Torah from Rabbanim w Yirat Shamaym

May Sephardim rely on meikil for pagum chozer in hadchak

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אם ירצה ה׳

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If I am Sephardi and there's a pressing need for the tzibbur (e.g., oneg Yom Tov for 80 people with no other food), can I rely on the meikil opinion that pagum chametz ta'am remains mutar b'diavad on Pesach, even considering chozer v'ne'or? Biur Halacha (OC 447 d'h 'bein') is machmir that pagum may chozer and forbid, but Shulchan Aruch (OC 447:10) seems meikil on pagum generally. In sha'as hadchak, does the meikil view (e.g., per Kaf HaChaim 447:33 or Yechave Da'at 1:7) hold, treating it as sha'as k'b'diavad?

Exhaustive Precis

  1. The Opening Idea and Initial Kashya (Your First Query): You proposed: On Pesach, chametz gamur falls into a huge marmite for the tzibbur—can I pgam the food by adding something (bitter heter) to make the chametz ta'am bad (lifgam), technically allowing the mixture? Tied to sugya (Pesachim 44b-45a, Avodah Zara 65b-66a): Issur giving pagum ta'am mutar b'diavad (e.g., treif in orange juice >24h, Shulchan Aruch YD 103:5). Sevara: Ta'am k'pgam ain't ta'am k'ikar—no issur transfer. For chametz (d'oraisa kareis, Shemos 12:15), mashehu forbids (Pesachim 30a; OC 447:1), but pagum exception b'diavad (Tosafos Pesachim; OC 447:10). Havah aminah: Pgaming = forcing mutar.

Terutz: No l'chatchila—ein mevatlin issur l'chatchila (Beitzah 4b; YD 99:5-6, rabbinic ban). Intentional nullification forbidden (prevents errors, disapproves "batel" issur). Pgaming = mevatel ta'am (analogous to sharp liquids on wine or catalyst in basar b'chalav, YD 87:8). For chametz chamur (no bitul 1/60, chozer v'ne'or), extra no. If done? Knas: Assur for you/family (Orlah 3:8; Taz YD 99:10), maybe ok for others/tzibbur.

  1. Follow-Up: Gramma for B'diavad in Tzibbur Hadchak (Your Second Query): You countered: Use gramma (indirect) to force accidental pagum (e.g., "leave long" in heat), since b'diavad mutar per Shulchan Aruch (OC 447:10, e.g., aino ben yomo pot). And for tzibbur (80 people no Yom Tov food)—sha'as hadchak k'b'diavad (Pesachim 80b), oneg Yom Tov need (Shabbos 118b).

Terutz: Still ein mevatlin—even indirect (asking non-Jew = your act, Rivash 498; Igros Moshe YD 2:41 forbids gramma in most cases). Gramma often mutar elsewhere (Shabbos 120b; YD 155:1), but for mevatel, banned (YD 87:8). Chametz d'oraisa—machmir, no shortcuts (Arukh HaShulchan 447:21). Tzibbur hadchak lenient sometimes (Eruvin 32a; OC 619:1), but not overriding ein mevatlin (OU Kosher: No intentional mevatel). If true emergency, consult rav—perhaps permit per some (Nefesh HaRav p.177 on chametz hadchak), but avoid; better backups.

  1. Deep Dive: B'diavad Mutar per Sephardim/Shulchan Aruch (Your Third Query): You asked for more details on accidental lifgam b'diavad mutar per Sephardim/Shulchan Aruch. Hazer: Shulchan Aruch OC 447:10—cook in chametz pot >24h on Pesach, ta'am pagum, food mutar b'diavad. Sevara: Ta'am lifgam no issur (Avodah Zara 66a, neveilah pgam). Even mashehu overridden—no real ta'am (Pesachim 44b ta'am k'ikar only good ta'am). Examples: Mixture "left long," spoiled—mutar if unfit/detrimental. Sephardim straight per Shulchan Aruch; Ashkenazim (Rama) machmir ben yomo, meikil aino ben yomo (Mishnah Berurah 447:101). Caution: L'chatchila assur—ein mevatlin; confirm pagum (taste test).

  2. Final Twist: Sephardic Reliance on Pagum with Chozer v'Ne'or in Tzibbur Hadchak (Your Fourth Query): You said: As Sephardi, for tzibbur Yom Tov oneg, rely on pagum mutar even with chozer v'ne'or (Biur Halacha 447 d'h "bein"). Hazer: Chozer v'ne'or—batel chametz before Pesach wakes on Pesach, forbids (rabbinic, Pesachim 30a; OC 447:1,4). Biur Halacha 447:4 d'h "bein" (on be'in mino mixtures): Machlokes if pagum chozer—Pri Megadim machmir yes (assur); Magen Avraham meikil no (mutar, no ta'am to wake). Biur Halacha concludes machmir, be careful (treat as assur, like dry mixtures). Sephardim: Shulchan Aruch silent/implies meikil on pagum (OC 447:10); poskim like Ben Ish Chai (Pesach 1:12), Kaf HaChaim (447:33), Rav Ovadia (Yechave Da'at 1:7) permit relying meikil in hadchak. For tzibbur oneg (Shabbos 118b)—sha'as hadchak k'b'diavad (Pesachim 80b), rely on meikil. But no gramma tricks—ein mevatlin; true accidental b'diavad only. Consult rav for psak.

Overall Sevara Flow: Discussion circled ta'am lifgam's leniency (mutar b'diavad if spoiled, no real ta'am k'ikar) vs. chametz chumros (mashehu, chozer, kareis)—intentional pgam/gramma blocked by ein mevatlin; b'diavad ok per Shulchan Aruch/Sephardim, with meikil on pagum chozer in hadchak. Tzibbur oneg pushes leniency, but not overriding d'oraisa risks. Rav Miller: "Chametz wants biur—pagum is emergency, not plan; shiur teaches fidelity to Torah nuance."

Cheat Sheet for Pesach Food Pgam Discussion

Map: Key Kashyos → Terutzim (3-Line Arcs)

  1. Kashya: Can pgam chametz mixture intentionally to permit on Pesach?
    Terutz: No—ein mevatlin issur l'chatchila (YD 99:5); pgaming = deliberate nullification.
    Clincher: Chametz chamur (mashehu, kareis)—knas if done (Taz YD 99:10).

  2. Kashya: Use gramma to force b'diavad pagum for tzibbur hadchak?
    Terutz: Still ein mevatlin—even indirect banned (Rivash 498; Igros Moshe YD 2:41).
    Clincher: Tzibbur oneg lenient sometimes (Pesachim 80b), but chametz no shortcuts—consult rav.

  3. Kashya: Details on b'diavad mutar per Shulchan Aruch/Sephardim?
    Terutz: Accidental pagum (e.g., >24h pot)—mutar (OC 447:10; Avodah Zara 66a).
    Clincher: No real ta'am—overrides mashehu; Sephardim straight, Ashkenazim meikil aino ben yomo.

  4. Kashya: Sephardi rely on pagum mutar with chozer v'ne'or in tzibbur hadchak?
    Terutz: Machlokes (Biur Halacha 447 d'h "bein" machmir yes chozer); meikil no.
    Clincher: Sephardim rely meikil (Kaf HaChaim 447:33; Yechave Da'at 1:7) in hadchak for oneg.

Table: Din / Tzad / Rayah / Chal / Pivot

Element Din Tzad (Who/Source) Rayah (Proof) Chal Pivot
Ta'am Lifgam Spoiled ta'am mutar b'diavad Shulchan Aruch OC 447:10 (Sephardim) Avodah Zara 66a (neveilah pgam) Intentional? No—ein mevatlin (YD 99:5); accidental only
Ein Mevatlin L'chatchila No deliberate nullify Majority rishonim (rabbinic) Beitzah 4b; YD 99:5-6 Gramma/hadchak? Forbidden even indirect (Igros Moshe YD 2:41); knas on actor
Chozer v'Ne'or Batel chametz wakes on Pesach Biur Halacha 447 d'h "bein" (machmir) Pesachim 30a (d'rabbanan) Pagum wakes? Machlokes; Sephardim meikil no (Ben Ish Chai Pesach 1:12)
Tzibbur Hadchak Oneg Lenient in emergency Poskim (k'b'diavad) Pesachim 80b; Shabbos 118b (oneg) For chametz? Yes for Sephardim—rely meikil (Yechave Da'at 1:7); consult rav

Glossary of Terms in the Discussion

  • Ta'am Lifgam/Pagum: Spoiled/detrimental taste—no issur b'diavad (mutar if bad/unfit).
  • Ein Mevatlin Issur L'chatchila: Rabbinic ban on intentional nullification (includes pgam setups).
  • Gramma: Indirect causation—sometimes mutar, but not for mevatel.
  • B'diavad: Accidental—leniencies (e.g., pagum mutar).
  • Mashehu: Tiny amount—forbids all (chametz chumra).
  • Chozer v'Ne'or: Batel chametz 'wakes' on Pesach (rabbinic).
  • Sha'as Hadchak: Pressing need—treat as b'diavad.
  • Oneg Yom Tov: Holiday delight—seuda/tzibbur need.
  • Knas: Penalty—food assur for mivatel/family.

Sevara (Compact Logical Structure)

Premise: Pagum no real ta'am, mutar b'diavad (Shulchan Aruch 447:10)—overrides chametz mashehu. Intentional/gramma blocked by ein mevatlin (YD 99:5)—disapproves tricks. Chozer v'ne'or wakes batel (OC 447:1)—machlokes on pagum (Biur Halacha machmir); Sephardim meikil. Tzibbur hadchak for oneg: Rely meikil (sha'as k'b'diavad, Pesachim 80b)—but true accidental only. Result: Sephardim can rely in emergency, consult rav—no risks for kareis.

Open kashya for next limmud: If Sephardim rely on meikil for pagum chozer in hadchak, why Biur Halacha concludes machmir—ain't it overriding Ashkenazi chumra?