Pesach: Matza Erev Pesach

Can I eat matzoh on erev Pesach

One is not permitted to eat matza on Erev Pesach. (1) The Talmud Yerushalmi says that, “one who eats matza on Erev Pesach is like one who has intimate relations with his fiancée in his future father-in-law’s home.”(2)

One of the reasons that we don’t eat matza on Erev Pesach is to better demonstrate that when we eat it at the Seder, we are doing so solely to fulfill a mitzva of the Torah. So too, we want the taste of matza to be “new” and not “boring.” Indeed, even foods that one enjoys eating become “boring” if eaten every single day! But when eaten only on occasion….delicious!

Many people have the custom not to eat matza from a month before Pesach. This is also to better ensure that the taste of matzah is “new” when eating it at the Seder. Some observe the custom of not eating matza for two weeks before Pesach, from Rosh Chodesh Nissan. (4) One who has no specific custom regarding how long before Pesach not to eat matza need only refrain from eating matza on Erev Pesach.

On a related note, there are some who have the custom not eat any of the ingredients that are used in the charoset . This, too, is so the taste of the charoset will be “new” and “exciting” at the Seder. (5)

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