What is Gebroktz anyway?
Gebroktz is the concept of mixing matzoh and water after the matzoh has already been baked. The reason that this problem arises is because there could possibly be pockets of flour inside the matzoh that could potentially become chametz once mixed with water. some examples of gebroktz include: matzoh balls, kreplach, and cakes and pastries made from matzoh meal batter.
So what does the Gemara have to say about this?
Gebroktz is the concept of mixing matzoh and water after the matzoh has already been baked. The reason that this problem arises is because there could possibly be pockets of flour inside the matzoh that could potentially become chametz once mixed with water. some examples of gebroktz include: matzoh balls, kreplach, and cakes and pastries made from matzoh meal batter.
So what does the Gemara have to say about this?
גמ׳ תנו רבנן אלו דברים שאין באין לידי חימוץ האפוי והמבושל וחלוט שחלטו ברותחין מבושל אדמבשל ליה מחמע אמר רב פפא האפוי שבישלו קאמר תניא רבי יוסי ברבי יהודה אומר קמח שנפל לתוכו דלף אפילו כל היום כולו אינו בא לידי חימוץ
Our Rabbis taught: These are the things which cannot come to fermentation: That which is baked, boiled, and that which is scalded, having been scalded in boiling water. 'That which is boiled'? But while it is being boiled it turns leaven! — Said R. Papa: He means: baked [mazzah] which was [then] boiled. It was taught. R. Jose b. R. Judah said: Flour into which there fell a dripping [of water]. even all day, does not come to fermentation
According to this gemara, it is clear that the technical complications of Gebroktz are a non-issue. So why then do so many people keep this minhag?
There are many other explanations as to why people keep gebroktz. Some reasons include that soaking matzoh ruins the flavor, others believe that it is a problem regarding maris ayin- meaning that it might look like something was made with regular flour to those who don't know. The main reason for the minhag, however, comes from the arizal who says that one should be strict regarding all mitzvot pesach. Based on this statement, HaRav explains:
The Lubavitcher Rebbe's (Harav) interpretation of the law:
The Chassidic custom is not to eat any Matzah dipped in water due to a suspicion that part of the flour may not have been kneaded into the dough and thus now when it will come into contact with the water it will become Chametz. “Now although that this is not a complete and clear prohibition according to the letter of the law, nevertheless one who is stringent is blessed, and is not considered to be a wondrous person which does things without reason, as there is a great reason involved in order to avoid a suspicion of eating flour which was not kneaded into the dough and then came into contact with water, which is a Biblical prohibition according to many Rishonim.“…. “However one should not to protest against those that are lenient as they have upon whom to rely, mainly the Rambam and Rashi, although according to what the Arizal writes that one should be stringent on all the stringencies of Pesach, then it’s obvious that one should be stringent.”
Now that this reasoning is understood, here are some rules and facts that apply to those who keeps Gebroktz (up for interpretation for the individual) :
• One may dip or soak matzah in soup or water if eaten right away- Harav Shlomo Zalman Aurbach
• The rule of gebrokts does not apply to women and children- Harav Elyashiv Shlita
• Those who eat only gebrokts on pesach, are “allowed” to eat gebrokts on the last day –Chofetz Chaim
• Spreading cheese, butter, and even eggs on matzah is permitted (cheese is debatable). -Shevet Hake’hasi 4:132
• You are still allowed to be m’zamin with someone who eats gebrokts even if he does not. Rivivot Ephraim
• There is a problem regarding Charoset, which is comprised of wine- a fruit juice that is treated with similar stringencies as water. To deal with this, some people use dry charoset – Moadim L’simcha Nissan.
What not to eat if you’re "brocking"
All Matzah meal products that is mixed in liquid
Matzah balls
All baked goods
Gefilte fish (if it has matzah meal)
Kreplach
Matzah brie
There are many other explanations as to why people keep gebroktz. Some reasons include that soaking matzoh ruins the flavor, others believe that it is a problem regarding maris ayin- meaning that it might look like something was made with regular flour to those who don't know. The main reason for the minhag, however, comes from the arizal who says that one should be strict regarding all mitzvot pesach. Based on this statement, HaRav explains:
The Lubavitcher Rebbe's (Harav) interpretation of the law:
The Chassidic custom is not to eat any Matzah dipped in water due to a suspicion that part of the flour may not have been kneaded into the dough and thus now when it will come into contact with the water it will become Chametz. “Now although that this is not a complete and clear prohibition according to the letter of the law, nevertheless one who is stringent is blessed, and is not considered to be a wondrous person which does things without reason, as there is a great reason involved in order to avoid a suspicion of eating flour which was not kneaded into the dough and then came into contact with water, which is a Biblical prohibition according to many Rishonim.“…. “However one should not to protest against those that are lenient as they have upon whom to rely, mainly the Rambam and Rashi, although according to what the Arizal writes that one should be stringent on all the stringencies of Pesach, then it’s obvious that one should be stringent.”
Now that this reasoning is understood, here are some rules and facts that apply to those who keeps Gebroktz (up for interpretation for the individual) :
• One may dip or soak matzah in soup or water if eaten right away- Harav Shlomo Zalman Aurbach
• The rule of gebrokts does not apply to women and children- Harav Elyashiv Shlita
• Those who eat only gebrokts on pesach, are “allowed” to eat gebrokts on the last day –Chofetz Chaim
• Spreading cheese, butter, and even eggs on matzah is permitted (cheese is debatable). -Shevet Hake’hasi 4:132
• You are still allowed to be m’zamin with someone who eats gebrokts even if he does not. Rivivot Ephraim
• There is a problem regarding Charoset, which is comprised of wine- a fruit juice that is treated with similar stringencies as water. To deal with this, some people use dry charoset – Moadim L’simcha Nissan.
What not to eat if you’re "brocking"
All Matzah meal products that is mixed in liquid
Matzah balls
All baked goods
Gefilte fish (if it has matzah meal)
Kreplach
Matzah brie