The Chumash Questions

There are five mitzvos performed during the Seder. Which are they?

Why is shmurah (hand-baked) matzo better than machine matzo?

Must everyone at the Seder table understand the whole Haggadah?

Why do we drink four cups of wine? How much of the cup must we drink?

Which other beverages may one drink (in special cases)? What is preferred?

How much should children drink? Women? How big is a ‘cup’?

How many portions of matzo must one eat through the Seder?

In how short a time-period should one eat each portion of matzo? Drink each cup?

Why do we eat marror at the Seder? How much must one eat?

What kinds of herbs are kosher for marror? Which is preferable?

Lettuce is not bitter; why is it kosher for marror?

How should one prepare the romaine lettuce for marror? When should it be prepared?

Are children required to eat manor? Could it be grated or chopped?

Why do we have to recline (lean) at the Seder? To which side?

For which activities must we recline? When is it optional?

How does a left-handed person recline? Does a son recline near a father? A student near a Torah teacher?

Which items are put on the Seder plate? In what formation?

Why do we take three matzos? What are their titles?

What do we take for zroah‎ (according to the Lubavitcher custom)?

How is the charoses prepared? The salt water? Why do we eat less than a kezayis?

When one eats the korech (sandwich) can he swallow matzo and marror separately?

Why do we have to eat korech? What do we say when we eat it?

What should one’s kavana be when drinking the kiddush wine? The other three cups?

Why do we wash our hands for karpas? Why is there no brocho recited on this mitzvoh?

Why is the karpas dipped in salt water? Why do we eat less than a kezayis?

Why do we spill drops of wine when reciting the ten makes?

During which activities is it forbidden to talk during the Seder?

What general intention must one have when reciting the Haggadah?

May one dip the matzos in wine or soup? Drink while eating matzo?

When must we eat the Afikoman? How full must we be before it? How much of it do we eat?

What should one do after the Seder?

When do the bechorim fast if the first day of Pesach falls on a Sunday? When is a siyum‎ made?

Which new mitzvoh do we start on the second night of Pesach?

What is changed in the Shmoneh Esrei beginning on Chol Hamoed? What is added?

What is the best activity during Chol Hamoed?

How is the Havdala on Sunday night different than on a regular Shabbos night?

Which portions of the Torah are read on Chol Hamoed? Is tefillin used on Chol Hamoed? Why?

How does the last day of Pesach differ in the eating of the matzo?

Why is Shabbos Hagadol called by that name? (See how many reasons you can give.)

How many times do we light candles during this Yom Tov? Do we make an eruv tavshillin?

On Pesach, there are three positive mitzvos and five negative ones. What are they?

How are the prohibitions of chametz different from those of non-kosher foods?

From which time is chametz prohibited to eat? To keep? To benefit from?

If a Jew had chametz in his possession during Pesach what happens to that chametz?

What is gebrokts? Why do we avoid it? Why do some eat it?

In which foods is there a difference of customs between Sefardim and Ashkenazim?

Can we use regular soaps and detergents on Pesach? Why?

Can powders (talcum powder, baby powder, etc.) be used?

Are (medical) tablets or liquid permitted where there is no danger? Why?

What is the special problem of medicine capsules? How is it solved?

Which liquids should not be used on Pesach? Why?

Can we shop in a private grocery or in a supermarket (for items containing chametz) right after Pesach?

What special problem of chametz is there in ketchup, mayonnaise, etc?

Sugar, salt, tea and coffee — do they need a special hechsher?

What special care should be used in obtaining milk, butter and cheese?

Why do some people use only unwashed eggs? Why do some not use garlic? What about dried fruits?

Why do people have so many chumrahs (restrictions) on Pesach?

What did the Ari Zal say about the reward for extra care on Pesach?

What is the proper procedure for eating fresh fruit and vegetables?

Which are the two (general) methods for koshering dishes?

Not all metal dishes can be koshered. Which cannot be koshered?

Can you kosher dishes from milchigs to fleishigs?

Can dishes made of plastic, melmac, or teflon be koshered?

How about dishes made of Corningware, Pyrex or duralex? Glass?

Can dishes made of china, porcelain, or enamel be koshered?

Dish towels and tablecloths that were washed, can they be used?

Can spoons, forks and knives be koshered? Why?

What should one avoid 24 hours before koshering any dish?

How does one kosher a kitchen sink? A kitchen range?

What are the proper ways to kosher microwave, self-cleaning, gas, and electric ovens?

People who have false teeth, dentures, etc. — how do they prepare for Pesach?

Which kind of dishes must be immersed in a mikvah? What is the brocho?

When do we make a bitul chametz, biyur chametz, mechiras chametz?

What must be done in the home by the time bedikas chametz arrives?

What activities are prohibited within one half-hour prior to bedikas chametz? Why?

Which places must be searched for chametz? Which ‘tools’ are used for the bedikah?

Until when may we eat chametz on the morning of Erev Pesach?

If a person leaves his house before the bedikah night what must he do about bedikas chametz?

What is the difference between the bitul chametz at night and in the morning?

May one eat matzo products on Erev Pesach?