Fried Matzah on Shabbat Erev Pesach
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Question
Hello Rabbi, Is eating fried matzah on Shabbat allowed only as a last resort, or can it be done initially instead of eating chametz? If it is allowed initially, what is the measure of a regular square matzah, how much should each person eat?
Answer
Hello,
The Mishnah Berurah is uncertain whether frying in a small amount of oil is considered cooking.
Frying in deep oil is considered cooking.
It is forbidden to eat matzah on Erev Pesach. Only cooking can nullify its status as 'matzah', allowing it to be eaten on Shabbat.
Source
Shaar HaTziyon, Siman 471, S"K 20
Regarding frying, the Gaon Rav Zalman and Chayei Adam are lenient as with cooking, while Pri Megadim is uncertain about this. See above Siman 168 in Mishnah Berurah, S"K 56, and in Shaar HaTziyon there:
Mishnah Berurah, Siman 168, S"K 56
(56) Since once cooked, it is not considered bread. If not cooked in a pot but fried in liquid in a pan, it seems from MA, S"K 36, that it is not considered cooking and retains the status of bread, as in the second manner below. According to other authorities there, it is not necessary, and it is correct that in frying, one should not eat if it is bread except during the meal. And all this is when there is no ke-zayit, but if slices with ke-zayit were fried, even if the status of bread is lost, it is clear that one blesses "ha-motzi", as with cooking, and certainly here:
Shaar HaTziyon, Siman 168, S"K 52
(52) Also from the students of Rabbeinu Yonah, it is somewhat evident that frying and cooking are the same, and in conclusion, as explained by the Aruch, the Gemara refers only to mere connection through honey and broth without any cooking and frying, and in this, the status of bread is effective. However, from the sugya in the Shas according to Abaye, it seems that frying is not considered cooking [see in Tosafot Rosh there], and apparently, it seems in the Gemara that Rav Sheshet and Rava follow Abaye's opinion, that in Menachot, one blesses "ha-motzi" even with less than a ke-zayit because there is the status of bread, see there, and this requires examination in practice: