If one does not wish to use challah, one may use kosher for Pesach egg matzah for lechemmishneh. Although the bracha for egg matzah is usually borei minei mezonos, when egg matzah is eaten during a full-course meal and substitutes for bread, hamotzi is recited. However, since Ashkenazim follow the opinion of the Rema that matza ashira should not be eaten on Pesach (except by the sick or elderly), one must finish eating the egg matza before sof zman achila (11:09 AM [M.A.], 11:33 AM [Gr”a]). The other foods served at the meal may be eaten later. Kol chamira is recited before sof zman biur (12:23 PM [M.A.], 12:35 PM [Gr”a]). Seuda Shelishis The last challenge that must be addressed is how and when to eat seudah shelishis. Seudah shelishis is supposed to be eaten after zman mincha gedola (a half hour after chatzos). At that time, we may no longer eat chometz, matzah or egg matzah. Although it is normally preferable to use hamotzi for seuda shelishis, the poskim say that on Shabbos Erev Pesach we rely on the opinions that the requirement of seuda shelishis can be fulfilled without hamotzi, but rather with other foods that may be eaten on Erev Pesach, such as meat, fish, fruits or vegetables (meat and fish are preferred over fruit), or kneidlach (for those who eat gebrokts). These foods can be eaten at the preferred time for seudah shelishis - a half hour after chatzos (2:08 PM), until the tenth halachic hour of the day (4:45 PM). After that time, one may not eat kneidlach. Even other foods that may still be eaten, such as meat, fish, and fruits, should only be eaten at a minimum, so as not to ruin one’s appetite for the seder. Since there are opinions that seudah shelishis can only be fulfilled with hamotzi, the poskim recommend that in addition, if time allows, one should divide the morning meal into two parts, and rely on the opinions that seudah shelishis may be eaten in the morning. One should recite kiddush and hamotzi, eat one course and then bentch. After a break of 15-30 minutes away from the table, one should wash again, say hamotzi, eat the rest of the meal and bentch. The challah or egg matzah that would be used for lechem mishneh at the second meal must be consumed before sof zman achila. One should then also eat a meal of foods that are not hamotzi later in the afternoon, to satisfy the opinions that seudah shelishis must be eaten after mincha gedola. 15
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