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    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.