Should a Guest Bring His Own Matzah?

I will be a guest at someone’s home for the Pesach seder. Is there any reason why I should bring my own matzos?

The Mishnah Berurah (454:14) writes that there is a requirement to own the matzah that will be eaten for the mitzvah. This is derived from a comparison of the mitzvos of matzah and the mitzvah of separating challah. Just like only the owner of the dough (or his agent) may separate challah, so too one must own the matzah that will be used for the mitzvah. Therefore, one may not fulfill their obligation with stolen matzah. However, one may fulfill the mitzvah with borrowed matzah, since it is understood that the borrower will take possession of the matzah and will not return the same matzah to the lender. Most poskim equate a guest to a borrower. Accordingly, there is no need to bring your own matzah to the seder. However, some suggest that a guest is different than a borrower. A borrower can use the matzah in any manner. In contrast, a guest may not give away the matzah to a third party. The guest only has permission to consume the matzah himself. This may not be considered complete ownership. The Sfas Emes (Sukkah 35a) suggests that the owner should formally give the matzos to the guest. Rav Zilberstein (Chashukei Chemed 38a) explains that although one should not make acquisitions on Yom Tov, it is permissible for the sake of a mitzvah. Poskim explain that this stringency is only relevant to guests and married children who are visiting for Yom Tov. It is not necessary for members of one’s household, such as one’s wife and children to acquire the matzah.

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