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