1

So assuming a Kezayit is measured as volume, how would one calculate the volume of a matzah? Water displacement probably wouldn’t work, because it’ll get soggy!

Improve this question
11
  • What's wrong with soggy
    – Double AA ♦
    Mar 10, 2021 at 16:50
  • @DoubleAA Sogginess could include some amount of water getting absorbed into the original volume of the matza, reducing the apparent displacement.
    – Isaac Moses ♦
    Mar 10, 2021 at 16:59
  • I had a couple of ideas, such as wrapping the matzah in Saran wrap or maybe using thin couscous instead of water. Not sure if it would be scientifically sound though.
    – 147zcbm
    Mar 10, 2021 at 17:08
  • @IsaacMoses Into the original volume of the matza? Does wheat go into solution? In its airspace maybe.
    – Double AA ♦
    Mar 10, 2021 at 17:09
  • 1
    What's wrong with crushing it up in a food processor and pouring the fluid (powder) into a beaker?
    – Double AA ♦
    Mar 10, 2021 at 17:10

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
3

Not a problem! Rav Moshe Heinemann shlit"a is said to have laminated one, then measured its displacement in water.

Improve this answer
4
  • Does anyone know if Staples laminates matzahs?
    – 147zcbm
    Mar 10, 2021 at 18:43
  • @147zcbm You could try. But I assumed that RMH just sprayed it with plastic. However, I think it would lead to problems at the seder, when you try to break it in half.
    – MichoelR
    Mar 10, 2021 at 19:24
  • You may know that there are numerous stories about Rav Heinemann's crazy imagination. Ask someone about the matzo baking and the windshield wipers.
    – MichoelR
    Mar 10, 2021 at 19:25
  • I've heard this too. I think he sprayed it with something to make it non-absorbent, not actual plastic.
    – N.T.
    Mar 10, 2021 at 21:46
1

One Rav I know breaks the matzos into small pieces and then stacks them, so he can roughly compare the matzah stack to an egg.

Improve this answer
5
  • This seems irresponsibily imprecise
    – Double AA ♦
    Mar 11, 2021 at 12:57
  • You don't need to measure it like a scientist in a lab. Besides, you can err on the side of caution.
    – N.T.
    Mar 11, 2021 at 18:03
  • I agree but there's a few kilometers between this and scientists. Maybe not parsecs, but kilometers.
    – Double AA ♦
    Mar 11, 2021 at 18:04
  • In addition, there are disagreements as to size of k'zayis. That we eat two of the Noda Biyehuda's k'zeisim is really only a chumra, because the requirement for two k'zeisim is midrabbanan.
    – N.T.
    Mar 11, 2021 at 18:07
  • Ha, I didn't even catch that you wrote egg. Ok sure, compare roughly to a modern egg :)
    – Double AA ♦
    Mar 11, 2021 at 18:12

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .