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Leaning at the Seder by Turning the Chair to the Left

Question

For leaning (heseba) at the Seder, may I just turn the chair to my left and lean on the chair?

Answer

It has to be at the angle mentioned and in a comfortable manner.

Sources

The Shulchan Aruch says to prepare one’s seat so as to recline “derech cheirut,” in the manner of a free person, which is the comfortable manner the answer requires. It also defines the angle: one should not lean on the back, on the face, or on the right side, only on the left. This follows the Gemara, which says lying on one’s back (perakdan) is not called reclining, and reclining to the right is not called reclining.

The Mishnah Berurah explains that reclining means the head is tilted to the left side, on a bed or bench, with cushions under the head next to the table.

  • Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 472:2 — prepare one’s seat to recline in the manner of freedom (derech cheirut)
  • Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 472:3 — do not lean on the back, face or right side, only on the left
  • Gemara Pesachim 108a — lying on the back is not reclining, and reclining to the right is not reclining
  • Mishnah Berurah 472:7 — reclining means the head tilted to the left, with cushions under the head next to the table

Author

Rabbi Shay Tahan

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