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Wednesday, April 01, 2026
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
SHIURIM OF THE PESACH SEDER
SHIURIM OF THE PESACH SEDER
Required Amounts According to the Major
Poskim •
Hand (Shmurah) Matzah Only
Based on
Moznei Tzedek (R. Dovid Braunfeld) • Kol Dodi Haggadah (R. Dovid Feinstein) •
Shiurei Torah (R. Chaim Naeh) • Chazon Ish OC 39 • Mishnah Berurah 486
|
SEDER ITEM |
HALACHIC STATUS |
RAV CHAIM NAEH ז"ל (Shiurei Torah) |
RAV DOVID FEINSTEIN ז"ל (Kol Dodi) |
RAV MOSHE FEINSTEIN ז"ל (via
talmidim) |
CHAZON ISH ז"ל (Kuntress HaShiurim) |
HAND MATZAH AMOUNTS (weight in grams) |
HALACHIC NOTES |
|
KEZAYIS — The Basic Unit |
All shiurim = volume by water displacement. All hand-matzah weights from Moznei Tzedek. |
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Kezayis —
volume of an olive The base unit
for all seder eating mitzvos |
D'Oraisa (Torah) |
28.8 cc 0.97 fl oz |
18.6 cc 0.63 fl oz |
31 cc 1.05 fl oz |
50 cc 1.69 fl oz |
D'Oraisa
kezayis (Moznei Tzedek): Naeh: ~19g
| RDF: ~12g RMF: ~22g |
CI: ~29g D'Rabbanan
kezayis: Naeh: ~12g |
RDF: ~7g RMF: ~22g |
CI: ~22g |
The three
great disputes: (1) Is kezayis 1/2 or 1/3 of an egg? [Tosafos vs. Rambam — MB
rules: d'Oraisa = 1/2 egg]; (2) Are modern eggs the same size as Talmudic
eggs? [Tzelach: NO — doubled; Rav Chaim Naeh: YES — same]; (3) Should we
follow thumb- or egg-based measurements? Rav Dovid Feinstein uniquely argues
thumbs grew (not eggs shrank), validating present-day egg measurements —
yielding the smallest shiur. Chazon Ish follows Tzelach — largest shiur. |
|
MATZAH — Motzi-Matzah •
Korech • Afikoman |
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MOTZI-MATZAH 1st Kezayis (the primary
Torah mitzvah) |
D'ORAISA (Torah) Follow
Tzelach stringency (MB 486:1) |
28.8 cc 0.97 fl oz ≈ ~19gg (hand) |
18.6 cc 0.63 fl oz ≈ ~12gg (hand) |
44 cc 1.5 fl oz ≈ ~26gg (hand) |
50 cc 1.69 fl oz ≈ ~29gg (hand) |
Naeh: ~19g
≈ 1/2 hand matzah RDF: ~12g
≈ 1/3 hand matzah RMF: ~26g
≈ 2/3 hand matzah CI: ~29g
≈ 3/4 hand matzah (~8 hand
matzos per pound = ~57g each) |
PRIMARY
TORAH MITZVAH. Recite Hamotzi + Al Achilas Matzah. MB rules: for this
d'Oraisa obligation, follow the stricter Tzelach position (= Chazon Ish
size). Rav Dovid Feinstein (Kol Dodi): he does not follow Tzelach — kezayis =
0.63 fl oz (18.6cc) = ~12g hand matzah. RMF (Kol Dodi 14:11, 18:3):
Motzi-Matzah = matzah measuring 6.25"×7" (machine) — for hand
matzah approx. 1.5 fl oz volume = 44cc. Eaten LEANING. Within k'dei achilas
peras: ideally 2 min, b'dieved up to 4 min. |
|
MOTZI-MATZAH 2nd Kezayis (from ba'al
habayis's matzah) |
D'Rabbanan Smaller
shiur permitted |
19.3 cc 0.65 fl oz ≈ ~12gg (hand) |
18.6 cc 0.63 fl oz ≈ ~12gg (hand) |
31 cc 1.05 fl oz ≈ ~22gg (hand) |
33 cc 1.13 fl oz ≈ ~22gg (hand) |
Naeh: ~12g
≈ 1/5 hand matzah RDF: ~12g
≈ 1/5 hand matzah RMF: ~22g
≈ 2/5 hand matzah CI: ~22g
≈ 2/5 hand matzah |
D'Rabbanan
— the smaller shiur applies. SA 475:1 mentions eating from the ba'al
habayis's matzah requires 2 kezaysim; MB 475:11 says for this halacha the
smaller d'Rabbanan kezayis (1/3 egg) is sufficient. Note: Rav Dovid Feinstein
and Rav Chaim Naeh yield nearly identical amounts here (~12g) — the
difference emerges mainly in the d'Oraisa shiur. |
|
KORECH Matzah kezayis +
Maror kezayis (eaten
together) |
D'Rabbanan Smaller
shiur for both |
19.3 cc 0.65 fl oz ≈ ~12g ea.g (hand) |
18.6 cc 0.63 fl oz ≈ ~12g ea.g (hand) |
31 cc 1.05 fl oz ≈ ~22g ea.g (hand) |
33 cc 1.13 fl oz ≈ ~22g ea.g (hand) |
MATZAH
portion: Naeh/RDF:
~12g ≈ 1/5 hand matzah RMF/CI: ~22g
≈ 2/5 hand matzah MAROR
portion: see Maror section below |
Entirely
d'Rabbanan (zecher l'Mikdash per Hillel). Smaller shiur applies for both
matzah and maror. RMF (Kol Dodi 18:3): Korech matzah = 4"×7" piece
(machine); for hand matzah approx. 1/3 of a matzah. NOT eaten leaning. Both
components eaten together within k'dei achilas peras. |
|
AFIKOMAN 1 kezayis
required 2 kezaysim
preferred (MB 477:1) |
D'Rabbanan Smaller
shiur permitted |
1× =
19.3cc / 0.65 fl oz 2× =
38.6cc / 1.3 fl oz ~12g / ~24g
(hand) |
1× =
18.6cc / 0.63 fl oz 2× =
37.2cc / 1.26 fl oz ~12g / ~24g
(hand) |
1× =
31cc / 1.05 fl oz 2× =
62cc / 2.1 fl oz ~22g / ~44g
(hand) |
1× =
33cc / 1.13 fl oz 2× =
66cc / 2.25 fl oz ~22g / ~44g
(hand) |
1 kezayis
(minimum): Naeh/RDF:
~12g ≈ 1/5 hand matzah RMF/CI: ~22g
≈ 2/5 hand matzah Preferred 2
kezaysim: Naeh/RDF:
~24g ≈ 2/5 hand matzah RMF/CI: ~44g
≈ 3/4 hand matzah |
SA 477:1: 1
kezayis required. Maharil (Taz, MB 477:1): preferred practice = 2 kezaysim —
one zecher l'Korban Pesach, one zecher l'matzah. RMF (Kol Dodi 18:3):
Afikoman = same as Motzi-Matzah size (6.25"×7" for machine — for
hand matzah ~2/3 to 3/4 of a matzah for 2 kezaysim). Eaten LEANING. NO food
or drink after. Must finish BEFORE CHATZOS (halachic midnight) per many
opinions. |
|
MAROR — Bitter Herbs •
Romaine Lettuce (preferred) / Ground Horseradish |
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MAROR Stand-alone,
before Korech Bracha: Al
Achilas Maror |
D'Rabbanan ★ Bracha →
use 1/2 egg (MB ruling) |
26–28.8 cc 0.88–0.97 fl oz (1/2 egg
per MB) |
18.6 cc 0.63 fl oz (uses 1/3
egg) |
32 cc 1.08 fl oz |
33 cc 1.13 fl oz |
ROMAINE
LETTUCE (by water displacement): Naeh: 1 large leaf (or ~3/4 of a page / 8.5×11") RDF: 1 medium leaf RMF: 1 large + 1 med. leaf (≈ 1 page) CI: 1 large + 1 med. leaf (≈ 1 full page) Stalks:
large stalk = ~1/2 kezayis; small = ~1/4 HORSERADISH
(ground): ~1 fl oz shot glass ≈ all opinions min. |
Although
Maror is d'Rabbanan today (Temple destroyed), a bracha is recited over it. MB
rules: because of the bracha, use the half-egg kezayis (larger amount), not
the 1/3 egg d'Rabbanan amount — to avoid a bracha l'vatala. Rav Dovid
Feinstein does not require the larger size. Rav Heinemann (Star-K): 1 fl oz
romaine by volume. Measure by water displacement: place leaves in cup,
submerge, note volume of water displaced. Do NOT lean when eating Maror. Eat
within k'dei achilas peras. |
|
MAROR
(Korech) Maror portion
of the Korech sandwich |
D'Rabbanan (Smaller shiur OK) |
19.3 cc 0.65 fl oz |
18.6 cc 0.63 fl oz |
31 cc 1.05 fl oz |
33 cc 1.13 fl oz |
Naeh/RDF: ~1
medium leaf romaine RMF/CI: ~1 large leaf romaine (smaller
amount than stand-alone maror) |
For the
Korech maror, the smaller d'Rabbanan kezayis is used. No bracha is recited on
the Korech Maror (already said during Maror). Eat together with the Korech
matzah, not leaning, within k'dei achilas peras. |
|
ARBA KOSOS — The Four
Cups •
Each cup must hold at least one Revi'is •
Drink majority (rov) of each cup |
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|
CUP |
STATUS |
RAV CHAIM NAEH Revi'is per cup |
RAV DOVID FEINSTEIN Revi'is per cup |
RAV MOSHE FEINSTEIN Revi'is per cup |
CHAZON ISH Revi'is per cup |
HOW MUCH TO DRINK |
NOTES |
|
CUP 1 —
KIDDUSH ★ On
Shabbos: Kiddush = D'Oraisa → use
larger shiur |
D'Rabbanan (D'Oraisa
on Shabbos) |
86 cc 2.9 fl oz |
86 cc 2.9 fl oz (same as
Naeh) |
97–100 cc 3.3 fl oz Shabbos: 130cc 4.4 fl oz |
150 cc 5.1 fl oz |
Must drink
majority (rov) of cup. Preferably drink
entire cup. Use a cup sized
to the shiur you follow. If cup is
larger than revi'is, must drink rov regardless. |
Revi'is =
volume of 1.5 eggs. Cup must hold at least one revi'is. Rav Dovid Feinstein
uses the same revi'is as Rav Chaim Naeh (86cc / 2.9 fl oz) — based on
present-day egg size. Rav Moshe Feinstein: regular cups = 3.3 fl oz (100cc);
when Pesach falls on Shabbos, Kiddush is d'Oraisa, requiring the larger 4.4
fl oz (130cc). Chazon Ish: 5.1 fl oz (150cc) for all cups. Drunk LEANING on
left side. |
|
CUPS 2, 3,
4 Maggid •
Birchas Hamazon • Hallel |
D'Rabbanan |
86 cc 2.9 fl oz |
86 cc 2.9 fl oz |
97–100 cc 3.3 fl oz |
150 cc 5.1 fl oz |
Same as Cup
1. Drink majority
(rov) of cup. Cups 1, 2, 4:
leaning Cup 3 (after
bentching): preferably lean. |
For
d'Rabbanan cups the smaller shiur applies. Note that Rav Dovid Feinstein and
Rav Chaim Naeh agree on the revi'is size (86cc), diverging from RMF (100cc)
and Chazon Ish (150cc). The Chazon Ish used 150cc consistently for all cups
(thumb-measurement revi'is). MB: for d'Rabbanan cups, the smaller shiur
suffices. |
|
K'DEI ACHILAS PERAS — Time
Frame • Leaning Requirements |
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|
Time to eat
each shiur K'dei achilas
peras |
All seder eating mitzvos |
Ideally: 2
min. B'dieved: 4 min. |
Ideally: 2
min. B'dieved: 4 min. |
Ideally: 2
min. B'dieved: 4 min. |
Ideally: 2
min. B'dieved: 4 min. |
LEANING (on
left side): Required:
Motzi-Matzah, Afikoman, all 4 cups NOT required:
Maror, Korech Cup 3 (after
bentching): preferably lean |
Time begins
from first swallow (not from when food is placed in mouth). Food between
teeth does not count. Ideally 2 minutes. B'dieved up to 3–4 minutes; some
lenient up to 9 minutes (SA 475:3, MB 475:12). For Afikoman: complete before
chatzos (halachic midnight) per Rosh (many follow this; SA 477:1 rules all
night is permissible). |
QUICK REFERENCE: All Poskim Side-by-Side (Hand Matzah, Volume, Weight)
|
POSEK |
KEZAYIS D'Oraisa |
KEZAYIS D'Rabbanan |
REVI'IS (each of 4 cups) |
HAND MATZAH 1st kezayis (D'Or.) |
HAND MATZAH 2nd kezayis / Korech /
Afikoman |
NOTES / BASIS |
|
Rambam (for ill/elderly only) |
17 cc / 0.57 fl oz |
17 cc / 0.57 fl oz |
75 cc / 2.5 fl oz |
~7g (≈ 1/8 hand) |
~7g (≈ 1/8 hand) |
Kezayis =
1/3 egg. MB permits reliance on Rambam b'dieved for d'Rabbanan, and for the
ill. Not the standard practice. |
|
Rav Avraham
Chaim Naeh ז"ל
(Shiurei Torah) |
28.8 cc / 0.97 fl oz |
19.3 cc / 0.65 fl oz |
86 cc / 2.9 fl oz |
~19g (≈ 1/3 hand) |
~12g (≈ 1/5 hand) |
Does not
follow Tzelach. Uses present-day egg measurements. Standard Sephardic
practice. Smaller than RMF. |
|
Rav Dovid
Feinstein ז"ל
(Kol Dodi Haggadah) |
18.6 cc / 0.63 fl oz |
18.6 cc / 0.63 fl oz |
86 cc / 2.9 fl oz |
~12g (≈ 1/5 hand) |
~12g (≈ 1/5 hand) |
SMALLEST
STANDARD SHIUR. Unique position: thumbs grew (not eggs shrank) → present-day
eggs are correct. No distinction between d'Oraisa and d'Rabbanan kezayis in
volume. Same revi'is as Rav Chaim Naeh. Most lenient major opinion for
matzah. |
|
Rav Moshe
Feinstein ז"ל
(via talmidim; Kol Dodi) |
31–44 cc / 1.05–1.5 fl oz |
31 cc / 1.05 fl oz |
97–100 cc / 3.3 fl oz (Shabbos: 130cc / 4.4 fl oz) |
~22–26g (≈ 1/2 hand) |
~22g (≈ 2/5 hand) |
Kezayis:
students calculated ~31.2cc from his amah measurement. Kol Dodi sets matzah
volume at 1.5 fl oz (44cc) = 26g hand matzah for Motzi-Matzah. Revi'is: 3.3
fl oz normally; on Shabbos (Kiddush d'Oraisa): 4.4 fl oz. |
|
Chazon Ish ז"ל (Kuntress HaShiurim OC 39) |
50 cc / 1.69 fl oz |
33 cc / 1.13 fl oz |
150 cc / 5.1 fl oz |
~29g (≈ 1/2 hand) |
~22g (≈ 2/5 hand) |
STRICTEST
MAJOR OPINION. Follows Tzelach: modern eggs = 1/2 Talmudic eggs → all shiurim
doubled. Chazon Ish himself reportedly gave the Steipler only a small piece
(~10cm fragment) for his seder, suggesting some flexibility in practice
despite the strict ruling. |
|
Mishnah
Berurah (MB 486:1) — COMPROMISE |
D'ORAISA: Use Chazon Ish
50 cc / 1.69 fl oz ~29g hand matzah |
D'RABBANAN: Use Rav Chaim
Naeh 19.3 cc / 0.65 fl oz ~12g hand matzah |
D'Rabbanan
cups: 86cc / 2.9 fl oz
(Shabbos/Kiddush: larger size) |
Motzi-Matzah
1st: ~29g (CI size) |
All
d'Rabbanan: ~12g (Naeh size) Maror: 1/2 egg size (bracha recited) |
THE
STANDARD ASHKENAZIC COMPROMISE (MB 486:1): Stricter for d'Oraisa
(Motzi-Matzah 1st kezayis) — use Chazon Ish. Lenient for d'Rabbanan — use Rav
Chaim Naeh. Special rule for Maror: even though d'Rabbanan, because a bracha
is recited use the larger 1/2-egg shiur (≈ 28.8cc). The most widely followed
Ashkenazic practice. |
HAND MATZAH
WEIGHT NOTES: All hand matzah weights derived from Moznei Tzedek (R. Dovid
Braunfeld). Assumes standard hand matzah of ~57g each (≈ 8 hand matzos per
pound). Thicker or thinner hand matzos will vary — adjust accordingly. Volume
measurements are the primary halachic standard; gram weights are practical
guides.
SOURCES: Moznei
Tzedek (R. Dovid Braunfeld) • Kol Dodi Haggadah (R. Dovid Feinstein) • Shiurei
Torah (R. Avraham Chaim Naeh) • Chazon Ish OC 39 • MB 475, 477, 486 • OU Kosher
Pesach Shiurim • Star-K Halachos of Pesach Seder • Halachipedia • Dinonline Seder
Night Shiurim • TorahC