SHABBAT: Cooking from Yom Tob to Shabbat

Erub Tabshilin means "mixing of [cooked] foods," whereby one prepares a plate with food prior to a Jewish Holiday (Yom Tob) which will be followed by a Shabbat. This year the seventh day of Pesach will be followed by a Shabbat, so we need to arrange the Erub.

Cooking is allowed on Jewish Holidays as we learn from Shemot 12:16 "...do no do any work on these days (Yom Tob=Holidays), except preparing food for everyone to eat-that is all you may do". We can cook whatever will be used for consumption during that day, but we cannot prepare or cook food to be consumed after that particular day of the Holiday.  Thus, when a Holiday occurs on Friday we cannot cook from Yom Tob to Shabbat, unless the Erub Tabshilin is performed. 

Erub Tabshilin consists of cooking prior to Yom Tob (in our case, today!) some food for Shabbat. Today, Thursday April 12, around 7.00 PM (NYT) we put aside a plate with cooked and baked food prior to Yom Tob, keeping this food for Sabbath. Then, since some food is already prepared for Shabbat, the cooking that will take place on the holiday itself will be considered a mere addition, an extension (the word 'erub' means in this and other contexts "extension") to the cooking that has already begun before the Holiday started. When we start cooking for Shabbat before the Holiday begins, our rabbis authorized to continue cooking and preparing food from Yom Tob to Shabbat.

According to our community's Minhag we place at least one cooked egg and one Matza in a plate. (Many people will add also meat, rice or other types of food). 

The following Berakha is recited--generally by the husband--while holding the plate (Erub) in one's hands:  

"Baruch Ata A-donay E-lohenu Melech ha'Olam Asher Kiddeshanu beMitzvotav veTsivanu AL MITZVAT ERUB"

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָֽׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו, וְצִוָּֽנוּ עַל מִצְוַת עֵרוּב

Then we read the following text which says that by doing this'erub we are allowed to do all necessary cooking from Yom Tob to Shabbat. 

בַּדֵין עֵרוּבָא יְהֵא שָׁרֵא לָֽנָא לַאֲפוּיֵי וּלְבַשּׁוּלֵי וּלְאַטְמוּנֵי וּלְאַדְלוּקֵי שְׁרָגָא וּלְתַקָּנָא וּלְמֶעְבַּד כָּל צָרְכָּֽנָא, מִיּוֹמָא טָבָא לְשַׁבְּתָא

Then we place the plate in the refrigerator. 

For the concept of 'erub to make sense, we have to actually eat that food at some point during Shabbat (April 13th at night, or April 14th).

Every household should do the Erub Tabshilin but if one forgets, cooking from Yom Tob to Shabbat will still be permitted relying on the 'erub that the community Rabbi said, in which he normally would include all community members.

(In Yom Tob we can cook by lighting a fire from a fire lit before Yom Tob. This is done by leaving a candle lit from today, before the Holiday begins)

* Candle lighting today Thursday April   12th  at 7:14 PM (NYC )

* Candle lighting tomorrow Friday April 13th  at 7:15 PM (NYC)

* Shabbat and Pesach end Saturday April 14th at  8:24 PM (NYC)

√ MYC's OMER SHEET 

√ OMER REMINDER for BBM (Shlomo Nouriely)

√ OMER REMINDER by EMAIL (UMJCA)

√ OUR COMMUNITY'S MINHAGUIM FOR SEFIRAT

 HAOMER (These restriction DO NOT apply during Pesach!) 

PESACH LINKS and Chag Sameach!

√ TIMETABLE for PESACH EVE √ THE PESACH SEDER, step by step  √ A SEPHARDIC GUIDE FOR PESACH 5772  √ MYC's OMER SHEET  √ OMER REMINDER for BBM (Shlomo Nouriely) √ OMER REMINDER by EMAIL (UMJCA) √ OUR COMMUNITY'S MINHAGUIM FOR SEFIRAT HAOMER (These restriction DO NOT apply during Pesach!)  APRIL 6th: Candle lighting today in NYC: 7:08 PM APRIL 7th: Candle lighting Saturday night NYC after 8:17 PM APRIL 8th: Sunday night, Yom Tob ends NYC at 8:18 PM

For  times of Miniyanim see  KANISSAHNEWS. You will also find  information about our community's events, times or prayers and much more.

TIMETABLE for Pesach Eve 2012

THURSDAY APRIL 5th, 2012

√ You have until 8.00 PM tonight  to submit the forms for mekhirat Chametz (see HERE). You can hand this forms to Mr. Adam Sabzevari,  Mr. Morris Aziz, Mr. Moshe Aziz, Mr.  Said Hakimian, Mr. Edward Dilamani,  Mr. Robert Livi, or Mr. Herbert Livi or leave in the box in the small Kanissah in Shaare Shalom. 

TO AVOID PROBLEMS WE ENCOUNTERED PREVIOUS YEARS, UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE WILL A FORM BE ACCEPTED AFTER THIS TIME.

√ Tonight after 8.00 PM we proceed to do the bediqat Chametz (see HERE) saying the berakha before we begin "Baruch Ata A-donay E-lohenu Melech  ha'Olam Asher kiddeshanu beMitzvotav veTsivanu  'Al Bi'ur Chametz" . This is the last inspection to search for any Chametz that we might have involuntarily left in our homes.  We have to inspect our houses, cars, workplace, etc. You can check with a candle or flashlight. Whatever chametz you will consume until tomorrow, keep in a safe place. The rest, get rid of it the way we have explained previously. 

After the bediqa, you do the Bitul (see HERE) . Declaring that all unfound chametz should be considered ownerless, and does not belong to you anymore: 

"KAL CHAMIRA DEIKA BIRSHUTI DELA CHAZITEH VEDELA BIARTEH LIBTIL VELEHEVE HEFKER KEAFRA DEARA" 

FRIDAY APRIL 6th, 2012

√ Fast of the first born begins at 5:04 AM. 

After Shacharit, you can break the fast if you participate of a Siyum, which is done in every Minyan.  

 

Our community Minhag is that: 1. Parents fast for their firstborn sons, until they reach 13 years old.  2. First born don't eat Chametz during Pesach eve (Friday), male and female. 

√ Except for the firstborn, the rest can eat chametz until 10.00 AM 

√ Before 11.00 AM we have to get rid of the chametz (throwing, giving away, selling, etc) THERE CANNOT BE CHAMETZ THAT BELONG TO US AFTER THIS TIME.

  

√ No later than 11.00 AM we pronounce the last bitul:  "KAL CHAMIRA DEIKA BIRSHUTI DECHAZITEH VEDELA CHAZITEH DEBIARTEH VEDELA BIARTEH, 

LIBTIL VELEHEVE HEFKER KEAFRA DEARA"  

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

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS TODAY OR TOMORROW, PLEASE, SEND THEM BY EMAIL ONLY (NOT TEXT, NOT VOICE MAIL BOX): rabbibitton@yahoo.com

Chag Sameach!!!

The night of the Seder, step by step.

Kadesh

We start the Seder with the Holiday consecration and its official inauguration: the Kiddush. This year, 5772, we integrate the Kiddush of Yom Tob with the Kiddush of Shabbat. Upon concluding the Kiddush and the blessing shehecheyanu everyone shall drink his or her first cup of wine, while leaning on the left side. Each cup should contain at least 3 ounces.  Throughout the Seder we drink four cups of wine. Symbolizing a celebration for the four expressions of freedom found in the Tora. 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 to the adults. This Netilat Yadaim is done in order to eat the Karpas dipped in vinegar. 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 eat a small piece of Karpas, (celery).  In ancient times it was common for affluent people to have an aperitif (celery or another vegetable) before the meal to induce the appetite (poor people did not need appetizers!). In this night we should feel that we are free and all our needs are covered, as if we were royalty. This is also the reason why we sit leaning: the slaves use to eat sitting on the floor, and the dignitaries would lean in luxurious chairs.  Now, we also dip the Karpas in vinegar (or salted water) to remind us of the misery of our slavery and the tears we shed in captivity. As you will see once and again: the Seder is a balance between remembering our past as slaves and celebrating our God-given freedom, for which we should be infinitely thankful to Hashem.   Before eating the Karpas 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.

Read more HERE   

Mekhirat Chametz: Selling of the Chametz

In some communities it is customary to sell the Chametz, through the local rabbinate, to a non-Jew. This is the way this selling is done: the community member signs a paper (virtually, a power of attorney) authorizing a Rabbi to sell his Chametz to a gentile. The rabbi sells the Chametz to a non-Jew Pesach eve. 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. When the buyer fails to pay the balance, immediately after Pesach, the Chametz belongs back to the seller.

  

In Sephardic communities it was not customary to sell the Chametz, except for an exceptional case: someone who owned a food store. Traditionally, Sephardic Jews got rid of all their Chametz, as prescribed by the Rabbis of the Talmud, and if some Chametz accidentally had not being detected, the bitul--renouncing to our ownership of Chametz-- would prevent the transgression of owning Chametz.   Whenever possible, this is the best way to proceed, preserving our ancient Minhaguim.   Remember that you only have to get rid of a food item (medicines, perfumes or any non edible items could be kept, regarding of its composition. Pet's food cannot be kept!). For food items: you could keep anything that does not contain any of these five grains: wheat, barley, oats, rye, spelt.   For those community members who wish to continue with the tradition of removing all Chametz from your premises, today and tomorrow only, you can email me (rabbibitton@yahoo.com) a list of food you wish to keep and I will email back the status of that food (K: Keep.  D: Discard or give as a gift to a non Jew)   

For those community members who would keep their valuable Chametz products (whiskey, vodka or liquors made from grain alcohol), in order to avoid transgressing the prohibition of owning Chametz during Pesach, our UMJCA Religious Council arranges a Chametz selling.  The form has to be summited to the Gabbayim, named in the form, until Thursday April 5th at 8.00 PM. This year the forms cannot be sent by fax. 

Click HERE to download the Selling of the Chametz form.

Declaring our Chametz ownerless

Bitul Chametz (declaring our Chametz ownerless)

After searching for any left overs of Chametz (see HERE Bediqat Chametz) Thursday April 5th 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 ownership or 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 involuntarily we might not have found or removed. 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. To become absolutely conscious of this declaration, our Sages recommended repeating it three times.

Bi'ur Chametz (Getting Rid of Chametz)

The following day, Friday April 6th, in the morning, after we finish eating Chametz (in our community, every year we stop eating Chametz at 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 can be 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. After we disposed of our Chametz  we pronounce 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:

"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."

This last Bitul must be done Friday April 6th, 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.

Shabbat Shalom!

Candle lighting in NYC: 7:00 PM

Shabbat ends in NYC: 8:09 PM

Click HERE to read the complete Printable Sephardic Guide for Pesach 2012 and all other Pesach links

Bediqat Chametz, last inspection of Chametz (and Pesach out of town).

The night before the Seder, when the first three stars are visible and once our house is clean of Chametz and ready for Pesach, we do the Bediqat Chametz, which is the last inspection in which we search for any Chametz food that might have remained involuntarily in our property after cleaning.

  

This year, 5772/2012, the night of the Bediqa will be Thursday April 5th, after 8:00 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 Bediqa we are looking especially for Chametz "food" that we could have overlooked during the cleaning process, and not so much for Chametz 'crumbs', which will be rendered hefker--ownerless--by the Bitul (See yesterdays HOTD). 

Attention should be given also to cars, since it is not uncommon to eat or keep snacks in a car. Cars should be washed and cleaned before the night of the Bediqa and then we should search them 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 Bediqa at home, it should be done before the Bediqa or early in the morning of the following day.

When a family spends Pesach out of town, the cleaning and the last Chametz inspection (Bediqa) of the main house should be done the night before leaving home, without saying any berakha. The Chametz found should be disposed, giving to a gentile or sold. The night of the Bediqa, Thursday April 5th, the family should search for Chametz again, but this time with the berakha, in the house or in the Hotel room where the family will stay for Pesach.

  

√ 3 NEW ITEMS ADDED TO THE LIST OF AUTHORIZED PRODUCTS FOR PESACH. SEPHARDIM ONLY.  

√ For Minhaguim of SEFIRAT HAOMER see HERE

√ Watch HERE why is important to learn Hilkhot Pesach

√ Click HERE to download the list of products authorized for Pesach 5772.

  

√ For a comprehensive Passover guide and an extensive list of products which follows the Ashkenazi tradition please click HERE .

Understanding the prohibition of owning Chametz during Pesach

What makes the prohibition of Chametz so unique is that, unlike any other forbidden foods, it includes the ban of itspossession.  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'=We can not own Chametz during Pesach), and tashbitu (disown, dispossess of your Chametz before Pesach begins). There are two identical prohibitions (also an exceptional case!) and one positive commandment virtually for the same issue: owing Chametz during Pesach.

Strictly speaking, these three Mitzvot would be fulfilled at once by the 'bitul'. A verbal declaration by which we renounce to the ownership of any Chametz that belong to us, regardless of where that Chametz is located.

But the Chakhamim explained that there are some practical issues with just declaring our Chametz owner-less. First, we may declarethat we do not own anymore our Chametz, but, if we posses something valuable, will we really mean that we renounce to its possession? Second, Chametz is the most common food, so even if we declare it owner-less, keeping any edible Chametz at home, might cause us to eating it accidentally...

This is why they instructed us to dipose of our Chametz before Pesach. 

There are four steps, then, that we should take to fulfill the Biblical commandments and the rabbinical instruction: 

1. We clean our houses, cars, offices and other properties before Pesach to identify and remove all chametz from our properties. 

2. We run a final search all our properties to make sure that we have removed everything Chametz from them (Bedikat Chametz). 

3. We physically dispose or get rid of any Chametz found in our properties before and during the Bedika (Bi'ur Chametz). 

4. Then, we declare and state 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, B'H, in the coming HOTD.

     

√ For Minhaguim of SEFIRAT HAOMER see HERE

√ Click HERE to download the list of products authorized for Pesach 5772.

  

√ For a comprehensive Passover guide and an extensive list of products which follows the Ashkenazi tradition please click HERE .

Getting your kitchen ready for Pesach (part 2 of 2)

During Pesach, it is forbidden to use the same cooking utensils or tableware that was used year-round for Chametz. Even when the vessels are superficially clean, the Chametz absorbed in the walls, will be reabsorbed in the Pesach food (noten ta'am). It is customary and most recommendable, then, 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:hag'ala, which is a form of sterilization that serves to eliminate any particles of Chametz absorbed in the utensils' walls.

All  types of hag'ala follow one single principle: kebol'o kakh polto, which means that the expulsion of any substance 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 hag'ala, then, is different for each type of utensil, depending on the material from which it is made, the way it is normally used, way of cooking, etc.

Some examples of hag'ala

Glass: According to the Sephardic Minhag, any clear-glass utensils like cups or plates used throughout the year for Chametz should be thoroughly washed and they can then be used for Pesach without any further hag'ala. (Since glass does not absorb, it would not reabsorb back any Chametz particles).

Metal: 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. It is preferable, wherever possible, to perform the hag'ala only after the utensils have not been used for twenty-four hours.

Porcelain: Ceramic, pottery or porcelain china and tableware which was used throughout the year for Chametz are not suitable for Pesach. In other words hag'ala does not sterilize them; therefore they cannot be used for Pesach. 

These are only some examples of hag'ala. Ask a Rabbi for more details.

   

Getting your kitchen ready for Pesach

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 THIS). 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 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.

Sink and countertops: The sink, even when made of porcelain, clean and pour on it boiling water. Countertops clean and pour 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.

  

List of Products for Pesach

During Pesach, our community maintains the highest standards of observance in terms of cleaning the house from Chametz and consuming exclusively Kosher for Pesach products. Whenever possible, every product we buy should bear the Kosher for Passover certification.

The products described in the following list do not contain Chametz and are authorized for Pesach 5772.

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 and it is based on information obtained from Kosher for Pesach lists elaborated by Orthodox rabbis experts in the area of Kashrut.

  

Click HERE to download the list.

For a comprehensive Passover guide and an extensive list of products which follows the Ashkenazi tradition please clickHERE.

Feel free to contact me for any doubt, but first read carefully the list! 

  

Rabbi Yosef Bitton

rabbibitton@yahoo.com 

Of: 516 4870244. 

  

Shabbat Shalom!

  

Candle lighting in NYC: 6:53 PM

Shabbat ends in NYC: 8:02 PM.

  

  

  

Downloadable list

List of Products for Pesach 5772

PESACH: Pills and medicine for Pesach

As we have 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 here

  

Medicinal pills or vitamins fall under the 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 pill or as a gel tablet. You would not chew it, because they have a very bad flavor. Those pills were not made to be chewed (this defines 'eating' in a case of a solid food) but to be swallowed. 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. Any non-chewable pill (which is the same as saying: any pill with a bad flavor) can be taken, and obviously kept during Pesach. 

  

Click here to see Rabbi Gedaliah Schwartz's position in OTC medicine for the Ashkenazi tradition, which follows this simple principle, but is slightly stricter than the Sephardic tradition. 

OTC syrups or chewable medicine or vitamins or protein shakes, food supplements, etc. which have a pleasant or a neutral flavor, need to be checked for Chametz ingredients. Why? Because although these products are not meant as food, they are ingested in the normal way we eat food: chewing or drinking. Therefore, any chewable or liquid medicine or chewable or liquid vitamin should be checked for Chametz before using it during Pesach. 

Tomorrow B'H I will present a list with this type of medicines and syrups (chewable, drinkable) which do not contain any Chametz elements.

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

CLICK HERE to read:  "The tragedy in Tolouse"  by Rabbi Benjamin Blech  (from www.aish.com)

Kosher for Pesach deodorant?

We have already explained that Chametz is any food derived or containing any derivative from the following five cereal-grains: wheat, rye, spelt, barley and oats (see here)

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

The answer is NO. The Halakha (Shulchan 'arukh 442:2, Mishna Berura 42:10) establishes that any non-food, anything which was never designed as an edible product, could be kept and even used during Pesach: For example: Cosmetics, paint, perfumes, soaps, detergents and any cleaning products, or any disposable utensils, aluminum foil, paper plates, paper cups, plastic forks, etc. In all these cases there is neither a need to check for the absence of Chametz or for any kind of Kosher for Pesach certification. Because, even if theoretically such a product would contains a Chametz ingredient, non edible Chametz is not considered Chametz (Penine Halakha "Pesach" p. 22-24). 

According to Jewish law, however, the definition of 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. 

  

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

Pesach: why is rice permitted (and forbidden) during Pesach?

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

Rice, obviously, is not Chametz. Is not one of the five grains and there are examples in the Gemara of Chakhamim that ate normally rice during Pesach. Still, the Ashkenazi and the Moroccan custom is to refrain from rice during Pesach. Why? The practical reason for the 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, in some areas, were 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 (See here).

Therefore, it would not be unthinkable to find a grain of wheat mixed with the rice.  To avoid the possibility of accidental presence of a grain of wheat in rice (rice and wheat, especially in the form or whole grains, share the same color) , the Persian and Syrian custom is to check the rice very carefully, three times before using it for Pesach.

  

One has to 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 following brands of rice are recommended by Rabbi Eliyahu Ben Haim as being 100% pure, not enriched, and with no additives or preservatives. LALQUILA - SHAHZADEH - PARI - ROYAL - ZEBRA - DEER BRAND - INDIA GATE - TILDA

The Ahskenazi custom is to refrain also from consuming any seeds (qitniot) during Pesach. For a good explanation of the Ashkenazi custom of qitniot, click here.  

Leiylui Nishmat 

Rabbi Sandler (30) , his two sons Aryeh (3) and Gabriel (6) and Miriam Monsonego (8). All killed in a Jewish School in Tolouse, France.

(HaShem Iqom damam)

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Pesach: What is Chametz?

From the eight Mitzvot of Pesach (see here) six of them, five prohibitions and one active commandment, are related to Chametz. The Tora forbids us to consume Chametz or anything containing Chametz during Pesach. The Tora strictly forbids also the possession of Chametz, and command us to dispose 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 actual fermentation of these grains, only takes place after eighteen minutes from the moment one of these grains or a by-product of these grains comes in contact with water. 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. Besides whiskey and beer, many other alcoholic beverages contain grain alcohol, which is a Chametz by-product forbidden in Pesach. Years ago Vodka, for example, was made exclusively from potato, but lately, most brands of Vodka use cereal grain alcohol (wheat, barley) which of course renders them absolutely forbidden for Pesach. (See here).

Rice or 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 when they have fermented.

In the coming days we will learn why some Jewish communities--Ashkenazi and Moroccan, for example--do not consume rice, corn and other seeds or seeds products during Pesach, despite the fact that they are not Chametz.

 

PESACH: Egg Matza and enriched Matza

Egg Matza is usually made with oil and/or eggs and/or sugar, using fruit juice instead of water to prepare the dough. The Rabbis in the Talmud stated that liquid-food-extracts (juices, oils) do not cause flour to leaven like water does. Egg Matza then is not made necessarily with actual eggs, but mainly with no water (real or regular Matza = flour + water). 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 real Matza), but is not suitable for fulfilling the Mitzva of 'eating Matza' in the Pesach Seder itself. 

  

In America Egg Matza is usually sweeter than regular Matza and it is elaborated in the shape of Matzot, which sometime might create a 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 at all, except for the elderly, infirm, or children, who cannot digest plain Matza.

Among Sephardic Jews, this type of Matza or baked foods--when the dough is prepared with fruit juices or oil and does no contain any amount of water--is called Matza 'ashira or enriched Matza,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 Kasher le-Pesach certification is OK for Sephardim to use on Pesach.

PESACH: Hand Matza vs machine Matza (part 2 of 3)

In general, when an item (or one of its parts) is made to be used for a Mitzva--a Tefilin or a Sefer Tora, for example--it must be done with the specific intention of being used for fulfilling the Mitzva.  The leather used for making a Tefilin, for example, can not be coming from left overs of leather manufactured for shoes, etc. it has to be produced specifically for the purpose of fulfilling the Mitzva of Tefilin. Before processing the leather, the artisan says explicitly: leshem Mitzvat tefilin, [I'm manufacturing 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 consumed during the first two nights of Pesach, must have been manufactured with the purpose of the Mitzva of Matza. Obviously, most Matzot are made with this intention in mind. Some late rabbinic authorities, however, questioned the medium of the machinery in this process. In other words: when the Matzot are elaborated by a machine the 'human process' of intentionality continues or is it considered discontinued? To avoid this conflict some rabbinic authorities would require to use for the two nights of Pesach --when eating Matza is a Mitzva-- Matza which was elaborated completely by hand, without the use of machinery.

On the other hand, there are a few disadvantages in hand-made Matza. 1. These Matzot are significantly more expensive than those made by machine. 2. There are more chances for human errors when Mazta is elaborated by hand than when Matzot are done by machines.

In sum, if one can easily afford it, hand-made Matzot should be used for the first 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, one can use for the first two nights Matza Shemura (which is a more meaningful stringency) made by machine.

WATCH 

The Matza and the ego, 

by Aish.com  

The different types of Matzot (part 1 of 3)

Matza is a special unleavened bread, made of a flat dough. The dough is prepared with flour and water and 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 should take less than 18 minutes.

There are different types of Matzot which according to different traditions and possibilities one might use for Pesach.

In the coming days we will learn the differences between 1. Regular Matza and Matza shemura, 2. Hand-made Matza and machine-made Matza and 3. Regular Matza and egg Matza (or Matza 'ashira). 

Let us begin with 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 from the moment of mixing the flour with water. Before that, one also needs to make sure the flour was kept in a dry place (humidity can make the flour Chametz!), that the water was at room temperature (warmer water will accelerate the process of fermentation!), 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. Having Matza Shemura is a practice which everyone who can afford it (the price of Matza shemura is significantly higher than regular Matza!) 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, during chol haMo'ed and the last two days of Pesach there is no obligation to eat Matza but only to refrain from eating Chametz.

   

Making Hand made Matza Shemura

PESACH: Why Matza?

When we were slaves in Egypt, every single day of the week we ate only Matza. For breakfast, lunch and dinner! (ha lachma anyia di akhalu abahatana be-ar'a deMitzraim). Matza was the food conceived by the cruel Egyptians as the ideal meal for the Jewish slaves. It was cheaper than any other food, and lasted longer than regular bread in the slave's stomach. And 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 would place the spongy-dough into the oven. In Egyptian captivity, the raising of the dough was skipped. Instead, they had to 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 extra minutes to rest, which would allow the dough to raise and made it into bread.

On the other hand, upon our sudden departure from Egypt, we also ate Matza. We did not leave Egypt emigrating from it by a slow progressive process. We were rescued by HaShem in a super speedy (bechipazon) operation that lasted just one night. (Can you visualize the mobilization of 3 million people, leaving all together in one night?). There was no time to prepare any normal food for the journey. For a different reason, there were no 10 extra minutes to wait for the dough to rise. In our memories, therefore, Matza has also the taste of "rushing into freedom". 

Matza then symbolizes both, the flavor of freedom and the bitterness of slavery. During Pesach we literally relive the sourness of captivity and the sweetness of liberty, both represented by the Matza.

Matza celebrates our freedom, but without forgetting our suffering.

Martha Stewart visits a Matzah factory