Lefties Reclining at the Seder

QUESTION: To which side should a lefty recline at the Seder when he drinks the four cups of wine and eats the Matzah?

ANSWER: The Gemara (Pesach 108a) discusses the mitzvah of hesaiba (leaning) at the Pesach seder, and makes three statements:

Laying on one’s back is not considered hesaiba.

Reclining to the right is not a valid hesaiba. This is because it is more comfortable to eat with the right hand when laying on the left side.

It is also a saksna (dangerous), since it may lead to choking.

There is a disagreement among the commentators how to understand the 3rd statement. Which case is a sakana (danger)? Rashi explains that the sakana refers to the first case, where one lies on his back and it is difficult to swallow food. On the hand, the Rashbam writes that it refers to the second scenario where one reclines to the right. The windpipe is on the right, and when leaning to the right, food may enter the windpipe and this can lead to choking. The Rosh (Pesachim 10:20) points out that a practical difference between these two positions is the proper manner of hesaiba for a lefty. According to Rashi, the reason to lay on the left side is for comfort. As such, a lefty should lean to the right, since it will be easier for him to use his left hand and eat comfortably. However, according to the Rashbam that in addition to comfort it is a sakana to lay on the right side, a lefty must lean on the left to avoid any danger of choking (albeit, the left side is a less comfortable position). Although the Rosh leaves the question unresolved, the Trumas Hadeshen (136) writes that one should not ignore the possibility of sakana, and therefore a lefty must lean to his left. This ruling is brought in Shulchan Aruch (OC 472:3). The Mishnah Berurah (472:11) writes that if a lefty leaned to the right, although he should not have done so because of sakana, he need not eat the matzah or repeat the four cups because leaning to the left for a lefty is the more comfortable position. 

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