DailyHalacha.com for Mobile Devices Now Available

Click Here to Sponsor Daily Halacha
"Delivered to Over 6000 Registered Recipients Each Day"

      
(File size: 1.39 MB)
Pesah- The Keara

The Halacha requires using a Ke'arah (platter) to serve the various foods for the Misvot of the Seder. While the Ke'arah does not have to be specially designed for the Seder, it is not sufficient to place each item separately in it its own bowl on the table.

Rabbenu Ha'Arizal (Rav Yishak Luria of Safed, 1534-1572) revealed as special order in which to lay out the various foods on the Ke'arah. This can usually be found as an illustration in the beginning of the Hagaddah. Rabbi Mazuz taught a simple way to remember this order, by merely remembering two words: "SeMaH ZeVaHeCHa"-literally meaning, "Be happy with your Korban Pesah." It is an acronym for the order of the various foods starting from the top of the Ke'arah. 'S' is for 'Shalosh"-three, hinting to the three Massot. 'M' is for Maror, and "H" is for "Hazeret"-the endives. That is the first word "SeMaCH." Now, proceeding from right to left: 'Z' is for "Zeroa"-the shank bone. On the left is "Vet" for the "Besa"-egg, on the right bottom is "H" for Haroset and left bottom is the "Kaf" for "Karpas."

-----

Hacham Bension holds that the measure of a Kezayit (olive's bulk) for the round hand-baked Massot equals 20 grams. Before the Seder, one should weigh his Massot to determine how much of the Masa is a Kesayit. Some people eat the soft Massot which have a different density than the "cracker" Massot. Rabbi Mazuz as well as Hacham Bension and Rabbi Ben Moshe, hold that 35-38 grams of these Massot equal one Kezayit. Even though the Kezayit is a larger amount, this does not create a problem to consume in the requisite time of "Kedeh Ahilat Peras," since it is easier to eat them. Two Kezayits are eaten for Mosi Masa, One for Koreh and one (preferably two) for the Afikoman.

The proper measure of a Kezayit of Maror is 30 grams, although those who are lenient to use 20 grams have upon what to rely, since Maror is M'Drabanan.

 


Recent Daily Halachot...
Situations Requiring Netilat Yadayim
Is A Person Required To Say Asher Yatzar Every Time If Using The Bathroom Excessively Due To An Illness
Should One Make Borei Nefashot First Before Asher Yatzar If Having Gone To the Bathroom Before Reciting Borei Nefashot
Is It Permissible To Answer Amen To Kadish, Nakdisach, or Barechu While Reciting Asher Yatzar
Does The Beracha of Me’en Shalosh Fulfill One’s Obligation If Said By Mistake Instead of Birkat HaMazon
Is One Required To Make Netilat Yadayim Before Eating Cereal and Before Dipping Crackers Into Butter
Does One Have To Repeat The Birkat HaMazon If He Is In Doubt If He Said Ritze VeChalitzenu on Shabbat
Birkat Hailanot
Netilat Yadayim When Waking Prior To Alot Hashachar
What Is The Proper Procedure Of Washing When Coming From The Bathroom And Eating Immediately Thereafter
Who Should Say The Hamotzih When Sitting Among Many People?
Is It Permissible to Say Hashem's Name in A Bathroom Or In A Mikveh
A Comprehensive Understanding of the Beracha of Asher Yasar
Yom Tov- The Proper Beracha for Aliyat Maftir on Shabbat Hol Hamoed
Treating Hol HaMoed Properly
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found