Q. I always wondered why do some people store a piece of the affikomen and keep it after Pesach, since the affikomen is symbolic to the Korban Pesach, should it not be completely consumed during that night?
A. Rashbam (Pesachim 119b) maintains that the reason for ‘Ein Maftirin Achar Hapesach Afikomen,’ that we don’t eat any food after consuming the Afikomen, is to keep the flavor of the matza eaten with the Korban Pesach. However, Rosh (34) and Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 477) assert that the Afikomen is to remember the Korban Pesach itself, and therefore none of it should not be left over until the morning, as it was with the Korban Pesach itself.
However, Kaf Hachaim (ibid.) would recommend that people traveling by boat and in danger of storms, should throw into the raging seas a piece of the leftover Afikomen. While Orchos Chaim advised individuals afraid of being robbed by pickpockets, to keep next to their wallets an Afikomen portion. They quote that the Rashei Tevos (acronym) of Matza stands for ‘Mikol Tzara Hatzilenu’ (save us from all calamities and suffering). It was not uncommon by Chassidic Rebbes to administer a piece of the Afikomen to severely ill patients, as told by the Chassidim of the Tzadik of Raddovich zt’l.
Therefore, it is not unusual for some families to keep a piece of the Afikomen, that is sometimes even exposed as a decoration piece. (A Zohar is quoted, comparing the Afikomen to the protection given by a Mezuza). These individuals maintain that the limits to be kept by the symbolic relationship of the Afikomen to the Korban Pesach, apply basically to the eating issues.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that one should keep the minhogim and traditions of his family and congregation.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit’a