08 Apr HALACHICALLY SPEAKING: HIDING AND “STEALING” THE AFIKOMAN

One of the most
interesting customs of
the Pesach seder is to
“steal the afikoman.”
Weeks before Pesach
the children plan their
afikoman present and
where to hide the
afikoman. What is the
source of this custom?
Is this custom practiced by everyone?
Are there any other customs related to
afikoman?
Breaking the Matzah
At yachatz the middle matzah is broken in
two. The larger piece is taken for afikoman
and smaller one for hamotzi.
Where to Place the Afikoman Matzah?
Underneath the Cloth
Many have the custom to place the
afikoman matzah “underneath a cloth” as
the yiddin did when they left Mitzrayim.
This means to wrap it in a cloth.
On Shoulders
Some people have the custom to place the
afikoman matzah on their shoulder as a
remembrance to what we did while exiting
Mitzrayim.
Under a Pillow
Many have the custom to place the afikoman
matzah under the pillow which they recline
on during the seder. Although one should
avoid placing food under a bed or where he
lays down, this is permitted. Some poskim
suggest that we do this so that the children
who steal the afikoman will not be seen be
everybody.
Walking Around the House
Some people take the afikoman matzah
and walk around the house with it on
their shoulders, saying that this is what
our fathers did when leaving Mitrzayim.
However, many poskim stress that this
should be done before eating the matzah at
the time of afikoman, and not after yachatz.
Others keep the matzah on their shoulder
from yachatz until the afikoman is eaten.
Which Custom
There are many customs regarding this
matter; all are acceptable.
Other Reasons for Hiding the Afikoman
One of the most well known reasons for
hiding the matzah is to arouse the children’s
curiosity. This also prevents us from eating
it before the proper time. Other poskim
explain that the afikoman represents the

korbon Pesach. Just as the korbon Pesach
needed to be watched, so too the afikoman
needs to be watched. Based on this, some
say that the child should return the afikoman
right before we are ready to eat it. Others
compare this to the custom of covering the
challah during kiddush, so that the challah
does not get embarrassed. So too, we cover
(and hide) the afikoman matzah so it should
not be embarrassed when we eat the other
half of the matzah for motzi matzah.
The Sefas Emes says that the geulah of
Mitzrayim is a preparation for future
geulos. Since we are still in golus, we cover
the afikoman as a remez that the geulah is
hidden and not yet complete.
Giving it to Someone Else
The Shulchan Aruch prescribes that one
should give the afikoman to someone else
to watch in order to make sure that it is not
eaten during the meal until the proper time.
Instead, we allow the child to take it from
us. This fulfills the same purpose, as the
child will ensure that the afikoman is not
forgotten, and there is no need to give it to
someone else.
“Stealing” the Afikoman Custom
A widespread custom in klal yisroel is that
children steal the afikoman and hide it in
return for a prize. Some quote this as being
a beautiful custom. The Noheg Katzon
Yosef says that this custom should not
be abolished. The custom spread as older
children and wives also steal the afikoman
and ask for prizes.
Reasons
The Gemorah says that we grab matzos on
the night of Pesach so that the children do
not fall asleep. The Rambam says that we
do unusual things on the night of Pesach
in order to arouse the children’s curiosity.
One thing is “grabbing matzah from one
another.” Some say that is the source
of the custom of children grabbing the
afikoman matzah. (Those who disagree
with this custom say that this Rambam
is not referring to the afikoman matzah.
Rather, it means that adults grab the matzos
in order that the child should ask why this
night is different. In addition, see below
for other translations of the word “chotfin.-
grabbing”).
Others offer the following reason for the
custom of “stealing” the afikoman. We
know that the dogs did not bark on the
night of yetzias Mitrzayim. The Gemorah
says that people steal when dogs do not
bark, since the dogs are not a deterrent.
Since stealing took place on that night, the

custom is to steal the afikoman as well.
Other Interpretations of the Gemorah
Rashi on the Gemorah says that “grabbing”
means that the seder plate should be lifted
up so the children will ask about it, or that
we should eat early.
Others explain that during the year the one
who makes the bracha eats first, followed
by the other participants. However, on
the night of Pesach the guests can “grab”
even before the leader eats in order that
the children will ask and not fall asleep. In
addition, even those sources that explain
the Gemorah literally make no mention
of the children grabbing the afikoman.
Therefore, some say that the custom to
steal the afikoman is based on a mistaken
reading of the Gemorah.
Why is Stealing Permitted?
Theft is normally prohibited, even if it is
done for a joke, in order not to accustomed
oneself to steal. In addition, it can be argued
that telling children to steal the afikoman
is bad chinuch. However, if the thief is a
member of the household then there is no
concern because the owner of the house
does not mind. Based on this, there is no
concern of stealing the afikoman since this
is part of the seder. This is not considered
stealing for a joke.
We find for other Yomim Tovim that certain
actions which are generally forbidden are
permitted on, i.e. damaging someone else
because of the joy of Yom Tov. So too,
stealing the afikoman is permitted because
of simcha.
Not to Steal the Afikoman
Many frown on this custom since it is not
the way of the Torah to let children steal
even for a joke. The Mishnah Berurah
does not mention this custom, and it could
be because he was not happy with it. This
is the practice of the Sefardim and many
Chassidishe sects. However, one who has
this custom need not refrain.
Other Advice
Another potential problem is that the
afikoman might be placed anywhere in the
house, and the child might actually forget
its location. It would not be considered
watched (see above). Therefore, some
poskim suggest that the child should tell
his mother where he put the afikoman and
then the mother will give him a prize. This
custom is not widely practiced.
“Grabbing” the Afikoman
Even those who follow the custom of

stealing the afikoman should call it
“grabbing” the afikoman, rather than
stealing the afikoman.
Other Halachos Related to Grabbing the
afikoman
As stated earlier, sometimes the child
chooses a good hiding place for the
afikoman and he forgets where it is. The
poskim say in such a case one should
just take a different matzah and use it for
afikoman.
Where Not to Put the Afikoman
The child should be instructed not to hide
the afikoman in the bathroom, or a place
which has water. In addition, it should not
be placed under a bed.
Asking for a Prize
When the afikoman is returned, the child
asks for a prize. Sometimes this prize can
be beyond the means of his father. There are
many variables in this situation; therefore,
one should discuss this matter with his Rav
when the question arises.
Guests
If one’s host does not follow the custom of
stealing the afikoman, then he should tell
his children not to take it.
Segulos With the Afikoman
Hanging the Afikoman
The Gemorah states that hanging bread
in a basket causes poverty. This inyan
is brought by many poskim as well.
Children routinely put their sandwiches in
knapsacks, which are then hung on pegs on
the wall in school. The poskim maintain
there is no reason to refrain from hanging
knapsacks in this manner.
Some people have a custom to place the
afikoman as a shemirah on top of the door.
This is not considered hanging bread. Some
poskim maintain that one should use the
matzah of the second night for this purpose.
The piece of afikoman should be burnt at
the burning of chometz on Erev Pesach.