05 Apr PESACH QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

I am puzzled by our practice of reciting a separate bracha on each cup of wine. Ordinarily, when I recite a blessing on one cup of wine, I do not make another blessing when I drink another cup, unless I specifically did not have in mind to drink further. Why is Pesach different?

That is a good question. Indeed, the custom of the Sefardim (following Shulchan Oruch 474:1) is to only make a bracha on the first cup of Kiddush and the third cup after Birchas Hamazon. (After Birchas Hamazon a new bracha must be recited because the Birchas Hamazon concludes the meal and cancels all brachos.) However, Rama (ibid.) rules, and this is the custom of Ashkenazic Jewry, that a separate blessing is recited on each cup. One explanation is the following; Between the first and second cup, and between the third and fourth cup, two paragraphs of Hallel and a concluding bracha are said. During these recitations, one may not interrupt with extraneous activities, such as drinking wine. This period of time, when drinking is not permitted, is considered a hefsek (break), and the bracha on wine that was previously recited is terminated. As such, a separate bracha must be recited on the second and fourth cup of wine. (Based on Ran, Pesachim 110a and Mishna Berura 474:4)

Must I use wine for the four cups, or may I use grape juice instead?

There are two schools of thought among the Poskim. R’ Moshe Feinstein (Hagaddah Kol Dodi 3:4) maintains that since Chazal instituted the drinking of four cups of wine to feel a sense of freedom, grape juice should not be drunk. Although it has the halachic status of wine, it is not an alcoholic beverage, and one only feels a sense of freedom when drinking an alcoholic beverage. (If there is the possibility that the person will be endangered by drinking the wine, grape juice may be used.) This was also the opinion of R’ Eliyashiv (Shvus Yitzchak, Peasch 10:2) and R’ Ben Tzion Abba Shaul (Ohr Letzion III, 15:4). However, the Chazon Ish (Hilchos Chag B’Chag, Chapter 19: fn. 24), the Brisker Rav and the Tchebiner Rav (Teshuvos VeHanhagos II, 243) held that it is unnecessary to drink wine, and grape juice is acceptable. Indeed, these great Sages actually drank grape juice at the seder (ibid.). Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik as well drank grape juice for the last three cups. However, he insisted on drinking wine for the first cup (Kiddush) to satisfy the opinion of Rambam that one may not use cooked wine for Kiddush. Since grape juice is always cooked, he would only use non-mevushal wine for Kiddush. R’ Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (Halichos Shlomo, Pesach 9:11) explained that since grape juice has the halachic status of wine, one experiences freedom when drinking grape juice even though it is non-alcoholic. If one is ill and unable to eat any matzah at the Seder, is there any reason for them to buy matzah? Yes. Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, zt”l writes that even if one cannot eat matzah, they must still place matzah in front of them when they recite the Haggadah. Matzah is referred to as “Lechem Oni” (literally poor man’s bread). Chazal explain the term “Oni” to refer to speech—it is bread in front of which we speak many words and ideas on the night of the Seder. Therefore, matzah should be placed on the Ke’ara (Seder plate) and uncovered for the recitation of Maggid. Additionally, Rav Auerbach writes that one who is unable to eat matzah at the Seder should study the halachos of matzah at the Seder. This is similar to what is discussed in the Gemara (Menachos 110a) regarding one who is obligated to bring a sacrifice but cannot do so. The way to compensate is by studying the halachos of that korban, and poskim apply this concept to other mitzvos as well (see Elya Rabba OC 300:1).

I sometimes become hungry and thirsty during Maggid. May I eat a snack or drink a coffee?

The second cup of wine at the seder is filled after karpas so that Maggid (the central portion of the Haggadah) will be recited over the cup of wine. The Mishnah Berurah writes that after filling the cup, it is inappropriate to drink a separate cup of wine (Be’ur Halachah 473:3 s.v. Harishus). Both Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (Halichos Shlomo, Hil. Pesach 9:34) and Rav Elyashiv (Shevus Yitzchok, Pesach 9:3) maintain that only wine is restricted, but in cases of necessity, one is permitted to drink water or coffee. Rav Elyashiv explains that unless there is a pressing need, even water should be avoided because the Haggadah should be recited with a sense of awe and reverence (see Mishnah Berurah 473:71).