Why do we (still) Lean at the Seder?

What differentiates this night from all [other] nights?... On [all] other nights, we eat either sitting or reclining; tonight we all recline.

(8) What is the order of a meal? Guests come in and sit down on top of benches and on top of soft seats until all [guests] come in. [After] all [guests] came in, and they (i.e. the servants) have given them [water to wash] hands, every one of them washes one hand. [When] they (i.e. the servants) poured them a cup [of wine], each one [of the guests] makes a Beracha (blessing) [for the wine] himself. [When] they (i.e. the servants) brought them appetizers each one [of the guests] makes a Beracha [for the appetizers] himself. [After the guests] have gotten up [from their temporary seats, moved to the main eating hall] and reclined [on sofas], they [i.e. the servants] gave them [water to wash their] hands [again]. Even though he already washed one hand, [still] he [has to] wash both of his hands [again]. [After] they (i.e. the servants) poured them a cup [of wine again], even though he already made a Beracha on the first [cup of wine], he makes [another] Beracha on the second [cup of wine]. [After] they (i.e. the servants) brought in front of them [more] appetizers, even though he [already] made a Beracha on the first [set of appetizers], he makes a [new] Beracha on the second [set of appetizers], but [this time] one [person] makes a Beracha for all of them. [A person] who comes [late] after three appetizers [have been served] does not have permission to enter [the dining hall]. Rebbi Shimon Ben Gamliel says, “There was a great custom in Yerushalayim (Jerusalem). They (i.e. house owners) would hang a towel above the door. While the towel is hanging guests can come in. [After] the towel has been removed guests are not permitted to come in [anymore]. And there was another custom in Yerushalayim. They (i.e. house owners) would give over [the responsibility for] a meal to a butcher (i.e. a caterer). If something went wrong during the meal they would punish the butcher [monetarily]. Everything according to the honor of the owner (i.e. the host) and everything according to the honor of the guests.”

If the members of a company were reclining to drink, and they [precipitately] arose⁽⁷⁾ to go out to welcome a bridegroom or a bride, when they go out, they do not need [to recite] a benediction beforehand;⁽⁸⁾ when they return, they do not need [to recite] a benediction at the beginning.⁽⁹⁾

If companions were reclining, and they [precipitately] arose to go to the synagogue or to the Beth Hamidrash, when they go out they do not need a blessing beforehand, and when they return they do not need a blessing at the beginning.

If companions were reclining to drink wine and they arose [departed] and returned, they need not recite a blessing [anew].⁽³⁾

(3) “[If] guests have been reclining [and eating] by the owner of the house (i.e. a private person) and the day was over (i.e. Friday was over and Shabbat began), as soon as it gets dark they interrupt [their meal, say Birkat Hamazon (Grace After Meals) and go] to the Bet Midrash (Study Hall) [to pray]. [After that] they come back [from the Bet Midrash to the house], they (i.e. the servants) pour for them a cup [of wine and] they say over it Kiddush (Sanctification) of the day (i.e. Friday night Kiddush).” [These are] the words of Rebbi Yehudah. Rebbi Yossi says, “He continues eating [his Friday afternoon meal] from when it gets dark [and on].”

(5) What is the order of [the beds in the room used for] reclining [during eating]? At the time when there are [only] two beds, the [most] senior [person]4 reclines on top of the first [bed] and the second one to him [in seniority reclines] below him (i.e. his head is at the first person’s feet). And at the time when there are three beds, the [most] senior [person] reclines on top of the middle [bed], the second one to him [in seniority reclines] above him, [and] the third one to him [in seniority] reclines below him. [If there are more than three people, then] they get ordered in this way (i.e. in groups of three) and on.

EVEN THE POOREST MAN IN ISRAEL MUST NOT EAT UNTIL HE RECLINES.

It was stated: [For the eating of] the unleavened bread reclining is necessary; for the bitter herbs reclining is not necessary.

[As for the drinking of] the wine, - It was stated in R`Nahman's name [that] reclining is necessary, and it was stated in R`Nahman's name that reclining is not necessary.

Yet they do not disagree: one [ruling] refers to the first two cups, and the other ruling refers to the last two cups.

Some explain it in one direction, others explain it in the other direction.

[Thus:] some explain it in one direction: for the first two cups reclining is necessary, because it is at this point that freedom commences; for the last two cups reclining is necessary, [because] what has been has been.

Others explain it in the contrary direction: on the contrary, the last two cups necessitate reclining, [because] it is precisely then that there is freedom; the first two cups do not necessitate reclining, [because] he is still reciting 'we were slaves.' Now that it was stated thus and it was stated thus, both [the first and the last ones] necessitate reclining.

Lying on the back is not reclining; reclining on the right side is not reclining.

Moreover he may put [his food] into the windpipe before the gullet,⁽¹³⁾ and thus endanger himself.