Q. Are kitnios such as peanuts that never were in contact with water prohibited? Why should they be different from wheat that when it is shomur you can make matzos and eat them, so you should be permitted to eat corn bread or tortilas that were baked as matzos?
A. Poskim disagree in regards to kitniyos such as rice or corn that were baked as matzos are or never came in contact with water, if they are prohibited or not. Shulchan Aruch Horav (453: 5), Chaye Adam (127: 1), Tuv Ta’am Veda’as (introduction to vol.1). Rav Poalim (O.H. 3: 30) and others maintain that they are permitted.
However, Chassam Sofer (O.H. 121) prohibits matza made from kitniyos, unless one has nothing else to eat. And he requires to follow all stringencies performed when baking matzos. Similarly Maharam Shik (O,H, 241) permits bread made of kitniyos only for the ailing who are unable to eat matzos. Avnei Nezer (O.H. 373) prohibits mustard since it is made from grains similar to kitniyos, although in its preparation no water is involved. Ma’amar Mordechai (32) prohibits even in great duress, since if one would be lenient, the tradition of kitniyos would promptly disappear and one would come to make flour from regular grain.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is to be stringent but not in case of need or for the ailing.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a
Important Numbers
