Re: New chumrah!

On Apr 30, 5:39 am, bac...@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
In article <2008Apr30.114...@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>, mos...@xxxxxxxxxxxxx writes:
bac...@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx writes:
mi...@xxxxxxxxxxx (Micha Berger) writes:
Henry Goodman <henry.good...@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

I have never uinderstood how lettuce is considered bitter by some. The
tradition in both my wife's family and mine is horse-radish; I think
that is the majority tradition in England.

It's an Eastern European thing, where green vegetables weren't available
yet for Passover.

Even though horseradish can make you cry, it doesn't fit the description
of the talmud. It's neither one of the species listed (according to
modern translations) nor is it mar (bitter) in taste. It's charif (sharp).

The Talmud (Pessachim 39a) lists 5 species as defining Maror: chazeret
(lettuce) (and this takes precedence), followed by Ulshin (endive or
escarole), Tamcha (horseradish !!), charchavina (unknown) and Maror
(also unknown what it refers to). [See Orach Chayim 479:5. The Rema there
indicates that if the above 5 vegetables are unavailable, then any
bitter tasting vegetable]

TAMCHA: "marrubie" in old French is the plant horehound or horseradish.
Charchavina is described by Rashi as "vedille" in old French.
Maror is described by Rashi as "amerfoil" in old French.

Thanks.

Since one is permitted to mix bitter herbs for maror, we use a large
piece of washed Romaine lettuce with a dash of sliced horseradish.

Why sliced and not grated?

Thinly sliced :-) On;y because it's somewhat less strong in taste.

There's no halachic problem with grating the horseradish (BEFORE
the holiday). In fact, eating it whole (one large piece) isn't
permitted.

Permitted? I'm not sure it's even possible without involving a trip to
the hospital. The one we bought last year was so strong that my wife
couldn't even grate it indoors. I think it would be something akin to
dining on whole Habanero peppers.

Eliyahu

Eliyahu
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: New chumrah!
    ... that is the majority tradition in England. ... Even though horseradish can make you cry, ... The Talmud lists 5 species as defining Maror: ... "marrubie" in old French is the plant horehound or horseradish. ...
    (soc.culture.jewish.moderated)
  • Re: New chumrah!
    ... that is the majority tradition in England. ... Even though horseradish can make you cry, ... The Talmud lists 5 species as defining Maror: ... "marrubie" in old French is the plant horehound or horseradish. ...
    (soc.culture.jewish.moderated)
  • Re: New chumrah!
    ... that is the majority tradition in England. ... escarole), Tamcha (horseradish!!), charchavina and Maror ... Charchavina is described by Rashi as "vedille" in old French. ... piece of washed Romaine lettuce with a dash of sliced horseradish. ...
    (soc.culture.jewish.moderated)
  • Re: New chumrah!
    ... that is the majority tradition in England. ... Even though horseradish can make you cry, ... The Talmud lists 5 species as defining Maror: ... "marrubie" in old French is the plant horehound or horseradish. ...
    (soc.culture.jewish.moderated)