[Avodah] Gebrokts!

[Prof. Levine]

From  http://tinyurl.com/d2xkayc

The Shulchan Aruch (OC 461:4) writes that one 
fulfills the Mitzvah of Matzoh with matzoh 
shruyah - gebrochts, soaked Matzah - as long as 
the Matzoh remains intact and whole.  This is 
based upon the Gemorah itself (Psachim 41a) which 
states the very same law.  What then is the 
source for the custom of avoiding Gebrochts - dipped or wetted Matzoh?

Almost without exception, the custom to refrain 
from Gebrochts has spread throughout the 
Chassidic world and even among others.  How did 
this Minhag develop?  In this article we will 
attempt to trace the origin of this stringency.
The first reference this author could find that 
directly mentions the Minhag is the Olas Shabbos 
(453:3) who discusses a halacha in the Bach that 
Matzos should be baked prior to Pesach and not 
during Pesach, as Chometz is only batel before 
Pesach and not during Pesach.  The Olas Shabbos 
adds, “And one who is concerned for this 
stringency should not cook a baked Matzoh on 
pesach either, for how is it different than 
baking?”  In other words, the Olas Shabbos is 
concerned that the Chametz that was mixed into 
the Matzoh but became nullified before Pesach is 
now re-awakened on Pesach itself.

<Snip>

There are also opinions that it is forbidden to 
be stringent.  The Sheilas Yaavetz (Vol. II #65) 
cites his father the Chacham Tzvi that it is 
wrong to disallow the Simchas Yom Tov with far-fetched stringencies!

So when did the Chassidim start it?  Reb Mendel 
of Vitebsk is cited by many of the early 
Chassidim as attributing it to the Maggid of 
Mezrich and that, believe it or not, the Baal Shem Tov did eat Kneidlach!

The Chsam Sofer (Responsa OC 138) also used to 
consume Gebrokts – especially with soup 
Kneidlach.  Rumor has it that some members of the 
Chsam Sofer’s family even have the recipe for Kneidlach that his wife used.
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