Understanding Halacha - Hilchos Shemita

The time has now come to reveal the project promised in the previous post – below is a link to a new English language publication on Hilchos Shemita. The reasons for doing this are explained in the introduction, although regular readers of this blog will be used to the style.

B'ezras Hashem I plan to translate this to Hebrew over the coming weeks and months. I would really appreciate any feedback, and of course if the link could be sent to anyone who may find it useful.

If anyone would find a hard copy beneficial, please let me know.

Understanding Halacha - Hilchos Shemita

Erev Pesach on Shabbos

This is going to be by far my shortest post on this blog so far - I have recently been working on finishing off a project that I hope to publicise here before Pesach. As this project is not Pesach-related, I felt that I had to provide at least something that is.

The motivation for this piece came when reading the recommendation of a certain talmid chacham to avoid eating any chametz this coming Shabbos (using matza ashira[1] for lechem mishne), to ensure that no Chametz crumbs remain in the house for Pesach. As I shall explain, I strongly disagree.

The first thing to point out is that there is clearly no obligation to get rid of all Chametz before Shabbos, nor do Chazal or the rishonim indicate that this is praiseworthy. This is most easily shown by quoting the Rambam:

If the fourteenth (of Nissan) falls on Shabbos, we search for Chametz on Thursday night, the thirteenth. One leaves enough Chametz to eat until four hours in to the day on Shabbos, in a safe place, and destroys the remainder before Shabbos. If any Chametz remains on Shabbos day after four hours, one nullifies it, covers it with a utensil until after first day Yom Tov and then destroys it.[2]

The lack of concern that Chametz may remain is striking. Others do suggest that one should get rid of any remaining Chametz by giving it to a non-Jew or feeding it to animals,[3] but there is nothing remotely close to avoiding Chametz on Shabbos altogether.[4]

Oneg Shabbos

The above is enough to explain why I believe that the suggestion to avoid Chametz this coming Shabbos is unnecessary. I also believe that this suggestion is a bad one – unnecessarily compromising ones enjoyment of Shabbos detracts from the quality of the mitzvah of Oneg Shabbos.

I am aware that there can be some practical difficulties with having Chametz at the table this Shabbos, and the more nervous among us may enjoy their Shabbos more without it. However, this should be a personal choice, and those who feel able to manage the situation with Chametz should certainly not be discouraged from doing so.

Wishing everyone a good and enjoyable Shabbos HaGadol, as well as a Chag Sameach![5]

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[1] Matzah made with liquids other than water (often egg). As this matzah cannot be used for the mitzvah on Seder night, it may be eaten on Erev Pesach (although many Ashkenazim do not eat it once Chametz is forbidden).

[2] Hilchos Chametz u'Matzah 3:3

[3] See Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 444:4-5 and Mishna Berura 11 there.

[4] It should be pointed out that any crumbs that are missed do not pose any halachic problem unless they fall into food during Pesach – see Pesachim 6b.

[5] As the old quip goes, you don't need my bracha for a kosher Pesach as it almost certainly will be (even if you eat Chametz on Shabbos).