The Shaare Rahamim Haggada

Chapter 37: Motzie Matzah

 

 

Motzie Matzah

The eating of the matzah is an essential part of the Pesah Seder.  As the matzah is being eaten, one should bear in mind that he is fulfilling a positive commandment in the Torah.  As it states in Parashat Bo: " בארבעה עשר יום לחדש בערב תאכלו מצות "

“On the fourteenth day of the month (Nissan), in the evening you shall eat matzot.”

The leader lifts up all the matzot on the ka’arah (Seder plate) and recites Ha’Motzie.  The bottom matzah is put down and while holding the top (whole) and middle (broken) matzah, he recites Al Achilat Matzah. 

k’zayit (1 ounce) of matzah from both the top and middle matzot should be taken and given to everyone.  (A manual scale may be used to measure the matzah.).  If possible, one should eat both k’zaytim at once, chewing them together and then swallowing one k’zayit at  a time.  If this is not possible, he may eat a k’zayit first from the top matzah and then a k’zayit from the middle matzah. (Please refer to the chart on page 78.)

Manner of Eating the Matzah:

A. The matzah may not be eaten with any other food (i.e., haroset). 

B. If it is absolutely necessary, it may be dipped in water to soften it. 

C. The matzah of motzie matzah must be eaten before midnight (11:56 p.m. Eastern Standard Time or 12:56 a.m. Daylight Savings Time). If one inadvertently did not eat the matzah by midnight, he is still required to do so without the berachah of Al Achilat Matzah. 

D. The matzot should be eaten while leaning on the left side.

E. In the event that one forgot to recline, he is required to eat only one additional ounce of matzah without a berachah (even if he spoke in between). 

F. A woman who did not recline is not required to eat an additional ounce.

 

Laws Pertaining to the Elderly

The required amount of matzah is 2 fluid ounces. In the case where a person is old or physically unable to consume the full 2 fluid ounces, the halachah is: 

A. He may eat a total of 1 fluid ounce from a small portion of the top and middle matzah from the ka’arah. (Refer to chart for Korech, page 78). 

B. If one is absolutely unable to eat even 1 fluid ounce, he may be lenient and eat .7 ounces.  Yet, he may not recite the berachah of Al Achilat Matzah. 

C. For Korech, he should have a small piece of matzah (can be less than a k’zayit). 

D. For Afikoman, he must eat a k’zayit following the above procedures.