Behind the scenes of the thick Matzah discussion and its unlikely relation to some of the well-known Pessah stringencies / By Rabbi Ariel Ovadia Preface In our previous article we cited the opinion of the Bet Yosef that a Matzah may be baked as thick as a Tefah [appx. 3-4 inches]. Some Aharonim, such as the Bet Hillel, peg the limit at an Etzba [appx. ½ inch]. Our thick … [Read more...]
Papouchado: Hametz or Matzah?
An audio Shiur by Rabbi Mordechai Lebhar … [Read more...]
Matzot: Thick, Thin and In Between
The Origins and Halachic Viability of Thick Matzot / By Rabbi Ariel Ovadia Ask any Jew, religious or not-so-much, what Matzah looks like, and most probably they will answer that it is hard and thin with many rows of holes punched in. Indeed, it is the practice of almost all Jews to eat thin Matzot. Some bakeries have even made a name for themselves by selling extra-thin … [Read more...]
Mishloah Manot through an Emissary
Q: Should one only send Mishloah Manot through an emissary? A: Some Poskim derive from the Megilla’s expression: “Mishloah” Manot – which means to send, that it is preferable not to deliver the Mishloah Manot yourself but rather send it through an emissary[1]. Some even maintain that this is the only way to fulfill the Mitzva[2]. However, the custom is to rely on the Poskim … [Read more...]
Megilla Reading for Women
Q: Does one recite a Beracha over reading the Megilla for women, if he has already heard the Megilla himself? A: Although some Poskim worry about reciting a Beracha at a women’s reading, because of the possibility that the Megilla is not being heard properly[1], many Poskim[2] do require the reader to recite the Beracha – as per Minhag Yerushalayim – especially in our days … [Read more...]