Q. Can someone that was affected by Covid and l’a lost his sense of taste, eat on Pesach Seder maror (bitter herbs) with a bracha?
A. Talmud Pesachim (115b) teaches that if someone swallows maror (without chewing it first) he does not comply with the mitzva. Rashbam explains that the reason of the mitzva is to feel the bitterness of the product and remember our suffering in Mitzrayim.
However. Poskim debate whether feeling the flavor is indeed essential even after the fact, They compare it to the eating of the maror sandwiched by the matza during the mizva of Korech, that does not seem to avert the mitzva, even when the taste of the maror will be diminished.
Chashukei Chemed (Pesachim 114a) is lenient and permits a brocho for someone who cannot taste the maror.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that he should at least have a bit of feeling. (This may be achieved by eating horseradish for maror)
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit’a