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The Way of Emunah

Answering a Rambam Through Maos Chitin

  • Pesach
  • 5784
  • English
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The Ropshitzer Rebbe zy”a said the following one year during his Shabbos Hagadol drasha:

There seems to be a contradiction in the Rambam. The Rambam rules (Hilchos Chametz U’Matzoh 6:10) that everyone is obligated to eat matzoh on Pesach. He further rules (ibid 7:7) that even a pauper who is supported by charity is obligated to drink four cups of wine on Pesach. However, in Hilchos Geneviah (1:1-2), he writes that it is forbidden to steal and anyone who steals anything transgresses a Torah prohibition.

The Rebbe asked: According to the Rambam, what is a poor person supposed to do? He must eat matzoh and drink four cups of wine, but he has no money to purchase these items. If he isn’t allowed to steal money, how can he obtain matzohs and wine?

The Rebbe continued, “I tried very hard to find a good answer to this answer, and I concluded that only the wealthy have the answer. If they give Ma’os Chitin generously, the poor people will have enough money for their Pesach needs without the need to steal.”

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