Dose of Halacha

Question:   Am I allowed to go to work on erev Pesach ? Answer: The Mishna (Pesachim 50a) teaches that one may only work in the morning on erev Pesach in places where it is customary to do so. The Yerushalmi (Pesachim 4:1) explains that one should treat the day on which one brings a personal korban as a Yom Tov. As all Jews would bring a korban Pesach on erev Pesach , they would treat the day as a Yom Tov and abstain from work. Tosafos (Pesachim 50a) writes that according to the Yerushalmi it would be forbidden mideoraisa. Rashi (Pesachim 50a), however, writes that chazal instituted this to ensure that one properly disposes of their chametz and prepares for their seder . R’ Ovadia Yosef (Yechave Daas 4:34) argues that even according to Tosafos, it would only be mideoraisa during the times of the Beis Hamikdash. The Shulchan Aruch (OC 468:2) writes that this applies both to melachos such as sewing, as well as going to work (see Mishna Berura 468:6-7). The Shulchan Aruc...

Question: This is the first time we are making seder. Both my mother and mother-in law have always fried schnitzel for seder night though I see that this is not common. Is this wrong? Answer: The Gemara (Pesachim 53a) teaches that one may only eat roasted meat on seder night in places where it is customary to do so. Otherwise, it is forbidden to do so. Rashi explains that doing so gives the mistaken impression that one is partaking of the korban pesach outside the holy places. The Shulchan Aruch (OC 476:2) writes that this prohibition extends to roasted fowl, too. The Mishna Berura (476:9) writes that one may eat roasted fish and eggs, however, as we are not concerned that people will mistake those for roasted lamb. The Gemara (Pesachim 41a) teaches that there is a machlokes as to whether the korban pesach can be roasted in a pot. Rambam (Korban Pesach 8:8) rules that one mustn’t cook the lamb, whether before or after roasting it. The Aruch Hashulchan (OC 476:2) writes that...

Question: May one eat matza balls ( kneidlach ) or meat balls made from matza-meal on Erev Pesach? Answer: Rambam (Chametz Umatza 6:12) writes that one must not eat matza on Erev Pesach. The Mishna Berura (471:12) notes that some have the minhag not to eat matza from Rosh Chodesh Nissan. R’ Moshe Feinstein (Igros Moshe OC 1:155) notes that some abstain from eating matza for 30 days before Pesach as according to one view in the Gemara (Pesachim 6a) this is when our Pesach preparations begin. The Rema (OC 471:2) writes that one cannot eat matza that had been broken up and kneaded with wine and oil. Thus, one would not be able to eat matza brei , etc. on Erev Pesach . The Mishna Berura (444:8; 471:20) explains that even if one does so, it is still considered to be matza . However, if one cooked the matza , to make kneidlach one would be able to eat it up until sha’ah asiris, three halachic hours before Yom Tov. R’ Shmuel Wosner (Shevet HaLevi 8:117) writes that this prohibiti...

Question: We have the minhag not to eat matza between Purim and Pesach. Can we use a matza for lechem mishne if our minhag is not to eat it? Answer: Rambam (Chametz Umatza 6:12) writes that one must not eat matza on erev Pesach. Later poskim, including the Mishna Berura (471:12) note that some have the minhag not to eat matza from Rosh Chodesh Nissan. R’ Moshe Feinstein (Igros Moshe OC 1:155) notes that some abstain from eating matza for 30 days before Pesach as according to one view in the Gemara (Pesachim 6a) this is when our Pesach preparations begin. R’ Eliezer Waldenberg (Tzitz Eliezer 11:23) quotes the Pri Megadim (Mishbetzos Zahav 274:2) who writes that one who is particular not to eat pas akum , bread baked by a non-Jewish baker, can still use such bread for lechem mishne. So too, one may use matza for one’s lechem mishne even on erev Pesach. Additionally, even if one cannot eat the second bread, it still serves to remind us of the double portion of mann. R’ Be...

Question: Is there a mitzva to eat matza throughout Pesach? Answer: The Gemara (Pesachim 120a) teaches that there isn’t the same requirement to eat matza on the last day of Pesach as there is on the first night. The Shulchan Aruch Harav (OC 475:32) explains that when the Torah tells us to eat matza on the other days, it clearly means to eat something other than regular bread. There is a machlokes among the rishonim and acharonim ¸ however, as to whether one performs a mitzva by eating matza on the remaining days of Pesach. According to Ibn Ezra (Shemos 12:15), one is obligated to eat matza all seven days (See Chizkuni 12:18). R’ Ovadia Yosef (Yechave Daas 1:22) quotes the Baal Hamaor (Pesachim 26b) who asks why we don’t recite a beracha when eating matza throughout Pesach, just like we do upon eating in a sukka following the first day of sukkos. He answers by differentiating between Pesach and Sukkos, when one can live for six days by eating other food, thus one ha...

Question: Can I use maaser money for kimcha depischa ? Answer: The Gemara Yerushalmi (Bava Basra 1:4) teaches that one who has lived in a city for twelve months is considered to be a resident. Thus they must give wheat to the poor and are entitled to receive wheat if necessary. Following this, the Ohr Zarua (Pesachim 255) writes that the minhag is to distribute wheat to those in need before Pesach. This serves as the Rema’s opening words to hilchos Pesach (OC 429:1) . Thus, we see in the Shulchan Aruch Harav (OC 429:5) that the prevalent custom was for communities to levy taxes on their townspeople for this purpose (See Mishna Berura 429:3). The Mishna Berura (Shaar Hatziyun 429:10) explains that it is inappropriate for us to celebrate Pesach, knowing that our friends are unable to. Additionally, we must consider the added costs of Pesach food. R’ Yaakov Betzalel Zolty (Mishnas Yaavetz OC:7) explains that the Rema wrote this halacha in hilchos Pesach rather than hilchos ...

Question: Should one make havdala on beer on motzaei Pesach ? Answer: The Shulchan Aruch (OC 296:2) writes that one cannot say havdala over bread. One may use beer, however, providing that it is chamar medina , a national beverage. This is different to Friday night kiddush where the Shulchan Aruch (OC 272:9) writes that one should use bread for kiddush rather than other drinks, though similar to the daytime kiddush when beer would be second best. The Rema (OC 296:2) writes that the minhag is to use beer for havdala on motzaei Pesach as one appreciates beer more then. The Taz (296:3) and Shulchan Aruch Harav (OC 296:10) note that this is subjective, and if one prefers wine then one should use wine for havdala . R’ Chaim Volozhin (Maaseh Rav 185) notes that the Vilna Gaon was particular to eat chametz on motzaei Pesach. The Taamei Haminhagim (Kuntres Acharon 593) explains that he wanted to demonstrate that the reason that he avoided chametz for the past week was only...

Question: I have always found it difficult to stay awake until the end of seder night. Can I have a coffee after I’ve eaten the afikoman ? Answer: The Mishna (Pesachim 119b) teaches that we mustn’t eat anything after the pesach afikoman . We include this halacha in our answer to the chacham, wise son. Rambam (Chametz Umatza 8:9) writes that nowadays when we don’t have the korban pesach , one mustn’t eat after the afikoman . The rishonim offer various reasons for this. According to Rambam this is to ensure that the taste of the matza remains in one’s mouth. The Baal Hamaor (Pesachim 119b) explains that immediately after eating, everyone would go outside and sing hallel on the rooftops. It was important not to eat anything else that may have delayed them. The Ramban (Milchamos Hashem), however, explains that the reason is that the afikoman had to be eaten at the end of the meal with the korban Pesach which must be eaten when a person is full. There is a machlokes , howeve...

Question: Do I say a beracha when I check my car for chametz ? Does it matter when I check it? Answer: The Rema (OC 433:13) writes that one should properly clean every room of their house before they do bedikas chametz . This applies to any room where one may have taken chametz into throughout the year. One must, therefore, clean one’s car before Pesach. The Chayei Adam (119:18) writes that even though one needs to check one’s pockets and containers, the main mitzva of bedikas chametz is specifically to check their house. One would, therefore, only recite a beracha upon checking their house. There is a discussion, however, whether one should recite a beracha upon checking their car. R’ Ovadia Yosef (Yechave Daas 1:5) writes that one should do bedikas chametz in one’s car after they’ve looked around their house the night before Pesach. One should not repeat the beracha even if it took a while to get to one’s car. R’ Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (Halichos Shlomo, Pesach 5:5)...

Question: I have heard that some people eat matza on pesach sheni . Should I do so? Answer: Rambam (Korban Pesach 5:1) writes that anyone who didn’t manage to bring the korban pesach on Pesach either because they were tamei or because they were too far away from the beis hamikdash could do so on the 14 th of Iyar. While this doesn’t apply nowadays, R’ Yaakov Emden (Siddur Beis Yaakov, Shaar Hayesod 21) writes that there is a minhag to eat matza on pesach sheni . According to the Piskei Teshuvos (492:n11) and Nitei Gavriel (Pesach 57:9), many chassidim do so together with maror and a cooked egg. Others do so on the following night, instead. Unfortunately, some people have a tendency to confuse such minhagim with performing the actual mitzva. Thus, R’ Yisrael Weltz (Divrei Yisrael 1:130) suggests that the reason why many who eat matza on pesach sheni do so specifically during the day and not at night is to avoid any issue of bal tosif , adding onto mitzvos. Likewise,...

Question: I found a bottle of whisky among my wine on chol hamoed Pesach. What should I do? Answer: The Shulchan Aruch (OC 446:1) writes that one who finds chametz in their home on chol hamoed must remove it from their house and burn it immediately (See Mishna Berura 445:6). The Taz (OC 446:1) explains that it isn’t good enough to just remove it from one’s house as one can still own something that isn’t in their property. It is important that it is removed immediately to prevent anyone from eating it (See Mishna Berura 446:1). Providing that one annulled their chametz by saying kol chamira on erev Pesach , there is no issur mideoraisa of owning chametz. Nonetheless, the Magen Avraham (OC 446:1) and Baer Heitev (OC 446:2) write that one should still say the beracha, ‘al biur chametz’ when burning it as this chametz wouldn’t have been included and miderabanan there is still an issur in owning such chametz . The Kitzur Shulchan Aruch (111:17) writes that th is would only...

Question: I have been invited to my parents-in-law for Pesach. Rather than everyone reading the haggada like I’m used to, they take turns reading the haggada out, much of it in English. Is it best for me to read it all quietly to myself? Answer: The Rema (OC 473:6) writes that one should read the haggada in a language that everyone understands or explain the main points well. The Mishna Berura (473:64) points out that this is to ensure that one fulfils the mitzva of ‘ vehigadeta levincha , teach it to your children’ (Shemos 13:8). R’ Ephraim Greenblatt (Rivevos Ephraim 1:302:2; 3:314) writes that one hasn’t fulfilled their mitzva if they don’t understand what they are reading (See Minchas Chinuch 21:11). Thus, just reading the words in Hebrew wouldn’t suffice. The Shulchan Aruch Harav (OC 473:24) and Chassam Sofer (OC:15) write that ideally one person should read the haggada while others fulfil their obligation by listening, shomea keoneh. According to Maaseh Rav (291), ...

Question: We bought a new matching seder plate and kos shel Eliyahu for seder night . Do we need to tovel them? Answer: The Gemara (Avoda Zara 75b) stipulates that any keilim employed during meals necessitate tevila . The Shulchan Aruch (YD 120:4) extends this requirement to keilim utilised in cooking or food preparation, such as barbecue grills. However, the Rema (YD 120:5) notes that while a chalaf ( shechita knife) isn’t employed in food preparation, it is still advisable to tovel it without a beracha . The Shach (YD 120:10-11) elaborates on this, as it could potentially be utilised in various food-related tasks. R’ Asher Weiss (Minchas Asher 3:62) addresses the case of a kos shel Eliyahu, which falls into a similar category as it may be utilised for drinking. Moreover, it might be utilised for kiddush , in subsequent years, particularly if a different, more appealing kos is found for the seder night . Hence, it should be tovelled without a beracha (see Rivevos Ephraim ...

Question: I see that some organisations are offering people to sell their chametz online. Is this ideal? Answer: The Shulchan Aruch (OC 448:3) writes that one may sell their chametz to a non-Jewish person for the duration of Pesach. R’ Shlomo Yosef Zevin (Hamoadim Behalacha, quoted by R’ Ribiat, Halachos of Pesach, p172) describes the history of selling chametz . While individuals used to sell their own chametz , they were fraught with complications and errors. Especially as most times the chametz never leaves the house, the forms of acquisition are most complicated (See Magen Avraham OC 448:4). As a result, communities began selling their chametz through their local rav and Beis Din. The Aruch Hashulchan (OC 448:27) explains that nowadays the rav acts as an agent for anyone who has appointed him to sell their chametz . While it is possible to appoint an agent verbally (Shulchan Aruch EH 141:26; CM 182:1), Rambam (Mechira 5:12) writes that it is customary to perform a kin...

Question: I have a hard time digesting so much matza on seder night. Am I allowed to eat the softer ‘ sefardi matza’? Answer: The Shulchan Aruch (OC 460:5) writes that one must ensure not to bake one’s matza as thick as a tefach. The Rema (OC 460:4) writes that one should bake them thin ( rekikin ) which don’t leaven quickly. Similarly, the Shulchan Aruch Harav (OC 460:10) writes that one shouldn’t make matzos too thick as the inside won’t bake as well as the outside of the matza. While one may bake a matza less than a tefach thick, it is ideal to make it thin. The Chasam Sofer (OC 121) likewise writes that thick matza does not bake as well as thin matza . While these poskim don’t define what is considered thin, the Baer Heitev (460:8) quotes the Beis Hillel (YD 97) who explains that the custom was to bake matza thinner than regular bread, and to make them the thickness of a finger. Thu s, the Aruch Hashulchan (OC 4 86:2) writes about matza that is soft and bendy like a ...

Question: May one eat matza balls ( kneidlach ) or crackers before Pesach? Answer: The Talmud Yerushalmi (Pesachim 10:1) cautions against consuming matza on Erev Pesach. Rambam (Chametz Umatza 6:12) explains this emphasises the significance of the matza eaten on seder night . The Rema (OC 471:2) asserts this prohibition spans the entire day, although opinions vary on whether it begins the preceding night or at amud hashachar , daybreak (see Magen Avraham 471:6, Chok Yaakov 471:7). The Mishna Berura (471:12) notes a minhag among some to avoid matza from Rosh Chodesh Nissan. R’ Moshe Feinstein (Igros Moshe OC 1:155) observes some refrain for thirty days before Pesach, aligning with a view in the Gemara (Pesachim 6a) regarding the onset of Pesach preparations. Tosafos (Pesachim 99b) specify the prohibition applies only to matza suitable for fulfilling the mitzva (see Biur Hagra OC 444:1). The Shulchan Aruch (OC 471:2) allows eating egg matza on Erev Pesach before sha’ah asiri...

Question: Do I need to count the omer ? If so, should my husband wait to count the omer until he’s home so that he can count with me? Answer: While Rambam (Temidin Umusafin 7:22) and the Sefer Hachinuch (306) hold that the mitzva to count the omer nowadays is mideoraisa , most poskim (Tosafos, Menachos 66a; Rosh, Pesachim 10:40; Ran, end of Pesachim) hold that it is derabanan . The Ran explains that the Torah obligation is dependent on the korban haomer . Nowadays, we continue counting in commemoration of the mikdash . There is another machlokes as to whether women are obligated at all. Ramban (Kiddushin 34a) holds that women are obligated while Rambam (Temidin Umusafin 7:24; Sefer Hamitzvot 161) and the Magen Avraham (OC 489:1) hold that as it is a time-bound mitzva, women are exempt. The Mishna Berura (489:3) quotes the Shulchan Shlomo (489:3) who writes that as women will probably forget to count one night they shouldn’t count with a beracha at all . Nonetheless, t...

Question:  Do I need to feed my pet fish kosher l’pesach food over Pesach? Answer: The Gemara (Pesachim 21b) teaches that one may not have any benefit from, or even own chametz over Pesach. Thus, the Shulchan Aruch (OC 443:1) writes that one must not feed one’s animal chametz over Pesach. One may not even instruct a non-Jew to do so on their behalf (ibid. 448:7). However, the Mishna Berura (448:33) and Aruch Hashulchan (OC 448:12) write that one may sell their animal to a non-Jew for the duration of Pesach. It is best to sell the animal with one’s chametz to ensure that the transaction is carried out in a halachically accepted manner, and the animal should be removed to the non-Jew’s property. One should not sell the animal along with its chametz food as that is giving the impression that one is using a tricky loophole to feed one’s animal with chametz. Although Ashkenazim do not eat kitniyos on Pesach, they are allowed to own and benefit from it. Thus, one may feed...

Question: I have just moved into a new home and need to kasher the kitchen. What is the halacha regarding the formica countertops? Is it the same for plastic utensils? Answer: There is a machlokes among the rishonim as to how to treat materials that aren’t mentioned in the Torah. Thus, for example, while most rishonim including the Shulchan Aruch (OC 451:26) hold that as glass is non-absorbent, it does not need to be kashered , the Rema follows the Mordechai (Pesachim 374) who writes that glasses can’t be kashered for Pesach because they are made from sand and therefore similar to earthenware. R’ Yechiel Yaakov Weinberg (Seridei Aish 1:46) writes that the acharonim are lenient regarding plastic and such utensils may be kashered through hagalah (placing in boiling water). R’ Eliezer Waldenberg (Tzitz Eliezer 4:6:3) compares plastic utensils to stone ones and permits kashering through hagalah. R’ Yitzchak Yaakov Weiss (Minchas Yitzchak 1:86; 3:67) writes that while on...

Question: Our cars use E10 petrol which contains ethanol, much of which is derived from wheat. Some of our toiletries contain wheat-based-ethanol, too. Does that mean we have to sell our cars and toiletries over Pesach? Answer: The Shulchan Aruch (OC 442:9) writes that food that has been destroyed to the extent that it is no longer rauy l’achilas kelev (fit to be eaten by a dog) is no longer considered chametz , and one may own it over Pesach. The Mishna Berura (442:43) qualifies this ruling: while one may own it, one is still forbidden to eat this inedible ‘food’ miderabanan (See Rosh, Pesachim 2:1). Defining what is rauy l’achilas kelev and eino rauy (unfit) is not so straight forward, however. Certain cleaning agents and cosmetics (including nail polish remover) contain denatured alcohol, ethanol that has been made unfit for human consumption by adding chemicals (denaturants) to it. It is possible, however, through adding various chemicals, to reverse the process (though othe...