14
votes
Where does the notion that the *entire* matza process must be done in under 18 minutes come from?
This does not include the time in the oven, but the notion that the entire process until the dough goes into the oven must be completed within 18 minutes is based on actual opinions on the books.
I ...
- 46.9k
11
votes
Accepted
Can leftover shmurah matzot from one year be used the following year?
From the Star-K:
Matzos left over from previous years that were stored in places free of chometz may be used. TIP: If your oven has been kashered for Pesach, simply put them in the oven for a few ...
- 127k
10
votes
Accepted
Why are matzos circular?
In שו"ת מהרי"א סי' קנ"ז (seen here and continued here), it speaks about the shape of matzos being specifically round. This was written during the period of controversy regarding machine matzos.
...
- 5,539
10
votes
Accepted
Is there a halachic preference order to the grains used for matzot?
The Mishna in Pesachim 2:5 reads as follows:
אלו דברים שאדם יוצא בהן ידי חובתו בפסח: בחיטים, בשעורים, בכוסמין ובשיפון ובשיבולת שועל
These are the things with which a person may discharge his ...
- 38.5k
9
votes
What are "18 minute" matzot?
In current matzah parlance, “18-minute matzah” means that the entire matzah line is cleaned every 18 minutes
https://oukosher.org/passover/articles/getting-to-know-your-matzah/
- 3,373
9
votes
Goy eating matzah with treif
Non-Jews can eat matzah in a shape or from, whenever they want, and with whichever other foods they may choose. (Note Orthodox Jewry does not consider a Reform conversion to be valid.)
All matzah ...
- 4,149
9
votes
Accepted
Goy eating matzah with treif
There are a number of foods which are holy in Jewish law, including:
Any animal or part thereof dedicated to be a sacrifice, including the Korban Pesach (Paschal lamb)
Lechem Hapanim ("showbread")
...
8
votes
Accepted
Can rice flour be processed the same as Matza for those who don't eat Kitniyos?
(To fulfill the Mitzva of eating Matza at the Seder the Matza must be made with proper grains (Mishna Pesachim 2:5) not Kitniyot. The foods being discusses here are being called "Matza" more as a ...
- 95.6k
8
votes
18 minute Matzah?
The 18 minute mark is almost certainly a mistake. The source of this time limit is from Pesaḥim 46a:
Mishna: [Regarding] ‘deaf’ dough, if there is [a dough] similar to it
which has become leaven, ...
- 9,691
8
votes
Accepted
Could you bake matzah during Passover?
Yes it is permissible, but you have to be extra careful how you handle stray pieces of dough or leftovers in the kneading trough which might become Chametz (see ShA OC 459:4 and 460:3 for details).
- 95.6k
8
votes
Accepted
Can Pesach Mitzvot be performed before sunset?
You cannot begin to recite Kiddush, drink 4 cups and eat matsa and maror before the night (exit of the stars, later than sunset). The time the Jews left Egypt was at night. And the korban Pesach and ...
- 22.3k
8
votes
Accepted
Do you need to own the matza you eat at the seder?
See this piece by R. Zvi Ryzman (Hebrew).
His bottom line conclusion is:
לכתחילה ודאי ראוי לנהוג כדברי השפת אמת והאמרי בינה שבעל הבית יקנה את המצות לכל מי שיתארח על שולחנו בליל הסדר, מבעוד יום, כדי ...
- 38.5k
7
votes
why only 2 matzos used for seder by the Vilna Gaon
The machlokes is based on what is the definition of lechem mishna that is required at the seder after Yachatz breaks one of the matzos that is on the table. That is, the basic requirement (derived ...
- 42k
7
votes
Accepted
Children eating Matzah on Erev Pesach
R Israel Isserlein was asked this question. Here is his response (Terumat HaDeshen #125):
קטן בערב פסח, שרי להאכילו מצות או לאו?
תשובה: ייראה, דאם לא הגיע הקטן לכלל דעת כל כך שיודע ומבין מה שמספרים ...
- 95.6k
7
votes
Guard the Matzos/Mitzvos
Keep reading in the Mechilta (in this portion here). It cites this exposition explicitly.
ושמרתם את המצות ר' יאשיה אומר, אל תקרא כן, אלא ושמרתם את המצות.
”Guard the Matzos.” R’ Yoshiya says, Don’t ...
- 33.5k
6
votes
What does a kefula look like?
Kefula means "doubled over." We have the same root word used in the morning bracha "zokef kefufim" (He straightens those who are bent over), or in upcoming Daf Yomi, "tenai kaful" (a legal stipulation ...
- 453
6
votes
Becoming Chametz at 18 mins
The 18-minute rule is one of a few heuristics offered by the Talmud for determining whether a dough has become chametz. These are summarized by the Rambam in Hilchot Chametz Umatza 5:13:
כל זמן שאדם ...
- 46.9k
6
votes
Accepted
Should one eat matzah balls for seudah shelishit on Shabbat Erev Pesach?
This is an excellent question. Common knowledge would seem to indicate that there is no problem with eating cooked matza since you definitely can't use it for the seder and that Mezonot-foods seem to ...
- 95.6k
5
votes
Accepted
How long does entire process of baking matzo take to be kosher?
The Gemara in Pesachim 46a (brought in the Rambam Laws of Chametz 5:13 and the Shulchan Arukh OC 459:2) says that if one leaves dough for the length of time that it takes to walk 1 "mil" (a Talmudic ...
- 95.6k
5
votes
Is chimutz a wholly physical phenomenon?
See THE LAWS OF PESACH BY RAV DAVID BROFSKY from etzion.org.il
First part of the quote is background.
Shiur #2: The laws of Pesach. Defining chametz. Two passages in the
third chapter of ...
- 45.9k
5
votes
Details of Matzah Oven
This is an electric oven
For baking Yemmenite Pitas (saluf) and Matzah for Pesah. Including two electric heaters and a warranty for factory defects but not for the results of your baking.
My ...
- 24.4k
5
votes
Is there a required minimum oven temperature for baking matzah?
As you note in the Shulchan Arukh (OC 461:2), a temperature which is too low (and is not "boils and cooks instantly [such that] the bread doesn't rise") is problematic as the dough will just rise ...
- 95.6k
5
votes
Why Break the Matza of Yitzchak?
The following is suggested by Rav Asher Weiss 1 al pi derush:
There’s an astounding story described in the gemarra 2, a rendition of a conversation that will take place in the end of days. Hashem ...
- 18.5k
4
votes
What is it about egg matzos that makes them forbidden to Ashkenazim?
The sources provided above do not explain why Ashkenazim are מחמיר not to eat them at all during pesach (i.e. even not during the seder). I think the answer to this question is: Making matza with ...
- 41
4
votes
Why would I want matzah made from flour that was ground in a hand-mill?
I assume they are also claiming to grind it lishma (with the intention that it will be used for the mitzvah) and that it's not as simple to rely on lishma by machine-made as by hand (as with regard to ...
- 17.2k
4
votes
Cream cheese on matza - gebrochts
The famous source of Gebroks is from the Shu"t of R' Shneur Zalman of Liadi (Siman 6) where he says "ובמי פירות פשיטא דאין להחמיר כלל כל הפסח" (One doesn't have to be strict [not to dip ...
- 40k
4
votes
why only 2 matzos used for seder by the Vilna Gaon
Gemara Brachot 39b:
אמר רב פפא הכל מודים בפסח שמניח פרוסה בתוך [1] שלמה ובוצע מאי טעמא {דברים טז-ג} לחם עוני כתיב א''ר אבא ובשבת חייב אדם לבצוע על שתי ככרות [2] מ''ט {שמות ...
- 22.3k
4
votes
Accepted
Why are some Matzah labeled as not being kosher for Pesach/Passover?
It's not for Passover!
Some people feel like having matza-like crackers the rest of the year, so some matza companies said -- hey, let's make more of our stuff, but we don't have to be careful about ...
- 127k
4
votes
Why two kzaysim of matza?
The OP's first question was:
When one makes a bracha on food, does he make the bracha on a specific
piece of food that he needs to eat from?
See here for a relevant discussion. It is clear from ...
- 2,881
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