The blessing on Matzah

The blessing on Matzah:[1]

During Pesach:[2] Throughout Pesach, the blessing on Matzah is Hamotzi according to all opinions.[3]

Throughout the year: Most Poskim[4] rule the blessing on Matzah remains Hamotzi throughout the year[5], and so appears to be the ruling of Admur.[6] Some Poskim[7], however, rule that throughout the year, Matzah has the same status as Mezonos bread and thus remains Mezonos unless one establishes a meal on the Matzah, as defined in Halacha.[8] Some Poskim[9] conclude due to the above debate, that a G-d fearing Jew is to always eat Matzah within a meal of bread, or establish a meal on it, thus making it Hamotzi according to all. Practically, the custom of Ashkenazi Jewry is like the former opinion to recite Hamotzi and Birchas Hamazon on Matzah throughout the year.[10] However, the custom of Sefaradi Jewry is like the latter opinion to recite Mezonos on Matzah throughout the year, unless they establish a meal over it.[11] Those who are meticulous, are to only eat the Matzah within a meal, or establish a meal over it as defined in Halacha.[12] This applies to both Sefaradim and Ashkenazim.

Egg Matzah: Throughout the year, egg Matzah is considered Mezonos unless one establishes a meal on the Matzah, as defined in Halacha.

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[1] See Yechaveh Daas 3:12; Piskeiy Teshuvos 168:13; Halacha Berurah 168:25

[2] Ginas Veradim [Halevi] Gan Melech 64; Chida in Machazik Bracha 158:5; Maharham

[3] The reason: As a) On Pesach Matzah is the main food that we eat and b) Due to the Mitzvah it receives greater importance. [Chida ibid]

[4] Kneses Hagedola 158:1 and Teshuvah 344 in name of his teachers; Beis Dovid 70 and 83; Yad Aaron 158; Karban Isha 4; Chida in Machazik Bracha 158:5 concludes like Beis David; Chesed Leavraham 15; Ohel Yitzchak 4; Chukas Hapesach 482:1; Magen Giborim 168:5; Ashel Avraham Butchach 168; Kaf Hachaim 158:43 [negates ruling of Mezonos, although concludes to eat in meal]; Avnei Shoham 1:17; Rav Shlomo Yosef Zevin in Sofrim Usefarim 319; Chelkas Yaakov 48; Minchas Yitzchak 1:71 “There is no person with a scent of Torah who would eat it without washing, saying Hamotzi and Birchas Hamazon.”; Shevet Halevi 1:205; Tzitz Eliezer 11:19; Teshuvos Vehanhagos 3:73

[5] The reason: As Matzah is not similar to regular crackers, as a) It is made for the sake of eating a meal and not simply for snacking and b) It is thicker than the regular crackers referred to in 168:7. It is thus not similar to the law of crackers which receive the blessing of Mezonos. [Poskim ibid ; See Admur 168:12; M”B 168:36]

[6] As aside for the reasoning brought in the Poskim ibid, Admur in the Seder 2:7-8 and Luach omits the opinion who states that crackers are Mezonos, hence implying that all flour and water crackers always remain Hamotzi. [See Ketzos Hashulchan 48 footnote 11]

[7] See Machazik Bracha ibid for his questions on the ruling of Beis David ibid [although concludes like him]; Olas Shmuel 3; Beis Menucha Dinei Netilas Yadayim 4; Tzeror Hamur Chayeh Sarah p. 25b; Pekudas Elazar 168; Minchas Shmuel 3; Sdei Chemed Brachos 1:10 defends ruling of Beis Menucha; Poskim in Yechaveh Daas 3:12; Or Letziyon 2:13-3; Ish Matzliach 2 3:5; Rav Mordechai Eliyahu famously ruled it only becomes Mezonos after Pesach Sheiyni.

[8] The reason: As Matzah is similar to the crackers discussed in Michaber 168:7.

[9] Chida ibid; Chesed Lealafim 168:9; Kaf Hachaim 158:43; Yechaveh Daas ibid; Rav Yaakov Yosef za”l that so is the initial ruling for Sefaradim; Minchas Yitzchak ibid; Shevet Halevi ibid; Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid; Halacha Berura ibid

[10] Sdei Chemed Brachos 1:10; Yechaveh Daas ibid; Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid; Halacha Berura ibid; Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid

[11] Chida ibid that so is the custom of the masses [although concludes to say Hamotzi]; Sdei Chemed Brachos 1:10 that many Sefaradim are accustomed to say Mezonos unlike Ashkenazim and they have upon whom to rely; Yechaveh Daas ibid; Or Letziyon 2:13-3; Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid; Halacha Berura ibid

When after Pesach do they begin reciting Mezonos: On Motzei Pesach, one still recites Hamotzi. Starting the next day one recites Mezonos. [Or Letziyon ibid] Some Rabbanim, however, rule that one recites Hamotzi until Pesach Sheiyni. [Rav Mordechai Eliyahu za”l]

[12] Yechaveh Daas ibid; Minchas Yitzchak ibid; Shevet Halevi ibid; Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid; Halacha Berura ibid