Parshas Tzav (Shabbos HaGadol) - Chag HaPesach 5785
- Torah Tavlin
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Selected Halachos For Chag HaPesach (7)
Drinking After Afikoman Before Bentching. The RM’A (1) quotes the minority opinion of the Yeraim (R’ Eliezer of Metz) that if one is thirsty when he bentches, he has not reached the level of "ושבעת" (satisfaction) and his obligation to bentch is only Rabbinic. Although this is a minority opinion, the Poskim write that it is worthwhile to be stringent and take a small drink before bentching to insure he is fulfilling a Torah-mitzvah each time. This was the custom of R’ Y. S. Elyashiv zt”l. On Pesach night, after the Afikoman, one is often thirsty, especially if he had well-baked hand Matza. He cannot eat or drink after Afikoman except for the last two of the Arba Kosos - the four obligatory cups. Can he take a drink to insure that he will fulfill a Torah-mitzvah according to all opinions? The answer is yes, he can drink unflavored water or seltzer, even after the Afikoman.
Coffee During the Haggadah. One should make every effort to maintain a clear, fresh mind on Pesach night - not only for the second Seder which is easier (one can rest up during the first day of Yom Tov), but also for the night of the first Seder. This includes being well rested and not drinking wine in a way that will make him drowsy. However, if a person did become drowsy and tired during the Seder, is he is permitted to drink a cup of coffee (with caffeine) between the first and second kosos?
The Ravya. At first glance, there are two main objections to drinking coffee between the first two kosos. The Ravya (2) holds that if one drinks an additional cup and makes a beracha on it, it looks as if he is adding to the amount of the Arba Kosos - four cups, that Chazal had instituted. If, however, he had in mind while reciting the beracha of “Hagafen” to exempt all his drinks right up until he drinks the second cup, he can drink without a beracha and it will not appear as if he adding to the number of cups. If he did not have in mind to exempt other drinks, then it depends: if one feels that his clarity his really impaired, I believe he can rely on the opinion of the Rosh who argues on the Ravya (3), and he can make a “Shehakol” and drink. (Note: It is possible that even hot coffee which one has to sip slowly might also be permitted, even according to the Ravya. Also, for people who always drink wine or grape juice for the Arba Kosos, and do not rely on coffee, tea or juice (4), it might not look like adding to the number of cups even like the Ravya.)
The Ramban. Another objection to drinking coffee might be from the Ramban (5) who holds that any leniency mentioned in the Gemara about drinking between the first two cups, only pertains to before one pours his second cup. However, once he has already poured his second cup, he is not allowed to drink. The Biur Halacha (6) says that the Shulchan Aruch holds like this Ramban, even though the Baal Hamaor disagrees. It seems to this writer that upon reading the Ramban carefully, as explained by his Talmid, Rabbeinu Dovid (7), it is clear that the reason one should not drink after pouring his second cup is because it is not honorable for the mitzvah of Haggadah, which is read over the second cup, to do some other activity in the middle. (The Ramban might even mean that the Sages did not create an issur to do so, however, the Tanna of the Gemara did not discuss it since logic dictates that one should not stop in the middle of Haggadah to start drinking a separate drink.) Where a person is drinking coffee in order to help him perform the mitzvah in a better manner, even the Ramban would agree it is permitted.
(1) רמ"א או"ח קצז:ד (2) הובא במשנה ברורה תעב:כא (3) לדעת הבית יוסף תע"ב (4) עיין פסקי הגמו"ר אלישיב זצ"ל (5) הובא בביאור הלכה תעג:ב (6) שם (7) רבינו דוד פסחים קט.