Motzei Matzah: Difference between revisions

# Someone who is celiac and can't eat wheat matzah, may eat gluten free oat matzah to fulfill his obligation.<ref>

* One concern with oat matzah is that the Rama 453:1 writes that the minhag is to use wheat specifically. The Chok Yakov explains that the reason for the minhag is because matzah made from wheat is generally the one most people prefer. He says that if there's no wheat available one could use another one of the four grains that he likes. Eshel Avraham Mbuchach 453:1 and Mishna Brurah 453:2 agree. However, the Maharsham in Daat Torah 453:1 raised another explanation for the minhag. Magen Avraham 453:5 notes that barley causes dough to rise more quickly than wheat. Based on the Magen Avraham, the Maharsham reasons that it is preferable to use wheat matzah's so that there is no concern for chametz. He concludes that after the fact it is not a concern. Minchat Yitzchak 9:49 is concerned for the issue of the Maharsham and does not want to allow oat matzah for that reason that perhaps it wasn't made properly and is chametz. He does not think that oat matzah is a solution for a celiac, though he does not pose another one. Rav Elyashiv (quoted in Dirshu 453:2) held that it is possible for someone who would get sick from eating wheat matzah to eat oat matzah's.

* 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. Chaye Adam (Nishmat Adam 119:15) holds like the Rambam. Tzemach Tzedek 1:57:2 adopts a similar approach though he does not reach the same conclusion as the Chaye Adam. 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>

# For more details see [https://www.crcweb.org/kosher_articles/Celiac%20-%20A%20Guide%20to%20Halachic%20Observance%20(JoHaCS%202010).pdf Rav Dovid Cohen's Guide to Halacha for Celiacs].