Page 289 - Tzurba M'Rabanan Volume1

ןנברמ אברוצ ׳א רדסה ליל תוכלה · 287

Reclining

One of the mitzvot of the Seder night is to recline on one’s left side while eating and drinking, as stated by the
Mishna (Pesachim 99b): “Even a poor person in Israel may not eat unless he reclines.” The Gemara (Pesachim
108a) clarifies that the mitzva applies specifically while drinking the four cups and eating the matza and
Afikoman. The reason for reclining is given by the Rambam as follows:

r Rambam, Commentary on the | ם”במרל הנשמה שוריפ . 13
Mishna, Pesachim 10:1 א:י םיחספ
They obligated one to eat while reclining in the manner of ןילכואש ךרדכ בסימ אוהשכ לוכאל והובייחו
kings and distinguished individuals so that it should be in a .תורח ךרד היהיש ידכ .םילודגהו םיכלמה
manner of freedom.

r Rambam, | ם”במר . 14
Hilchot Chametz Umatza 7:6-7 ז-ו:ז הצמו ץמח ׳לה
6. In every generation, a person is obligated to depict ומצע תא תוארהל םדא בייח רודו רוד לכב .ו
himself as if he himself came out of slavery in Egypt right .םירצמ דובעשמ התע אצי ומצעב אוה וליאכ
now…
לוכאל ךירצ הזה הלילב םדא דעוסשכ ךכיפל .ז
7. Therefore, when one eats on this night, he must eat and .תוריח ךרד בסימ אוהו תותשלו
drink while reclining in a manner of freedom.

The basis for this rabbinic enactment of haseiba was the fact that reclining luxuriously in this manner was a
common practice in Talmudic times. However, it seems that even in the times of the Rishonim, it was already
not as widely practiced. The question that arises, therefore, is whether the mitzva of haseiba should still
apply even if the basis for it is no longer relevant. The Ra’avyah suggests that since reclining is no longer
considered a manner of freedom even for kings, the obligation of haseiba no longer applies.

r Ra’avyah, Volume 2, Pesachim 525 הכקת םיחספ – ב קלח | ה”יבאר . 15

In our times, where it is not common in our countries for ןיאש בסהל וניצראב תוליגר ןיאש הזה ןמזבו
free people to recline, one should sit normally. .וכרדכ בשי בסהל ןירוח ינב תוליגר

This volume is not to be distributed. Copies are for the personal use of purchaser only.