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Chicago Rabbinical Council
2016 Passover Guide
Table Of Contents
Policy on Medicines, Cosmetics and Toiletries............................................ 3
How to Use This Guide.............................................................................. 5
Sephardic Laws and Customs...................................................................5-6
Passover — an Introduction........................................................................ 6
Preparation for Passover
Description of Chametz.............................................................................. 7
Guidelines on Buying Food Before and After Passover................................ 7
Which Foods are Chametz?....................................................................9-11
Kitnios.................................................................................................12-14
From Slavery to Freedom: the Dual Celebration of Pesach........................ 15
Kashering the Kitchen and Countertops..............................................17-21
Tevillas Keilim and Hechsher Keilim...................................................22-25
Eruv Tavshilin......................................................................................28-29
Shaimos Guidelines................................................................................... 30
Proper Disposal of Chametz.................................................................30-31
Pre-Pesach Cleaning Checklist.................................................................. 31
Guidelines on Leaving Home Before Passover........................................... 35
Seder Thoughts......................................................................................... 35
Taanit B’chorim — Fast of First Born Sons............................................... 36
The Seder, Seder Plate, and Requirements and Measurements..............36-39
Passover Information
Shopping Guide, Product Information, FAQ and Pet Foods................41-61
Kashrus Status of Raw Fish on Pesach..................................................64-65
Chametz After Pesach..........................................................................66-70
Candle Lighting Times.........................................................................72-73
Passover Dates to Remember..................................................................... 73
General Information
Guide for Wedding Dates......................................................................... 73
Calendar of Holidays................................................................................ 74
Sefirat Haomer Chart................................................................................ 75
Understanding the Reliability of Kosher Agencies................................76-78
Information about the Chicago Rabbinical Council.............................79-81
Glossary of Hebrew Terms...................................................................82-83
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Jews find themselves confused and article only relates to the “Kashering munities had veered from the total
uncertain how to proceed and which the Kitchen” section of the Guide authority of the Shulchan Aruch, and
opinion to follow. With its severity (pages 17-20). as such he set as one of his missions
and complexity, Pesach is particularly Additionally, this article does in life to return the prominence
difficult for them. not presume nor endeavor to pres- and the absoluteness of Maran Rav
This cRc Guide to Passover is ent the positions and halachic views Yosef Karo’s authority to its proper
written primarily with Ashkenazi of each and every Sephardic com- place. In many cases, Rav Yosef ’s
Jews in mind, and as such, the hal- munity. Rather, we will follow here opinions reflect the unfiltered view
achot presented therein follow the the opinions of Rav Ovadia Yosef of Maran Rav Yosef Karo, the base-
Ashkenazi traditions. The intent zt”l. Rav Yosef was a halachic titan line of authority for all Sephardic
of this article is to identify some in our generation, and his decisions communities.
of the areas where the Ashkenazi are followed by countless Sephardic Those desirous of following the
and Sephardi traditions differ, and Jews of all origins. Additionally, Rav traditions of any particular com-
provide direction in those cases. This Yosef recognized that many com- munity should consult their Rabbi.
Passover — An Introduction
6 www.crcweb.org
Chametz
C hametz includes leavened
foods, drinks and ingredients
that are made from or contain
wheat, rye, barley, oats or spelt.
Therefore, all grain products such as
As explained in the Sephardic
Laws and Customs article on pages
5-6, there are many differences in the
halachot followed by the Ashkenazic
(Jews of European descent) and
kitniyot, it is important to contact
your Orthodox Rabbi, especially one
who is well-versed in the laws fol-
lowed by Jews of Sephardic descent
during Passover.
breads, cereals and other breakfast Sephardic (Jews of Mediterranean, One should not rely on list-
foods, grain alcohol, grain vinegar West Asian or Spanish descent) com- ed ingredients on the label alone
and grain malts, are forbidden dur- munities, and the laws of chametz to determine whether a prod-
ing Passover. Certain other foods are no exception. Some Sephardim uct merely contains kitniyot and
known as kitniyot, such as beans, have adopted the Ashkenazic custom may be used on Passover as many
corn, peas, rice, alfalfa sprouts, bean of refraining from rice and kitniyot times these products may con-
sprouts, green beans, mustard, and during Passover. Others do eat rice, tain actual undeclared chametz.
the derivatives of these foods, are however it must be checked three The following sections discuss
not eaten by Ashkenazic Jews due times prior to Passover to make abso- chametz as it relates to food pur-
to their similarity to the five chametz lutely certain there are no kernels of chases, preparing the kitchen for
grains. (For more information on chametz. In order to determine your Passover, cleaning the home and
foods which may be kitniyot see the family’s customs, as well as to deter- office for Passover, and other issues
center pull-out, color-coded shop- mine what Rabbinic certification central to the observance of this
ping guide and the article beginning is required on products containing Yom Tov.
on page 41.)
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from beer production (discussed such a crucial role in the cre- will be forbidden.
below). It is similar to se’or, and ation of the whisky (and also The question of whether
one may not own it (derive benefit dramatically changes the taste of grain-based/distilled vinegar is
from it, or eat it) on Pesach. the grain before it is fermented), chametz has far-reaching implica-
the barley malt is considered a tions. This is because many foods
davar hama’amid, and one may are preserved with vinegar (e.g. pick-
Beer and whisky not own such whisky on Pesach.5 les, olives), and vinegar is a prime
If barley is soaked in water As such, all types of whisky ingredient in many condiments
under proper conditions, it fer- should be treated as chametz unless (e.g. ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise,
ments into beer; since the they are specifically certified as salad dressing); in general it is dis-
barley sat in water for more kosher for Pesach. tilled vinegar which is used in these
than 18 minutes, beer is applications. Certainly, any food
chametz.3 Beer contains containing vinegar should not be
approximately 5% alco- Vinegar consumed on Pesach unless the food
hol, and people who want a Vinegar is created when alcohol is specifically certified for Pesach use.
drink with a higher alcohol is (re)fermented, and the primary But do the concerns with vinegar
content do the following: concern with vinegar is the source mean that we must destroy or sell
The grain is allowed to fer- of the alcohol. As the name implies, all of the products in our pantries
ment until it reaches about malt vinegar is made from malt or which contain vinegar?
12-13% alcohol, and then beer, which we have seen is chametz, As a result of the concerns out-
the alcohol is separated from (some and therefore malt vinegar is defi- lined above, many Rabbonim recom-
of ) the water using a process called nitely chametz. In contrast, wine mend that people whose minhag is
“distillation” to produce whisky, vinegar and apple cider vinegar are to not sell chametz gamur, should
which contains 30-95% alcohol. made from wine and apple cider, not sell (or retain possession of )
The consensus of the Poskim is that which are not inherently chametz. vinegar-containing products on
whisky produced from one of the However, due to the possibility Pesach. However others with knowl-
five primary grains is considered cha- that the equipment used and/or edge of the food industry argue that
metz, even though it went through the processing aids are chametz, it due to the abundance of corn in
the process of distillation.4 In fact, is prudent to only consume wine or the United States, the overwhelm-
most whisky contains a minimum of apple cider vinegar which is certified ing majority of the vinegar sold
10-30% of those grains, but even if as kosher for Pesach. and used in the United States does
the whisky is made exclusively from The more difficult question is not contain chametz (although it
corn or another kitnios grain, there the Pesach status of white distilled does contain kitniyos). Therefore,
are a number of other reasons why vinegar, as follows: White distilled since there is no reasonable way for
it may be chametz: vinegar is made from distilled the average consumer to determine
1. The watery liquid that remains alcohol (described above), and the whether the vinegar in a specific
after distillation is called “back- most serious concern is whether the ketchup (for example) is chametz,
set” and is often used in creating grain used was chametz (e.g. wheat), they may rely on the rov (majority)
another batch of whisky. Thus, kitnios (e.g. corn), or something and assume that the vinegar is not
even if the grain used in creating innocuous (e.g. potatoes). Addi- chametz, at least to the extent that
the whisky is kitnios, the water tional concerns stem from questions it may/should be sold to a non-Jew.
may be from a chametz whisky. about the equipment, enzymes, As with all matters of halacha, one
2. Before the yeast ferments the yeasts, and nutrients used in creat- should consult with a local Rav. It is
grain, the grain’s starch must ing the alcohol and vinegar.6 Lastly, noteworthy that the aforementioned
be broken-down into individual the fermentation of vinegar always leniency does not necessarily apply
glucose molecules, and this is begins with a “starter” taken from to (a) vinegar or vinegar-containing
traditionally done with barley a previous batch of vinegar (similar products from other countries or
malt (discussed above). Since to the way se’or is used), and if that (b) organic vinegar (even if it is
the chametz barley malt plays starter is chametz, the entire batch produced in the United States, due
10 www.crcweb.org
to the difficulty in obtaining organic years ago and to improve on the way gum from France or China than
corn). that they produce “older” foods. from the local producer. Addition-
Pesach products are generally Of all these items, enzymes have ally, many of the ingredients listed
made with white distilled vinegar arguably had the most far-reaching above are used in tiny proportions,
which is specially-made without affect. Enzymes are chemicals which which would theoretically be batel
any chametz or kitnios concerns. act as a catalyst for change in other b’shishim, and Poskim have taken
However some companies choose items. A common example is rennet, different positions as to which of
to substitute glacial acetic acid for which causes milk to coagulate into these serve as a davar hama’amid
the vinegar in their Pesach products. cheese, but the range of uses goes and/or a milsah d’avidah lit’amah,
Glacial acetic acid is chemically well beyond cheese. For example, which cannot be batel.
identical to vinegar but is made from one enzyme liquefies and sweetens In light of the seriousness of
petroleum feedstock, as opposed to corn into corn syrup, so that another eating chametz on Pesach, it is obvi-
being fermented, and poses little enzyme can make it even sweeter ous that no one would consider
Pesach concern. and become the high fructose corn eating any food on Pesach which
syrup used to sweeten soft drinks. contains (or may contain) any of
Another enzyme is used to create these ingredients, unless the food is
Enzymes, vitamins, flavors, and the “right” kind of sugar molecule certified as kosher for Pesach. [Many
other complex issues so that hard-candies will not stick children and adults must consume
Microbiology has played a great to the wrapper, and yet another one baby formula, soy/rice beverages,
role in the advances in food tech- ensures that beer does not get cloudy or nutritional supplements (which
nology in the past few decades. when it is refrigerated. cannot be certified for Pesach since
Food scientists have identified The kashrus issues raised by all they contain kitnios) and require
numerous microorganisms which of this technology are beyond the information as to whether those
can either serve as or help to cre- scope of this article, but one issue items contain chametz. That issue is
ate enzymes (see below), vitamins is quite relevant to our discussion. beyond the scope of this article but
(e.g. Riboflavin, Vitamin B12), One of the prime ingredients used see listings elsewhere in this Guide
flavorful chemicals (e.g. MSG), in making just about all of the items for more information on specific
and other items (e.g. xanthan gum, discussed above is “glucose” (a.k.a. items]. Some Rabbonim say that
citric acid, yeast). In addition, sci- sugar). Glucose can be created for the same reason one should not
entists have learned new ways to from any starch, which means that own any of these items on Pesach,
react chemicals with one another these items may be wheat (chametz), but as noted above regarding vin-
(and use other methods) to create corn or rice (kitnios), sweet potatoes egar, others argue that one may rely
emulsifiers, acidulants, sweeteners, (kosher for Pesach), or something on the fact that the overwhelming
flavors, and other chemicals (e.g. else, depending on what is available majority of these items sold and
polysorbates, ascorbic acid, aspar- in the country where the glucose is used in the United States do not
tame, esters, magnesium citrate). being produced. This issue is fur- contain chametz (although they
This technology has allowed food ther complicated by the emergence contain kitnios). As with all matters
scientists both to create an array of of the “global marketplace”, where of halacha, one should consult with
foods which were inconceivable 50 it may be cheaper to buy xanthan a local Rav.
An earlier version of this article first appeared in Hamodia and the OU website and is reprinted here with permission.
(Endnotes)
1 Mishnah Berurah 453:24.
2 See Mechiltah 9:19 on Sh’mos 12:19.
3 Shulchan Aruch 442:5.
4 See Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 92:8 & 123:24, and Mishnah Berurah 442:4.
5 See Shulchan Aruch 442:5 and Mishnah Berurah 442:25.
6 The nutrients are generally batel b’shishim, but some Poskim hold that since they are intentionally added to the vinegar
they are not batel. This issue, discussed in Magen Avraham 442:1, Nodah B’yehudah Y.D. II:56, Mishnah Berurah 447:14
and others, is beyond the scope of this article.
www.crcweb.org 11
Kitnios
Rabbi Dovid Cohen
Administrative Rabbinic Coordinator
12 www.crcweb.org
sons for the minhag do not apply organisms to create and convert all acid due to the dramatic change in
to the oil extracted from kitnios. It types of enzymes and foods. This has taste from sweet to sour but would
is generally accepted to follow the had dramatic effects on the world not permit the corn syrup, since it
stricter opinion in this matter, but of kashrus, including kitnios. What is not changed/nishtaneh “enough”
the lenient opinion is sometimes happens if one takes bland-tasting from the corn from which it came.
considered as one factor in a larger corn and uses enzymes to liquefy and This rationale is the basis for some
decision. Therefore, on Pesach one sweeten it? Does the resulting corn hashgachos’ certification and/or
may not use corn or soybean oil syrup remain forbidden as kitnios? Is acceptance of certain productions of
(a.k.a. “vegetable oil”), and some the halacha possibly more lenient if aspartame, citric acid, monosodium
do not use peanut oil either (see one takes the aforementioned corn glutamate (MSG), and xanthan gum
above regarding peanuts). Oil from syrup and uses enzymes to convert for Pesach. Some argue that Mishnah
olives, palm, coconut, and wal- it to sour-tasting ascorbic acid? Berurah’s ruling is limited to cases
nuts are acceptable for Pesach-use, These questions depend on a of b’dieved and does not justify the
because the fruits from which they machlokes Rishonim cited in Mishnah l’chatchilah creation/certification of
are extracted are not kitnios. Minchas Berurah 216:7 regarding the kashrus such an item, and others argue that
Yitzchok5 suggests that cottonseed oil of musk – a fragrant byproduct of nishtaneh may be limited to cases
is kitnios, but in a subsequent teshu- blood which is found in a gland of where the forbidden item becomes
vah6 he reconsiders this position;7 the male musk deer. Some Rishonim inedible in the middle of its con-
in the United States cottonseed oil are of the opinion that since blood is version to the “new” item. We will
is generally not considered to be non-kosher, musk is also forbidden, see below that even those who take
kitnios, but in Eretz Yisroel there but others say that once the blood the strict position in this matter
are those who refrain from using it. is nishtaneh (changed), it loses its generally agree that foods created
Canola oil was first approved original identity and becomes an with these ingredients are b’dieved
for food use in the United States innocuous kosher liquid. Mishnah permitted on Pesach.
in 1985, and there are those who Berurah rules that
therefore suggested that it is a “new” as relates to issurim
item which should not be included d’rabannan one
in the minhag, as per Iggeros Moshe may be lenient.
cited above. However, the fault with Accordingly,
this line of reasoning is that “canola some hashgochos
oil” is actually rapeseed oil (a.k.a. take the position
colza oil), which has been used for that since kit-
centuries in Europe. [Canola oil is nios is merely a
rapeseed oil specially bred to have minhag (i.e. even
less erucic acid (a suspected cause less than an issur
of heart disease); therefore only this d’rabannan) one
better variation of rapeseed oil is can be lenient
approved for food use in the USA.] and certify kit-
In fact, Avnei Nezer and Maharsham8 nios which was
specifically mention rapeseed and its truly nishtaneh.
oil in their discussions of kitnios. It In order to qual-
is also noteworthy that canola often ify as nishtaneh
grows near oats, and therefore even the kitnios must
those who might argue that canola go through a sig-
is not kitnios would agree that all nificant change
of the oats must be removed before in taste; therefore
the oil is extracted from the canola. in the cases noted
In recent decades, scientists above, they would
have learnt to manipulate micro- certify the ascorbic
www.crcweb.org 13
Halachos of kitnios the product is truly chametz-free to whether certain foods are or are
The minhag to not eat kitnios before consuming it. The subject not kitnios, those disagreements
begins on Erev Pesach at the same of determining whether an item is are limited to one who wants to
time that one may not eat chametz.9 merely kitnios or if it possibly con- consume the actual item (or a hash-
Although one may not eat kitnios, tains chametz is beyond the scope gachah certifying a company that is
one may own and derive benefit of this article. intentionally putting the ingredient
from kitnios. Therefore, on Pesach Kitnios is batel b’rov, which into a food), but these disagreements
one may keep cans of sweet corn means that if someone acciden- rarely affect consumers.
in his possession or feed millet to tally put kitnios into their Pesach
his parrot. Additionally, children, food, the food is b’dieved permit-
people who are ill, and people whose ted, assuming the food contains Other Minhagim
diet is otherwise restricted and must more non-kitnios than kitnios.10 This In addition to the well-known
eat kitnios, are excluded from the means that although the food may minhag of not eating kitnios, the
minhag and may eat these foods have a pronounced taste of kitnios, Rema (467:8) cites customs to not
after consulting with a Rav. the food is permitted (unless there eat honey, raisins, dried fruit, sugar,
This halacha is quite relevant are recognizable pieces of kitnios saffron, and cloves, and other Pos-
to baby formulas and nutritional which have not been removed). kim cite numerous other customs
supplements (e.g. Ensure) which Therefore, if a beverage is sweetened from specific communities. Many of
invariably contain kitnios and are with aspartame made of kitnios shen- these minhagim are limited to cases
usually used by people who have few ishtaneh, even those people who are where the person does not know
non-kitnios choices, if any, and such of the opinion that the aspartame for sure that the product does not
people are permitted to eat kitnios. is forbidden (as explained above) contain chametz; therefore many of
When such foods are used on Pesach, may drink the beverage, because these minhagim are not practiced
they should be prepared in special the aspartame is batel b’rov in the nowadays because the hashgachah
non-Pesach and non-chametz uten- other ingredients. Similarly, we have on the food guarantees that it is
sils, which should not be washed seen that there is a disagreement chametz-free. As with all matters
with the Pesach dishes. It must be as to whether fenugreek is kitnios. of halacha, one who is unsure as
noted that although the halacha is Nonetheless, even those who follow to whether a family or community
quite lenient in permitting children the strict approach may consume custom remains in effect, should
and the infirm to consume kitnios, maple syrup which is flavored with consult with his or her Rav.
the halacha is quite strict regarding fenugreek (as it often is) because it is
the consumption of chametz, and batel b’rov. Thus, although we have
one must therefore be sure that seen a number of disagreements as
An earlier version of this article first appeared in Hamodia and the OU website and is reprinted here with permission.
(Endnotes)
1
Mishnah Berurah 453:6 & 464:5.
2
See Beis Yosef OC 453, Rema 453:1 & 464:1 and Mishnah Berurah 453:4, 7 & 11.
3
See Sha’arei Teshuvah 453:1, Chayei Adam 127:7 and others.
4
Iggeros Moshe OC 3:63.
5
Minchas Yitzchok 3:138:b.
6
Minchas Yitzchok 4:114:c.
7
See also Mikra’ai Kodesh, Pesach 2:60:2.
8
Avnei Nezer 373 & 533 and Maharsham 1:183.
8
Shevet HaLevi 3:31, citing Chok Yaakov 471:2 and others.
10
Rema 453:1 as per Mishnah Berurah 453:9.
14 www.crcweb.org
From Slavery to Freedom:
the Dual Celebration of Pesach
By Rabbi Yona Reiss, Av Beth Din
“It was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair…” (Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities) Is the theme of Pesach, which is known as the holiday
of spring (Chag Ha-Aviv), the story of our springtime salvation and hope or is it the story of our winter servitude and despair? Pesach, primarily known
as Z’man Cherusainu (the festival of freedom) is unquestionably a time of celebration of our freedom and triumph, but it is also a time of recollection
of our previous state of slavery.
In the seder ritual, we commemorate both aspects. We remember the Pesach offering which symbolizes the deliverance of the Jewish people from
Egypt, but also partake of the maror (bitter herbs) which reminds us of the bitterness of our experience as slaves. The eating of the matzah evokes both
themes, serving as the “lechem oni” – bread of affliction that we ate in Egypt, but also as the “lechem she’onin alav devarim harbeh” – the unleavened bread
that we took with us during our hurried departure from enemy soil, and which triggers our oral recollection of our redemption (see Pesachim 115b).
This dual theme helps to explain a striking Midrash on Parshat Beshalach.
The Midrash states that the articulation by Moshe Rabbeinu of the words “Az Yashir” in the song celebrating the splitting of the Yam Suf served as an
atonement for his previous usage of the word “Az” (“Me-Az dibarti”) to complain to G-d about how the villainous Pharaoh only increased the misery of
the Jewish people after Moshe had first approached Pharaoh to release them from bondage. However, it seems odd that the word “Az” (meaning “then”)
can affect an atonement, or that its initial usage constituted a transgression in the first place.
The Beit Halevi explains that the parallelism drawn by the Midrash between the initial frustration of Moshe and the victorious song of Moshe is intended
to underscore the fact that the ultimate joy of the Jewish people at the time of the Exodus was actually enhanced through their experience of suffering
and subjugation. If not for the fact that the Jews in Egypt suffered such despair during the Egyptian exile, they would not have been able to have the
requisite appreciation for G-d’s intervention in worldly affairs and His miraculous deliverance of the Jewish people. Paradoxically, the devastation of their
servitude was necessary in order for the people of Israel to comprehend the grandeur and majesty of the hand of G-d and His everlasting covenant with
the nascent Jewish nation. This can be likened to a patient who is grateful for receiving bitter-tasting medicine in order to improve his overall health.
Perhaps it is for this reason that the Talmud in Pesachim (116a) notes the importance of recounting the Exodus story in a fashion of “maschil b’g’nus
u’mesayem b’shevach” – of emphasizing the depths of our original despair and descent, both in physical and spiritual terms (in accordance with the
opinions of both Rav and Shmuel), in order to attain the same level of praise and exaltation as the Jewish people at the time of the Exodus from Egypt.
This is part of the obligation to see ourselves as if we are leaving Egypt during the observance of the Pesach seder, so that we can share in the sublime
understanding that even times of suffering can serve as a portal towards a fuller comprehension and appreciation for G-d’s providence in our lives.
As the Beit Halevi quotes from the section of Tehillim recited during the Hallel prayer, Dovid Hamelech thanked G-d not only for deliverance from his
enemies, but also for the experience of suffering itself: “odecha ki anisani va-tehi li lishuah” (“I thank You because you have afflicted me, and this has
brought me salvation”).
Similarly, Rav Yonason Avner Sacks, shlit”a, in his sefer Chazon L’Yomim notes that the breaking of the matzah during Yachatz can be understood in a
similar fashion. On the one hand, the middle matzah is broken at the seder to symbolize that the matzah is the bread of affliction, of an “ani” – a poor
person – who is accustomed to eaten broken bread. On the other hand, the Da’as Zekainim (Shmos 12:8) states that the breaking of the matzah com-
memorates the miraculous event of the splitting of the Yam Suf.
Rabbi Sacks also quotes the Chida who similarly unites the themes by noting that the broken matzah commemorates the years of slavery, while at the
same time celebrating the fact that the slavery was “split in half” – the four hundred and thirty years of slavery (see Shemos 12:40) that had been decreed
upon the Jewish people was commuted by G-d to two hundred and ten years (the years of “re-du”) after Yaakov brought his family to Egypt, plus the
five additional years that Menashe and Efraim were born beforehand, as set forth in the Pirkei d’Rabbi Eliezer (chapter 48). A similar dual theme can be
discerned in the charoset, which is meant to recall both the mortar used by the Jewish slaves in Egypt, as well as the “tapuach” tree (variously translated
as an apple or citrus tree) which was utilized by the Jewish women as a place where they would comfortably bear children outside of the watchful eye
of the Egyptians and thus prepare the nation for its future redemption (see Pesachim ibid).
Along the same lines, Rav Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook (Olas Reiyah on the Haggadah, s.v. “Korech”) explains the opinion of Hillel (Pesachim 115a)
that the matzah and maror were eaten together at the time of the Temple (which we re-enact when we eat “Korech” in remembrance of this practice).
According to Hillel, the forces of both slavery and freedom must be fused together in order to strengthen our commitment to the service of G-d. Through
slavery, symbolized by the maror, we learned about the power of servitude, and through the freedom symbolized by the matzah of the Exodus, we
are able to utilize that power of servitude in order to experience the ultimate freedom by subjugating ourselves entirely to G-d through the service of
the Torah. Similarly, the spiritual message of the matzah constantly reminds us of G-d’s providence and therefore enables us to utilize every challenge
and difficulty, symbolized by the maror, to uplift ourselves and our surroundings in a positive and constructive fashion to reach even greater heights.
It is instructive that the Chizkuni indicates that the first mitzvah in Parshat Mishpatim is the fair and equitable treatment of Jewish slaves (who were
sold into bondage in order to provide restitution for committing theft), because it was precisely the experience of being slaves in Egypt that sensitized
us to become more humane towards others who find themselves in a predicament of slavery. There are many different ways in which adversity has the
potential to edify us once we have an appreciation for the lessons that can be learned from the bitter herbs of life.
In this vein, each year’s celebration of Pesach is a time for us to reflect both on a communal level and on a personal level upon our trials and tribula-
tions of the past year, and the manner in which we can learn from those experiences to gain a greater appreciation for our spiritual potential. Just as
the challenge of the Egyptian slavery enabled us as a people to reach greater heights in our comprehension of Divine providence, so too every setback
should be viewed as an opportunity for personal and communal growth, and a means to appreciate the many blessings that we are able to enjoy each
day from the Almighty. We therefore celebrate the matzah together with the maror, the deliverance together with the difficulties, in recognition of the
Pesach message that all of our experiences should be understood and utilized as necessary vehicles towards catharsis and redemption.
www.crcweb.org 15
Rabbi Samuel Biber
Certified Mohel
Approved by leading
Rabbis & Doctors
Meaningful Ceremony
PHONE: 773.450.5160
sbiber@sbcglobal.net
Kashering the
Kitchen
Introduction
The following items may not be kashered for Passover: Passover. Some examples of this are dishwashers,
• China, pottery, earthenware, cement, concrete, and sieves, graters, utensils with loose-fitting handles,
enameled pots may not be kashered for Passover. The and bottles with narrow necks.
Ashkenazic custom is to not kasher glass or crystal, • Materials which might get ruined during the kashering
with the exception of glass stovetops discussed below. process may not be kashered for Passover, out of
There is a difference of opinion as to whether plas- concern that the person would be afraid of breaking
tic and other synthetic materials are included his utensil and would therefore not kasher properly.
in this rule, and the cRc position is that We now turn to the parts of the kitchen which
those materials may be kashered. can be kashered.
• Utensils and appliances which cannot
be thoroughly cleaned, such as those Flatware
having crevices in which chametz can Silver, stainless steel, and plastic flatware may be
accumulate, may not be kashered for kashered. The process begins with a thorough clean-
www.crcweb.org 17
ing, after which the utensil should not be used for 24 If they were never used or washed hot, fill the glasses
hours. A pot of water is brought to a rolling boil, and with water and leave the water in the glasses for at
the pieces of flatware are dropped into the water one least 24 hours; repeat this procedure two additional
at a time. If the water stops boiling at any point, one times with fresh water. Drinking glasses made of
must wait until it returns to a boil before putting in plastic can be kashered in the same manner as flatware
any more flatware. The custom is to rinse the flatware outlined above, and drinking glasses (or anything
with cold water after kashering. else) made of ceramic or china cannot be kashered.
Some have the custom to kasher in a dedicated
“kashering pot” which is not used for anything else, Tablecloths
but most kasher in any pot which is clean and has not Fabric tablecloths may be used for Passover after
been used for 24 hours. being laundered. Vinyl tablecloths cannot be kash-
ered and should be replaced for Passover.
Pots and Pans
Standard metal pots are Electric Mixers, Food Processors and Blenders
SEPHARDIM
kashered in the same Glass Pots (Pyrex) The motor area of small electric appliances (e.g. mixers,
manner as flatware; con- Per point #1 above, food processor, blenders) is often exposed to chametz and
sult with your Rabbi if these items do not need is very difficult to clean; it is therefore recommended
the pot which requires to undergo kashering. that one purchase separate appliances which should be
kashering is too large to Washing and cleaning reserved for Passover use. A food processor or blender
fit into any other pot of them suffices (Chazon whose motor area is truly sealed, such that food does
boiling water. Enameled Ovadia – Pesach 2003 not penetrate, is not affected by this issue and may be
pots (e.g. Fiesta Ware, edition page 152). used for Passover after separate bowls and blades are
Le Creuset) and glass purchased for Passover use.
pots (e.g. Pyrex) cannot be kashered. Sinks
In general, baking,
SEPHARDIM
SEPHARDIM
roasting, and frying Frying Pans sinks may be kashered by
Sinks
pans cannot be kashered Following the Shulchan cleaning them thorough- Rav Ovadia Yosef
for Passover, unless they Aruch (Orach Chaim ly, leaving them unused (Chazon Ovadia – Pesach
are always used with gen- 451:11), Rav Ovadia for 24 hours, and then 2003 edition page 151)
erous amounts of oil or Yosef (Chazon Ovadia carefully pouring boiling ruled that porcelain
other grease when cook- – Pesach 2003 edition water from a kettle over sinks may be kashered
ing. If that is the case, page 138) rules that all surfaces of the sink and in the same way that
they can be kashered via hagala suffices for frying faucet. The strainer cover- stainless steel or Corian
libun kal which involves pans. However, the ing the sink’s drain should sinks are kashered. He
cleaning the pans well, difficulty in achieving be replaced for Passover. added that it is preferable
not using them for 24 the prerequisite level of Porcelain sinks cannot to undergo this process
hours and then puting cleanliness necessary for be kashered. Dishes and three times for porcelain
them upside-down on hagala may make this other Passover utensils sinks.
an open flame until both process impractical. may not be placed in a
the inside and outside of sink which was not kashered; rather, an insert or basin
the pan are hot enough to singe paper. which was never used for chametz must be placed in
Drinking Vessels the sink, and all dishes should be put into that insert.
SEPHARDIM
18 www.crcweb.org
be run with the racks inside the oven, and
then the oven may be used for Passover
without covering the racks. This kasher-
ing may be done even if the oven was not
left unused for 24 hours. If the racks are
not inside the oven while the self-clean cycle
is run, the racks should be kashered separately.
Note: Low-temperature self-clean cycles (e.g.
enamel AquaLift, Steam Clean) do not qualify as kashering.
surface. Others have elec-
tric coils in the place of an open Microwave oven
flame or have a ceramic or glass
SEPHARDIM
Microwave ovens may be Microwave oven
surface covering electric coils; used on Chol HaMoed,
the most popular brands for this Regarding the glass
but not on Shabbat and
last type of stovetop are Corning plate, refer to Point 1
Yom Tov. The glass plate
and Ceran. above that glass does not
cannot be kashered (or
Stovetops which are covered with require anything more
used) and should be
ceramic cannot be kashered. For all other than being washed and
removed before kasher-
types – including glass – the kashering is as cleaned to be usable on
ing begins. Some micro-
follows: All parts of the stovetop should be thoroughly Passover. This assumes,
waves have a porcelain
cleaned, including scraping residual food from the though, that the plate
enamel interior; these
surface and catch-tray, and not used for 24 hours. Then does not contain even
cannot be kashered.
the fire or coil should be turned to its maximum tem- a small amount of
To kasher the micro-
perature for at least 30 minutes. [For electric stovetops un-kasherable materials
wave appliance, clean it
with exposed coils (i.e. not covered with glass), leave (see Point 2 above).
thoroughly, and do not
the coils on for just 15 minutes.] Finally, the knobs, use it for 24 hours. Then a cup of water should be boiled
catch trays, and all areas between the burners must be in the chamber for an extended amount of time, until
covered with aluminum foil. the chamber fills with steam and the water overflows
from the cup. For Passover, it is a commendable extra
Non self-cleaning oven precaution to cover all foods in the microwave, even
The interior and exterior
SEPHARDIM
www.crcweb.org 19
Countertops ing the countertops is practical in one’s home or if the
In any situation where the countertop cannot or will countertop contains no cracks, the countertop may be
not be kashered, it may kashered; otherwise the wooden countertop should be
SEPHARDIM
only be used on Passover Countertops covered for Passover. Some of the popular wood brands
after being covered with on the market are Craftart, John Boos, and Spekva.
According to Rav Ovadia
a non-porous material Many kitchens use natural stone such as granite,
Yosef (Chazon Ovadia
which will not easily rip marble, limestone, quartzite, soapstone, slate, and
– Pesach 2003 edition
or tear. onyx for countertops. These may be kashered for Pass-
page 160), countertops
The procedure for over regardless of which sealant is used.
are kashered by pouring
kashering a countertop Another material used for countertops is quartz
boiling hot water over
is to clean it thoroughly, resin, a man-made material made to look like granite
them, assuming of
not use it for 24 hours, or marble. Some common brands are Cambria, Ceaser
course that the material
and then carefully pour Stone, Silestone, and Zodiaq. These may be kashered
is kasherable.
boiling water on all sur- for Passover. Similarly, countertops made of acrylic
faces. Once the countertop is kashered, it may be used or polyester look like stone. Some popular brands
without being covered. However, many people have a are Avonite, Corian, Gibraltar, Staron, Surrell, and
custom to both kasher and cover their countertops. As Swanstone. These materials may be kashered for Passover
noted at the beginning of this article, one may not kasher if they do not contain any scratches or stains; otherwise
utensils made of certain materials (ceramic, cement, they must be covered.
glass), or with materials which are not robust enough There are also glass,
SEPHARDIM
Glass Countertops
to withstanding kashering, and one may also not kasher ceramic, cement, and
any utensil that has cracks, nicks, or scratches where porcelain countertops Although Rav Ovadia
pieces of food might get stuck. These same restrictions available, with porous Yosef is lenient regarding
apply to countertops, and the practical examples are grout between each tile. glass, in this instance,
detailed below. Buddy Rhodes and due to the presence of
There are many countertop materials available Cheng Design are pop- porous un-kasherable
for home use today, with an old favorite being plastic ular brands of cement grout, one should cover
laminate, manufactured by laminating a hard plastic countertop. These coun- such a countertop and
material onto a thin piece of not kasher it.
wood. Some popular brands of tertops cannot be kashered for
laminate are Formica, Neva- Passover and must be covered.
mar, and Pionite. In some While not used as often in
cases, there are seams where a home, stainless steel, cop-
two pieces of laminate meet, per, and zinc countertops are
creating the potential for cha- also available, and they may be
metz collecting in that area kashered for Passover.
during the year, and special Special thanks to Rick
attention should be paid to Glickman of “Dream Kitch-
cleaning those seams. ens” for his assistance with our
Others create coun- countertop research.
ters from butcher block or As with all halachic issues, if a
wood. In general, wood may question arises regarding kasher-
be kashered only if it contains ing one’s kitchen, contact your
no cracks that might trap cha- local Orthodox Rabbi.
metz. Due to the likelihood A summary of the information
of such cracks developing, it about countertops is included in
was the practice to sand down the chart on the following page.
wooden surfaces in butcher
shops before Passover. If sand-
20 www.crcweb.org
Countertops
The following is a summary of the countertop information presented in the preceding article.
Can it be
Brand Name or
kashered Comment
Material
?
Acrylic Yes May be kashered if there are no scratches or stains; otherwise cover.
Avonite Yes May be kashered if there are no scratches or stains; otherwise cover.
Blue Louise Yes
Buddy Rhodes No Must be covered for Passover.
Butcher Block Yes May be kashered if there are no cracks; otherwise sand or cover.
Caesar Stone Yes
Cambria Yes
Cement No Must be covered for Passover.
Ceramic tile No Must be covered for Passover.
Cheng Design No Must be covered for Passover.
Concrete No Must be covered for Passover.
Copper Yes
Cosmos Yes
Corian Yes May be kashered if there are no scratches or stains; otherwise cover.
Craftart Yes May be kashered if there are no cracks; otherwise sand or cover.
Curava No Must be covered for Passover
Dekton No Must be covered for Passover
Fireclay Tiles No Must be covered for Passover
Formica Yes Carefully clean seams before kashering.
Gibraltar Yes May be kashered if there are no scratches or stains; otherwise cover.
Glass tile No Must be covered for Passover.
Granite Yes
HanStone Yes
John Boos Yes May be kashered if there are no cracks; otherwise sand or cover.
Laminate (plastic) Yes Carefully clean seams before kashering.
Limestone Yes
Marble Yes
Neolith No Must be covered for Passover.
Nevamar Yes Carefully clean seams before kashering.
Pionite Yes Carefully clean seams before kashering.
Plastic Laminate Yes Carefully clean seams before kashering.
Porcelain No Must be covered for Passover.
Quartzite Yes
Quartz Resin Yes
Silestone Yes
Silgranit Yes
Slate Yes
Soapstone Yes
Spekva Yes May be kashered if there are no cracks; otherwise sand or cover.
Stainless Steel Yes
Staron Yes May be kashered if there are no scratches or stains; otherwise cover.
Surrell Yes May be kashered if there are no scratches or stains; otherwise cover.
Swanstone Yes May be kashered if there are no scratches or stains; otherwise cover.
Wood Yes May be kashered if there are no cracks; otherwise sand or cover.
Zinc Yes
Zodiaq Yes
www.crcweb.org 21
cRc Guide to Tevillas Keilim and
Hechsher Keilim (Kashering)
Reviewed February 2016 / אדר הראשון תשע"ו
T hese guidelines presented on the following pages were formulated by the Rosh Beth Din of the Chicago
Rabbinical Council (cRc), Rav Gedalia Dov Schwartz a”uyl$.
The following are general guidelines from the pot onto all surfaces listed as not being eligible for
for tevillas keilim: of the item being kashered. kashering even if technically
••Metal or glass items require tevil- Extreme caution should be there is a way that kashering
lah with a beracha/hkrb. exercised during this method can be done.
••Ceramic, plastic, rubber or wood of kashering, to protect
items do not require tevillah. against anyone accidentally As relates to a number of
••China (i.e. glazed ceramic) getting burned by the items, the guidelines will
requires tevillah without a beracha. cascading boiling water. differentiate between whether
Some families own a dedicated they are used with or without
This guide will discuss the following “kashering pot”, but it is also liquids, and this refers to
3 forms of hechsher keilim (kasher- acceptable to use an ordinary whether the food is cooked or
ing). pot that had previously been fried in a meaningful amount
used for chametz, dairy or of water or oil. For example,
1. Hag’ala (HLEGH) meat, if the pot is clean and a pot used to cook pasta is
The item is cleaned thoroughly aino ben yomo. considered to have been used
and left unused for 24 hours. “with liquids” (even though
[The 24 hour idle period is 3. Libun Gamur the pasta/chametz is a solid)
known as rendering the item (RWMG IWBYL) because cooking is always
aino ben yomo/]אינו בן יומו. The item is heated with a done with liquid in the pot.
All surfaces of the item are blowtorch or hot coals until On the other hand, a baking
then placed into a pot of the item begins to glow red- sheet used to bake bread is
water that is on the fire and at hot. Aino ben yomo is not considered to have been used
a rolling boil. Some families required for this form of “without liquid” (even though
own a dedicated “kashering kashering. This method of the bread/chametz contains
pot”, but it is also acceptable kashering is impractical for water) since bread is basically a
to use an ordinary pot that most individuals and should dry item.
had previously been used for only be done by someone
chametz, dairy or meat, if the specially trained in this area. The guidelines reflect the
pot is clean and aino ben yomo. general ruling that china
Under no circumstances may cannot be kashered. However,
2. Irui Kli Rishon something be kashered if there if the china is particularly
(IW$AR YLK YWRYE) is a concern that it will break, expensive and/or of great
The item is cleaned thoroughly as this might lead the person sentimental value, please
and left unused for 24 hours. performing the kashering to be consult a Rabbi as there
Water is brought to a rolling apprehensive and therefore not are cases where kashering is
boil in a pot on the fire, and perform the kashering properly. permitted for year-round use.
that water is poured directly For this reason, some items are
22 www.crcweb.org
CAN IT BE KASHERED?
Requires Method of kashering (where applicable)
Item For Year-
tevillah? and other notes
Pesach round
Ceramic
No No No
(e.g. coffee mug)
Yes, For year-round, clean well, do not use for 24 hours, and
Coffee maker for the glass No Yes then run through one cycle
portions
Corelle (cups) No No No
Cork No No No
Crystal Yes No No
www.crcweb.org 23
CAN IT BE KASHERED?
Requires Method of kashering (where applicable)
Item For Year-
tevillah? and other notes
Pesach round
Not
Dentures (false teeth) No Yes For Pesach, kasher through irui kli rishon
required
Duralex Yes No No
Farberware Yes Yes Yes For kashering, see individual utensils (e.g. frying pan, pot)
Yes, For year-round, kasher all parts including those made of hard
Food Processor for the metal No Yes plastic through hag’alah
portions
Frying pan,
Yes No No
with Teflon coating
24 www.crcweb.org
CAN IT BE KASHERED?
Requires Method of kashering (where applicable)
Item For Year-
tevillah? and other notes
Pesach round
To kasher, clean microwave thoroughly and do not use for
24 hours. Boil a cup of water in the chamber for an
extended amount of time, until the chamber fills with steam
Yes, Yes, Yes, and the water overflows from the cup. The glass plate
Microwave oven only for the except for except for glass cannot be kashered (or used) and should be removed before
glass plate glass plate plate
kashering begins. For Pesach, it is a commendable extra
precaution to cover all foods in the microwave, even after
performing the above kashering.
Pots made of… Kasher with libun kal – clean well and do not use for 24
Metal coated with Yes See note See note hours, then put upside-down on open flame until both
enamel (e.g. Le Creuset) inside and outside are hot enough to singe paper
Pyrex Yes No No
Stainless steel Yes Yes Yes For kashering, see individual utensils (e.g. frying pan, pot)
Yes,
Stoneware without a No No
beracha
Teflon-coated cookware Yes See note See note For kashering, see individual utensil (e.g. frying pan, pot)
For an instructional cRc video on Kashering the Kitchen, please visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OA3P1shmhME
www.crcweb.org 25
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A s we approach the holiday of Eruv Tavshilin, literally, the mixture For this reason, we set aside two
Pesach 5776, it may be pru- of foods. If one prepares food for items – a cooked item and a baked
dent to review the laws of Eruv Shabbos before the onset of Yom item – because the vast majority of
Tavshilin because we will have the Tov, he may continue the prepara- food preparations involve cooking
privilege of performing this special tion on Yom Tov for Shabbos. The and baking.
mitzvah prior to the last days of rationale for this is that if one begins The cooked item should be at least
Yom Tov. When Yom Tov falls out the food preparation before Yom the size of a k’zayis (approximately
on Friday leading into Shabbos, Tov, any cooking on Yom Tov is 1 fluid ounce).6 It should be an
every household must prepare an considered a mere continuation of item that is usually accompanied
Eruv Tavshilin before Yom Tov in the original cooking.1 Initially, one by bread or matzah (e.g. meat, fish,
preparation for Shabbos. By setting must be careful to ensure that all or eggs); common custom is to use
aside some cooked food and baked food prepared on Friday is edible a hard-boiled egg.7 Although one
food in honor of Shabbos before the before Shabbos begins. However, in may use a cooked food even if it was
onset of Yom Tov, one is permitted to extenuating circumstances, one may not cooked specifically for the Eruv,
prepare Shabbos foods on Friday. Let prepare food on Friday for Shabbos the optimal form of the mitzvah is
us explore why it is necessary, how even if the food will not be edible performed when one cooks a food
it works, and the procedure used. when Shabbos begins.2 Accordingly, specifically for the Eruv.8
special care must be taken to ensure The baked item should ideally be
that the cholent is prepared early whole and at least the size of a
The Background k’beitza (2 fl. oz.), but it is sufficient
enough on Friday to allow it to be
On Yom Tov, like Shabbos, one
edible (at least one-third cooked) if the piece is at least the size of a
may not transgress the 39 forbidden
by the time Shabbos begins. k’zayis.9 Ideally one should use bread
melachos, with a few exceptions. One
As an extension of the above require- or matzah, but if these are unavail-
of the exceptions is the melacha of
ment, many people have a custom able, cake or cookies from the five
bishul (cooking) as it states (Shemos
to accept Shabbos early when Yom species of grain may be used. Many
12:16), “אך אשר יאכל לכל נפש הוא
Tov falls on Friday to ensure that all people have a custom to use matzah
– ”לבדו יעשה לכםthe only work that
food preparation is completed well as the baked item.
may be performed on Yom Tov is that
before nightfall.3 The baked and cooked items are
which is needed so that everyone will
held in one’s hand and the follow-
be able to eat. However, cooking
The Procedure ing beracha is recited: “Boruch atah
on Yom Tov is only permitted if
The Eruv should be prepared on Erev Hashem… al mitzvas eiruv,” fol-
the food will be consumed on Yom
Yom Tov, i.e. Thursday. If the Eruv lowed by the declaration, “Baha-
Tov; cooking for a later date, be it
was prepared on an earlier day, the dein eiruva…” as printed in many
a regular weekday, another day of
Eruv is effective but should ideally siddurim. The declaration states
Yom Tov, or Shabbos, is forbidden,
be prepared again on Erev Yom Tov that, with the Eruv, preparation for
and according to some opinions
without a bracha.4 Shabbos may take place on Yom Tov.
may involve a Biblical prohibition.
The Eruv consists of two food items It is important that one understand
Accordingly, when Yom Tov occurs
– one cooked and one baked.5 As the meaning of the declaration; if
on Friday, it should be forbidden
explained, by setting aside a cooked necessary, the declaration may be
to prepare food on Friday for the
item and a baked item for Shabbos recited in English.10 After the dec-
next day, Shabbos. How, then, is
before the onset of Yom Tov, all sub- laration, the food items should be
one able to prepare fresh, tasty food
28 www.crcweb.org
he forgot to set aside a baked item, he should take
stored in a safe location so that they Yom Tov (e.g. turning on and off a baked item along with the cooked item and say
remain intact until Shabbos. In fact, lights, using electric appliances) are the declaration again without repeating the bracha
the Eruv must stay intact until the never permitted, even if an Eruv was (Mishnah Berurah 527:7).
6
Shulchan Aruch 527:3.
preparations for Shabbos have been prepared. Additionally, the Eruv 7
One explanation for this custom is that the Eruv
completed.11 It is customary to use Tavshilin only allows preparation for must stay intact and edible until the preparations
for Shabbos are finished. Accordingly, one must use
the Eruv’s baked item, if it is bread Shabbos; preparation for a weekday a food item which does not spoil quickly, so the
or matzah, for lechem mishnah on remains prohibited. custom developed to use a hard-boiled egg, which
satisfies this requirement (Aruch HaShulchan 527:13,
Shabbos, and then to eat the Eruv- Ben Ish Chai Shanah 1, Tzav 1). As an aside, one
foods during Seudah Shlishis.12 Who Needs to Prepare an should be careful to leave the egg in its shell because,
according to many opinions, an egg should not be
Eruv Tavshilin? eaten if it was left overnight without its shell (see
Forgot To Prepare the Any household which intends to Aruch HaShulchan Y.D. 116:22). If the egg was
shelled, it should be mixed with another food, e.g.
Eruv? cook, bake, or even reheat food on mayonnaise.
Friday for Shabbos, must prepare an 8
See Biur Halacha, 527:6, s.v. adashim.
If one forgot to prepare the Eruv 9
Rama 527:3.
before the onset of Yom Tov and Eruv Tavshilin.16 Those who do not 10
See Mishnah Berurah 527:40.
remembered before tzeis hakochavim intend to do any food preparation 11
If the baked item was eaten (or ruined) before
preparations for Shabbos took place but the cooked
(nightfall), he may still prepare the may still need to prepare an Eruv for food is intact, Shabbos preparations may continue
Eruv Tavshilin.13 If he does not other preparations (see footnote).17 as usual (Mishnah Berurah 527:46). If, however,
the cooked item was eaten, the Eruv is disqualified,
remember until after tzeis hako- One Eruv is sufficient for all mem- unless a k’zayis of the food remains (Shulchan Aruch
chavim, he may no longer prepare bers of the household.18 A guest in 527:15). If the Eruv is ruined or eaten while one is
in the midst of food preparation, preparation of that
the Eruv, and should consult his a hotel or in someone’s home needs particular food may be completed (ibid. 527:17).
Rav as to how he should conduct to prepare an Eruv and does not 12
Mishnah Berurah 527:48. The reason for this is
that once an item is used for a mitzvah, it should
himself on Yom Tov.14 automatically become part of the be used for additional mitzvos (ibid.).
household’s Eruv. Therefore, the 13
Rama 527:1. If doing so will cause one to miss
the correct time to recite mincha, he should recite
What Kind of guest should prepare an Eruv, but mincha and appoint a messenger to make the Eruv
Preparations are should do so without a bracha (see on his behalf. Alternatively, he may give all the food
footnote).19 items he wishes to prepare for Shabbos as a present to
Permitted? a friend who prepared an Eruv and ask the friend to
The Eruv is primarily designed to cook and bake the food (Mishnah Berurah 527:4).
14
In extenuating circumstances, there is a possibil-
allow cooking and baking for Shab- 1
Rama 527:1. ity that one may be able to rely on the Rav’s Eruv.
bos. In addition, the Eruv permits 2
Mishnah Berurah 527:3. The rationale for this In addition, (a) on any Yom Tov other than Rosh
requirement is based on the following: Logic dictates Hashanah there is an option to make the Eruv on
activities indirectly related to food that a Rabbinical directive, such as Eruv Tavshilin, the first day of Yom Tov with a t’nai - a condition (see
preparation (e.g. lighting candles may not override a Biblical prohibition; it is thus Shulchan Aruch 527:22 for more details), and (b)
one who forgets to prepare the Eruv may still light
and washing dishes with hot water); self-evident that the Eruv Tavshilin is only effective
Shabbos candles but should only light one candle
where there is no Biblical prohibition. As explained
it also permits preparations which do above, according to some opinions, cooking on Yom (Mishnah Berurah 527:55).
15
See Mishnah Berurah 302:17, Levush 528:2, Noda
not involve melachah (e.g. straight- Tov for Shabbos may involve a Biblical prohibition.
B’Yehuda Tinyana O.C. 25, and Kinyan Torah 3:70:2.
In order to accommodate these opinions, one must
ening up the house for Shabbos). be careful to ensure that all food prepared on Fri-
16
T’shuvos Shevet HaKahasi 2:184.
17
One who does not intend to heat or prepare food
Other preparations which involve day is edible before Shabbos begins, thus avoiding
for Shabbos may still need to prepare the Eruv for
the Biblical prohibition. However, in extenuating
melachah and are not food-related circumstances, one may rely on the other opinions other activities, such as lighting Shabbos candles or
carrying items in a public domain. According to
(e.g. carrying a machzor to shul for which rule that preparing food for Shabbos does not
many Poskim, the Eruv should be prepared and the
involve a Biblical prohibition (ibid.).
Shabbos through a public domain) 3
Mishnah Berurah ibid. declaration recited, but the bracha should be omitted
(Kaf HaChaim 527:113). Nevertheless, one who is
are subject to dispute; therefore, it 4
Shulchan Aruch 527:14.
intends to light Shabbos candles and is unsure if he
5
According to most opinions, the main component
is preferable to derive benefit from of the Eruv is the cooked item – not the baked will cook or bake for Shabbos should prepare the
it on Yom Tov itself.15 item – because the term “cooking” encompasses Eruv as normal (Chut Shani, Yom Tov pg. 150).
baking as well. However, in order to accommodate
18
Mishnah Berurah 527:56.
It is important to stress that the position of some opinions who rule that baking
19
Chut Shani ibid. pg. 154. Alternatively, a guest
preparing the Eruv Tavshilin only is not included in the term cooking, one must set may ask permission to join the household Eruv and
aside a baked item as well. If one set aside a baked pick up the Eruv food with intention to acquire a
permits actions which may be per- item for the Eruv but failed to set aside a cooked portion of the food prior to the Eruv setup (ibid.).
formed on Yom Tov and were pro- item, the Eruv is not valid and must be prepared Guests which have been given free reign of the
home and are welcome to help themselves to food
hibited merely because they were again in the proper way. If, however, one set aside a
and drink are likely included in the household Eruv.
cooked item but failed to set aside a baked item, the
preparation for Shabbos use; actions Eruv is valid (Shulchan Aruch 527:2). Nonetheless, This applies as well to children visiting their parents’
home for Yom Tov.
which are prohibited to be done on if one remembers before the onset of Yom Tov that
www.crcweb.org 29
cRc Guidelines for Shaimos
A s we clean and prepare our homes for Passover, it is not uncommon to come across many items, other
than chametz, that we would like to discard. Questions often arise regarding papers or publications that
bear Hebrew letters and may be considered shaimos, religious items or texts, which require special disposal.
Therefore, we present the following guidelines established by our Rosh Beth Din, HaRav Gedalia Dov
Schwartz A”UYL$.
Shaimos Guidelines mezuzah covers. into double plastic bags and then
In regard to disposal of items • It would be advisable that work- disposed of. This includes such
containing Hebrew script, etc. and sheets, etc. not be reproduced or publications as the Jewish Press,
shaimos, the following guidelines written in ksav ashuri (printed the Yated, etc.
are recommended: Hebrew letters – not handwrit- • In Jewish publications such as
• Any parts of Kisvei Kodesh such ten script) if possible, and it is Likutei P’shatim and shul newslet-
as Tanach, Gemara, and siddurim, advisable that entire p’sukim not ters, only the Divrei Torah sections
etc. must have geniza, burial of be reproduced. These worksheets must have geniza. The social sec-
religious items. This includes tefil- may be disposed or recycled. tions may be recycled.
lin, mezuzot, rabbinic sefarim, and • Jewish newspapers may be put
Important note: As the cRc will not be collecting shaimos, please do not bring your shaimos to the cRc office
during the Passover season.
this obligation is fulfilled: your Rabbi will purchase the cha- Bedikat Chametz
1. Mechirat chametz (sale of cha- metz from the non-Jew. You should The search for chametz is made on
metz) wait at least one hour after Pass- Thursday evening, April 21, 2016,
2. Bedika and bitul of chametz over before using this chametz, to immediately after dark. By that
(the search for and nullifica- give the Rabbi time to complete time, your home should be thor-
tion of chametz) the re-purchase of the chametz oughly cleaned of all chametz except
3. Biur chametz (destruction of and restore its ownership to you. for food you have set aside for the
chametz) All chametz that is to be sold bedikat chametz ceremony and the
should be placed in a special room chametz you intend to eat before
or section of the house, together with it becomes prohibited (for specific
Mechirat Chametz chametz dishes and utensils, until times for the 2016 holiday, please
One who cannot dispose of all of after Passover. This area should be see pages 72-73.
his chametz before Passover must locked or closed off so that access Traditionally, we spread 10
authorize his Orthodox Rabbi, in to it will be difficult. small pieces of bread to be gathered
advance, to sell this chametz for It is important to list your home up throughout the home during a
30 www.crcweb.org
search by the light of a single-wick from any undiscovered chametz in
candle. It is important to be very one’s possession must be recited by
careful when placing pieces of cha- everyone. Since the person making
metz that they be placed on a piece this declaration must understand
of paper, napkin or paper plate to what he or she is reciting, it may be
prevent the spread of chametz. The recited in any language the reader
person conducting the search first understands. Here is the bitul cha- Savings Time
recites a blessing: metz statement, in Aramaic and in the Chicago area. The follow-
OLWEH VLM WNYQLA ‘d HTA VWRB English: ing formula is recited at the time of
RWEB LE WNWCW WYTWCMB WN$DQ R$A ,YTW$RB AKYAD AEYMXW ARYMX LK burning of the chametz on Friday,
.JMX ALDW,HTREB ALDW,HTMX ALD April 22, 2016:
BA-RUCH A-TA ADO-SHEM ELO-KEINU RQPH YWHLW LUBL,HYL ANEDY ,YTW$RB AKYAD AEYMXW ARYMX LK
ME-LECH HA-O-LAM ASHER KID’SHANU AERAD ARPEK ALDW HTMXD HTZX ALDW HTZXD
B’MITZ-VOTAV V’TZI-VANU AL BI-UR “Any chametz or leaven that is in my posses- LUBL,HTREB ALDW HTREBD HTMX
CHAMETZ. sion, which I have not seen, have not removed aerad arpek rqph ywhlw
Once the blessing has been and do not know about, should be nullified “Any chametz or leaven that is in my pos-
recited, one then proceeds with the and become ownerless, like dust of the earth.” session, whether I have recognized it or
search, going from room to room not, whether I have seen it or not, whether
to look for his chametz. At the same I have removed it or not, should be nulli-
time, a spot check is made to be Biur Chametz fied and become ownerless, like dust of
sure that all other chametz has been On Friday, April 22, 2016, chametz the earth.”
removed. Using a feather as a brush, may be eaten no later than 10:09 As a community service, the
all the chametz is gathered into a bag a.m. Daylight Savings Time in the Agudah will hold a public biur
or cloth, and carefully set aside to Chicago area. All chametz remaining chametz on Friday, April 22, 2016
be burned the following morning. in one’s possession must be kept in a between 8:00 A.M. and 11:00 A.M.
sealed cabinet or room throughout in the parking lots of Yeshivas Ohr
Passover. Boruch at 2828 W. Pratt Blvd. and
Bitul Chametz All chametz that has not been JDBY at 3200 W. Peterson Ave.,
After the search for the chametz has sold (see prior section) must be both in Chicago. To allow for com-
been completed, a formal renuncia- burned on Friday, April 22, 2016, plete burning in time, no chametz
tion of ownership or desire to benefit no later than 11:29 a.m. Daylight will be accepted after 11:00 a.m.
D •
www.crcweb.org 31
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Guidelines for Seder Thoughts
Those Leaving Rabbi Gedalia Dov Schwartz, Rosh Beth Din
Home Before The Pesach Haggadah, which is the actual guide for our fulfill-
Passover ment of the mitzvos on the first nights of Yom Tov, contains
many familiar oft-quoted texts that have resulted in vast
commentaries throughout the ages. Many of the insights and
Note: For specific questions about these laws please interpretations are responses to many of the questions that the
consult your Orthodox Rabbi. reader might find while reading the words of the Haggadah.
Bedikat Chametz — One of the observations which I personally have noted is the
Search for Chametz following: In describing the Four Sons mentioned in different
A s outlined in the Shulchan places in the Torah, 1) the Chochom, or wise son; 2) the Rasha,
Aruch (Rabbi Yosef Karo’s or wicked son; 3) the Tam, or simple son; and 4) the Sheino
Code of Jewish Law), anyone Yodea Lishol, the son who does not even have the knowledge
leaving home before the traditional to ask, it is strange that normally in Torah and Rabbinic texts,
evening of bedikat chametz, must the opposite of the Rasha, the wicked person, is the Tzaddik,
carry out the search on the night the righteous individual, as a contrast, rather than the Cho-
before he or she departs. However, chom, the wise son.
since this is not the normal evening
for bedika, no bracha is recited. My humble explanation is that in the definition of a Tzaddik,
Another option is to appoint a she- which means that he is basically fully observant of Torah and
liach — agent — to perform the mitzvos, he must have the wisdom of Torah knowledge or
bedika at the normal time. On the training that takes him out of the category of an am ha’aretz,
morning of Erev Passover (Friday, an illiterate or unknowledgeable Jew. In order to be classi-
April 22, 2016), the statement of fied as a Tzaddik, one must have a knowledge of Torah, which
bitul should be pronounced at the directs him to perform the mitzvos. How can one observe
required time of the place where the Shabbos, kashrus, Pesach, and other mitzvos if he is not
chametz is kept. educated through Torah learning? Within the context of the
Torah and the questioning or doubts of the Four enumerated
Mechirat Chametz — Sons the term of “chochom” fits the observant son, who in his
Selling the Chametz observance may not ask questions about the Torah in order
Because of differing opinions regard- to understand its meaning. He, then, is in stark contrast to the
ing those who travel to Eastern time Rasha, who, although perhaps educated, has already rebelled
zones (where the holiday begins and separated himself from observance.
earlier) a separate sale of chametz is From the above it is clearly implied that Torah education
arranged earlier in the home com- will result in the category of a generation that will be called
munity for those traveling towards symbolically the Wise Son, learned and devoted to Torah. We
the Eastern time zones. Another cannot celebrate a rich and meaningful Pesach with all of its
option would be the transfer of the requirements of special mitzvos and high demands on kashrus
chametz as a gift to someone else without a Torah chinuch, education, which creates proud and
who remains in the community; the observant children, who take their place in the best category
recipient of the gift would arrange of the Four Sons.
the sale of the chametz. Call your
Orthodox Rabbi for the proper Chag Kasher v’Sameach!
forms or for questions regarding
international travel.
www.crcweb.org 35
Taanit B’chorim —
Fast of First Born Sons
The Seder
36 www.crcweb.org
Seder Plate
Please go online to http://bit.ly/WlBSpV for the cRc’s step-by-step video guide to assembling your seder plate.
www.crcweb.org 37
Basic Seder Requirements
and Measurements
Wine Full strength (undiluted) wine is deemed to be “praiseworthy.” Most
T he first of the Seder night mitz- required for the Arba Kosot. importantly, children should be
vot is the drinking of four cups If one’s health does not permit encouraged to raise any questions
of wine (known in Hebrew this, then one may dilute the wine they have at the Seder — separate
as Arba Kosot) by both men and with grape juice. One should be from the well-known “Mah Nishta-
women, in tribute to the Almighty careful to only dilute the wine as na” — to further demonstrate the
for the four promises made and much as necessary, with the least true meaning of freedom.
fulfilled concerning the redemption amount of grape juice possible.
(see Exodus 6:6-7). If for health reasons one cannot Matza
In honor of the prophet Elijah use wine at all, one may substitute The mitzva of eating matza at the
(Eliyahu), an additional goblet of grape juice. Seder is one of the most important
wine is placed on the table. This If one must dilute 100% grape of our Torah commandments, and
wine is not drunk. Elijah is the juice with water, the ratio should both men and women are required
symbol of peace and freedom that not exceed two-thirds cup water to fulfill this mitzva. We eat matza
one day will reign throughout the to one-third cup grape juice. at three specific points during the
world. If one does not have enough wine Seder service:
According to Rabbi Gedalia to perform the mitzva (Kiddush, Motzi-Matza — this matza is
Dov Schwartz, Rosh Beth Din of Havdalah, etc.) water may be eaten immediately after the appro-
the Chicago Rabbinical Council, added but not in excess of two- priate blessings are recited.
based on the halachic decisions of fifths cup wine to three-fifths cup Koraich
the late Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, zt’l, water. — the sandwich
that are quoted by his son, Rabbi Note: The Bracha over of matza and
Dovid Feinstein Sh’lita in his Hag- all these mixtures is maror, eaten prior
gadah, “Kol Dodi”, the following “Hagafen.” to the main meal.
are the minimum amounts of Afikomen
wine required during the Seder: Maggid — dessert — the
For the Arba Kosot (four Relating the story eating of matza at
required cups of wine), for Kid- of our Exodus from the conclusion of
dush (except on Friday night Egypt is the vital the Seder.
when the cup must contain at least mitzva of the Seder The halachic
4.42 fluid ounces) and for night. The Torah teaches us that requirement is to eat a minimum
Havdalah, the cup must one is specifically obligated to tell of a “k’zayit” (the volume of an
contain at least 3.3 fluid the story of Passover to the children olive) of Shmurah Matza, at each
ounces (revi’it ha-lug) in (V’hegadita l’vincha, Exodus 13:8). It of these points during the Seder as
size. The obligation is ful- is therefore important for everyone follows: 2 k'zaytim for Motzi-Matza,
filled if more than one-half present, and children in particular, and 1 k'zayit each for Koraich and
(rov kos) of each cup is to understand the story. Throughout Afikomen. Matza Shmurah has been
consumed after each the Seder, it is appropriate to offer supervised by a Jew from the time
blessing over the commentary or insights into the of harvest through baking.
wine. Exodus, and anyone who ampli- According to Rabbi Gedalia
Minimum Strength of fies the story through questions, Dov Schwartz, Rosh Beth Din of the
Wine interpretations, or discussion, is Chicago Rabbinical Council, based
38 www.crcweb.org
on the hala- determine the appropriate use of ingestion of insects. Please note that
chic deci- these products on Passover. when using either
sions of ≈ Some Sephardic communities method, activi-
the late pass the Afikomen around the ties which
Rabbi Seder table from right shoulder may eradicate
Moshe to right shoulder, thus reenacting insects (e.g.
Fein- the Exodus from Egypt. soaking) should
stein, be done prior to
zt’l, that Maror (Bitter Herbs) Yom Tov.
are quoted (Horseradish or Romaine According to Rabbi Gedalia
by his son, Lettuce) Dov Schwartz, Rosh Beth Din of the
Rabbi Dovid Fein- The eating of bitter herbs is another Chicago Rabbinical Council, based
stein, Sh’lita in his Haggadah, “Kol Seder night mitzva, reminding us of on the halachic decisions of the late
Dodi”, the following are the mini- the bitterness of slavery. Both men Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, zt’l, that
mum amounts of Matza Shmura and women must eat the equiva- are quoted by his son, Rabbi Dovid
required during the Seder: lent of a k’zayit. Bottled horserad- Feinstein, Sh’lita in his Haggadah,
Motzi-Matza: a piece equivalent ish does not fulfill the mitzva of “Kol Dodi”, each person must eat
in size to 6¼ inches by 7 inches maror. a minimum amount of Maror twice
Koraich: a piece equivalent to 6 When Romaine lettuce is used, during the Seder, once after the
inches by 4 inches one must be careful to ensure that bracha “Al Achilat Maror” and once
Afikomen: a piece equivalent to there are no insects found. There for Koraich, as follows:
6¼ inches by 7 inches are two ways to verify the absence If using pure, grated horseradish, use
If for health reasons, one can- of insects as follows: 1) Wash each the following amounts:
not eat matza, Shmurah Matza meal and every leaf under a strong stream After reciting the bracha “Al Achi-
(upon which one is permitted to of water, and then check each leaf in lat Maror”— eat an amount that
recite the Hamotzi) may be substi- the sun or under a strong light. OR can be compacted into a vessel
tuted as follows: 2) Soak the leaves in a soap solution measuring 1.1 fluid ounces.
After reciting the bracha “Al Achi- or Kosher for Passover vegetable For Koraich — eat an amount that
lat Matza” and for the Afikomen, wash (with a sufficient amount of can be compacted into a vessel
an amount of matza meal t h a t either to make the water “slip- measuring .7 fluid ounces.
can be compacted pery”) and agitate If using whole leaf Romaine lettuce,
into a vessel the water; if no use the following amounts:
measuring bugs are found After reciting the bracha “Al Achi-
1.5 fluid in the water, lat Maror” and Koraich — eat
ounces. then a chazaka enough leaves to cover an area of
For Koraich check should be done 8 by 10 inches.
— an amount next. When we refer If using Romaine lettuce stalks only,
of matza meal that to a “chazaka check”, use the following amounts:
can be compacted three samples or batches After reciting the bracha “Al Achi-
into a vessel holding must be checked and if lat Maror” and Koraich — eat
1.1 fluid ounces. no bugs are found, the enough stalks to cover an area of
≈ Most Sephardim remaining product may be 3 by 5 inches.
permit matza ashira, used without further check- ≈ Sephardim do not use horseradish,
which is made from ing. In all cases, if bugs are as it has a sharp taste and not a
fruit juice or eggs on found in the initial inspection (or bitter one. The Sephardic custom
Passover, although not in the water), the product should is to use the fresh leaves or stalks
for the mitzvah of lechem be washed and checked again, or not of Romaine lettuce or endives,
oni (motzi-matza). Please check be used. Careful washing will ensure but not the root.
with your Orthodox Rabbi to that no Torah laws are violated by the
www.crcweb.org 39
• Chicagoland’s Oneg Foods • בס״ד
• •
WishesYou a Pesach Kasher v’Sameach
•
DAIRY
935
•
Thank you for your patronage throughout
•
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the year and during this Pesach season
Shopping Guide
P E S A C H 2016
This list of products is marked as follows:
Acceptable without Passover Certification
Food items in this section should preferably be purchased before Passover
▲ Must bear reliable Passover Certification
Not acceptable for Passover
Sephardim should contact their local Sephardic rabbi regarding issues of kitniyot
Ammonia Body wash
Anise Kitniyot
Braces
Wax for braces is also acceptable; wash
rubber bands before placing in mouth
Antacid (chewable) ▲
Brewer’s yeast Chametz
Concentrate also requires Pesach
Apple juice ▲ certification Brown sugar ▲
Aspartame ▲ One may own and derive benefit
Buckwheat pillow from kitniyot
Raw are acceptable if they contain
Baby carrots no additives Butter ▲
Canned, cooked or frozen ▲
Candles Scented is also acceptable
Baby food ▲ Includes jarred or canned
Candy ▲
See Infant Formula pages
When acceptable, bottles should be Canned fruits or
Baby formula ▲
filled and cleaned separately from vegetables
Pesach dishes since formula is kitniyot
Canola oil Kitniyot
Baby oil
Caraway Kitniyot
Baby ointment
Raw (including baby carrots) are
Acceptable if it only contains talc,
Baby powder talcum powder, corn starch, or Carrots acceptable if additive‐free
other innocuous ingredients Canned, cooked or frozen ▲
Chicago Rabbinical Council 2701 W. Howard St., Chicago, Illinois 60645 773‐465‐3900 www.crcweb.org
SHOPPING GUIDE – PESACH 2016
Cloves
Some have a custom not to use Eye drops
cloves for Pesach
Acceptable if 100% pure and not Eye liner
Cocoa powder processed in Europe. Hershey’s are
Eye shadow
acceptable except for Special Dark
Sweetened or flavored ▲ Fabric protector
Coconut (shredded) Unsweetened & unflavored
Fabric softener
Beans which are plain, unflavored,
and not decaffeinated do not Seeds (Kitniyot)
Fennel Leaves
require certification, but the grinder
Coffee ▲ must be clean Fresh
Instant, flavored or decaffeinated Fish Canned, frozen or processed ▲
coffee requires certification
K‐cups require certification Fish food See pet food pages
Coffee filters Flax seeds are not kitniyot
Flax seeds See spices
Coffee whitener ▲
Flour Chametz
Cologne See medicine and cosmetic pages
Acceptable (including waxed) if not
Colonoscopy drink See medicine and cosmetic pages
Floss (dental) flavored
Confectionary sugar ▲ Foil (aluminum)
Contact lens solution Food coloring ▲
Cooking oil spray ▲ Foot powder
Canned, cooked, dried or
Corn & corn products Kitniyot sweetened ▲
(e.g. corn oil, corn syrup)
Fresh
Fruit
Corn remover Frozen is acceptable if it is not
sweetened or cooked, and contains
Cosmetics See medicine and cosmetic pages no sensitive additives
Creams (e.g. Pure frozen concentrated orange
Fruit juice ▲ juice
cosmetics)
Other concentrates ▲
Crock pot liner
Fruit preserves ▲
Cumin Kitniyot
Furniture polish
Cutlery (plastic) Fresh
Garlic Peeled (in jars or cans) ▲
Dates ▲ Glaze may be problematic
Powder free
Decaffeinated coffee Lipton decaffeinated tea bags are Gloves (disposable)
▲ Powderless or with powder ▲
or tea acceptable without certification
Acceptable (including waxed) if not
Glue
Dental floss or tape flavored
Grape juice ▲
Dentures Grapefruit juice ▲
Deodorant See medicine and cosmetic pages
Green beans Kitniyot
Dessert gels & Gum (chewing) ▲
▲
puddings
Hair gel
Detergent
Hairspray See medicine and cosmetic pages
Seeds (Kitniyot)
Dill Leaves Hemp Kitniyot
Dishwashing soap Herbal tea ▲
Dried fruit ▲ Raw
Horseradish Prepared ▲
e‐Cigarette “Juice” ▲
Hydrogen peroxide
Edamame Kitniyot
Ice (in bag)
Cooked or liquid ▲
Eggs Whole and raw (including Ice cream ▲
pasteurized)
Ices ▲
Ensure See nutritional supplement page
= Acceptable without Passover Certification ▲ = Must bear Passover Certification = Not acceptable for Passover
SHOPPING GUIDE – PESACH 2016
Insecticide
Sprays Mouthwash See medicine and cosmetic pages
Some traps contain chametz
MSG ▲
Instant coffee or tea ▲
Canned ▲
Invert sugar ▲ Mushrooms Raw or dried
Jam ▲ Nail polish
Jelly ▲ Nail polish remover
Pure frozen concentrated orange Napkins
Juice (fruit) ▲ juice
Other concentrates ▲ Non‐dairy creamer ▲
K‐Cups ▲ Nutritional
Kasha Kitniyot supplement (e.g. See nutritional supplement page
Ensure)
Ketchup ▲ Peanuts are kitniyot
Kimmel Kitniyot Pecans (all shelled) ▲
Nuts Other nuts (incl. chopped) are
Lactaid milk may be used if acceptable without certification if
purchased before Pesach free of BHA and BHT, and not
Lactaid Chewable pills blanched, roasted or ground
Non‐chewable pills
Ointments
Powder free
Latex gloves Powderless or with powder ▲
Extra virgin (unflavored)
Olive oil Other types, including extra light ▲
Laundry detergent
Oil ▲
Laxatives See medicine and cosmetic pages
Pure frozen orange juice
Concentrate also requires Pesach Orange juice ▲ concentrate does not require
Lemon juice ▲ certification Pesach certification
Wash rubber bands before placing
Lentils Kitniyot Orthodontics in mouth
Lip products See medicine and cosmetic pages
Oven cleaner
Liqueur ▲
Pam ▲
Liquid dish detergent Pans (aluminum)
Liquid medicines See medicine letter (page 3) Including bags, napkins, plates, and
Lotions Parchment paper ▲
Mascara Pecans (all shelled) ▲
Fresh or frozen raw meat in original Petroleum jelly
packaging is acceptable, but
Meat ground, cooked or repacked Pickles ▲
requires Pesach certification
Pills See medicine letter (page 3)
Medicine See medicine letter (page 3)
Pineapple (canned) ▲
See separate list of certified milk
Milk ▲
producers in the Midwest Plastic (cutlery, plates)
If certified is unavailable, buy
before Pesach Plastic wrap
Millet Kitniyot Including paper, plastic and
Plates Styrofoam
Mineral oil May be used for hot or cold
Mineral water
Acceptable if it does not contain Play‐doh May contain chametz
carbonation, flavors or vitamins
Polish (for furniture,
Monosodium
▲ shoes, or silver)
glutamate
Pop ▲
= Acceptable without Passover Certification ▲ = Must bear Passover Certification = Not acceptable for Passover
SHOPPING GUIDE – PESACH 2016
requires Pesach certification Sugar substitute ▲
Shampoo Vanilla ▲
Sherbet ▲ Vegetable oil ▲
Shortening ▲ Bagged salads ▲
Canned, cooked or frozen ▲
Silver polish Fresh raw vegetables are acceptable
Vegetables
if they are not kitniyot (see listing
Snow peas Kitniyot
for individual vegetables) and don’t
contain additives other than sugar
Soaps
Vegetable wash ▲
Soda ▲
Vinegar ▲
Sorbet ▲
Vitamins ▲
Sorghum Kitniyot
Acceptable if it does not contain
Soup mix ▲ Water carbonation, flavors or vitamins
Sour tomatoes ▲ Wax for braces
Kitniyot Wax paper
Soy products Soy sauce and soy milk may contain
chametz; see milk alternatives page Pure sugar without additives is
White sugar acceptable
Anise, caraway, coriander seeds,
cumin, dill seeds, fennel seeds, and Whitener (for coffee) ▲
mustard are kitniyot
Spices Other spices are acceptable in Wild rice Kitniyot
whole form, but ground spices
require certification Wine ▲
Splenda ▲ Wood chips
Stain remover Wrap (plastic)
Stevia ▲ Yogurt ▲
Stick deodorant
= Acceptable without Passover Certification ▲ = Must bear Passover Certification = Not acceptable for Passover
NEXT YEAR IN JERUSALEM.
THIS YEAR AT THE PARK PLAZA.
We are a people of tradition.
Of faith. Of love.
It’s no wonder why our Seder is so special
as we celebrate with family and friends.
At Park Plaza we celebrate the richness of family and tradition.
Call to arrange a visit and see how wonderful life can be.
Milk
Bareman’s (17-284) HyVee (17-101, 17-284) Price First (17-37, 17-38)
Best Ever (17-101) IGA (17-101) Roundy’s (55-1500)
Borden (17-37, 17-38) Jewel (17-37) Save-a-Lot (55-1500)
Centrella (17-37, 17-38) Kemp’s (55-1500) Schnucks (17-101, 17-284)
Clear Value (55-1500) Market Pantry (17-37, 17-38, Sendik’s (55-1500)
Country Delight (17-38) 55-1500) Shopper’s Value (17-101, 17-284)
County Market (17-101, 17-284) Lucerne (17-38) Sentry (17-37)
Dairy Pure (17-38, 17-38) Mid-West Country Fare (17-101, Trader Joe’s (55-1500)
Festival (55-1500) 17-284) Trig’s (55-1500)
Friendly Farms (17-38) Piggly Wiggly (17-37) Wic (17-37)
Glenview Farms (17-101) Prairie Farms (17-101, 17-284, Wisconsin Farms (55-1500)
Great Value (17-37, 17-38) 47-125)
46 www.crcweb.org
Cheese Sour Cream
*Oneg Cheese when bearing Kosher for Passover * Daisy Brand (48-0957) Sour Cream & Lite Sour
*Schtark Cheese when bearing Kosher for Passover Cream when bearing Passover 2016
* Dean’s Sour Cream (17-135) when bearing
Half and Half Star-D P
Dean’s Dairy Pure (17-37) when bearing Star-D P *Roundy’s Sour Cream (55-851) when bearing P-16
*Kemp’s (55-1500) when bearing P-16
Meijer (17-37) when bearing Star-D P Whipping Cream
*Prairie Farms (17-284) when bearing P-16 Dean’s Dairy Pure (17-37)
Trader Joe’s (55-1500) when bearing P-16
www.crcweb.org 47
Orange Juice Supermarkets
[bearing the following plant numbers Hungarian Kosher Foods – 847/674-8008
(in parentheses)]
Dierbergs (17-37) when bearing Star-D P Carryout meals will be available from
Marsh (17-37) when bearing Star-D P * Hungarian Kosher Foods – 847/674-8008
Orchard Pure (17-37) when bearing Star-D P
*Roundy’s (55-851) When bearing P-16 Pre-ordered meals and a la carte will be available from:
ValuTime (17-37) when bearing Star-D P * Mizrahi Grill – 847/831/1400
* Zelda’s Kosher Gourmet – 847-647-0033
Resorts
Gateways Organization, Inc.
www.gatewaysonline.org
Kosher Mountain Retreats, KMR Inc.
www.kmrtours.com * These companies have cRc
Weekend Connections endorsement throughout the year.
www.weekendconnections.com
Medicines Guidelines
The cRc’s general guidelines on medicines, cosmetics and toiletries can be found on page 3 of this guide. The
following is a summary of the medicine portion of those guidelines:
All pill medication – with or without chametz – that one swallows is permitted.
Rav Schwartz, Shlit”a, has ruled that, as a rule, vitamins do not qualify as medications and are instead
treated as food supplements, which require hashgachah for Passover. If a doctor prescribes a specific
vitamin which does not have Passover supervision, please review your specific situation with your doctor
and Rabbi.
Liquid and chewable medications that may contain chametz should only be used under the direction of
a doctor and Rabbi, who will judge the severity of the illness, the likelihood that the medicine contains
chametz, and the possibility of substituting a swallowable pill. Important: Do not discontinue use of
liquid, chewable or any other medicine without consulting with your doctor and Rabbi.
Liquid and chewable medications that contain kitnios may be consumed by someone who is ill.
For laws of taking medicine on Shabbos and Yom Tov, please consult your Rabbi.
48 www.crcweb.org
Allergy Alka Seltzer Plus Severe Cold & Flu Formula
Adwe Allergy Relief (Liquid).................Recommended (Effervescent Tablets).................... Possible chametz
Allegra Children’s Liquid Suspension..Possible chametz Cold-EEZE Daytime QuickMelts (Meltaway
Allegra Children’s Orally Disintegrating Tablet ..................................................... Possible chametz
..................................................... Possible chametz Cold-EEZE Nighttime QuickMelts (
Claritin Children’s Chewable............. Possible chametz Quickmelt tablet)......................... Possible chametz
Zyrtec Children’s Allergy Indoor & Outdoor Allergies. Diabetic Tussin Nighttime Cold & Flu Formula
..................................................... Possible chametz (Liquid)........................................ Possible chametz
Zyrtec Dissolve Tabs.......................... Possible chametz Dr Cocoa Nighttime Cough and Cold (Liquid)
Antacid / Digestion / Gas .................................................Not Recommended
Adwe Calcium Heartburn Relief...........Recommended Dr Cocoa Non-Drowsy Cough (Liquid)
Adwe Ko-Lanta Antacid Anti-gas..........Recommended .................................................Not Recommended
Alka Seltzer Alka-Seltzer Xtra Strength Theraflu Multi-Symptom Severe Cold (Packets)
(Effervescent Tablets).................... Possible chametz ..................................................... Possible chametz
Alka Seltzer Original Effervescent Tabs Thera-Flu Nighttime Severe Cold and Cough Powder
..................................................... Possible chametz (Powder)....................................... Possible chametz
Culturelle Digestive Health Capsules..Possible chametz Triaminic Children’s Night Time Cold and Cough
Culturelle Kids Chewables................. Possible chametz (Liquid)....................................Not Recommended
Culturelle Kids Packets..................Not Recommended Triaminic Day Time Cold & Cough Cherry Flavor
Gas-X Extra Strength Chewables Cherry Crème (Liquid).................... Chametz (not recommended)
..................................................... Possible chametz Triaminic Night Time Cough and Cold (Liquid)
Gas-X Extra Strength Chewables Peppermint Crème .................................................Not Recommended
..................................................... Possible chametz Tylenol Cold Sore Throat Cool Burst (Liquid)
Gas-X Extra Strength Thin Strips (Meltaway) ..................................................... Possible chametz
..................................................... Possible chametz Vicks Nyquil Children’s Cold and Cough (Liquid)
Gaviscon Extra Strength Cherry (Chewables) ..................................................... Possible chametz
..................................................... Possible chametz Vicks Nyquil Liquid Cold and Flu (Liquid)
Gaviscon Extra Strength Original (Chewable) ..................................................... Possible chametz
..................................................... Possible chametz Zicam Rapid Melt Tablets.................. Possible chametz
Imodium AD For Ages 6 & Up Liquid Delsym Children’s 12 Hour Cough Liquid
..................................................... Possible chametz ..................................................... Possible chametz
Imodium AD Liquid......................... Possible chametz Delsym Children’s 12 Hour Cough Liquid
Imodium AD Multisymptom Relief Caplets ..................................................... Possible chametz
........................................................Recommended Delsym Liquid Cough Suppressant
Kaopectate Max Peppermint (Liquid) ..................................................... Possible chametz
..................................................... Possible chametz Diabetic Tussin DM Max Strength Cough
Kaopectate Vanilla Regular Flavor (Liquid) Suppressant/Expectorant.............. Possible chametz
..................................................... Possible chametz Little Remedies Honey Cough Syrup (liquid)
Pepcid Complete Berry Flavor Chewables (Dairy) ..................................................... Possible chametz
..................................................... Possible chametz Mucinex Chest Congestion Mini-Melts for Kids
Pepcid Complete Cool Mint Chewables (Dairy) (Dissolving Granules)................... Possible chametz
..................................................... Possible chametz Vick’s DayQuil Cough (Liquid)......... Possible chametz
Pepto Bismol 5 Symptom Relief Caplets Vicks Nyquil Cough (Liquid)............ Possible chametz
........................................................Recommended Zarbee’s Children’s Nighttime Cough Syrup Grape
Pepto Bismol 5 Symptom Relief Cherry (Liquid) Flavor (Liquid)............................. Possible chametz
..................................................... Possible chametz Zarbee’s Naturals Children’s Cough Syrup (Liquid)
Pepto Bismol 5 Symptom Relief Chewable ..................................................... Possible chametz
..................................................... Possible chametz Creams............................................ All are recommended
Pepto Bismol Children’s Pepto Bubble Gum Flavor Deodorant
(Chewable)................................... Possible chametz General Recommendation
Pepto Bismol Max Strength............... Possible chametz Gel.............................................. All are recommended
Tums (all varieties)............................. Possible chametz Liquid................................................. Possible chametz
Blush............................................... All are recommended Spray................................................... Possible chametz
Body Soap....................................... All are recommended Stick........................................... All are recommended
Cologne Specific Products
Only recommended if known to be chametz-free Arrid Extra Dry XX..............................Recommended
Cough, Cold & Flu Arrid Extra Extra Dry XX.....................Recommended
Adwe Cough Syrup Tussin (Liquid)......Recommended Axe Deodorant (most varieties) ......... Possible chametz
www.crcweb.org 49
Axe White Label Dry Spray Antiperspirant Benefiber Stick Packs (unflavored) (Powder)
........................................................Recommended ............................... Chametz (Not Recommended)
Degree Antiperspirant Spray.................Recommended Citrucel Caplets (Caplets).....................Recommended
Degree Dry Spray.................................Recommended Dulcolax Suppository (Suppository).....Recommended
Degree Men Dry Spray.........................Recommended Epsom Salt (pure) Generic or Branded versions
Old Spice Refresh Body Spray............ Possible chametz (Powder)..........................................Recommended
Right Guard Sport (original) ................Recommended Ex-Lax Tablets (Tablets)........................Recommended
Right Guard Sport 3-D Odor Defense..Recommended Fibercon Caplets (Caplet).....................Recommended
Secret Deodorant..................................Recommended Metamucil Original Coarse (Powder)....Recommended
Secret Refresh Body Spray.................. Possible chametz Mineral Oil (pure, liquid).....................Recommended
Fiber Supplements........................................see Laxatives Miralax Powder (Powder)......................Recommended
Face Powder.................................... All are recommended Pedia-Lax Suppository (Suppository)....Recommended
Fever Reducer / Pain Relief Peri-Colase Tablets................................Recommended
Adwe Fever-Ex (Liquid)........................Recommended Phillips Milk of Magnesia Caplets.........Recommended
CVS Extra Strength Pain Relief Adult Liquid Phillips Milk of Magnesia Original Liquid
Acetaminophen Rapid Burst (Cherry) (unflavored).....................................Recommended
........................................................Recommended Prunelax Ciruelax Tablets......................Recommended
[consult with doctor for children’s dosaging] Senokot Tablets.....................................Recommended
Up & Up Children’s Acetaminophen Melty Tabs Senokot-S Tablets..................................Recommended
(tablet)............................................Recommended Walgreens Mineral Oil (Liquid)............Recommended
Walgreens Extra Strength Pain Reliever Acetaminophen Phillips Milk of Magnesia Fresh Mint (Liquid)
(Cherry Flavor) (Liquid)..................Recommended ..................................................... Possible chametz
[consult with doctor for children’s dosaging] Lipstick
Walgreens Junior Strength Ibuprofen 100 Chewable Almay Liquid Lip Balm........................Recommended
Tablets (Orange or Grape flavor).....Recommended Almay Smart Shade Butter Kiss.............Recommended
Foot Powder.................................... All are recommended Bare Minerals Loud and Clear Lipsheer
Gas.......................................... see Antacid/Digestion/Gas ........................................................Recommended
Hairspray and Mousse Bare Minerals Marvelous Moxie Lipgloss
Alberto VO5 Hairspray (assorted varieties) ........................................................Recommended
..................................................... Possible chametz Bare Minerals Marvelous Moxie Lipgloss-Hypnotist
Consort Hairspray for Men................ Possible chametz ........................................................Recommended
Dove Dry Spray....................................Recommended Bare Minerals Marvelous Moxie Lipstick-Break Away..
Dove Hairspray ................................. Possible chametz ........................................................Recommended
Dove Men Care Dry Spray....................Recommended Bare Minerals Marvelous Moxie- Live Large
Dove Mousse........................................Recommended ........................................................Recommended
Herbal Essences Mousse........................Recommended Bare Minerals Marvelous Moxie- Raise the Bar
L’oreal Mousse .....................................Recommended ........................................................Recommended
Matrix Hairspray (assorted varieties) Bare Minerals Marvelous Moxie Lipstick in Take
..................................................... Possible chametz Charge.............................................Recommended
Pantene Hairspray ............................. Possible chametz Bare Minerals Modern Pop Marvelous Moxie Lipstick
Pantene Mousse ...................................Recommended in Dream Big...................................Recommended
Paul Mitchell Hairspray (assorted varieties) Bare Minerals Pop of Passion Lip Oil-Balm
.................................................... Possible chametz ..................................................... Possible chametz
Redken Full Frame 07 Mousse..............Recommended Bare Minerals Pretty Amazing Lipcolor
Redken Hairspray.............................. Possible chametz ..................................................... Possible chametz
Rusk Hairspray ................................. Possible chametz Bobbie Brown Sheer Lip Color.............Recommended
Sebastian Hairspray ........................... Possible chametz Bobbie Brown Creamy Lip Color
Suave Hairspray ................................ Possible chametz ..................................................... Possible chametz
Suave Max Hold Mousse.......................Recommended Bobbie Brown Creamy Matte Lip Color
TRESemme Hairspray ...................... Possible chametz ........................................................Recommended
TRESemme Mousse ............................Recommended Bobbie Brown Lip Color.......................Recommended
White Rain Hairspray........................ Possible chametz Bobbie Brown Lip Color in Shimmer Finish
Indigestion.............................. see Antacid/Digestion/Gas .................................................Not Recommended
Laxatives / Fiber Supplements Bobbie Brown Rich Lip Color........... Possible chametz
Benefiber Healthy Shape (Powder) Lancome Color Design Jason Wu Collection Lip
............................... Chametz (Not Recommended) Color...............................................Recommended
Benefiber Powder (powder) Lancome Color Design Sensational Effects
............................... Chametz (Not Recommended) ........................................................Recommended
50 www.crcweb.org
Lancome Baume In Love......................Recommended Dramamine Chewables Orange Flavor
Lancome Color Design Limited Edition ..................................................... Possible chametz
........................................................Recommended Femcon Fe (brown and white pills) (chewable tablet
Lancome Color Design Matte Lip Color (Dairy)......................................... Possible chametz
........................................................Recommended Fixodent Extra Hold (Powder)..............Recommended
Lancome Color Design Matte Lip Crayon Fixodent Food Seal (Gel)................... Possible chametz
........................................................Recommended Fixodent Free (Gel)...............................Recommended
Lancome L’absolu Nu...........................Recommended Fixodent Original (Gel)........................Recommended
Lancome L’absolu Rouge Advanced Replenishing & FlavorX (assorted flavors) (liquid)...... Possible chametz
Reshaping Lipcolor Pro-Xylane.......Recommended Floss, flavored.................................... Possible chametz
Lancome L’absolu Rouge Definition.....Recommended Floss, unflavored...................................Recommended
Lancome L’absolu Rouge Long-Wear Advanced Lip Balm Assorted................................Recommended
Replenishing & Reshaping Lipcolor Listerine PocketPaks Assorted varieties
........................................................Recommended (Dissolving strip)......................Not Recommended
Lancome L’absolu Velours ....................Recommended NoDoz Alertness Aid (Pill)...................Recommended
Lancome Rouge In Love.......................Recommended Polident 3 Minute (Tablet)................ Possible chametz
Lancome Shine Lover............................Recommended Polident Overnight Whitening (Tablet)
L’oreal Colour Caresse Wet Shine Stain ..................................................... Possible chametz
..................................................... Possible chametz Polygrip Free (Gel)................................Recommended
L’oreal Colour Riche Collection Exclusive Red Polygrip Original (Gel).........................Recommended
Lipcolor...........................................Recommended Vivarin (Tablet)....................................Recommended
L’oreal Colour Riche Le Gloss...............Recommended Mouth Pain Relief
L’oreal Colour Riche Lipcolour ............Recommended Abreva Gel............................................Recommended
L’oreal Extraordinaire By Colour Riche.Recommended Orajel Mouth Sores Triple Medicated (Gel)
L’oreal Infallible 8 Hr Le Gloss.............Recommended ........................................................Recommended
L’oreal Infallible 8 Hr Plumping Gloss Anbesol Maximum Strength Liquid
..................................................... Possible chametz ..................................................... Possible chametz
L’oreal Infallible Le Rouge.....................Recommended Kanka Mouth-pain Liquid................. Possible chametz
L’oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Gloss..........Recommended Orajel Maximum Strength Toothache (Gel)
Revlon Colorstay Overtime Lipcolor Basecoat ..................................................... Possible chametz
........................................................Recommended Mousse..................................... see Hairspray and Mousse
Revlon Colorstay Overtime Lipcolor Topcoat Mouthwash
........................................................Recommended Only recommended if known to be Chametz-free
Revlon Colorstay Ultimate Suede Lipstick Nail Polish....................................... All are recommended
........................................................Recommended Ointments....................................... All are recommended
Revlon Just Bitten Lip Balm.................Recommended Perfume
Revlon Just Bitten Lipstain ............... Possible chametz Only recommended if known to be Chametz-free
Revlon Super Lustrous High Shine Lipstick Shampoo......................................... All are recommended
........................................................Recommended Shaving cream
Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick Cream..Recommended Cream......................................... All are recommended
Revlon Super Lustrous Matte................Recommended Gels............................................ All are recommended
Revlon Super Lustrous Pearl..................Recommended Liquid................................................ Possible chametz
Lotions............................................ All are recommended Lotion......................................... All are recommended
Mascara........................................... All are recommended Sleep Aids
Miscellaneous Unisom PM Pain SleepCap (Caplet).....Recommended
Asthma Inhalers, all types (Liquid Vapor) Unisom SleepTab (Tablet).....................Recommended
........................................................Recommended Unisom QuickMelts (Meltaway)........ Possible chametz
Bayer Low Dose Baby Aspirin Chewables Vicks ZzzQuil Liquid........................ Possible chametz
..................................................... Possible chametz Toothpaste
Bonine Bonine Complete Raspberry Flavored Only recommended if known to be Chametz-free
(Chewable)...................... (Dairy) Possible chametz Vitamins...........................................See Guidelines above
Castor Oil (pure, liquid).......................Recommended Wipes
Chapstick Active...................................Recommended Only recommended if free of ethyl alcohol, a.k.a.
Chapstick Classic Original....................Recommended SD Alcohol (many are)
Chapstick Moisturizer...........................Recommended Huggies Baby Wipes (assorted varieties)
Citrus Magic Air Freshener ..................Recommended .......................................................Recommended
Crest 3D White Whitestrips 1 Hour Express Pampers Baby Wipes (assorted varieties)
........................................................Recommended ........................................................Recommended
www.crcweb.org 51
Nutritional Supplements & Infant
Formula for Passover 2016
T he OU has researched the following nutritional supplements and infant formulas and determined that
they are respectively suitable for someone who is infirm (choleh she’ain bo sakanah) and for infants, when
bearing the OU logo.*
52 www.crcweb.org
Nature’s Place Publix Tippy toes by TopCare
Nestle Good Start Rite Aid - Tugaboos Top Care
Next Step Shopko Topco
NutraEnfant Similac Up & Up
O Organic Baby Simply Right Vermont Organics
Parent’s Choice Stop & Shop Walgreens
Premier Value Sunrise Wegmans
President’s Choice Supervalu Well Beginnings
Price Chopper Target Western Family
* Most of these products contain kitnios, and for some that is the primary ingredient. With the exception of the flavors used,
any item which might be chametz-based is used in such small proportions that it is batel b’shishim (nullified). Where possible, it
is preferred to (a) use a substitute which is certified for Pesach, and (b) use a liquid supplement instead of a powdered one.
T he OU has researched the following milk substitutes and determined that they do not contain chametz,
and are kosher when bearing the OU symbol. However, the (a) soy and rice milks are kitnios-based,
and the almond milks may also contain kitnios and (b) may contain other ingredients which are only
appropriate on Pesach for people with specific health needs. Accordingly, these items should only be used after
consultation with one’s Rabbi who will determine if and how it is appropriate for a given person to use them.
Almond Milk – Original only Coconut Milk – Original Only Fit & Active
365 Everyday Value Coconut Dream Fresh & Easy Soysense
Almond Breeze (Original) Giant
Almond Breeze Unsweetened Rice Milk – Original only Green Way
Almondsense Full Circle Harris Teeter Naturals Organic
Essential Everyday Harris Teeter Harvest Farms
Fred Meyer Hy-Vee Hy-Vee
Fresh & Easy Market Basket Enriched Market Basket, Unsweetened
Friendly Farms Meijer Meijer
Full Circle Nature’s Place Natural Directions Organic
H-E-B Nature’s Promise Enriched Nature’s Place
Hy-Vee Price Chopper Enriched Nature’s Promise Organic
Laura Lynn Rice Dream Enriched O Organics
Market Basket Unsweetened Original Shop Rite Organic
Meijer RiceSense Enriched Shop Rite
Natural Directions Shop Rite Smart Menu Organic
Nature’s Place Wild Harvest Enriched Soy Dream
Price Chopper Stop & Shop
Roundy’s Soy Milk – Original only Western Family Aseptic
Shop Rite 365 Everyday Value (Original, Winn-Dixie Organic
Sunnyside Farms Light, and Unsweetened)
Tree of Life Best Choice Clearly Organic
Winn-Dixie Fit & Active Organic
www.crcweb.org 53
PRECISION
Service • New Installations
Howard Kaplan
President
601 North Milwaukee Ave
Wheeling, IL 60090
847.777.6500
847-982-9755 or 773-509-9755
The Libenu Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not‐for‐profit organization whose mission is to provide opportunities
for Jewish adults with developmental disabilities to live independent, meaningful lives as respected members
of the Jewish community, in supervised group homes that adhere to Torah values and principles.
Open your heart and generously support The Libenu Foundation’s projects.
To Make a Donation or for Additional Information, contact:
The Libenu Foundation
7247 N. St. Louis
Skokie, IL 60076
(847) 982‐0340, ext. 227
max@libenufoundation.org
www.libenufoundation.org
Pesach FAQs
T
Food
he following are answers to questions posed to the cRc by consumers. A more complete list of FAQs can
be found on the cRc website at www.crcweb.org.
and (b) corn, rice, and beans are labeled gluten-free. Of course,
Brown Sugar all gluten-free but are not eaten these grains also have other
Genuine brown sugar is a by Ashkenazic Jews due to the components such as starch
precursor to white sugar and custom of avoiding kitnios. which may be gluten-free but are
does not require special Pesach most definitely chametz. Thus,
certification. However, nowadays In addition, in order to qualify as for example, in some countries
much of the brown sugar sold gluten-free, the FDA requires that wheat starch which is converted
in the market is actually white the product be shown to contain into glucose, later becomes
sugar which is colored brown less than 20 ppm of gluten. alcohol, and finally ferments into
with molasses or caramel color, This may be an appropriate vinegar, may be labeled “gluten
and those two ingredients standard for people suffering free” yet the product is clearly
are potentially not acceptable from celiac but such tests will not suitable for Pesach. A real-
for Pesach (for reasons that not show whether the product life example of this is Benefiber
are beyond the scope of this was produced on hot equipment powder which is made of pure
document). Additionally, in used for chametz/gluten (which wheat dextrin and is chametz but
some brown sugar, the process was not kashered) or whether since it is free of wheat protein
begins with an enzymatic the gluten-free products had it is labeled as being gluten-free
“inversion” of the sugar. For incidental contact with gluten- (see http://bit.ly/1ckR3ng).
these reasons, we recommend that containing grains during transit Similarly, Scotch whisky is made
consumers only purchase brown or processing. Such issues have of malted barley and is surely
sugar that is certified for Pesach. been observed by Mashgichim chametz, yet the Scotch Whisky
overseeing kashrus for items Association proudly reports that
Gluten-Free Foods claiming to be gluten-free. it is acceptable for coeliacs (the
People who are celiac or otherwise English spelling of celiac) (see
choose to avoid gluten will However, there is a more question #90 at http://bit.ly/
not eat items that fundamental reason why HiBrG5). These examples reflect
contain wheat, gluten-free products the fact that the standard for
rye, spelt, and are not necessarily gluten-free is not the same as the
barley, and at acceptable for halacha’s standard of chametz-free.
first glance it Pesach: the
would seem that standards for Accordingly, we recommend that
anything labeled gluten-free and people wishing to purchase food
gluten-free is chametz-free are for Pesach check that the item
automatically not the same! The is certified as being kosher for
suitable for term “gluten” is Pesach and not merely rely on a
Pesach. The used to refer to company’s gluten-free claim.
simplest reasons specific proteins
why this is not (gliadin, hordein, Medical
accurate are that and secalin) found Chewing a Pill
(a) oats can be gluten-free, yet in certain grains and any item A person who has difficulty
oats mixed with water is chametz, free of those proteins can be swallowing pills/tablets may
56 www.crcweb.org
choose to chew it. [Check with (e.g. GoLYTELY, NuLYTELY, and recommend you discuss the
your doctor that this is medically MiraLAX). The ingredients details with your doctor and
advised.] used in the unflavored versions Rabbi.
of both of these solutions do not
Coated Pills pose any Pesach concern and may Intravenous
Most pills which one swallows be consumed on Pesach. These Someone who must be
are coated with a glaze, wax or solutions are also available pre- hospitalized on Pesach may allow
shellac which makes the pills flavored or with a “flavor pack” him or herself to be given any
easier to swallow, and some of that one adds to the solution, and intravenous fluid because (a) it is
these coatings have some form these are not recommended for unlikely that they contain chametz
of simple sugar (e.g. sucrose) Pesach. and (b) even if it did, there is
mixed in to make it even more halachic rationale to permit
pleasant to swallow the pill. In recent years, another option any incapacitated person (even
None of these ingredients pose a has become available – sodium without a condition as serious as
Pesach concern. Once in a while phosphate tablets (e.g. Osmo- yours) to use it.
a pill is coated with sweeteners Prep, Visicol). As with all
which are Pesach sensitive (e.g. other inedible tablets which Kashering
sorbitol) or which contain a are swallowed (as opposed to Barbeque Grill
flavor; such items would be listed chewed), these tables may be used The grates of a barbeque
as one of the inactive ingredients, on Pesach regardless of which grill must be kashered with
and we would not recommend ingredients they contain. libun gamur, which is not
those for Pesach. [This occurs recommended for the average
so infrequently that our general If someone is unable to drink consumer. If a person purchases
recommendation remains that all the unflavored solution, and separate grates for Pesach, the
pills are permitted.] their doctor recommends that rest of the grill can be kashered
they not use the tablets, they with libun kal, which can be
An example of this issue is the should consult their Rabbi and accomplished relatively easily, as
Advil brand family of tablets. doctor as to whether they may follows:
The (inactive) ingredient panel of take the flavored solution and/
the standard Advil tablets shows or reschedule the procedure for If the grill comes with a cover,
that they contain pharmaceutical before or after Pesach. light the grill with coals or gas,
glaze (i.e. shellac) and sucralose, close the cover, and allow it to
and one who swallows an Advil Diabetes burn on its highest setting (or
pill notices that they have a more At the Seder one is required to filled with a considerable amount
pleasant/sweet taste than pills consume large quantities of of coal) for an hour. If the grill
coated with a non-sweetened carbs, such as wine and matzah, does not have a cover, follow
coating. These do not pose a which poses a unique challenge the same procedure, but make
Passover concern. However, the for diabetics. An excellent and sure that all surfaces of the grill
ingredient panel on the “Film- thorough guide for this has been are covered with coals. As with
Coated” Advil tablets indicates written by Rabbi Hirsch Meisels all items being kashered, it is
that its coating contains a flavor, of the “Friends with Diabetes” crucial that the grill be cleaned
and that variety is therefore not website. The English version of thoroughly of all food residue,
recommended. the guide is available at http:// which is often a particular
friendswithdiabetes.org/files/ difficulty in a barbeque grill. In
Colonoscopy pdf/Pesachenglish.pdf, and that fact, if the grill has too many
The primary solutions used website also has other resources holes, cracks, and crevices where
to flush the patient’s colon in for Jewish diabetics. We have not food may get trapped, one should
preparation for a colonoscopy reviewed the medical and halachic refrain from kashering the grill at
are polyethylene glycol based advice provided by those guides all.
www.crcweb.org 57
Braces a hot davar gush. Rema agrees cover their counters for Pesach.
We have been told by that the letter of the law follows Standard Formica is made of a
orthodontists that [for those Shulchan Aruch’s ruling, but very thin layer of laminate/plastic
people who do not have a water- says that the Ashkenazic custom glued to a thick piece of wood,
flosser (e.g. Waterpik)] the best is to be machmir and choose a and the special Pesach covers are
way to clean braces is to use a method of kashering that even made from the same laminate
Proxa “proxa brush” which has a narrow suffices for the secondary uses glued to a thin piece of wood (to
Brush
bristled end that fits between the (miut tashmisho) of the utensil. make it easier to maneuver and
different wires and brackets. It Accordingly, in the case of a table save from year to year).
is an inexpensive and effective irui kli rishon is not sufficient,
tool for removing all residue and that is the basis for Mishnah Dishwasher
from braces and other dental Berurah’s question. Since it is The first step in kashering any
appliances. merely a chumrah to be concerned item is to remove all residual
with miut tashmisho, one is not chametz. With this in mind,
Counter required to follow that chumrah Rema 451:18 rules that any
Shulchan Aruch 451:20 says that in cases of b’dieved (as noted in utensil which has small cracks
tables should be kashered via irui the aforementioned Mishnah and crevices where food might get
kli rishon. However, Mishnah Berurah and in Rema 451:6) or trapped should not be kashered for
Berurah 451:114 questions this in cases where that will mean it Pesach because of the difficulty in
ruling because occasionally a hot is impossible to kasher the utensil getting the utensil perfectly clean.
davar gush (solid food) of chametz (see Sha’ar HaTziun 451:51, based Our guide presents the position
might be placed onto the table, in essence on the ruling of Rema of our Posek, Rav Schwartz, who
and we are machmir for those YD 121:5). holds that the racks, silverware
opinions that davar gush has the holder, and drain/filter areas of a
status of a kli rishon such that irui Accordingly, if one were able dishwasher are classic examples
kli rishon would not be a sufficient to kasher their table or counter of Rema’s ruling; since there is a
kashering. Based on this question, via irui kli rishon with an even concern that food might be left in
Mishnah Berurah recommends m’lubenes that would be the best these areas, a dishwasher cannot
that tables be kashered via irui kli way to kasher it, and in fact there be kashered for Pesach. Others
rishon using an even m’lubenes so are some people who do this. hold that Rema’s ruling is limited
as to bring the level of kashering However, for most of the public to strainers and other items that
closer to that of a true kli rishon. this suggestion is impractical (a) have smaller and many more
Based on this, you may wonder due to the (a) inability of many holes and (b) come in direct
why our kashering guide says that surfaces to withstand such heat contact with Pesach food.
a table can be kashered via a mere and (b) the difficulty in properly
irui kli rishon and makes no note using an even m’lubenes over Granite
of an even m’lubenes. The answer a large surface. Therefore, we It is well established that stone
requires a deeper understanding treat this situation as one where can be kashered (see Shulchan
of the halacha of “rov tashmisho”, kashering based on miut tashmisho Aruch 451:8), and one would
as follows: will mean that it is impossible therefore imagine that all Rabbis
to kasher the utensil, and rely on would agree that granite can
Shulchan Aruch 451:6 rules that – the letter of the law that one may be kashered. However, granite
if a utensil is aino ben yomo – the kasher based on rov tashmisho (i.e. is commonly sealed with a
method of kashering is determined irui kli rishon without an even synthetic coating so as to prevent
by looking at the primary way m’lubenes). staining, and there is a difference
the utensil is used (rov tashmisho) of opinion as to whether that
such that a table can be kashered Counter Covers coating can be kashered. Some
via irui kli rishon because the Some people have Formica-type Rabbis follow the opinion that
primary use of the table is not for covers professionally made to synthetic materials cannot be
58 www.crcweb.org
kashered “un-blech”, has two parts, a pan regardless of whether it was used
and, and a cover. The first step is for kosher, non-kosher, chametz or
therefore, to clean the pan and the cover anything else].
rule that sealed- thoroughly, and not use them
granite cannot for 24 hours. The pan should Sink Insert
be kashered. [A then be kashered by filling it Porcelain sinks cannot be
subset with water and bringing that kashered, and therefore they can
of this water to a rolling boil. The top only be used on Pesach with a
group of the cover (i.e. the side which bowl-like “insert” put into the
is that comes in contact with the pots) sink. The insert does not have to
some must be submerged into boiling cover all interior surfaces of the
Rabbis water. One possible way to do sink but you should be careful
this would be by placing the cover to never put Pesach food, Pesach
upside down in the pan as dishes, or any hot liquids into the
it is filled with water, space between the insert and the
which is brought to a sink.
rolling boil (as described
above). Urn
Rav Schwartz ruled that an
Mouth Guard electric urn which is not brought
A mouth guard used year-round to the table during the year,
at night (i.e., a nocturnal bite is never used for anything but
follow this plate) can be used for Pesach after heating hot water, and is not
s t r i c t opinion for Pesach it is thoroughly cleaned with a washed with chametz items,
but not when kashering from non- brush and soap. may be used for Pesach without
kosher to kosher.] The cRc and kashering. If it is small enough to
most other hashgochos accept the Rotisserie be brought to the table, is used
lenient opinion that synthetics Although the spits, poles, and to heat other beverages, it is ever
may be kashered and therefore our skewers in a rotisserie oven can used to warm challah or other
Pesach Guide provides directions be kashered with libun kal from food on top of it for Shabbos,
for how granite and other sealed kosher meat to pareve, the same or it is cleaned with vinegar (to
stone surfaces can be kashered. procedure cannot be used when remove calcium buildup) or with
kashering from chametz to Pesach. the chametz dishes, then it should
For more on the question of not be used for Pesach without
whether synthetics can be In this regard, the kashering kashering.
kashered, you may want to see requirement after chametz is
Iggeros Moshe OC 2:92 & 3:58, stricter than after kosher meat, Water Filter
Tzitz Eliezer 4:6:c, and Minchas because chametz is a forbidden A Brita pitcher used year-round
Yitzchok 3:67. item (issurah), (albeit only for 8 should be cleaned well on the
days a year), while kosher meat inside and outside because it
Kedairah Blech is inherently kosher/permitted is used at meals where chametz
A kedairah blech can be kashered (hetairah). Accordingly, although is served. It would also be
with hag’alah. [Although people libun kal suffices when kashering commendable to use a new filter
may put dry chametz foods between kosher meat and pareve, cartridge for Pesach. [Placing
(e.g. challah) directly onto the a more intensive libun gamur is your “chametz” cartridge in water
kedairah blech, the blech’s pan required to kasher the skewers for Pesach will allow you to reuse
is filled with water and therefore from chametz use for Pesach. [The it after Pesach.] There is no need
libun gamur is not required.] rest of the rotisserie chamber, for a hot kashering of the pitcher.
The kedairah blech, a.k.a. the can be kashered with libun kal
www.crcweb.org 59
Passover Foods
for Your Pets
O n Pesach, a Jewish person may not eat, own, or derive benefit from chametz which is fit for human or
canine consumption, and owning chametz pet food to feed to an animal (even if the animal belongs to
someone else or is ownerless) is a violation of the latter two of those restrictions. While Ashkenazic Jews
have a custom to not eat kitnios, they may own and derive benefit from them. To benefit pet owners, the cRc
“certifies” certain varieties of pet food for Pesach, which means that we visit the factory to determine which for-
mulas are chametz-free, relieving the consumer of that responsibility. However, if no certified (or recommended)
pet food is available, the consumer would have to carefully read the ingredient panel to determine whether a
specific product contains any chametz (and many, in fact, do). A complete list of possible pet food ingredients
is beyond the scope of this guide; however the following are a few pointers when reading the ingredient panel.
If an ingredient does not appear in the following, it may still be chametz or chametz-sensitive.
1. In addition to checking for the five chametz grains – wheat, barley, rye, oats, and spelt – also look for brewer’s
yeast (a common flavoring agent, which is chametz), malt (a barley-based sweetener), pasta, xanthan gum
(a thickener which may be fermented from chametz), and other generic terms which may refer to a chametz
ingredient (e.g. flour, gluten, middlings, starch, et al).
2. Many varieties of animal feed contain a multitude of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, some of which
may well be chametz, and there is no realistic way for a consumer to determine which of them are problem-
atic. However, the good news is that vitamins comprise such a small percentage of the animal food that they
are batel. Therefore, it is generally accepted that if the animal food was created before Pesach, it may be used
on Pesach.
3. Some common ingredients used in pet food which do not pose a Pesach concern are:
a. Animal, poultry and fish products.
b. Vegetables, such as alfalfa, asparagus, beets, and carrots.
c. Assorted kitnios foods, such as buckwheat, corn products, lentils, millet, peas, rice, peanuts, sunflower
seeds, and soy products.
d. Other items, such as barley grass, BHA, BHT, carrageenan, cellulose, colors, eggs, gums (other than
xanthan gum), kelp, lactose, linseed, milk products, molasses, oils, psyllium, and whey.
By no means do these pointers cover all of the ingredients used in pet food, and you might want to be in touch
with a kashrus professional if you are unsure about any of the other ingredients in a given pet food.
T he following is a list of pet foods approved for Passover 2016. Make sure to check all labels. A product
listing both meat and dairy ingredients may not be used any time during the year. Feed available at zoos
is often chametz and should not be purchased or fed to the animals on Pesach. After Pesach, pet food
with chametz may be purchased only from stores which are non-Jewish owned (e.g. Petsmart, Petco) or Jewish
owned but have sold their chametz.
NOTE: Mixes sold in stores often contain chametz. It is advisable to mix regular and Pesach food together one to
two weeks before Pesach before switching completely to Pesach food. The ratio of regular and Pesach food should
be changed slowly to get the animal used to the new diet. Check with your veterinarian before changing diet.
CATS: Evanger’s: Beef Tips with Gravy; Chicken Dinner; Freeze-Dried Beef Liver; Freeze-Dried Beef
Tripe; Freeze-Dried Wild Salmon; Wild Salmon.
60 www.crcweb.org
There may be varieties of other name brand pet foods, such as Prescription Diet and Sci-
ence Diet, which may be chametz-free. Consumers are urged to check all labels for cha-
metz and/or chametz-sensitive ingredients as listed in the introductory paragraph above.
DOGS: Evanger’s: :100% Beef (6 oz, 13 oz); 100% Buffalo; 100% Chicken (13 oz,
22 oz); 100% Duck; 100% Organic Chicken; 100% Organic Turkey with Potatoes
and Carrots; 100% Pheasant; 100% Sweet Potato; All Natural Beef Liver Chunks;
Beef with Chicken; Beef, Chicken, & Liver; Beef Chunks Dinner in Gravy; Beef
Dinner; Braised Beef Chunks with Gravy; Catch of the Day; Chicken Chunks
Dinner in Gravy; Cooked Chicken: Duck and Sweet Potatoes Dinner; Freeze-Dried Beef Liver;
Freeze-Dried Beef Tripe; Freeze-Dried Wild Salmon; Hunk of Beef; Lamb and Rice Dinner; Lamb
Chunks Dinner in Gravy; Senior Dinner; Turkey Chunks Dinner in Gravy; Whole Chicken
Thighs; Wild Salmon.
There may be varieties of other name brand pet foods, such as Prescription Diet and Science Diet,
which may be chametz-free. Consumers are urged to check all labels for chametz and/or chametz-
sensitive ingredients as listed in the introductory paragraph above.
FISH: Fish food, including pyramid feeders, and vacation blocks often have chametz. Goldfish and tropi-
cal fish can be given tubular worms, frozen brine shrimp, and freeze-dried worms (if they do not
contain fillers).
BIRDS (PARROTS, PARAKEETS, COCKATIELS, MACAWS):
• Millet, sorghum, wild bird food (check for chametz ingredients) as main diet.
• Peanuts, sunflower seeds, and safflower seeds can be given.
• Larger birds, such as parrots, can eat pure alfalfa pellets (make sure it is pure alfalfa since it is com-
mon to add grains) or dry dog food (see above for list).
• Smaller birds can also eat pure alfalfa pellets – crush before feeding.
• Can supplement with sliced grapes, cottage cheese, rice cakes (birds like these), small pieces of lean
meat, matza, berries, eggs, canned baby fruits. All large food should be shredded before serving.
These items should be given sparingly.
• For minerals, can have oyster shells (calcium) or mineral block such as Kaytee Tropical Fruit Mineral
Block Treat.
• The greater the variety, the better.
HAMSTERS, GUINEA PIGS, GERBILS & RABBITS:
• Best to feed pure alfalfa pellets. Make sure it is pure alfalfa since it is common to add grains. Dried
alfalfa may also be given.
• Can supplement with mixture of cut-up fruits and vegetables - carrots, grapes, apples, melon, kale,
parsley, oranges, celery, dry corn, sunflower seeds, or cabbage. Can also give some matza. If not
accustomed to these items, give sparingly.
• Guinea pigs will especially benefit from kale, parsley, and oranges.
• Hamsters will especially benefit from apples.
• Guinea pigs need vitamin C added to diet.
LIZARDS:
Be aware that mealworms, which as living creatures are not chametz, are commonly sold in a bed of
wheat flakes or oatmeal, which is chametz and, therefore, may not be owned or used on Passover.
Live crickets are permissible. Whole insects (live or dead) with no additives or other ingredients are
permissible.
www.crcweb.org 61
This PASSOVER, don’t forget your pets!
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The Kashrus Status of Raw
Fish on Pesach
Rabbi Sholem Fishbane
Kashruth Administrator
64 www.crcweb.org
remains on the fish. these issues, as they are only glazing even though the product in question
We at the cRc have done exten- with salt water. is 100% permissible to eat according
sive research on this issue by visit- In truth, even the fish that is to halacha.
ing cRc-certified manufacturers, glazed with corn syrup is 100% For those that would like to
contacting other manufacturers, permissible to eat on Pesach, as avoid such fish, as previously men-
contacting other mashgichim, and the amount of corn syrup added tioned, you are safe if you choose the
last but not least, by sending ran- is always well below the shiur of Chilean salmon, or fresh fish in the
dom fish samples for lab testing. bitul, which for kitniyos is bitul market. When you see fish in the gro-
Our research has shown that corn b’rov (Rema 453:1 as per Mishnah cery store labeled “previously frozen”,
syrup glaze is primarily used only on Berurah 453:9.). However, as with but it is unfrozen in the refrigerator
Alaskan Wild Salmon. The fishing many items in kashrus – and spe- section, it usually means the whole
season is so short in Alaska that they cifically on Pesach - many people fish has been thawed, either by a
need superior methods of freezing would rather not consume items processor or by the grocery chain’s
and shipping to preserve the quality that need an article such as this to seafood preparation area. These may
of the fish for the rest of the year. explain why it is acceptable to eat. have been glazed with the corn syrup,
Indeed, we have found that salmon They would rather buy something although it is botul.
coming from Chile does not have that has no shailos to start off with –
http://www.crcweb.org/videos.php
www.crcweb.org 65
Chametz after Pesach
Rabbi Dovid Cohen
Administrative Rabbinic Coordinator
66 www.crcweb.org
is less chametz than other foods (i.e. flour. Therefore Mishnah Berurah all of these products are forbidden
batel b’rov) . Yavesh b’yavesh refers to 453:24 rules that “standard” flour if they were owned by a Jew over
“mixtures” where no one can tell the should be considered chametz, and Pesach? Surprisingly, the answer to
difference between the issur/chametz he strongly implies that the same that question depends on where one
and permitted food, but each retains applies to chametz she’avar alav lives, or more specifically, where the
its distinctiveness. An example of haPesach as well. Similarly, water food was manufactured, as explained
this would be a supermarket that is potentially used in two different below.
has five bottles of ketchup on the stages of the processing of oats/oat- As noted, white distilled vinegar
shelf that contain chametz she’avar meal, and oatmeal should therefore can be made from just about any
alav haPesach and eight bottles that be assumed to be chametz.1 grain, and the finished product tastes
do not, and no one can figure out On the other hand, plain barley exactly the same regardless of which
which bottles are the ones that are kernels (i.e. pearled barley) gener- grain was used. Therefore, vinegar
permitted. The different bottles of ally do not have any contact with is generally made from whichever
ketchup are “mixed together”, but water during processing; therefore grain alcohol is cheapest in that
each individual bottle retains its one may purchase them from a country. Thus, for example, in the
distinctiveness. In that case all 13 Jew after Pesach. If barley is soaked United States, white vinegar is by
bottles would be permitted because in water under proper conditions, and large made from corn alcohol
the five forbidden bottles are batel it ferments into beer, and since (i.e. non-chametz), while in Europe
b’rov in the eight permitted ones. the barley was in water for more it is often made from wheat alcohol
than 18 minutes, beer is chametz.2 (i.e. chametz). Of course there are
The consensus of the Poskim is that exceptions to this rule due to market
II. Which foods are included whisky produced from one of the fluctuations,4 but we have seen that
Chametz is defined as what is five grains is considered chametz as as relates to chametz she’avar alav
created when one of the five grains well.3 It is noteworthy that although haPesach one may surely rely on
– wheat, barley, rye, oats, or spelt certain whiskies are assumed to be the rov/majority. Therefore, white
– soaks in water for more than 18 made of kitnios (e.g. bourbon is vinegar (and vinegar-containing
minutes, and only chametz foods are made from corn), a careful reading products) made in the United States
forbidden after Pesach as chametz of the regulations often shows that may be assumed not to be in the for-
she’avar alav haPesach. Kitnios (e.g. the product must only contain 51% bidden category of chametz she’avar
rice, beans, corn) and other foods of that grain, and the rest typically alav haPesach, even if owned by a
forbidden based on minhag are not is chametz. Jew over Pesach.
chametz. Therefore, a Jew may own Vinegar is created when alcohol Certain enzymes, vitamins, fla-
them on Pesach, and they remain is fermented, and the primary con- vors, and other items (e.g. xanthan
permitted after Pesach regardless of cern as relates to it regarding chametz gum, citric acid) are created through
who owned them. she’avar alav haPesach is the source fermentation and are found in many
Some foods are obviously cha- of the alcohol. In some vinegars, the products (including vinegar, noted
metz, e.g. bread, pasta, cookies, source is apparent – malt vinegar is above). One of the prime ingredi-
crackers, and pretzels, and are clearly made from malt beer and is chametz, ents in fermentation is “glucose”
included in the halacha of chametz while wine or apple cider vinegar (a.k.a. sugar), and, just like white
she’avar alav haPesach. Other cha- are made from fruits that obviously vinegar, glucose can be created
metz-containing foods can easily be are not chametz. However, most from any starch. As noted above,
identified by reading the ingredient vinegar is labeled “white distilled”, in many countries this means that
panel. Breakfast cereals, soy sauce, and the alcohol used to produce it the fermentation products can be
fish sticks, and other foods gener- can come from just about any grain. assumed to be non-chametz. Even
ally have one of the five grains listed This vinegar is bottled and sold in countries where the glucose is
prominently. Additionally, nowa- and is also a primary ingredient in generally chametz, these items do
days, wheat kernels are generally pickles, olives, salad dressing, and not pose much of a concern regard-
tempered/soaked in water for many condiments (e.g. ketchup, mustard, ing chametz she’avar alav haPesach
hours before they are ground into mayonnaise). Does that mean that because (a) the items are gener-
www.crcweb.org 67
ally batel b’shishim in the finished well-known set of teshuvos, Iggeros forbidden as chametz she’avar alav
product, and (b) even in the cases Moshe1 discusses the case of a store- haPesach.
where they are considered a davar keeper who asks his Rabbi to sell his The second caveat is quite rel-
hama’amid, there will always be less chametz to a non-Jew (i.e. mechiras evant to the observant Jew buying
than a kezayis of the fermentation chametz) but then continues to do from the store after Pesach. There
product in any retail-sized container. business with chametz on Pesach. is a safek (doubt) on every piece
It is also worth noting that Does the fact that he continues to of chametz in the store – did the
Mishnah Berurah5 rules that non- do business with the chametz show storekeeper purchase it before Pesach
chametz food that was cooked in that the sale was just a sham, which so that it is covered by the mechiras
a chametz pot before Pesach may is invalid and renders the chametz chametz, did he purchase it on Pesach
be kept (i.e. owned) by a Jew over in the store chametz she’avar alav so that it is forbidden, or did he
Pesach.6 Clearly, if the Jew is permit- haPesach? While there were those purchase it after Pesach in which
ted to keep it over Pesach, there is who took a strict position on this case it is surely permitted? In some
no prohibition of cases, one can deter-
chametz she’avar mine exactly which
alav haPesach on products fit into
such food. each category, but
in most cases, it is
impossible to make
III. Jewish store- an exact determina-
keepers tion, and the safek
It was noted remains unclear.
above that the pro- We have seen ear-
hibition of chametz lier that there is a
she’avar alav haPe- disagreement as to
sach is limited to what to do if one
chametz owned by is unsure whether
a Jew on Pesach, a given product is
but chametz owned or is not chametz
by a non-Jew is per- she’avar alav haPe-
mitted. Towards this end, most matter, Iggeros Moshe ruled that sach, and one should consult with
conscientious Jews sell all of their the written document of sale over- the local Rav for direction on this
remaining chametz to a non-Jew rides the unspoken intentions of the matter.
just before Pesach and repurchase it storekeeper, and the sale is valid. At some point, the majority of
after Yom Tov. Therefore, as a rule, Therefore, any chametz owned by the store’s stock will not be chametz
observant Jews rarely have any of the storekeeper from before Pesach she’avar alav haPesach, and at that
their own chametz which is chametz may be purchased and eaten by Jews point one may purchase chametz
she’avar alav haPesach, and they only after Pesach. However, Iggeros Moshe without any qualms. Obviously,
deal with these halachos as relates to has two important caveats: the determination of how long it
food purchased in stores after Pesach. Any chametz sold by the store- takes before most of each type of
That issue can be divided into three keeper on Pesach is forbidden as chametz is permitted depends very
parts: buying from a non-religious chametz she’avar alav haPesach, since much upon the type of product and
Jewish storekeeper, food produced the Jewish storekeeper took/stole it the nature of the business. Fresh
in a Jewish-owned factory, and food from the non-Jew who purchased all bread only lasts for a few days, while
distributors who are Jewish. of the chametz. This will be relevant whisky, pasta, and canned goods
If a non-observant Jewish in a further section of this article. have a very long shelf life; 24-hour
storekeeper owned chametz during Any chametz purchased by the newsstands get deliveries much less
any part of Pesach, the chametz is storekeeper on Pesach is not cov- frequently than large supermarkets.
forbidden to all Jews forever. In a ered by the mechiras chametz and is Sometimes, the products delivered
68 www.crcweb.org
on Pesach do not hit the shelves facturer, the onus of guaranteeing to be mere employees who help the
until a few days after Pesach, while that the food is not chametz she’avar new owner manage his company for
in other cases they have all been sold alav haPesach generally falls upon Pesach. In this manner, the hash-
by that time. Clearly, local experts the Rabbis who certify the food as gachah considers the company no
and Rabbonim who are familiar with kosher, and there are different opin- longer “Jewish-owned,” and imposes
the store, community, and people’s ions as to how to deal with this. The no restrictions as to what they can
shopping habits must be consulted most straightforward approach is to do on Pesach.
in making this decision. require that on Pesach, all Jewish- Others disagree with this lat-
owned companies not purchase, ter approach for two reasons. First,
produce, or distribute anything that they claim that the sale of an entire
IV. Jewish manufacturers contains any potentially chametz company to an unknown buyer who
The status of Jewish-owned ingredients. Additionally, many has never even seen it, has no idea
food manufacturers and distributors Poskim are of the opinion that if a of what he is buying, does not have
is somewhat more complicated than Jew is financially responsible for a the means to follow through on the
that of a storekeeper. If the store- non-Jew’s chametz on Pesach, that purchase, and is never given a fair
keeper completes a mechiras chametz, chametz is forbidden after Pesach.3 accounting of the profits he “earned”
at least the chametz which he owned Therefore, the Jews would be even during his week-long ownership, is
from before Pesach, is permitted after more restricted in their dealing with such an obvious sham as to invali-
Pesach. However, if a manufacturer any chametz in the plant. date the entire transaction. Secondly,
(or distributor) sells chametz from Others allow the use of the there are serious halachic questions
his stock to a supermarket on Pesach, items listed above as not likely to be as to whether chametz purchased
we have seen that Iggeros Moshe is chametz (e.g. vinegar, fermentation during the week of Pesach belongs
clear that that chametz is forbidden, products). Furthermore, they allow to the “buyer” (i.e. the Jew) or the
which means that the chametz being the companies to use chametz in company’s “owner” (i.e. the non-
sold in the supermarket is chametz products that do not carry a hash- Jew); these questions are beyond
she’avar alav haPesach. gachah, based on Poskim4 who rule the scope of this article.
As a rule, a food manufacturer (for different reasons) that equip- In response to these two con-
or distributor structures his business ment used for chametz on Pesach cerns, some hashgochos rely on the
as a corporation, rather than as a sole may be used after Pesach without sale of the “whole company” only in
proprietorship. This led some Pos- kashering. [Of course, even those cases of a Jew and non-Jew who are
kim to suggest that chametz she’avar who follow this approach arrange for partners, in which case it is some-
alav haPesach does not apply to the the company to perform a mechiras what more plausible that they would
corporation’s chametz, because the chametz on the chametz they own.] sell their shares to one another. To
chametz is considered to be owned This gives the Jewish-owned compa- make the sale more real, it is struc-
by the corporation, as opposed to nies a certain degree of flexibility to tured between the partners (rather
the individual Jew.1 However, the continue operating their business on than with an outsider), the Jew is
generally accepted opinion is that Pesach, albeit with some restrictions. forced to not participate in busi-
of Iggeros Moshe2, who rules that if However, even those who follow this ness operations during Pesach, and
a Jew owns either a very large per- position would have no choice but the non-Jew is required to sell his
centage of the company’s stock or to force a Jewish-owned all-chametz share to the Jew for a corresponding
enough stock to have a voice in the company, such as a bakery, to be number of days at some other part
management of the corporation, the closed for the entire Pesach. of the year (often set as the time
chametz owned by the corporation There are those who take an when he would otherwise be going
is considered to be Jewish-owned. even more lenient approach. They on vacation). This form of mechiras
Thus, the fact that the manufacturer allow the Jewish owners of the com- chametz is somewhat better than the
is a corporation does not necessarily pany to sell the entire company – one mentioned previously, while still
obviate concerns of chametz she’avar not just its chametz – to a non-Jew, allowing the company to operate
alav haPesach. using a modified mechiras chametz, on Pesach.
As relates to the food manu- and consider the Jewish “owners” As with all matters of halacha,
www.crcweb.org 69
consumers should consult with their how long it takes for their local sold to anyone on Pesach, which for
Rav as to which of these methods supermarket to deplete the supply a major distributor may amount to
they deem acceptable, and for infor- of forbidden products and restock very little of his stock.
mation as to which hashgochos follow its shelves, a distributor is one step Even according to the stricter
which standard. removed from the consumers, and approach, not all of the chametz
it is extremely difficult to get an products found in supermarkets
accurate picture of which products (owned by non-Jews) are forbidden,
V. Jewish distributors were owned on Pesach. because the supermarket itself has
In recent years, the Jewish Due to the seriousness (or as stock from before Pesach, or stock
community in the northeastern others would say, “hopelessness”) which it purchased so long after
United States has become aware of the situation, some Rabbis have Pesach that it was not owned by the
that a major distributor of food in suggested creative ways to allow the distributor on Pesach. In this case
that area is a company owned by distributor to perform a mechiras more than in those noted earlier, it
Jews. This situation is consider- chametz which will even cover the is close to impossible to figure out
ably more complicated than those chametz he purchases and sells on which chametz is or is not forbidden.
discussed above. Packaged products Pesach. While it is clear that making This brings us back to the differing
from dozens of manufacturers pass some effort to correct the situation opinions discussed above: If one is
through a distributor’s warehouse is better than doing nothing, many unsure as to whether a particular
on a daily basis, yet the distributor Rabbonim have serious reservations food is chametz she’avar alav haPe-
is not “certified” as kosher so there about the effectiveness of this sale. sach, may one eat the food or not?
is no Rav who has any real say as to As noted above, they consider the In such a case, please consult your
what he can or cannot do on Pesach. mechirah to be effective only as it local Rav for guidance.
Furthermore, whereas people can relates to chametz owned by the
attempt to figure out approximately distributor before Pesach and not
An earlier version of this article first appeared in Hamodia and the OU website and is reprinted here with permission.
(Endnotes)
1 Shulchan Aruch 448:3.
2 Mishnah Berurah 442:1 & 447:101.
3 See Gra”z, Kuntres Acharon 442:9, and Chazon Ish 116:11, 13-14.
4 Mishnah Berurah ibid.
5 Mishnah Berurah 442:27.
6 Mishnah Berurah applies the same principle to an avidah lit’amah, an ingredient that flavors the entire food.
7 See Gra”z ibid. for a possible explanation.
8 This is based on the rule of safek d’rabannan l’kulah, i.e. one may be lenient regarding doubts relating to prohibitions
which are only Rabbinic in nature.
9 Iggeros Moshe OC 4:96.
10 See Shulchan Aruch 447:11 and Mishnah Berurah 447:105.
11 Mishnah Berurah 447:105.
12 See the end of Mishnah Berurah 454:13.
13 Shulchan Aruch 442:5.
14 Mishnah Berurah 442:4.
15 For example, one large commercial vinegar company in the Midwest buys approximately 12% of their alcohol from
a supplier whose starch source is chametz.
16 Mishnah Berurah 442:1 (end).
17 This leniency applies even if the pot was ben yomo and even if the b’lios were not batel b’shishim in the food (ibid.).
18 Iggeros Moshe OC 1:149 & 2:91.
19 This would either be due to civil law’s view of a corporation or because the stockholders do not have voting rights –
see Zecher Yitzchok #8, end, and HaElef L’chah Shlomo OC 238.
20 Iggeros Moshe EH 1:7 (end). See also Minchas Yitzchok 3:1, who takes a stricter approach.
21 See Mishnah Berurah 440:5.
22 Sha’arei Teshuvah 447:2, Be’er Haitev 447:4 and Mishnah Berurah 447:4 & 451:4.
70 www.crcweb.org
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Er ev Pe sac h C a nd l e L i gh t in g T i mes
Stop eating Burn
Friday Shabbos Thursday Friday
City chametz chametz
April 22 April 23 April 28 April 29
by… by…
Chicago IL 10:09 11:29 7:20 8:24 7:27 7:28
Oakland CA 10:28 11:48 7:31 8:32 7:37 7:38
Sonoma CA 10:29 11:48 7:33 8:34 7:39 7:39
Valley Village CA 10:15 11:33 7:11 8:09 7:15 7:16
Denver CO 10:18 11:38 7:25 8:27 7:31 7:32
Miami FL 10:45 12:02 7:27 8:22 7:30 7:31
Atlanta GA 10:58 12:17 7:54 8:52 7:58 7:59
Des Moines IA 10:32 11:52 7:43 8:46 7:50 7:51
Champaign IL 10:11 11:31 7:19 8:21 7:25 7:26
Chicago IL 10:09 11:29 7:20 8:24 7:26 7:28
Des Plaines IL 10:09 11:29 7:21 8:24 7:27 7:28
Evanston IL 10:08 11:28 7:20 8:24 7:26 7:28
Glenview IL 10:08 11:29 7:20 8:24 7:27 7:28
Highland Park IL 10:08 11:29 7:21 8:24 7:27 7:28
Lincolnwood IL 10:08 11:28 7:20 8:24 7:27 7:28
Northbrook IL 10:08 11:29 7:21 8:24 7:27 7:28
Peoria IL 10:16 11:36 7:25 8:28 7:32 7:33
Skokie IL 10:08 11:29 7:20 8:24 7:27 7:28
Wilmette IL 10:08 11:28 7:20 8:24 7:27 7:28
Indianapolis IN 11:03 12:23 8:10 9:12 8:16 8:17
South Bend IN 11:02 12:23 8:13 9:17 8:20 8:21
Overland Park KS 10:37 11:57 7:43 8:44 7:49 7:50
Newton Centre MA 10:02 11:22 7:14 8:18 7:21 7:22
Baltimore MD 10:25 11:45 7:31 8:33 7:37 7:38
Ann Arbor MI 10:52 12:12 8:04 9:08 8:11 8:12
Saint Paul MN 10:28 11:49 7:47 8:54 7:55 7:56
St. Louis Park MN 10:29 11:50 7:48 8:54 7:55 7:57
University City MO 10:20 11:40 7:25 8:26 7:31 7:32
Omaha NE 10:42 12:02 7:52 8:55 7:59 8:00
Elizabeth NJ 10:15 11:35 7:24 8:26 7:30 7:31
Fairlawn NJ 10:14 11:34 7:24 8:27 7:30 7:31
Teaneck NJ 10:14 11:34 7:23 8:26 7:30 7:31
Cedarhurst NY 10:13 11:33 7:22 8:24 7:28 7:29
Far Rockaway NY 10:13 11:33 7:22 8:24 7:28 7:29
Merrick NY 10:12 11:32 7:21 8:24 7:27 7:28
New Rochelle NY 10:13 11:33 7:22 8:25 7:29 7:30
New York NY 10:13 11:34 7:23 8:26 7:29 7:30
Beachwood OH 10:43 12:04 7:54 8:58 8:01 8:02
Columbus OH 10:50 12:10 7:57 8:59 8:03 8:04
Harrisburg PA 10:26 11:45 7:34 8:36 7:40 7:41
Merion Station PA 10:19 11:39 7:27 8:29 7:33 7:34
Memphis TN 10:20 11:39 7:18 8:17 7:23 7:23
Dallas TX 10:49 12:07 7:42 8:40 7:47 7:48
Houston TX 10:45 12:02 7:33 8:29 7:37 7:37
Seattle WA 10:23 11:45 7:49 8:58 7:57 7:59
Glendale WI 10:08 11:29 7:23 8:28 7:30 7:31
Mequon WI 10:08 11:29 7:23 8:28 7:30 7:31
Milwaukee WI 10:08 11:29 7:23 8:27 7:29 7:31
Candle lighting time for Motzai Shabbos (April 23) is set as 40 minutes after sunset
The cRc would like to thank Rabbi Meir Zirkind (meyoz@yahoo.com) for his assistance in preparing this table
Passover Dates
To Remember
(Times listed are for Chicago)
Thursday evening, April 21 .............................................................Search for Chametz — Bedikat Chametz
Friday, April 22................................................................................Fast of the First Born — Ta’anit Bechorim
Friday, April 22, 10:09 a.m. ...........................................................Prohibition of eating chametz begins
Friday, April 22, 11:29 a.m. ...........................................................Latest time to burn chametz
Friday and Saturday evening, April 22 & 23 ....................................First and Second Sedarim
Saturday and Sunday, April 23 & 24 ...............................................First Two Days of Yom Tov
Monday through Thursday, April 25-28...........................................Chol Hamoed (Intermediate Days)
Thursday afternoon, April 28th........................................................Eruv Tavshilin (See pages 28-29)
Thursday evening, April 28..............................................................Yom Tov begins
Friday and Saturday, April 29 & 30..................................................Last Two Days of Yom Tov
Saturday morning, April 30 .............................................................Yizkor (Memorial Service)
Candle Lighting
Times
(Chicago Area, Daylight Savings Time)
Friday, April 22 ............................................................................................................................... 7:20 p.m.
Saturday, April 23............................................................................................................................. 8:24 p.m.
Thursday, April 28............................................................................................................................ 7:27 p.m.
Friday, April 29 ............................................................................................................................... 7:28 p.m.
Guide For
Wedding Dates
D uring the Sefirah period, i.e.,
from Passover until Shavuot
(June 12-13, 2016), with
be Sunday, July 24, 2016 through
and including Sunday, August 14,
2016, the “Three Weeks” period of
certain exceptions, weddings should mourning for our two Temples in
not be conducted. For information, Jerusalem. The Three Weeks begin
consult an Orthodox Rabbi. with the Fast of the 17th of Tammuz
By way of advance informa- and culminate with the Fast of the
tion, another period in which no
weddings are to be conducted will
Ninth of Av (Tisha B’Av).
www.crcweb.org
Calendar
5776 Hoshana Raba Oct. 23, 2016
Ta’anit Esther* Mar. 23, 2016 Shmini Atzeret Oct. 24, 2016
Shiva Asar B’Tamuz* July 24, 2016 Yom HaZikaron May 1, 2017
Tzom Gedalya* Oct. 5, 2016 Shiva Asar B’Tamuz* July 11, 2017
74 www.crcweb.org
Sefirat Ha-Omer Calendar 2016
S efira is the counting of seven
complete weeks from the sec-
ond evening of Pesach until
Shavuot. The count, which takes
place after nightfall for the follow-
ing day, is preceded by the blessing
RMWEH TRYPS LE WNWCW WYTWCMB WN$DQ R$A OLWEH VLM WNQLA ‘D HTA VWRB
only if done in the evening and no
days have been missed in the count.
www.crcweb.org 75
Understanding the Reliability
of Kosher Agencies
Rabbi Sholem Fishbane
Kashruth Administrator
76 www.crcweb.org
kosher run. maintaining this software, as it is innocuous ingredient in the plant.
The halacha states that flavor not only a major expense but could But perhaps the primary reason
can also be absorbed, even in a cold also take years to develop. Even the for the blanket dismissal of these
or ambient state, simply by holding most knowledgeable Rabbi in the agencies is that they simply do not
liquid for 24 hours. For example, world would find it impossible to visit their plants on a regular basis.
if your dairy cappuccino was idle run a kashrus agency without a suf- Today, food production facilities can
in a mug for over one day, the soy ficient support staff and the proper work so quickly that an ingredient
cappuccino you make the following software. Many of the recommend- can be in and out of the plant in
day, which also sits for 24 hours, ed agencies are members of AKO days! In this vein, it really does not
becomes dairy. Therefore, even if (Association of Kashrus Organiza- matter how kind or well- respected
a product has been determined to tions), whose goal is to strengthen a particular Rabbi or agency is. If
be kosher, the supervision does not kashrus around the world. Among there is not ample coverage, the
end there. If the tanker delivering AKO’s many committees, chaired certification is seriously doubted.
kosher foods was previously used by experts in the kashrus world, is
for non-kosher foods, we may now a committee to review the latest in “Detail” Kosher Agencies
have a non-kosher product, as the ingredients, which is then shared Agencies in this third category
truck almost always carries its load with the rest of the AKO members. may follow many of the standards of
for more than 24 hours. Thus, the Equally important is the need the acceptable agencies but might be
mashgiach must keep track of truck for a strong review department. lax in several areas. Even one miss-
routes, truck wash stations, and of The recommended agency will train ing detail can render that agency’s
course, he must develop a strong select Rabbis in certain fields and symbol not universally accepted. It is
rapport with the trucking company will send them around the world to even possible for an ultra-Orthodox
to ensure its total cooperation. review those accounts in which they agency to fall into this category, as
Furthermore, ever since the specialize. At times, one agency will its Rabbinic Kashrus Supervisor
federal government reduced the “borrow” another agency’s expert to simply may not have the required
amounts of pesticides allowed on be updated in a crucial area. This can technological expertise. While it
fresh produce, there has been a rise be compared to a university’s visiting may be more stringent than many
in insect infestation. The mashgiach professor program, or a community’s other agencies in areas such as yoshon
must now contend with this by invitation for a scholar-in-residence. (products made from specific wheat)
studying the habits of the various and pas Yisroel (baked goods with a
insects and knowing how to check Non-Recommended Rabbi’s involvement), the downside
the produce in question for these Kosher Agencies is the supervisor may not be ade-
often-camouflaged pests. Indeed Of the remaining agencies, quately familiar with the machinery.
the Rabbi needs to be a “Jack of nearly half are not recommended, An illustration of this point is
All Trades” in order to properly do partly because they do not follow as follows: A cRc Rabbi recently
his job. the accepted guidelines found in the visited a plant where a health drink
It is important to point out Shulchan Aruch. Two of the most is produced for and sold to kosher-
that the recommended group of common leniencies relied upon observant grocery stores throughout
kosher agencies has a vast support concern carmine and gelatin, which the United States. The supervising
staff which handles the countless come from non-kosher animals but agent, not from the cRc, assumed
formulas and ingredients involved are processed in a way that some that the health drink was produced
in kosher certification. Currently, feel would be permissible for kosher in a machine that previously had
it is mandatory for kosher agencies use. In addition, many times a non- been cleaned and properly kash-
to have customized software, which recommended agency is no more ered from non-kosher beef broth.
includes a database of hundreds of than a “telephone supervision”. This Records showed that the tempera-
thousands of ingredients and formu- is never sufficient, even if the com- ture of the water had reached accept-
las. There is often a full time person pany claims that there is only one able levels for kashering. In reality,
www.crcweb.org 77
the cRc Rabbi pointed out that only a lot of companies in countries that we at the cRc have opened up our
certain parts of the machine were should never be granted certification partial list of recommended agencies
reaching the temperatures necessary short of hashgacha temidis. A good via several electronic tools. The first
for koshering, while the rest of the example of this would be China, way to access this list is to visit our
machinery producing this drink where each qualified mashgiach who website at http://www.crcweb.org/
was still not kashered properly. It spends time there has more horror agency_list.php. We also have a very
was therefore still non-kosher and stories than the next. Only a solid popular app which is available free
had been that way for years! Once agency that has a vast network of of charge – cRc Kosher APP – on
the matter was brought to their mashgichim who know the local all Apple products, Androids, and
attention, the supervising agency language and the financial backbone Blackberries. There is also a new
quickly remedied the situation, but to walk away from potential busi- mobile site called www.askcrc.
the damage had been done. By being ness should be granting occasional org, where kosher consumers can
unfamiliar with the internal work- hashgachos in China. check the kosher status of hech-
ings of the machinery, the Supervi- In summary, a recommended sherim, beverages, liquors, foods,
sor was inadvertently putting his kashrus agency today must be famil- fruits and vegetables, Slurpees,
agency’s kosher symbol on a drink iar with many fields in addition and medicines. Finally, we print
that was definitely not kosher. to knowledge of halacha. Among and distribute thousands of credit
Many times, an agency may them are the fields of engineering, card-sized cards listing common
also fit into this category if it is entomology, metallurgy, boiler treat- hechsherim found in supermarkets,
solely owned and operated. As pre- ment, food chemistry, and world which one can reference at any time.
viously explained, if the agency has market trends. Above all is of course Although rare, there will be times
many accounts, it is not possible yiras Shomayim. In the words of Rav when, even while bearing a recom-
for one person to cover its totality Matisyohu Solomon, Shlit”a, while mended kashrus symbol, an item
adequately, no matter how well- addressing the AKO members at may have been wrongly mislabeled
meaning that person is. their annual AKO Convention, “The or worse, is non-kosher, and the cRc
There are also times when, first step to deciding if a someone is has a large following on our email
while the agency itself means well, qualified to work in hashgacha is to alert, which is available at http://
it might allow its companies to use have him hold up his hand. If it is bit.ly/GetAlerts
ingredients from non-recommended not shaking from yiras Shomayim, We at the cRc try to educate the
agencies. Like almost any product unless he is a shochet, he is not for consumer to the best of our abilities.
that is processed, there are many the job.” We welcome the opportunity to hold
different types of ingredients used This may be overwhelming for seminars or talks in any community
and therefore many different types the average consumer, but under- and, likewise, we welcome any ques-
of hashgachos. By using ingredients standing the amount of time and tions about our policies. We work
from non-recommended agencies, effort that Rabbinic Kashrus Super- hard to uphold our strict standards,
the products are essentially catego- visors, plant managers, and manu- not only to maintain our customers’
rized into the non-recommended facturers dedicate to strict adherence confidence, but also to safeguard
category. to the laws of kashrus creates edu- our reputation as a company that
Another area where a recom- cated, informed consumers who adheres to Higher standards.
mended agency will become a come to trust and rely on all of the
“detail” agency is where they certify professionals involved. To this end,
78 www.crcweb.org
About the Chicago Rabbinical Council
T he Chicago Rabbinical Coun-
cil (cRc) is an organization
of over 140 Orthodox Rab-
bis, the largest regional Orthodox
Rabbinical organization in North
nuptial Agreement have both been
recently added to the cRc website
and are available at www.crcweb.org.
Other Publications
The following cRc books and pub-
lications are also available for pur-
chase:
Kashruth Chicago Rabbis: Visionaries, Pio-
America. We are actively engaged As a service to the Jewish Communi- neers, and Leaders, 1847 – 1950,
in creating and sustaining a thriving ty, the Chicago Rabbinical Council by Rabbi Moshe Kushner, z”l ($35);
and vibrant Orthodox Community certifies and supervises products for Shaarei Gedulah, by Rabbi Gedalia
in the greater Chicago area, through- their Kashruth and Passover permis- Dov Schwartz ($25); Sefer Zichron
out the Midwest, and beyond. sibility, and endorses various cater- Menuchah—Practical Halachos of
ers, hotels, bakeries, and food service Yichud in the Home and in the
Jewish Ecclesiastical establishments throughout the year. Workplace, by Rabbi Ephraim
Court–Beth Din Zedek Kashruth information is constantly Friedman ($10); and Ahavat HaGer,
The Ecclesiastical Court hears and changing. The cRc, therefore, pro- by Rabbi Hertzel Hillel Yitzhak
resolves cases involving Jewish law duces various publications to keep ($7.50). The cRc has also pro-
and financial disputes. It responds to the public informed. To regularly duced a wallet-sized kashrus symbol
all queries related to the practice and receive the Passover Guide, Spotlight card, listing many commonly-found
theory of our way of life (halacha). It on Chicago and regular mailings for kosher agencies ($10 per pack of
also administers Gittin (Jewish bills the Kosher Consumer, please send 10 cards).
of divorce), performs Gerut (con- in your annual subscription fee of All of these may be purchased by
versions), and issues teudot ravakut $18.00 to the following address: calling the cRc at 773-465-3900 or
(certificates attesting to the status Chicago Rabbinical Council on the cRc website at www.crcweb.
of the Jewish person) which are 2701 W. Howard org/books.php
recognized worldwide, including Chicago, Illinois 60645
by the Israeli Chief Rabbinate.The For Kosher Consumer updates
Rules and Procedures for Beth Din by e-mail (free service) send your
Proceedings and the Halachic Pre- e-mail address to alerts@crcweb.org.
www.crcweb.org 79
Kashruth Staff
Rabbi Sholem Fishbane Kashruth Administrator
Rabbi Dovid Cohen Administrative Rabbinic Coordinator
Rabbi Yaakov M. Eisenbach Rabbinic Coordinator
Rabbi Yosef Landa Rabbinic Coordinator
Rabbi Moshe Moscowitz Rabbinic Coordinator
Rabbi Akiva Niehaus Rabbinic Coordinator
Rabbi Dovid Oppenheimer Rabbinic Coordinator
Mr. Abe Sharp Kashruth Business Manager
Rabbi Dovid Aronin Kashruth Support/Mashgiach
Mrs. Linda Lefkowitz Kashruth Support
Mrs. Shalva Meyers Kashruth Support
Mrs. Miriam Saacks Kashruth Support
Kashruth Commission
Rabbi Dr. Ben Dov Leibenstein, Chairman Rabbi Baruch Hertz
Rabbi Alan M. Abramson Rabbi Dr. Jerold Isenberg
Rabbi Dovid Cohen Rabbi Dr. Leonard A. Matanky
Rabbi Yaakov M. Eisenbach Rabbi Levi Mostofsky
Rabbi Zvi Engel Rabbi Elisha Prero
Rabbi Sholem Fishbane Rabbi Yona Reiss
Rabbi Chaim Goldzweig Rabbi Gedalia Dov Schwartz
Rabbi Micah Greenland Rabbi Benjamin Shandalov
Rabbi Joel E. Gutstein Rabbi Chaim Twerski
80 www.crcweb.org
cRc Executive Staff
Rosh Beth Din Executive Director
Rabbi Gedalia Dov Schwartz A”UYL$ Rabbi Levi Mostofsky
cRc Staff
Rabbi Alan M. Abramson Menahel, Beth Din Zedek
Rabbi Ephraim Friedman Dayan
Rabbi Daniel J. Raccah Dayan
Some images in this guide have been purchased from http://bigstock.com and www.istockphoto.com
www.crcweb.org 81
Glossary of Hebrew Terms
Afikomen ........................ the “dessert” of matza eaten after the main meal of the Seder
Al Achilat Maror ............. the closing of the blessing on the bitter herbs
Al Achilat Matza ............. the closing of the blessing on the matza
Arba Kosot ...................... the four cups of wine we are required to drink at the Seder
Ashkenazim ..................... Jews of central and eastern European descent
Av ................................... a month on the Jewish calendar marked by tragedy
Av Beth Din .................... head of a Jewish Rabbinic court
Bedikat chametz .............. the search for leavened products before Passover
Beth Din ......................... Jewish Rabbinic court
Bitul chametz .................. nullifying leavened products and claiming them ownerless
Biur chametz ................... burning leavened products before Passover
Bracha ............................. blessing
Brit Mila ......................... ritual circumcision ceremony
Chametz .......................... leavened products, prohibited on Passover
Charoset .......................... a mixture of fruit, nuts and wine eaten at the Seder
Chol Ha-Moed ................ the “intermediate days” of Passover
Erev (Passover) ................ eve of Passover, i.e. the day of the first Seder
Eruv Tavshilin ................. “mixing of cooked foods,’ the blessing said on the eve of the holiday to
allow preparation of food on the holiday for the Sabbath
Haggadah ........................ the textual guide to the Passover Seder
Halacha ........................... Jewish law
Hashem ........................... common name for G-d
Havdalah ......................... the prayer said to separate a holy day from a weekday
Karpas ............................. vegetable dipped into salt water or vinegar during the Seder
Kashering ........................ the process of making something kosher
Kashruth ......................... the concept that foods eaten by the Jewish people must be prepared according
to Torah law
Kiddush .......................... the sanctification of a holiday, usually said over wine
Kitniyot/Kitnios .............. foods such as legumes, beans, seeds and mustard, prohibited by Ashkenazic
communities on Passover
Koraich ........................... the “Hillel Sandwich” of maror and matza eaten at the Seder
Korban Passover .............. the Pascal Lamb
K’zayit ............................. a measurement equal to the volume of an olive
Mah Nishtana ................. “Why is this night different?” the opening to a series of four questions
asked at the beginning of every Seder
Maharal ........................... acronym for Rabbi Judah Loew of 16th century Prague
Maror .............................. bitter herbs
82 www.crcweb.org
Glossary of Hebrew Terms (cont’d)
Matza/matzot .................. a “poor man’s flat bread” of flour and water, baked in less than 18 minutes
from the time the flour and water are mixed
Matza Ashira ................... matza made with fruit juice
Matza Shmurah ............... matza made from wheat that had been observed from harvest through
baking to ensure that no water came into contact with it
Mechirat chametz............. the selling of leavened products
Mikvah ............................ a ritual bath
Mishna ............................ precursor to the Talmud, represents the teachings of Jewish scholars who
lived in the first through third centuries of the Common Era
Mitzva/mitzvoth .............. commandment(s)
Nissan ............................. Jewish month in which Passover falls
Pesachim ......................... literally Passovers, this is the name of the tractate that concentrates on the
holiday of Passover
Revi’it Ha-lug .................. a fourth of a lug; a liquid measurement equal to approximately 3.3 fluid
ounces
Rov Kos........................... majority of a cup, usually applied to wine for kiddush or havdalah
Seder ............................... the Passover evening service, conducted outside of Israel on the first two
nights of Passover
Sefirah ............................. the counting of 49 days between the second night of Passover and the
holiday of Shavuot
Sephardim........................ Jews of Mediterranean, Near Eastern, or Spanish descent
Shabbat ........................... the Sabbath, celebrated from sundown Friday until about 45 minutes after
sundown on Saturday
Shavuot............................ the holiday on which we celebrate the receipt of the Torah on Mount Sinai
Shliach ............................ an agent or messenger
Shulchan Aruch ............... the Code of Jewish Law, authored by Rabbi Joseph Karo in the 15 th century
Siyum .............................. celebration of completion of a tractate of Mishna or Talmud
Taanit B’chorim .............. Fast of the First Born Sons
Tammuz .......................... Jewish month in which the “Three Weeks” begin
Tisha B’Av ....................... Ninth day of Av, the day on which both of our Temples in Jerusalem were
destroyed
Torah .............................. the Word of Hashem as given to Moshe, the Five Books of Moses
T’vilat kelim .................... immersing vessels in a kosher mikva (ritual bath)
V’hegadita l’vincha .......... the commandment to “tell your children” about the Exodus from Egypt
Yizkor ............................. memorial prayer for departed family members, said on the last day of
Passover and other holidays during the year
Yom Tov .......................... holiday
www.crcweb.org 83
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