From The Rav’s Desk: The Definition of Matzah Ashirah and Whether One Can Fulfill the Mitzvah with Egg Matzah on the Night of Pesach

The Definition of Matzah Ashirah and Whether One Can Fulfill the Mitzvah with Egg Matzah on the Night of Pesach

Question

I was discussing with a friend whether one can fulfill the mitzvah of eating matzah on the night of the 15th of Nissan with egg matzah. I stated, in simple terms, that no one fulfills the obligation with egg matzah, since it is considered matzah ashira (“rich matzah”). This applies even according to Sephardic authorities, who generally permit eating matzah ashira during Pesach and eat kosher-for-Pesach certified egg matzah. Nonetheless, even they agree that one does not fulfill the mitzvah of matzah with it on the night of the Seder. Ashkenazim, in any event, avoid matzah ashira for the entire Pesach. My friend responded that he heard that according to the Rambam, matzah is only defined as matzah ashira if it is kneaded with wine, oil, honey, or milk, but not with other liquids. If so, perhaps egg matzah would not be considered matzah ashira, and one could fulfill the biblical obligation with it on the night of Pesach. Is this correct?

Answer

The information mentioned by both sides is correct, with the Rambam holding that egg Matzah may not be defined as Matzah Ashira, and hence in his opinion one would be able to fulfill his obligation with such Matzah on the night of Pesach. However, this is just in theory, as in practice the final halachic conclusion of the Poskim, both Ashkenaz and Sephard is unlike the Rambam, and hence one does not fulfill the mitzvah of eating matzah on the night of the 15th of Nissan with egg matza, as any non-water based matzah is defined as matzah ashirah.

Explanation

Matzah Ashira literally means rich man’s bread. Such Matzah has two Halachic ramifications; one regarding eating it on Pesach, and the second regarding eating it on the night of the 15^th for the fulfillment of the Mitzvah of eating Matzah. Regarding the first matter, it is subject to custom. The Ashkenazic custom is to avoid eating Matzah Ashira entirely throughout Pesach, except in cases of illness or great need, while Sephardic practice permits eating matzah Ashira during Pesach, often produced with reliable kosher-for-Pesach supervision. Nevertheless, regarding the second matter, all authorities agree as stated in the Talmud, that matzah ashira cannot be used to fulfill the mitzvah of matzah at the Seder. Thus, even where matzah ashira is permitted to eat, it is invalid for the mitzvah. Now, there are two primary reasons are recorded in the Poskim for why matzah ashirah is invalid for fulfilling the mitzvah of eating matzah on the night of Pesach:

• The Torah explicitly refers to matzah as “lechem oni”—the bread of a poor person. This teaches that the matzah used for the mitzvah must be simple and unenhanced.
  Matzah ashirah, which is kneaded with enriching ingredients such as fruit juice, wine, oil, honey, milk, or eggs, does not meet this criterion. Since it is considered a “rich” or enhanced bread, it is excluded from the Torah’s definition of lechem oni and is therefore disqualified from use for the mitzvah.
• The Requirement That the Dough Be Capable of Becoming Chametz: Only dough made from ingredients that are capable of becoming chametz may be used for matzah, as the mitzvah of matzah is defined in contrast to chametz. Flour mixed with water can either become chametz if allowed to ferment or matzah if baked promptly. However, flour kneaded exclusively with fruit juice or similar liquids does not ferment into chametz in the classic halachic sense. Since such dough can never become chametz, it does not fall under the category of grain mixtures from which valid matzah can be produced.

As a result, dough kneaded with certain juices—i.e., matzah ashirah—is invalid for fulfilling the mitzvah of matzah.

Now, how is matzah ashira defined—meaning, which liquids added to the flour cause the matzah to be considered “rich matzah” and therefore invalid for fulfilling the mitzvah of eating matzah on the night of the 15th of Nissan? It is in this regard that we find a major halachic debate. The Gemara in Masechet Pesachim mentions specifically wine, oil, and honey as liquids that render the dough matzah ashira. Based on this formulation, some Rishonim—most notably the Rambam—understand that only these liquids (and similar ones such as milk) are included in the category of matzah ashira. According to this approach, other liquids added to the flour, such as eggs, would not cause the matzah to be classified as matzah ashira, and one could theoretically fulfill the obligation of matzah with such matzah on the night of the 15th.

However, Rabbeinu Tam, together with the majority of the Rishonim and later Poskim, strongly disagrees. They maintain that any fruit juice or enriching liquid—not limited to those explicitly listed in the Gemara—renders the dough matzah ashira. According to this broader definition, dough kneaded with eggs or other fruit-based liquids is fully classified as matzah ashira.

As a result, under the accepted halachic ruling of the shulchan aruch, egg matzah is considered matzah ashira, and therefore cannot be used to fulfill the mitzvah of matzah at the Seder, even according to those communities that otherwise permit eating matzah ashira during Pesach.

Sources:

See Admur 444:2; 453:1; 454:4; 462:1-3 and 6; 471:4; 475:32; Michaber 462:1; Rama 462:4 and 6; Rav Papa in Pesachim 35a and 36a, Rebbe Yehoshua Ben Levi in Pesachim 36a includes wine, oil and honey

See that Matzah Ashira is defined as Matzah made with any non water derivative which includes all Fruit juices and eggs if it has the taste of fruit juice: Admur 444:2; 454:4; 462:1-2; 6 (adds even if also has water); 466:1; 471:4; M”A 462:1 and 4; 471:5 (adds even if also has water); Michaber 462:4; Tur 462:1 in name of Riy; Rosh Pesachim 2:13; Ramban Milchamos Pesachim 10b; Ran Pesachim 10a in name of Rabbeinu Tam; Rabbeinu Tam in Tosafus Pesachim 36a; Maggid Mishneh Chametz 5:2; Semag Lavin 79; Chok Yaakov 462:2 (writes even if has water unlike Bach); 471:5; Kaf Hachaim 462:13 and 39

Poskim who rule that not all fruit juice matzah and egg Matzah is not Matzah Ashira and is valid for night of 15^th: Rambam Hilchos Chametz Umatzah 6:5 “Matzah that was kneaded with fruit juice, one fulfills his obligation with it on Pesach. However, one may not knead it with wine, oil, honey, or milk, because [the Torah requires] ‘bread of affliction (lechem oni),’ as we have explained.”; See also Tur 455:5; Shiltei Giborim Pesachim 12 regarding apple and pomegranate juice, brought and negated in M”A 462:1; Rashi regarding eggs that it is machmitz, brought and negated in Kaf Hachaim 462:36-38; Bach, brought and negated in Chok Yaakov ibid regarding fruit juice mixed with water that one is Yotzei Bedieved

See that Matzah is only valid if it can potentially become Chametz: Admur 462:1; M”A 471:5; Maggid Mishneh Chametz 6:5; Ramban Milchamos 2:10; Yerushalmi 2:4

See regarding the Ashkenazi custom to avoid matzah ashirah the entire Pesach: Admur 462:7; Rama 462:4; Maharil p. 57