Eating Matza before Pesach

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 asiris, three halachic hours before Yom Tov. The Baer Heitev (OC 471:5) permits crackers that cannot fulfil the requirements of matza. Consequently, R’ Moshe Feinstein suggests using egg matza for lechem mishna on Friday night and Shabbos morning when Erev Pesach coincides with Shabbos.

The Rema (OC 471:2) prohibits consuming matza broken up and kneaded with wine and oil, precluding dishes like matza brei on Erev Pesach. The Mishna Berura (444:8; 471:20; Shaar Hatzion 444:1) clarifies that such dishes are still technically matza. However, cooking the matza allows its consumption until sha’ah asiris.

R’ Shmuel Wosner (Shevet Halevi 8:117:1) extends this prohibition to cakes baked from matza meal. R’ Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (Halichos Shlomo, Pesach 8:4) permits matza meal foods if they lack the ‘form of bread’. R’ Ovadia Yosef (Yabia Omer OC 6:39) limits the prohibition to actual matza, allowing cakes made with matza meal.

In conclusion, customs differ regarding when the prohibition to eat matza begins, but it only applies to actual matza. One may eat kneidlach and similar foods made with matza meal on Erev Pesach. There are differing opinions on whether biscuits and cakes made with matza meal are permissible on Erev Pesach.