Chag haPesach Sameach!!!

Today is the 14th day of Nisan, 5771

For information about today, Erev Pesach (Pesach Eve) see:
http://www.mashadi.info/pdf/timetableforpesach.pdf

For times of candle lighting, and Services in all our Minyanim during Pesach, see
http://www.kanissanews.com/

For Educational Pesach Games to use during the Seder (best: at the time of dinner!)
see: http://www.simchatyechiel.org/english/pesach.html

ALL MINHAGUIM FOR OMER APPLY ONLY AFTER PESACH.
For a short review from previous year see:
http://rabbibitton.blogspot.com/2010/04/minhaguim-of-sefirat-haomer-today-is.html

Halakha of the day will resume, B'H after Pesach.

Chag Sameach!!!

PESACH and OMER LINKS!!!!

COMPLETE PRINTABLE PESACH GUIDE w/INSTRUCTIONS FOR SEDER, FAST OF FIRSTBORN, PESACH
OUT OF TOWN, MASHADI CUSTOMS, etc.
http://www.hachodesh.com/Sephardic_Guide_for_Pesach_2011.pdf

LIST OF AUTHORIZED FOR PESACH NON-CHAMETZ PRODUCTS
http://www.hachodesh.com/Pesach_Non-Chametz_Products_2011.pdf

BBM REMINDER OF SEFIRAT HAOMER (Thanks to Shlomo Nouriely!)
http://www.mashadi.info/pdf/bbomer.pdf

EMAIL REMINDER SERVICE FOR OMER (Thanks to Farshad Kalaty)
www.mashadi.org/omer

OMER SHEET FROM HACHODESH (Thanks to Mehran Etessami) http://www.mashadi.info/pdf/omersheet.pdf

Rabbi Yosef Bitton. YMJC | 130 Steamboat Rd. | Great Neck | NY | 11024

PESACH: The Secret

Today is the 11th day of Nisan, 5771

What is the secret for a successful Pesach Seder? What do you have to do to have a very enjoyable moment with your family, while learning about our history and identity?

The 'secret' for the Pesach Seder could be summarize with these three words: "Preparation. Preparation. Preparation."

Let me explain.
1. Write an email today to each member of your family. Assign to each one of them to be in charge of one part of the Hagada. Ask the little ones to read, sing, explain 'Ma Nishtana'. Ask the young ones, for example, to search online about Gilad Shalit and make all aware that there are still Jews in captivity (and what should we do about it?) Ask every member of the family to read and/or explain at least one short text of the Hagada in Hebrew, Enlgish, Farsi, etc... . Encourage them to search in: www.torah.org, aish.com, ou.org, etc, for material related to the idea they read.

2. Make it fun: Ask the funniest guys of the family to play some parts of the Hagada. You must have a play for the Ten Plagues: Somebody (serious) explains briefly each plague and the actors play the play. You must have at least one person playing Moshe (his head covered with a Talit) and somebody starring as Par'o... Make it visual. Buy plastic frogs, animal masks for 'arob and ping pong balls for hail. Another group should play the four sons. Encourage the 4 sons to briefly debate among themselves about one past/present subject: for example, Although they were only a small minority, the Egyptians feared that the Jews were "too powerful for us." Although Jews make us less than 3% of the American population Atlantic Magazine's "50 Most Influential Commentators in America" included 26 Jews. Are Jews too powerful? Not powerful enough? Should we keep it all to ourselves?

3. Educate with fun: Have a game, a Pesach treasure hunt or Pesach trivia. YOU MUST SEE THIS!!! http://www.simchatyechiel.org/english/pesach.html Have 20 questions ready and most importantly 20 (or more) small prizes. So anytime it gets out of control, or boring or you want everybody's attention you can shoot one of your questions (show the prize first!). Guaranteed to work... or your money back!

Candle lighting NYC: 7:16

SHABBAT SHALOM

VERY IMPORTANT PESACH LINKS!!!!

NEW ALTERNATIVE MEKHIRAT CHAMETZ and CHAMETZ FOOD DRIVE

http://www.mashadi.info/pdf/ymjcchametz.pdf

NEW UPDATED FORM FOR SELLING YOUR CHAMETZ, WITH FAX INFORMATION:
http://www.mashadi.info/pdf/sellingofchametzform.pdf

TIMETABLE FOR SUNDAY APRIL 17 and MONDAY APRIL 18
http://www.mashadi.info/pdf/timetableforpesach.pdf

COMPLETE PRINTABLE PESACH GUIDE w/INSTRUCTIONS FOR SEDER, FAST OF FIRSTBORN, PESACH OUT OF TOWN, MASHADI CUSTOMS, etc.
http://www.hachodesh.com/Sephardic_Guide_for_Pesach_2011.pdf

LIST OF AUTHORIZED FOR PESACH NON-CHAMETZ PRODUCTS
http://www.hachodesh.com/Pesach_Non-Chametz_Products_2011.pdf

OMER LINKS

BBM REMINDER OF SEFIRAT HAOMER (Thanks to Shlomo Nouriely!)
http://www.mashadi.info/pdf/bbomer.pdf

EMAIL REMINDER SERVICE FOR OMER (Thanks to Farshad Kalaty)
www.mashadi.org/omer

OMER SHEET FROM HACHODESH (Thanks to Mehran Etessami)

http://www.mashadi.info/pdf/omersheet.pdf

Rabbi Yosef Bitton. YMJC | 130 Steamboat Rd. | Great Neck | NY | 11024

Pesach out of town and 8 VERY IMPORTANT links

Today is the 10th day of Nisan, 5771

When a family will spend Pesach out of town, the cleaning and the last Chametz inspection (bedika) of the main house should be done the night before leaving home, without saying any berakha. The Chametz found should be eliminated, giving to a non Jewish charity or sold .

The night of the bedika, Sunday April 17, 2011, one should search for Chametz again in the house or in the Hotel room where the family will stay for Pesach.

The next day, Monday morning, one should proceed to do the elimination of any left overs of Chametz and the Chametz found the day before (biur) ,and then pronounce the formula of disowning Chametz (bitul) for any overlooked Chametz,as explained in the Guide for Pesach 2011. See link.

When one does the bitul and declares the Chametz ownerless, he has to include in his thoughts not only the Chametz eventually overlooked in his present location, but also, and especially the Chametz that could have remained inadvertently at home or in any of his properties.

VERY IMPORTANT PESACH and OMER LINKS!!!!

NEW ALTERNATIVE MEKHIRAT CHAMETZ and CHAMETZ CHARITY http://www.mashadi.info/pdf/ymjcchametz.pdf

NEW UPDATED FORM FOR SELLING YOUR CHAMETZ, WITH FAX INFORMATION:
http://www.mashadi.info/pdf/sellingofchametzform.pdf

TIMETABLE FOR SUNDAY APRIL 17 and MONDAY APRIL 18
http://www.mashadi.info/pdf/timetableforpesach.pdf

COMPLETE PRINTABLE PESACH GUIDE w/INSTRUCTIONS FOR SEDER, etc.
http://www.hachodesh.com/Sephardic_Guide_for_Pesach_2011.pdf

LIST OF AUTHORIZED FOR PESACH NON-CHAMETZ PRODUCTS
http://www.hachodesh.com/Pesach_Non-Chametz_Products_2011.pdf

BBM REMINDER OF SEFIRAT HAOMER
http://www.mashadi.info/pdf/bbomer.pdf

OMER SHEET FROM HACHODESH
http://www.mashadi.info/pdf/omersheet.pdf

EMAIL REMINDER SERVICE FOR OMER
www.mashadi.org/omer

Rabbi Yosef Bitton. YMJC | 130 Steamboat Rd. | Great Neck | NY | 11024

PESACH: The Seder of Pesach

Today is the 9th day of Nisan, 5771


The Seder, Step by Step

Kadesh

We start the Seder with the Holyday consecration and its official inauguration: the Kiddush. Upon concluding the Kiddush and the blessing shehecheyanu everyone shall drink his or her first cup of wine, while reclining on the left side. Each cup should be of at least 3 ounces and each time we should drink at least half a cup. Throughout the Seder we drink four cups of wine. Each cup symbolizes a celebration for the four expressions that the Torah for our freedom. If one cannot drink wine, it could be substituted by grape juice.

Urchatz

We wash our hands without saying any Berakha. In our community it is customary that the children help with the Netilat Yadaim, bringing a bowl of water and a towel. This is in order to eat the Karpas, dipped in vinegar. In ancient times it was common for affluent people to have an aperitif (celery or another vegetable) before the meal to induce the appetite. Our sages instituted that the night of the Seder we should dip the Karpas not once but twice, to awake the curiosity of the children and stimulate their questions. These questions are already integrated into the famous text: Ma Nishtana. One of the questions refers to the double dipping of the Karpas.

Karpas

We take a small piece of Karpas, (celery) and we dip it in vinegar (or salted water) to remind us of the tears we shed in captivity. Before eating it we recite the blessing
Bore Peri haAdama. As we have explained all these deviations from the ordinary dinning
habits are meant toward one single goal: to motivate the children to ask questions
in order to ensure their active participation during the entire Seder.

VERY IMPORTANT PESACH LINKS !!!!

NEW UPDATED FORM FOR SELLING YOUR CHAMETZ, WITH FAX INFORMATION:
http://www.mashadi.info/pdf/sellingofchametzform.pdf

What to do with your extra Chametz and an Experimental new Selling of Chametz
http://www.mashadi.info/pdf/ymjcchametz.pdf

Rabbi Yosef Bitton. YMJC | 130 Steamboat Rd. | Great Neck | NY | 11024

PESACH: Mekhirat Chametz (seeling your Chametz)

Today is the 8th day of Nisan, 5771

In some communities, mainly Ashkenazi, it is customary to sell the Chametz, through the local rabbinate, to a non-Jew . In Sephardic communities it was not customary to sell the Chametz, unless it was an exceptional case, like when someone owned a food store. Traditionally, Sephardic Jews got rid of all their Chametz, and if some Chametz had not being detected, the bitul --by renouncing to our ownership of Chametz-- would take care of it.

Nowadays, however, many community members might keep too many valuable Chametz products like whiskey or liquors like vodka made from grain alcohol. When this is the case, in order to avoid transgressing the prohibition of owning Chametz during Pesach, the UMJCA Religious Council organizes a Chametz selling. Community members fill out a special authorization empowering the rabbi to act on their behalf, and before Pesach begins, the rabbi sells the Chametz to a non-Jew. The buyer gives a down payment for the Chametz, and commits to pay the balance up to a few minutes after Pesach is over. During Pesach, then, the buyer is the legal owner of the Chametz, even if the Chametz remains in the property of the Jewish seller. If the buyer fails to pay the balance, after Pesach the Chametz belongs back to the seller.

Click here to download the Selling of the Chametz form

http://www.mashadi.info/pdf/sellingofchametzform.pdf

Again, whenever possible, the best and the traditional Sephardic way to proceed is to physically get rid of the liquors, whiskey, etc, along with all the other Chametz products before Pesach.

DOING SOME GOOD WITH YOUR EXTRA CHAMETZ
Click here to read: "Israelis to send Chametz to Japan":

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4054349,00.html

Printable Sephardic Guide for Pesach 2011
http://www.hachodesh.com/Sephardic_Guide_for_Pesach_2011.pdf

Rabbi Yosef Bitton. YMJC | 130 Steamboat Rd. | Great Neck | NY | 11024

PESACH: Bitul Chametz and Printable Sephardic Guide for Pesach 2011

Today is the 7th day of Nisan, 5771

Bitul Chametz (dispossessing of our Chametz)

After searching for any left overs of Chametz (bedika) Sunday April 17, 2011 at night we pronounce the first declaration of Bitul Chametz:

"Kal Chamira Deika Birshuti Dela Chaziteh Udela Biarteh Libtil Veleheve (Hefker) Keafra Deara"

The translation is:

"All kind of Chametz or fermenting agent that belongs to me, that I haven't seen or that I haven't eliminated, should be considered ownerless, as the dust of the earth."

The reason for the Bitul is the following: as we've already said, during Pesach the possession of Chametz is forbidden, even if our Chametz is hidden or even if it is not in our house. During Pesach there cannot be any Chametz that belong to us. Therefore, through this statement (bitul) we renounce our ownership of any Chametz that belong to us and that we might not have found or remove. Technically speaking, the Chametz will become subsequently ownerless, like the dust of the earth. Therefore, even if any Chametz is still found in our property, is not ours anymore.
For this declaration to be valid, it is necessary to understand every word we are uttering. Thus, one should say it in a language he or she understands. In order to better become conscious of this declaration, our Sages recommended repeating it three times.

Biur Chametz (Getting Rid of Chametz)

The following day, Monday April 18, in the morning, after we finish eating Chametz (10.00 AM), we take the Chametz found last night together with all the leftover of the Chametz that remained from our last meal and we proceed to its physical elimination (bi'ur). This is usually done by burning the Chametz in a safe place, but it can also be done by disposing it, or throwing it in a lake or a river to the fish or by feeding it to the birds. Then, we do once again the Bitul. This time the declaration is more comprehensive. It includes not just the Chametz that we have not seen or that we do not know about, but also the Chametz that we have seen and found and
just finished to eat.

"Kal Chamira Deika Birshuti Dechaziteh Udela Chaziteh Debiarteh Udela Biarteh Libtil
Veleheve (Hefker) Keafra Deara"

The translation is:

"All kind of Chametz or fermenting agent that belongs to me, that I have or have not seen and that I have or have not eliminated, should be considered ownerless, as the dust of the earth."

The last Bitul must be done until Monday April 18, before 11.00 A.M. (the fifth hour of the day). Once this Bitul is done no more contact with Chametz is allowed until Pesach is over.

Printable Sephardic Guide for Pesach 2011

http://www.hachodesh.com/Sephardic_Guide_for_Pesach_2011.pdf

Rabbi Yosef Bitton. YMJC | 130 Steamboat Rd. | Great Neck | NY | 11024

Bedikat Chametz (searching for Chametz)

Today is the 4th day of Nisan, 5771

The night before the Seder, at the time of the appearance of the first three stars -- once our house is clean of Chametz and ready for Pesach-- we do the Bedikat Chametz, which is the last inspection in which we search for any Chametz food that might have remained in our property after cleaning.

This year, 5771/2011, the night of the Bedika will be on Sunday April 17, after 8:05 P.M. That night, with the aid of a candle or a flashlight, we search all spots in our house where we might have brought and/or stored food. We should especially search the kitchen, food storage rooms, the pantry, the refrigerator, the freezer and all other places in which we might have eaten or kept food. In the Bedika we are looking especially for Chametz "food" that we could have overlooked during the cleaning process, and not so much for Chametz 'crumbs', which are considered hefker -ownerless- by the Bitul (See yesterdays HOTD). The Sephardim, therefore, do not have the tradition to use of a feather and/or a knife, which is essentially needed for dealing with Chametz 'crumbs'. In this aspect, the Halakhic approach is definitely different from the Kabalistic approach, as the later emphasizes the mystical symbolism of Chametz and instructs that, even a Chametz crumb won't be found in our homes, regardless of its Halakhic status: hefker or ownerless.

Special attention should be given to cars, since it is not uncommon to eat or keep snacks in the car. Cars should be washed and cleaned before the night of the Bedika and then they should be searched for Chametz, usually after we search our homes. We should also search our office or place of work, because we often bring food there. If it is impossible to search these places right after we do the Bedika at home, it should be done before the Bedika or early in the morning of the following day.

Candle lighting in NYC: 7:09 PM
Shabbat ends in NYC: 8:18 PM

SHABBAT SHALOM!!!

Printable List of Non-Chametz foods and products 5771
http://www.hachodesh.com/Pesach_Non-Chametz_Products_2011.pdf

Rabbi Yosef Bitton. YMJC | 130 Steamboat Rd. | Great Neck | NY | 11024

SPECIAL EDITION II: New link for List of Non-Chametz Products For Pesach

Today is the 3rd day of Nisan, 5771

Understanding Chametz possession

What makes so exceptional the prohibition of Chametz is that, unlike any other forbidden food, it includes the ban of its 'possession'. There are three Mitzvot in the Torah related to this prohibition: bal year'e and bal ymatze (Chametz, 'shall not be seen', and 'shall not be found'), and tashbitu (disown, dispossess your Chametz before Pesach begins). Strictly speaking, these three Mitzvot are fulfilled at once by a process called 'bitul'. A formula by which we declare that we renounce to the ownership of any Chametz that belong to us, regardless of where that chametz is located.

But the Rabbis saw that there were some 'practical' issues with just declaring our Chametz owner-less. First, we may 'say' that we do not own anymore our Chametz, but, if we posses something valuable, are we really meaning that we renounce to its possession? Second, Chametz is the most common food, so even if we declare it owner-less and thus we fulfill those 3 Mitzvot, keeping any edible Chametz at home, might cause us to eating it accidentally...

There are four steps we should take to fulfill the 3 Biblical commandments and the rabbinical instruction: First, we should clean our houses, cars, offices and other properties before Pesach to identify and remove all chametz in our properties. Second, we should run a final search all our properties to make sure that we have removed everything Chametz from them (Bedikat Chametz). Third, we have to physically dispose or get rid of any Chametz found in our properties before and during the Bedika (Biur Chametz) and finally, we have to perform a verbal legal declaration or statement that whatever Chametz we may still own anywhere, which was not detected and eliminated by us, does not belong to us anymore and from now on it is considered ownerless (hefker) as the dust of the earth (Bitul Chametz).

We will explain each one of these steps in the coming HOTD.

Click here to download the List of Non-Chametz products for Pesach

A wall of lies, uncovering the lies of "Israel Apartheid week", by AISH





Rabbi Yosef Bitton. YMJC | 130 Steamboat Rd. | Great Neck | NY | 11024

SPECIAL EDITION List of Non-Chametz Products For Pesach

Today is the 2nd day of Nisan, 5771

During Pesach, our community adheres to the highest standards of observance , in terms of cleaning the house of Chametz and consuming exclusively Kosher for Pesach (KFP) products, for example. Whenever possible, every product we buy should bear the KFP certification.

The products contained in the attached list do not contain Chametz and are authorized for Pesach 5771, especially in case one cannot afford or cannot find the Kosher for Pesach certified products.

The products mentioned in this list do not bear a special Kosher for Passover certification, but THEY MUST BE BOUGHT BEFORE PESACH AND CAN ONLY BE USED IF THE PACKAGE IS NEW AND UNUSED.

The authorization of these products is only for Sephardim, since the Ashkenazi custom includes other prohibitions like Kitniot, etc. (For a list of products which follows the Ashkenazi tradition click here: http://www.oukosher.org/index.php/passover

This list is a compilation based on information I obtained from Kosher for Pesach lists elaborated by experts Orthodox rabbis.

Click here to download the list:

Crash course on Passover by Aish:

Rabbi Yosef Bitton. YMJC | 130 Steamboat Rd. | Great Neck | NY | 11024

PESACH: Getting your kitchen ready for Pesach

Today is Rosh Chodesh Nisan (1st day of Nisan), 5771

During Pesach, it is forbidden to use the same cooking utensils or tableware that was used year-round for Chametz. It is customary and most recommendable to have a separate set of cookware and tableware for Pesach. If this is not possible, one can still use some of the year round utensils after a process called: Hagala, which is a form of sterilization that serves to eliminate any traces of Chametz absorbed in the utensil's walls.

All different types of Hagala follow one single principle: Kebol'o Kakh Polto, which means that the expulsion of any substance of Chametz absorbed in the walls of a utensil, will occur in the same way that those particles were absorbed there in the first place. The process of Hagala is different for each type of utensil, depending on the material from which it is made, and the way we use it.

Some examples of Hagala

Glass: According to the Sephardic Minhag, any clear-glass utensils like cups or even plates used throughout the year for Chametz should be thoroughly washed and they can then be used for Pesach without any further Hagala.

Metal: All tableware like forks, spoons or knives should be thoroughly cleaned and then immersed in a pot of boiling water. Then, they are washed with cold water and can be used for Pesach.

Porcelain: Ceramic, pottery or porcelain china and tableware that are used throughout the year for Chametz are not suitable for Pesach. In other words Hagala does not sterilize them; therefore they cannot be used for Pesach. (There are some exceptional cases in which they might be used. Ask a Rabbi for details).

Sink and countertops: The sink, even when made of porcelain, should be cleaned by pouring on it boiling water. Countertops and tables, if possible, it should be poured on them boiling water. If that is not possible they should be covered to use them for Pesach. For a regular table, after it is cleaned, just cover it with a new or a Pesach tablecloth.

Awesome Pesach video!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIxToZmJwdI

Rabbi Yosef Bitton. YMJC | 130 Steamboat Rd. | Great Neck | NY | 11024

PESACH: Kitchen appliances Kosher for Pesach

Today is the 29th day of Adar II, 5771

Dishwasher: After you thoroughly clean the dishwasher, run it on a complete cycle without dishes but with detergent (For priceless information about a perfect cleaning for your dishwasher see: http://www.wikihow.com/Clean-and-Maintain-a-Dishwasher). Then the dishwasher becomes Kosher for Pesach. Rabbi Eliyahu Ben-Hayim (Shelita) recommends when possible to replace the dishwasher racks or to use an added base to cover the year round racks. In any case, you need to make sure that no chametz residue got stuck in the dishwasher racks or elsewhere.

Oven: The oven should not be used for 24 hours. Then you must clean it thoroughly and, if it is a self-cleaning oven, you run one self-cleaning cycle and the oven is Kosher for Pesach. If it is not a self-cleaning oven, after you thoroughly clean it, let the oven run on the highest temperature setting for approximately one hour, including the racks, then the oven is Kosher for Pesach.

Microwave: Take a bowl of water, with some detergent or soap in it, and then let it boil in the microwave until the microwave walls are filled with its steam. The vapor penetrates the walls rendering the microwave Kosher for Pesach. (If you can't do this and you need to use a year round microwave for Pesach, cover completely the food with a container or Ziploc products, Saran wrap or any other hermetic microwavable covers).

Refrigerator/freezer: Clean it and wash thoroughly each of its parts, making sure there are not chametz left-overs stored or stuck in its walls.

Satire: How to cut the Matza in two exact halves? (a Japanese tip!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jj_HzQSWKBQ&feature=related

Rabbi Yosef Bitton. YMJC | 130 Steamboat Rd. | Great Neck | NY | 11024

PESACH:Kosher for Pesach pills

Today is the 26th day of Adar II, 5771

As we've explained in our last Halakha we are allowed to use or keep during Pesach any product which is unfit for consumption even if it may contain Chametz. See yesterday's HOTD . http://rabbibitton.blogspot.com/2011/03/pesach-kosher-le-pesach-deodorant.html

Medicinal pills or vitamins fall under this category of non-edible Chametz (nifsal meakhilat keleb) when they are meant to be swallowed, instead of chewed. Think about a Tylenol pill, either as a hard white pill or as a gel tablet. You cannot chew it, because they have a very bad flavor. Therefore, because you swallow the pill, it is considered as a non-edible product, even if you introduce it thru your mouth (for educational purposes only: think of it as if you would inject the Tylenol into your body). Therefore non-chewable pills don't need to be checked for Chametz ingredients. Therefore any non-chewable pill (which is the same as saying: any pill with a bad flavor) can be taken and obviously kept during Pesach. Check here to see Rabbi Gedaliah Schwartz position in OTC medicine for Ashkenazi tradition, which is slightly stricter than the Sephardic tradition.
http://www.crcweb.org/kosher_articles/over_the_counter_medicine.php#_ftn5

OTC syrups or chewable vitamins or medicine which contain a good or a neutral flavor, need to be checked for chametz ingredients. Why? Because these products are not meant as "food" but they are consumed in the normal way we eat food: chewing or drinking. For these products, we take a stricter stand: therefore, any chewable or liquid medicine should be checked for Chametz before using it during Pesach. (Next week BH I will present a list with this type of medicine and syrups which do not contain any chametz elements).

Needless to say, that in case of a serious medical condition any necessary medicine should be taken

Shabbat Shalom!!!

Candle lighting in NYC: 7:02

Shabbat ends in NYC: 8:11

MUST WATCH!!!!

Amran Hussain EUJS speech at the UN 21st of March 2011

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZgtpuwFVYs

Rabbi Yosef Bitton. YMJC | 130 Steamboat Rd. | Great Neck | NY | 11024

PESACH: Kosher le-Pesach deodorant?

Today is the 25th day of Adar II, 5771


We have already defined that Chametz is any food derived or containing any derivative from the following five cereal-grains: wheat, rye, spelt, barley and oats.

What happens if something which is a non-edible product contains Chametz? Is it forbidden to use it or keep it during Pesach?

The answer is no. The Halakha establishes that any non-food, non-edible product, even if theoretically contains a Chametz ingredient, could be kept and even used during Pesach: For example: Cosmetics, glues, paint, perfumes, soaps, detergents and any cleaning products, or any disposable utensils (aluminum foil, paper plates, plastic forks, etc, etc). In all these cases there is neither a need to check for the absence of Chametz, nor for any kind of Kosher for Pesach certification.

According to Jewish law, however, a non-edible product is not restricted to human consumption. Animal food, for example, if it contains Chametz, cannot be used or even kept during Pesach. Therefore, dog-food, cat-food, birds-food or even fish-food, cannot be used or even kept during Pesach (keep in mind that most animal food DO contain Chametz!!!

check this link for a list of Kosher for Pesach pet food. http://www.star-k.org/kashrus/kk-passover-petfood.htm

In the next HOTD, B'H, we are going to discuss using and keeping during Pesach:
medicines, oral hygiene products, dietary supplements, etc.

The Story of Pesach, from the Hagada to Youtube :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2ePd43aon8

Rabbi Yosef Bitton. YMJC | 130 Steamboat Rd. | Great Neck | NY | 11024

PESACH: What's the matter with rice?

Today is the 24th day of Adar II, 5771

As we explained yesterday there are only five grains which could become Chametz: wheat, barley, rye, oats, spelt.

Rice then, is not Chametz. Still, the Ashkenazi and the Moroccan custom is to refrain from rice during Pesach. Why? The reason for their abstention of rice has to do with the fact that it was very common to find grains of wheat in the bags of rice, since the fields where rice was grown were usually nearby or within the same fields where wheat was grown. Even today, there are many places in the world (India, Pakistan, Iran) where they rotate wheat and rice crops yearly:

http://www.rwc.cgiar.org/Pub_Info.asp?ID=178

Therefore, it would not be unthinkable to find a grain of wheat mixed with rice. To avoid the possibility of accidental presence of a grain of wheat in rice, the Persian and Syrian custom is to check the rice very carefully, three times before using it for Pesach.

We also refrain from buying enriched rice, which sometimes could be enriched with wheat starch.

Brown rice could also be used, provided is not enriched and there are no other additives. The ahskenazi custom is also to refrain from consuming any seeds (kitniot). Click here to see why: http://www.aish.com/h/pes/l/48964186.html

The following brands of rice are recommended by Rabbi Eliyahu Ben Haim as being 100% pure, not enriched, and with no additives or preservatives. LALQUILA, SHAZADEH, PARI, ROYAL, ZEBRA, DEER, TILDA.

Anti-Israel activists have declared that March 30th will be a global day of action for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement aimed at the boycott of all Israeli goods.

To counter calls for boycotts, World Jewish Congress encourages BUYcotts, and, together with other pro-Israel organizations, is calling on constituents to purchase Israeli products.

We are calling for March 30th to be a Buy Israeli Goods (BIG) Day.

We encourage you to visit

http://www.buyisraelgoods.org/scripts/mrkt_Home.asp?market_id=10

To find a list of Israeli-made items which can be bought as part of your regular shopping needs, as gifts, or occasional purchases.

Please, circulate this website to your members and friends.

On March 30th, please use the website to find stores near you from which you can purchase these goods. Tell the store managers you wish to purchase Israeli goods, and encourage them to carry these products. Products from Israel meet the highest quality standards. Collectively, the frequent purchase of Israeli products will have a significant impact on the Israeli economy and all segments of the Israeli population.

Make March 30th a record day for sales of Israeli

products by organizing a BUYcott for your members.

Rabbi Yosef Bitton. YMJC | 130 Steamboat Rd. | Great Neck | NY | 11024

PESACH: Understanding what is NOT Chametz.

Today is the 23rd day of Adar II, 5771

In pesach we have six Mitzvot (five prohibitions and one active commandment) related to Chametz. The Torah forbids us to consume Chametz or anything containing Chametz. The Torah strictly forbids also the possession of Chametz, and command us to disposses ourselves of our Chametz, right before Pesach begins.

To fully understand and observe the laws and customs of Pesach we must know first what Chametz is.

To be very precise:

1. Chametz is any fermented substance coming exclusively from one of the following five cereal grains: wheat, barley, oats, rye and spelt.

2. Chimutz (the forbidden fermentation) only takes place when one of these elements gets in contact with water and after passing eighteen minutes.

Some common examples of Chametz are: Bread, pasta, crackers, cookies, candies, noodles, some baby foods, dietary supplements (usually drinks) containing fibers, soup powders, whiskey and beer.

Many other alcoholic drinks contain grain alcohol. Years ago Vodka, for example, was made exclusively from potato, but lately, most brands of Vodka use cereal grain alcohol, which of course renders them absolutely forbidden for Pesach. (See http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/631781/vodka )

Rice, corn and their derivatives, like corn starch or corn syrup (these last two elements are extensively used in the pharmaceutical and food industry) and any other seeds which are not one of the five mentioned grains, are not considered Chametz, even if they are fermented.

B'H tomorrow I will explain why some Jewish communities --Ashkenazi and Moroccan, for example--do not consume rice, corn and other seeds or seeds products for Pesach.

And you thought you've heard it all.....

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/143192

Rabbi Yosef Bitton. YMJC | 130 Steamboat Rd. | Great Neck | NY | 11024

PESACH: Egg Matza or Matza Ashira?

Today is the 22nd day of Adar II, 5771

Egg Matzah are Matzot that are usually made with oil and or eggs and or honey, using fruit juice instead of water. The Rabbis in the Talmud stated that liquid food extracts do not cause flour to leaven, the way that water does. Not all egg Matza is made with actual eggs. When certified Kosher for Pesach, egg Matza can be consumed during the eight days of Pesach and even during Pesach eve (when is customary to refrain from eating Matza), but is not suitable for fulfilling the Mitzvah of 'eating Matza' in the Pesach Seder itself. In America they elaborate Matza Ashira/Egg Matza in the shape of Matzot, which might create a small confusion: some people might think that those Matzot can be used for the Seder, when technically speaking they are not consider Matzot, but non-chametz cookies....

Among some Ashkenazi Jews, there is a custom not to eat egg Matza during Passover, except for the elderly, infirm, or children, who cannot digest plain Matzah.

Among Sephardic Jews, this type of food --when the dough does no contain any amount of water -- is called Matza Ashira, and unlike egg Matza, products under the category of Matza Ashira do not necessarily have the shape of regular Matza. Rather, as you might verify in your local Kosher grocery , Matza Ashira products come in the form of cookies, cakes, desserts, etc. which actually look very similar to chametz products. But as we said, since no water was used in their elaboration, if it bears the corresponding Kosher le-Pesach certification, is OK for Sephardim to use on Pesach.

Super interesting: How hand-made Matza-Shmura is made? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgmTwVmD74w&feature=related

Rabbi Yosef Bitton. YMJC | 130 Steamboat Rd. | Great Neck | NY | 11024

PESACH: The pros and cons of hand-made Matza (abodat yad)

Today is the 19th day of Adar II, 5771

When an item is made to be used for a Mitzva, a Tefilin or Sefer Torah, for example, it must be done --including each one of its parts-- with the specific intention of being used for fulfilling the Mitzva. The leather used for assembling the Tefilin, for example, can not be done from left overs of leather manufactured for doing shoes, etc. The leather used for Tefilin had to be done specifically for the purpose of fulfilling the Mitzva of Tefilin. Before processing the leather, the artisan says explicitly: leshem Mitzvat tefilin, [I'm producing this leather to be used] for the purpose of the Mitzva of Tefilin.

Similarly, in the case of the Matza, the Matzot that will be used for the first two nights of Pesach, must have been manufactured with the purpose of being used for the Mitzva of Matza. Obviously, most Matzot are made with this purpose in mind. Some late rabbinic authorities, however, questioned the medium of the baking machines in this process, even when the machine's operator articulates the proper intention. In other words: when the Matzot are baked on a machine, does this interrupts the 'human process' of intentionality? This is why some authorities will require to use for the two night of Pesach --when we say the berakha al akhilat Matza-- Matza which was baked completely by hand, without machinery.

The disadvantages of hand made Matza are that 1. these Matzot are significantly more expensive than those made by machine. 2. There is more chances for human errors than when the Matzot are baked by machines.

In sum, if one can easily afford the hand-made Matzot, they should be used for the fist two nights. If not, one should not incur in extra expenses to abide by this stricter point of view (chumra). In this case, many Rabbis would suggest to use for the first two nights Matza Shemura, (which is the most meaningful hidur) made by machine.

Candle lighting in NYC: 6:54 PM

Shabbat ends in NYC: 8:03 PM

Click here to learn about: Shabbat Parah : http://www.ou.org/chagim/fourshabbatot/parah.htm

Rabbi Yosef Bitton. YMJC | 130 Steamboat Rd. | Great Neck | NY | 11024

PESACH: Matza Shemura and regular Matza

Today is the 18th day of Adar II, 5771

Matza is a special unleavened bread, made of a flat dough. The dough is prepared with flour and water, but without yeast. The flour must come from one of the following five grains: wheat, barley, oats, rye or spelt. The whole process, from the time the flour gets in contact with water until the Matza is baked, takes less than 18 minutes.

There are different types of Matzot, that people, according to their traditions and possibilities, might use for Pesach.

First, there is regular Matza and Matza Shemura. The difference between these two Matzot is the type of supervision (shemira) they have.

Regular Matza: Regular Matza is supervised during the process of mixing the flour with the water, and before: making sure that the flour was kept on a dry place (humidity can make the flour Chametz!) and that the water was at room temperature (warmer water will accelerate the process of Chimutz!) etc.

Matza Shemura: in addition to all the regulations of regular Matza, the grain is meticulously supervised and protected from humidity from the time of harvesting, all throughout the process of making the flour, up to the baking of the actual Matzot. We use Matza Shemura during the first two nights of Pesach, when we say the Berakha Al Akhilat Matza. Matza Shemura is a tradition which everyone who can afford it should follow, in attention to a special Biblical instruction Ushmartem et haMatzot. During the rest of the Holiday there is no need to use Matza Shemura, because technically there is no obligation to eat Matza, but only to refrain from eating Chametz.

Israeli Navy Uncovers Weaponry Intended for Terrorist Organization in the Gaza Strip
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_ntbPB_Ur8

Rabbi Yosef Bitton. YMJC | 130 Steamboat Rd. | Great Neck | NY | 11024

PESACH: Why do we eat Matza during Pesach?

Today is the 17th day of Adar II, 5771

Upon our sudden departure from Egypt, we, the Jewish people ate Matza. There was no time to prepare anything else for the journey, not even bread - so Matza brings the good memories of "rushing into freedom".

On the other hand, when we were slaves in Egypt, every single day of the week we ate only Matza! (Ha lachma anyia di akhalu abahatana be-ar'a'deMisraim). Matza was the food conceived by the cruel Egyptians as the ideal diet for the Jewish slaves. It was cheaper than other foods, and lasted longer than regular bread in the slave's stomachs.

One more things: it was very easy to prepare. To make regular bread you need to let the dough rest for approximately 10-15 minutes and only then you put the spongy-dough into the oven. In Egyptian captivity, the raising of the dough was skipped. Instead, they put the flat dough into the oven. Why? Because the Jewish slaves had to work without a pause. The Egyptians were not willing to concede the Jewish slaves 10 minutes of rest, which would allow the dough to raise and made into bread...

During the Pesach Seder we revive and literally "taste" the bitter experience of slavery and the sweetness of freedom, both represented by the Matza.

When eating the Matza, we celebrate our freedom, but without forgetting our suffering.

A tour to a Matza Factory, hosted by Martha Stewart:
http://www.aish.com/v/ho/88087232.html

Rabbi Yosef Bitton. YMJC | 130 Steamboat Rd. | Great Neck | NY | 11024

PESACH: The eight Mitzvot of Pesach

Today is the 16th day of Adar II, 5771

Pesach is almost a month away.

Pesach's laws and customs are so many and diverse that our Rabbis indicated that thirty days before Pesach we should start reviewing the laws of Pesach.

Let's begin then by mentioning what the Mitzvot of Pesach are.

In its introduction to Hilkhot Pesach, Maimonides describes very briefly each Mitzvah and its timing, enumerating a total of eight Mitzvot (excluding Korban Pesach): 3 positive commandments and 5 prohibitions.

THE THREE POSITIVE COMMANDMENTS

1. To eat Matza during the first night of Pesach (in the Diaspora, it becomes automatically mandatory for the first "two" nights)

2. To tell the story of Pesach --the Hagada--to our children during the night of Pesach (idem)

3. To dispose/disown of our Chametz Pesach eve, the 14th of Nissan.

THE FIVE PROHIBITIONS

4. The prohibition of eating Chametz during Pesach.

5. The prohibition of eating anything that contains Chametz, during Pesach.

6. The prohibition of owning Chametz during Pesach (bal Yera-e)

7. The prohibition of owning Chametz during Pesach (bal Ymatse). Mitzvot 6 and 7 are indeed identical: an exceptional case in the entire Torah!

8. The prohibition of eating Chametz Pesach eve, from noon.

In the following days B'H we will have the opportunity to define and review all these Mitzvot.

Are Israeli settlers humans?

https://www.yousendit.com/download/eUREa3ZIcVg5eFZjR0E9PQ

Rabbi Yosef Bitton. YMJC | 130 Steamboat Rd. | Great Neck | NY | 11024