“You shall not eat any fat of an ox, a sheep, or a goat” (Leviticus 7:23)
Our Chachamim (Sages) address the seemingly superfluous word “any” in the verse. What does this “any” imply? It teaches that any quantity is forbidden. Even a very small amount of fat—less than a kezayit (the size of an olive)—is prohibited. This establishes a clear principle regarding prohibitions in the realm of eating.
All or Nothing?
But how does this principle apply to positive commandments (mitzvot) that involve consumption, such as eating matzah on the Seder night? Imagine someone who is ill and cannot eat much. Soon we will celebrate Passover again. In such a case, can one fulfill the obligation of remembering the slavery and liberation from Egypt by eating only a small amount of matzah on the Seder night?
Do Not Create a False Impression of Fulfilling a Mitzvah!
According to Rabbi Ya’akov Reischer (in his responsa, II:18), there is absolutely no obligation to eat a small amount of matzah. It is all or nothing. One must eat the full required measure of matzah (about 30 grams); otherwise, one should simply refrain from eating any at all. One should not create the false impression of having fulfilled the mitzvah!
Partial Fulfillment of the Mitzvah Is Possible
However, Rabbi Chaim Azulai explains that even with a small amount of matzah, one can partially fulfill the mitzvah. He justifies this as follows: if consuming even a small amount of a forbidden substance constitutes a full violation, then surely consuming a small amount of matzah should count as at least a partial fulfillment of a positive mitzvah.
The Good in the World Is Stronger Than the Bad
Rabbi Azulai is optimistic, as he relies on the general Jewish principle that the power of good in the world is stronger than that of evil. If one is punished for eating even a tiny amount of forbidden fat, then surely one is also rewarded for performing even a small part of a mitzvah.
One Matzah for Two People
Question: Two people traveling together brought only one matzah. What would be better—that each eats half, or that the “stronger” one (the owner) consumes the entire matzah and gives nothing to the other?
The Ikré Divrei Tahara maintains that the matzah should be divided into two parts so that each person can at least partially fulfill the mitzvah. The Sdei Chemed, however, explains that it is preferable for one person to fulfill the mitzvah completely rather than for two people to fulfill it only partially. Therefore, one person should eat the entire matzah, even at the expense of the other traveler.
