15
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 ...
- 47.8k
11
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 ...
- 41.7k
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 ...
- 4,892
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")
...
9
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 ...
- 41.7k
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).
- 97.3k
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 ...
- 22.7k
8
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 ...
- 34.1k
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 ...
- 42.9k
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 ...
- 97.3k
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 ...
- 47.8k
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 ...
- 97.3k
6
votes
Is it acceptable to use matzah made for Passover of one year for the next?
The main issue in play here is the issue of מצה ישנה which is parallel to the issue of סוכה ישנה discussed in the first perek of Maseches Sukka.
Relevant sources are:
תוספתא פסחים ב:יג - which ...
- 2,103
5
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 ...
- 51
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 ...
- 97.3k
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 ...
- 24.7k
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 ...
- 19.6k
5
votes
If one eats Matzah without leaning, does one need to make another Brocho on the Matza?
The sefer Peninei Halakha answers as follows:
האוכל כ’זית’ מצה בלא הסבה, כיוון שלא קיים את המצווה כפי שתיקנוה חכמים,
לא יצא ידי חובתו, ועליו לחזור ולאכול כ’זית’ מצה בהסבה. וגם אם כבר ברך
ברכת המזון, ...
- 6,433
5
votes
Making matzah at home
#NotARabbi, but there is nothing wrong with baking at home. Jews did that for centuries. Kudos for thinking this through a bit. A few tips from many years of baking at home:
I suggest buying ...
- 722
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 ...
- 22.7k
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 ...
- 131k
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 ...
- 2,961
3
votes
Accepted
What are the different opinions on "shmura matzah" and where can they be found?
The major opinions are:
Rif Pesachim 12a: One ought to guard the grain from contact with water from the time it is harvested.
Rosh Pesachim 2:26: Stricly speaking one can use matzot which were ...
- 41.7k
3
votes
How did our forefathers bake the dough they took out of Egypt? Would it qualify as matzo now?
Note that the Pasuk itself says "Ki Lo Chametz", but that phrase is up for interpretation. Mefarshim from here:
Or Hachaim takes the literal, halachic approach that @DoubleAA was referring to, and ...
- 20.9k
3
votes
How much Matzo must one eat on Pesach?
What is the source for the number "26 cubic centimeters?"
As Ikar Tosafot Yom Tov on the Mishnah in Peah.8.5 says (as per the Rambam):
קב. אודיעך בכאן שיעור כל מדה מהם ושמור אותה תמיד בכל המשנה. ...
- 42.8k
3
votes
When did Matza become dry?
If requested by the OP I will go and find the sources to back up my words.
There are a few issues at work here. The first is that in Europe matzah became less soft because of the way Europeans make ...
- 10.5k
3
votes
Where do matza bakers find flour that's definitely never gotten wet?
i called the OU today (3/10/16) to ask this very same question, and the answer i got was not amazing. They said that their normal certification for normal kosher for passover for flour is only "...
- 10.5k
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