Leaning during the Seder: Difference between revisions

# There is an obligation to lean when one drinks [[the four cups of wine]] and eats the [[Matzah]] of Motsei [[Matzah]], [[Korech]], and Afikoman. <ref> Concerning wine requiring leaning, Pesachim 108a concludes that all four cups of wine need leaning. This is also the opinion of Rambam Hilchot Chametz UMatzeh 7:8 and he adds that whoever leans for the other eating and drinking of the night is praiseworthy; see S”A 473:2. The gemara Pesachim 108b says [[matza]] requires leaning while the marror doesn't. S”A 475:1 rules that [[Matzah]] of Motsei [[Matzah]] and [[Korech]] should be eaten while leaning. S”A 477:1 rules that Afikoman should be eaten while leaning. Tur in name of the Avi Ezri (Siman 525), Mordechai 34b in name of Ravan, and Hagahot Maimonin name of the Ravyah 7:2 hold that nowadays it's not the practice of royalty to lean and so there's no halacha that one has to lean during [[the Seder]]. Hagahot Maimon says that the Ravyah's opinion is a minority opinion and all other poskim argue on it. Nonetheless, Rama 472:2 rules that Bedieved one can rely on the Ravyah and fulfill the mitzvah without leaning. Shulchan Aruch who leave out this opinion clearly holds that there's a requirement of leaning nowadays. This is also the opinion of Sh"t Chazon Ovadyah 13. Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach in Halichot Shlomo [[Pesach]] 9:20 footnote 44 rules that one should only lean when he is actually eating or drinking but it is disrespectful to lean during the [[berachot]]. </ref>

# Leaning shouldn't be done on one's back, front, or to the right. <ref> Pesachim 108a says that it's not considered leaning to lean on the "Perakdon" which some explain as on one's back (Tosfot 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. </ref> A lefty should also lean to the left. <ref> The Gemara says that one can't lean  on the Perakdon or to the right, and adds that leaning that way would be dangerous because the food can go down the windpipe and cause choking. Rashi explains that the danger is referring to leaning back and Rashbam explains that the danger is referring to leaning to the right. According to Rashi(quoted by Rashbam) that the only reason not to lean to the right is because one has to use one's right hand to eat, a lefty should have to lean to the right and eat with his left. According to the Rashbam who says that there's danger in leaning to the right, a lefty also should lean to the left. This Nafka Minah is brought down by the Rosh Pesachim 10:20 and Tur 472:3. Terumat HaDeshen 1:136 rules that the reason of a potential danger trumps the reason of that it's usual for a lefty to eat with his left hand. This is also the opinion of the Shulchan Aruch 472:3 that a lefty should also lean to the left. </ref>

===Leaning during Karpas===