A Brief Outline of Halachos for Cholim at the Seder
During Pesach season, many questions arise regarding medical conditions and the mitzvos of Pesach, in particular, on Seder night. Standard practice requires everyone to eat large quantities of relatively unfamiliar foods, often late at night. How do medical conditions impact one’s requirement and ability to perform these mitzvos?
Rabbi Yossi Sprung breaks the halachos down into the two common categories of cholim in halacha: choleh shyesh bo sakana and choleh sh’ain bo sakana. When it comes to a choleh sh'yaish bo sakana, not only is one absolved from performing mitzvos that are possibly life-threatening, but one is forbidden to do so. The prohibition to partake in a life-threatening act disqualifies the performance of the mitzvah to the point that one is not even considered to have done the mitzvah. Accordingly, one who was sick on Pesach night and ate the requisite amount of matza against medical advice would have to eat a new serving of matza that night if his condition improves to the point that it is no longer a threat to his health.
However, a choleh sh’ain bo sakana is more complicated. While there are differing opinions, HaRav Asher Weiss holds that it is a midas chassidus and, at times, an obligation for a choleh sh’ain bo sakana to perform a mitzvah that will only lead to tzaar (as opposed to a real sakana). Rabbi Sprung adds that generally, while there is some discomfort, a choleh sh’ain bo sakana can exert themselves to do the mitzvah.
Regarding the maximum time to eat a shiur of matza and maror, the poskim discuss possible leniencies for a choleh or zakein. In Nishmas Avraham (475; 1,2), Rabbi Dr. Abraham cites the opinion of R' Shlomo Kluger that the shiur of kdei achilas pras is measured from start to finish of each bite, not the entire kzayis that one eats. However, this ruling is disputed by some authorities (notably the Magen Avraham) and, therefore, although there may be possible leniencies for those who cannot eat the requisite amount in the required time, Nishmas Avraham rules that one should not make a bracha unless they can eat a kzayis in under 4 minutes. As always, a Rabbi should be consulted in concert with medical advice to reach the ideal equilibrium of medicine and halacha.
Adapted from Rabbi Yossi Sprung