The Machine Matzah Debate
“The Rebbe shlit”a reiterates his opinion that machine matzos are completely prohibited!”
Original Letter Sent At the Avnei Nezer’s Behest to Rabbanim of Yerushalayim. 1908
The debate regarding the use of machine matzos was revived with the founding of the Cohen-Halperin matzah factory in Jerusalem. While many Rabbanim in Yerushalayim permitted eating machine matzos on Pesach, there were others who starkly disagreed with their ruling.
In 1908, billboards in Yerushalayim were plastered with large signs regarding the kashrus of machine matzah and lengthy explanations of each position.
The Chassidic Beis Din in Yerushalayim appealed to the Avnei Nezer in Poland who firmly objected to the use of machine matzos, as evident from his teshuvos (Ch. 372, 536, 537).
The Avnei Nezer reiterates his opinion that machine matzos are completely prohibited, citing the opinion of the Divrei Chaim of Sanz in the name of his father-in-law the Baruch Ta’am.
This letter was handwritten by the Avnei Nezer’s nephew Harav Yitzchak Menachem Borenstein of Shedlitz who was his uncle’s devoted gabbai and disciple. It was written two years prior to the Avnei Nezer’s passing.
Sochachov, 1908. Page size: 22×18 cm. Minor tears with text missing on fold line.
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