Q:
What are the halachos relevant to leaning during parts of the Seder?
A:
During the Seder we need to feel that we are free and do so by leaning in a comfortable and royal position. Some explain that this is a biblical mitzvah – Rambam Matzah 7:6-7 implies that leaning fulfills the biblical mitzvah of Zochor Es Yom Tzescha Memitzrayim and Midrash Rabba Bishalach learns the idea of leaning from the posuk of Vayasev Elokim (Shemos 13:18). Others explain that it is only a rabbinic detail of the mitzvos of the night.
There is an obligation to lean when one drinks the four cups of wine and eats the Matzah of Motsei Matzah, Korech, and Afikoman. Pesachim 108a concludes that all four cups of wine need leaning. This is also the opinion of Rambam Hilchos Chametz UMatzeh 7:8 and he adds that whoever leans for the other eating and drinking of the night is praiseworthy; S”A 473:2.
Pesachim 108a says that it’s not considered leaning to lean on the “Perakdon” which some explain as on one’s back (Tosfos 108a) and some explain as on one’s front (Tosfot Niddah 14a in name of Aruch). Thus, the Rambam 7:8, Tur and Shulchan Aruch 472:3 rule that one can’t lean to the back or front.
One should be sure to lean on a physical object, like the back of a chair rotated to its side, or the chair next to him. It is insufficient to lean on “thin air” by simply tilting on one’s side – Rav Schachter on the Haggodah pg. 45.
In the time of the Gemara women were exempt from leaning unless they were an Isha Chashuva (a woman of stature). Even though nowadays all women are considered women of stature, Ashkenazi women don’t have to lean because they can rely on the Ravyah. However, the practice of Sephardic women is to lean. Yet Bedieved they don’t need to repeat eating or drinking if they did not lean.
Even though Ashkenazi women are exempt from leaning, if they drink the wine or eat the Matzah standing they are not Yotzei.
The Shulchan Aruch 472:5 states that a student in front of his Rabbi (even if it’s not his Rav Muvhak), or a student in front of a very distinguished Rabbi even if he’s not his teacher shouldn’t lean unless they are given permission.
A son in front of his father should lean even if your father is also your teacher as Magen Avraham 472:6 explains that the father is assumed to forgo on his respect.
If a student went ahead and leaned even though he wasn’t supposed to and the Rabbi was silent, the silence is understood as permission.Lechatchila a student shouldn’t ask his rabbi for permission to lean.If a student is eating the Seder at another table but can be seen by his Rabbi, some authorities permit, but one should be strict not to lean unless one gets permission, especially if it’s one’s Rav Muvhak.A son in front of his father should lean but a son-in-law in front of a father-in-law who is his teacher shouldn’t lean.A mourner for twelve months for a parent or within shloshim should lean. Some hold that although the mourner should lean he shouldn’t lean on a couch.
According to Sephardim, if one forgot to lean one has to lean and drink again, even the third and fourth cup for which one shouldn’t drink afterwards. However, Ashkenazim hold that one shouldn’t drink the third or fourth cup again because one can’t drink after the third and fourth cup. Additionally one should have in mind before making the bracha to repeat the first cup if one forgets to lean. If one didn’t have such an intent, one shouldn’t repeat the first cup.
Bedieved, after the fact (when it can not to repeated) according to Ashkenazim one has fulfilled their requirement.If one forgot to lean while eating Matzah (of Motzei Matzah) one must repeat eating a Kezayis of Matzah.If one forgot to lean during Afikoman one should Lechatchila eat it again while leaning. However if it’s difficult to eat another Afikoman or one already said Birkat HaMazon one can rely on the lenient opinions and not eat Afikoman again. |