Motzei Matzah: Difference between revisions

* Are oats one of the five grains? Rashi Pesachim 35a s.v. shibolet shual holds that oats are one of the five grains. Dr. Felix questioned this based on science. Others answered the questions and vehemently rejected anyone who questioned oats as being one of the five grains. This is the position of Rav Solovetichik in Mpeninei Harav p. 69, Rav Moshe Feinstein, Rav Elyashiv (quoted by Rabbi Yosef Efrati in Mesorah v. 10 p. 66 and [https://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=52251&st=&pgnum=17 Halichot Sadeh v. 57 p. 15]), Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (Halichot Shlomo Pesach פץ 170 כמאץ 310), Steipler, and Chazon Ish ([https://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=52251&st=&pgnum=16 Rabbi Efrati p. 14]).

* In previous years oat matzah was made by first baking the kernels of oats to make them edible. However, in the process they were roasted so that they couldn't ferment later to become chametz. Is it possible to make matzah with grain that can't become chametz? The Ramban Milchamot 10a argues that one doesn't fulfill the mitzvah of matzah with matzah that was made with dough that couldn't become chametz. Matzah needs to be guarded from becoming chametz but if it can't become chametz it can't fit the requirement of matzah that needs to be guarded. The Rambam Chametz Umatzah 6:5 seems to disagree. He allows matzah made from fruit juices besides wine, oil, honey, and milk, even though fruit juice doesn't allow the dough to rise. Maggid Mishna quotes an opinion that corresponds with the Ramban who argues that fruit juice matzah isn't matzah since it would never become chametz. The Lechem Mishna 6:5 explains that the Rambam presumably held that the type of grains that are necessary for matzah need to be the type that could become chametz, but as long as the type of grains are possible to become chametz even if in this dough it couldn't become chametz it is acceptable as matzah. Pri Chadash 462:1 suggests for the Rambam as well but thinks that the Ramban is correct. Tzemach Tzedek 1:57:2 and Chaye Adam (Nishmat Adam 119:15) hold like the Rambam. The Magen Avraham 454:1 seems to follow the Rambam as Rabbi Akiva Eiger there notes is in disagreement with the Ramban, while in Magen Avraham 471:5 he seems to adopt the Ramban approach. Dagul Mirvava highlights the tension between the two conflicting Magen Avraham's. Chatom Sofer 471:5 answers that the Magen Avraham requires the type of flour and type of liquid be able to create chametz but the actual mixture doesn't need to become chametz. Pri Megadim MZ 462:2 seems to be strict but cites both Magen Avraham's. Shevet Halevi 9:117 is lenient for the oat matzah which were made with roasted oats. He adds that they should listen to the bracha of al achilat matzah from someone else. Today the oats matzah's are made differently.</ref>

==Baking Matzah==

# There was an old minhag to make sure to bake the matzah after [[chatzot]], midday, on Erev Pesach.<ref>Shulchan Aruch O.C. 458:1. Chok Natan 458:1 writes that the time for Pesach is according to the Bach only 6.5 hours into the day and according to the Magen Avraham after 6 hours into the day. The Magen Avraham cites Tosfot Pesachim 5a, Yoma 28a, and Niddah 63b as proofs. Chok Natan rejects these proofs and supports the Bach from the Roke'ach 280, Mordechai Pesachim n. 533, and Shibolei Haleket 213.</ref>