by Rabbi Avram Rothman, Aish/Thornhill Community Shul
The custom on Pesach of not eating Matza or Matza products that have come into contact with liquids is commonly known as the custom of not eating “gebruchs”. It is most common among those Jews of Polish, Hungarian or Ukrainian backgrounds and most often observed by Chassidim or those from a Chassidic background. It is based on the belief that there is a potential that Matza or Matza products may not have been baked perfectly and may have some uncooked flour on them. Thereby, when added to liquid, the flour will become chometz. To those who observe it, it is a very serious custom and one that presents a number of challenges over Pesach.
I am often asked if this is a custom that one should adopt. Based on my traditions, the Halacha as I see it and the teachings of my Rabbanim, unless there is a specific reason that one feels they have to adopt this custom, I believe that one should not do so. I am not commenting on the veracity of the custom, however, it is one that a person who does not presently observe it should not adopt and follow. Therefore, when asked by our membership if they should follow this custom and no longer eat anything on Passover that has been made by adding liquid to Matza or Matza meal, it is my advise and Halachic response that one should not adopt this custom.
In addition, I am often asked about the eating of “kitniyot” on Pesach. In this case it is an Ashkenazic custom that has been adopted by all Azkenazic communities for many generations that one should not eat foods on Pesach that fall under this category. While Sephardic Jews never accepted this custom and still eat kitniyot, we, Ashkenazi Jews do not. This would forbid, for example, eating rice, peas, beans, peanuts, oils made from these and some other items, to name just a few.
Since Sephardic Jews do in fact eat these items, one will find such items in the store marked as Kosher for Passover. Usually there will be a note on these food items stating that they are only Kosher for Passover for those whom eat kitniyot. We do not eat these items.
Finally, I would like to address the question of Egg Matza. Egg Matza is an example, in
my opinion, of some companies putting profit before Halacha. Not that they are chometz. Not at all. However, Halacha stipulates that a person should not eat Egg Matza unless they are elderly, ill or unable to digest regular Matza. In fact, it is often printed on the box of Egg Matza that these are onlyKosher for Passover for special individuals and that the general population should not eat them. However, this warning is often written in Yiddish and not easily understandable by many people whom purchase Passover food or observe Passover. To be succinct, a healthy person should, in no way, eat Egg Matza, not in its original form and not in any changed form or cooked/baked item at all over Passover. Even though it is not Chometz, it does not fit the description of Matza because of its additional ingredients, such as eggs.
I hope that these three examples will assist our community in observing Passover fully
and not fall prey to some of the common mistakes or misunderstandings that effect the
observance of Passover
Important Numbers
