Hello kollel,
In a shiur a great question came up. The rambam in the mishneh Torah says that the mitzvah of achilat matzah is to dip it in charoset, and goes on to say the same by Maror. The raavad goes on to take strong exception.
The question is since the mishna pesachim 10:4 and by extension the mah nishtana specifically references two dippings on Pesach night; the karpas and the maror. According to the rambams approach there would be 3 dippings, which seems to contradict an explicit mishnah.
Thank you!
Josh
The Gemara says in Berachos (40a) that whenever one makes Hamotzi he should dip the bread into something tasty in order that the piece eaten immediately after the Berachah should be eaten with appetite. This is so important that one may say "bring relish" between Hamotzi and eating the bread and it is not considered a Hefsek. At Leil ha'Seder, the only available relish is Charoses. Therefore, the Rambam says to dip the Matzah in Charoses. This is a Din in Hamotzi and not in Matzah or in Leil Pesach , so it is no contradiction to the Mishnayos which are dealing with the laws of Leil Pesach . For a complete explanation, please see Rabeinu Mano'ach on the Rambam you mentioned.
Chag Kasher v'Same'ach,
Shimon Brodie