at a regular table like we do, if one follows the custom of rinsing their hands at the table, as is commonly done, then the surrounding area should be swept of crumbs.
In the final analysis size of crumbs, quality waiters, type of table are not the primary concern of the mishna. Rather it is that the place should be clean and orderly when saying birchas hamazon, any bracha, or doing any mitzvah. Things are going to spill at a meal, kiddush, or any affair where food is served. However it should be promptly cleaned up. Not only that but a synagogue should generally be a clean and beautiful. A Jew should be refined and beautiful. Israel should be refined and beautiful. The world should be beautiful. People should throw their garbage in a garbage can not on the ground and the neighborhood should be free of litter. People should be clean with clean hands as it says, “Who will ascend upon the Lord's mount and who will stand in His Holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not taken My name in vain and has not sworn deceitfully. He shall receive a blessing from the Lord and charity from the God of his salvation”, (Psalm 24:3-5), Amen.
לע"נ הדוד גדול שמואל בן יואל לייב ז"ל נלב"ע כסלון תשמ"ד
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