Every seder I've ever been to has used ground horseradish (like this) for maror, and "dipping" it in the charoset ends up being implemented as putting both maror and charoset on a piece of matzah and eating that. In reviewing the haggadah today, though, it struck me that this takes away from the symbol of the Hillel sandwich that follows, where we combine maror and matzah quite intentionally. So I'm looking for a better way to achieve "dipping". What do most people do? Combine them on a plate (no dipping but no matzah)? Use unground horseradish root (so you have something solid that you can actually dip)? Something else?
asked Mar 17, 2013 at 23:36
-
2Not an answer, because you specified horseradish, but with romaine lettuce stalks this is not an issue at all.– Double AA ♦Commented Mar 17, 2013 at 23:50
-
My family has always used un-ground horseradish– Charles KoppelmanCommented Mar 18, 2013 at 1:54
-
As an aside, one plus to using horseradish is described by the Mishna B'rura (473:42, paraphrased)...– FredCommented Mar 18, 2013 at 4:13
-
"Romaine lettuce is ideal for various reasons.... However acharonim have pointed out that romaine lettuce is very commonly infested with very small insects that are not easily seen. Therefore, unless someone has designated, G-d fearing people who will examine the lettuce properly, it is better to use horseradish ("chrain"), even though it's third on the list of acceptable types of maror. G-d forbid that a person should stumble in a biblical prohibition in order to fulfill a rabbinic obligation, especially since it's possible to fulfill this obligation with horseradish."– FredCommented Mar 18, 2013 at 4:14
-
1@Fred If you mean ample late authorities, then yes that is the case. You will be hard pressed to find rishonim who say so, and any who do are likely referring to the horseradish leaf, not root, as the Mishna seems to explicitly exclude the root. See for instance, Haghot Maymoniot 8:13 who notes horseradish as the translation and then immediately says that roots are no good.– Double AA ♦Commented Mar 18, 2013 at 5:30
|
Show 9 more comments
4 Answers
The Chabad custom (Sefer Haminhagim Chabad, Haggada im Likkutey Tammim Uminhagim, see also Aruch Hashulchan 473:14) is to use a combination of ground horseradish and Romaine lettuce. We put the ground horseradish inside the lettuce and dip that into the charoses. Shulchan Aruch (473:5) rules that one may combine the different types of Maror, and this custom has the additional advantage of including Romaine lettuce, which Shulchan Aruch considers to be the most preferable type of Maror.
-
1Assuming you use less than a k'zayis of lettuce and horseradish each (and I'm not actually assuming this), this brings up the issue of combining different kinds of maror for one k'zayis, which Rashi (P'sachim 39a, s.v. ומצטרפין) implies is not preferable. Generally, romaine lettuce is preferred to anything else, no matter how bitter the alternative is (see the story with Ravina and Rav Acha son of Rava on the middle of 39a).– FredCommented Mar 18, 2013 at 0:18
-
1@Fred Shulchan Aruch (473:5) rules lehalacha that one can combine the five different types of Maror to make up a kezayitz. This is the Chabad custom (as recorded in Sefer Haminhagim Chabad). See also Aruch Hashulchan (:14).– MichoelCommented Mar 18, 2013 at 0:45
-
2Interesting minhag (but note that the Shulchan Aruch does not suggest that it is preferable to use a mixture, and in fact he rules that romaine lettuce is preferable).– FredCommented Mar 18, 2013 at 0:51
-
1I thought that was what it meant. Obviously, if so, then it was ambiguous. +1.– msh210 ♦Commented Mar 18, 2013 at 2:06
-
2I disagree that the Shulchan Aruch would consider a mixture that includes lettuce to be ideal. He writes "ועיקר המצוה בחזרת", which seems to convey that lettuce alone is ideal, though he holds that it is acceptable to mix. According to the Aruch HaShulchan such a minhag does specifically exist, and as you mentioned it is the minhag of Chabad. However, I don't think this would be the most ideal approach according to the Shulchan Aruch. ping @MonicaCellio– FredCommented Mar 18, 2013 at 4:02
We use unground horseradish. If you can't handle the gases in it, let it sit out for a few hours. Or wrap it in foil right after cutting for the full effect.
We also use romain lettuce bases (not the leaf, the base of the plant) for those who don't want the horseradish (or as a supplement for those who can't eat a ke-zait of it).
-
Thanks! I hadn't known that letting it sit out for a few hours would tone down the unground root. (I don't mind it, but some of my guests probably would...) Commented Mar 18, 2013 at 3:54
-
It's still powerful mind you, but less. The thinner you cut it, the less powerful. We usually do about 1 inch, then cut it smaller at the seder. You can cut it even thinner if you like - then it's still a large piece, so you can dip it, but because it's thin most of the gases dissipate.– ArielCommented Mar 18, 2013 at 4:55
Here's what we do: Prior to the Seder, we put some charoset and a thin slice of horseradish root (shaved from the root with a vegetable peeler) on a plastic spoon for each guest. When it is time to eat it, we give everyone a spoon. This is attractive, neat, and does not take up much time.
-
-
1@DoubleAA While the question does specify that it is looking for a better dipping method, it is also true that Monica asks: "What do most people do? Combine them on a plate (no dipping but no matzah)? " This answer would seem to address that.– HodofHodCommented Mar 24, 2013 at 21:33
Last year at my Rov's house, I have seen a whole bunch of freshly squeezed lemon go into the ground root to make it a little sticky and better tasting.
answered Mar 17, 2013 at 23:46
-
2This is unlikely. It's very clear that the horseradish must be plain, and not mixed with anything. If it was cooked, or soaked in lemon or vinegar for more than 24 hours it's certainly not valid. And even if it's less than 24 hours it's clearly not desirable.– ArielCommented Mar 18, 2013 at 1:30
-
-
@DoubleAA no i dont just the person this hassidishe rebbe colleague i attended Commented Mar 20, 2018 at 22:18