[Avodah] Matza

[Jacob Sasson]

>>The problem? The Mishan/Haggadah with the questions equate year 'round teh
eating of Hametz uMatza - which presupposes that they are equally valid for
kevia's S'eduha all year Round. FWI I actually heard this quoted from a
Sephardic Hacham.

Rabbi Rich Wolpoe wonders why Sephardim say Mezonot on Matza.  The real
question is why anyone would say hamotzi on matza.

The halacha, as codified by the Shulchan Aruch, proscribes a mezonot for
"Pat Haba'a Bekisnin".  Three definitions are given for PH"B, one of which
is a cracker.  In principle, Matza is a cracker and the default rule on PHB
is that they require a mezonot.  Ashkenazim say hamotzi on Matza only
because it is normally eaten as a meal.  Thus, matza is an exception to the
PHB rule but is not lechem in and of itself.  To put it in Brisker terms,
Matza does not have a "chalos shem pas."

The "problem" of comparing hametz and matza in the mishna/haggada is only a
problem if you assume that the "matza" referred to is the same cracker like
matza eaten today.  It was not.  Traditionally, matza was made of unleavened
dough.  Many sephardim (myself included) still eat this "soft matza" on
Pesach, which explains the comparison between hametz and matza quite well.
They are distinguished only by the fact that the matza didn't have time to
rise.

One of the obligations on Pesach is the eating of the korech "sandwhich."
Korech means to "fold".  The real questions are how ashkenazim "fold" their
matza and when the cracker we call matza replaced the original "soft" matza.

Jacob
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