Pesach: Matza Erev Pesach
Question
Can I eat matzoh on erev Pesach
Answer
One is not permitted to eat matza on Erev Pesach. (1) The Talmud Yerushalmi says that, “one who eats matza on Erev Pesach is like one who has intimate relations with his fiancée in his future father-in-law’s home.”(2)
One of the reasons that we don’t eat matza on Erev Pesach is to better demonstrate that when we eat it at the Seder, we are doing so solely to fulfill a mitzva of the Torah. So too, we want the taste of matza to be “new” and not “boring.” Indeed, even foods that one enjoys eating become “boring” if eaten every single day! But when eaten only on occasion….delicious!
Many people have the custom not to eat matza from a month before Pesach. This is also to better ensure that the taste of matzah is “new” when eating it at the Seder. Some observe the custom of not eating matza for two weeks before Pesach, from Rosh Chodesh Nissan. (4) One who has no specific custom regarding how long before Pesach not to eat matza need only refrain from eating matza on Erev Pesach.
On a related note, there are some who have the custom not eat any of the ingredients that are used in the charoset . This, too, is so the taste of the charoset will be “new” and “exciting” at the Seder. (5)
Source
[1] Tosafot 99b, s.v. “V’lo”; Rambam, Hilchot Chametz U’matza 6:12; OC 443:1.
[2]
Pesachim 68b. See also Meiri, Pesachim 13a. There are a number of fascinating interpretations of this passage. The
Korban Ha’eida
explains that it is intended to highlight a person who is impatient and unable to control his desires. The Maharil, in his
Hilchot Hahagada
, teaches that the mitzva of matza on the Seder night is like a marriage. Just as seven blessings are recited before a bride becomes permitted to her groom, so too, seven blessings are recited on the Seder night before one is permitted to eat matza.
[3]
Mishna Berura
471:12.
[4] Rema, OC 471:2; Mishna Berura 471:20; But see Sha’ar Hatziun 444:1.
[5]
Rema, OC 471:2.