Gebrochts - Observance

Observance

Some non-gebrochts eaters will not use dishes that were used for gebrochts. Some hotels and restaurants open during Passover indicate on their menus, "if you would like to add matzo to your chicken soup, please notify the waiter so s/he may provide you with a disposable bowl and spoon." Others observe the custom only on the first night of Passover or abstain from eating gebrochts themselves but do not regard it as chametz. Personal custom generally reflect the norms of one's family and community.

Most Ashkenazi consider gebrochts to be a non-issue. While no one argues that one must consume gebrochts during Passover, many consider gebrochts dishes (matzo ball soup, matzo pizza, for example) to constitute an enjoyable and significant role in their Passover experience and thus a way to fulfill the mitzvah of being happy on a Yom Tov. In fact, the members of some nineteenth century Lithuanian Jewish communities deliberately ate gebrochts to demonstrate the permissibility of this practice. Both the Vilna Gaon and Rabbi Moshe Feinstein ruled that there is no reason to avoid eating gebrochts.

In Israel, Passover is observed for seven days, as mandated by the Torah; those with the custom of not eating gebrochts generally abstain for all seven days. Outside of Israel, however, an eighth day is observed because of a decree of Rabbinic law. On this eighth (somewhat more lenient in certain regards) day, virtually all communities consider gebrochts to be permitted, even those who are careful not to eat gebrochts for the first seven days.