PESACH, non edible Chaemtz, Part 2

22nd of Adar, 5770

As we've explained in our last Halakha we are allowed to use or keep during Pesach any product which is unfit for consumption – human or animal – even if it may contain Chametz ( I insist in “may” because in today’s industrial world -unlike corn starch or corn derivatives- the usage of wheat or barley derivatives is not very common in this type of products). We can use or keep at home any cosmetics or cleaning products etc. (See: last Halakha of the Day).

Medicinal pills fall under this category of non edible Chametz (nifsal meakhilat keleb) when they are meant to be taken “swallowing” them, instead of “chewing” them, which is the normal way of eating…
Therefore any non chewable pill (which is the same as saying: any pill without flavor) can be taken or kept during Pesach. (Some rabbis would take a stricter stand, even in non chewable pills, if they are taken as dietary supplements or vitamins).

There are some medicines however, which are borderline between edible and not edible: for example, medicinal products which contain flavor. These products are not meant as "food" but they are "consumed" as food (chewing /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. (B'H we will send a list of these products as an attachment later on this week).

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

PESACH, non edible Chametz Part 1

19th of Adar, 5770

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

What happens if something which is not a food contains Chametz? Is it forbidden to use/keep during Pesach?

The answer is no. The Halakha establishes that any non food product, even if theoretically will contain a Chametz ingredient could be used on Pesach, and of course, could be kept during Pesach. For example: Cosmetics, glues, paint, perfumes, soaps, detergents and any other cleaning products, disposable utensils, 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, a food or an edible element is not restricted to human consumption. Animal food, for example, if it contains Chametz, cannot be used or even kept during Pesach. Therefore, for dog food, cat food, birds food or even fish food, one has to be certain that they do not contain Chametz (keep in mind that most animal food DO contain Chametz!!! Check: http://www.kosherpets.com/fordogs.html and their Pet’s Passover Feeding Guide)

There are other products which are borderline between edible and non edible and their authorization for Pesach depends basically on different opinions and traditions.

So, hold your questions because next week B’H we are going to talk about using and keeping during Pesach: medicines, mouth hygiene products, dietary supplements, etc.

PESACH, what is Chametz? Part 2

18th of Adar, 5770

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 many years ago 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 (To understand this system called: "rice-wheat cropping system" see http://www.ias.ac.in/currsci/dec252004/1713.pdf and http://www.rwc.cgiar.org/Pub_Info.asp?ID=51). Therefore, it would not be unthinkable to find a grain of wheat mixed with rice.

To avoid the possibility of accidental presence 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 there are no other additives .

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, SHIVA GOLD, SHIVA CLASSIC, ROYAL, ZEBRA, KAARI and DEER BRAND