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FIRST TIME MAKING PESACH A Cheat Sheet for the Rest Of Us by Rabbi Dovid Cohen, Administrative Rabbinic Coordinator March 2020 Preparing for Pesach takes effort, but with a bit of planning and focus it is possible to suc- ceed and welcome Yom Tov positively. This article’s goal is not to provide details and instruc- tions, but rather to provide a framework of what must be done and issues to consider, and guidance on how to learn more about those topics. The “Tell Me More” sidebars reference articles in the cRc 2020 Pesach Guide where more information is available on a given topic. This article is written specifically for those who have never madePesach at home or have not done so for many years, but also may be a good overview for those who have more experience. A) SCHEDULE Finding ways to be organized and sched- be performed well in advance of Yom Tov. For example, one uled goes a long way towards having a can buy clothes and have them tailored and checked for shat- successful preparatory Pesach season. nez, and paper goods can be purchased and put away. Any job Many find it helpful to work backwards, that can be taken care of early is one less thing to do in the thinking which jobs should or must hap- hectic days just before Pesach. pen on Erev Pesach, which in the days It may be difficult for one person to perform all of the steps before that, etc. so that they roughly needed to prepare for Pesach. Of course, there are tasks that plan when each item will get taken family members, even small children, can help to accomplish, care of. but those who can afford extra help in the house should take In this context it is worth noting that many Pesach tasks can advantage of that opportunity. 1 www.ASKcRc.org / www.cRcweb.org First Time Making Pesach B) CLEAN THE HOUSE We can avoid owning chametz Pet foods are considered edible, and if TELL on Pesach by selling our chametz they contain chametz they (a) cannot be ME MORE to someone who is not Jewish; this served to pets on Pesach, and (b) must Pets is known as mechiras chametz and can be arranged with be put aside with the “sold” chametz. Page 103 your local Rabbi. But if we will be home on 2. It is either larger than an olive (kezayis) Pesach, then we must also clean our hous- TELL or in a form that someone might eat it es to ensure we do not accidentally eat any ME MORE For example, there is no need to get rid of one solitary chametz on Pesach. We identify all chametz, Mechiras Chametz Cheerio or chametz crumbs (because they are smaller and either destroy it or put it into a closet Page 36 than an olive), or a dirty pretzel underneath a bed (since that will be closed for Yom Tov and sold to no one would eat that, even if it is technically edible).2 the non-Jew.1 3. It is reasonably accessible Which foods are chametz and must be removed? The letter For example, you must remove chametz which is in the of the law is that only items which meet these three require- folds of a couch, under a bed or dresser, or in one’s of- ments must be removed: fice, but not if it is behind a refrigerator or underneath 1. It is chametz the washing machine. Chametz includes just about everything TELL The above reflects the letter of the law and is appropriate made with wheat, barley, rye, oats, or ME MORE for situations when one has no other choice. But the long- spelt. Which standing minhag is to thoroughly clean one’s home and re- Foods are Ashkenazim do not eat kitnios (corn, move even the smallest bits of chametz. Those who have Chametz? rice, soy, beans, et al) on Pesach, but do Page 19 questions as to how this applies to their situation, should not have to remove them from their discuss their family dynamics with their local Rabbi. homes. Many medicines, cosmetics and toi- BASIC CLEANING GUIDE TELL letries are free of chametz or deemed ME MORE • Sweep, vacuum, or mop the entire house inedible and therefore “not chametz”. Medicines & • Collect all chametz into 1 or 2 places Others should only be kept if they are Cosmetics • Empty and wipe all areas that hold food, such as pan- known to be chametz-free. Similar rules Page 77 tries, shelves, refrigerators, freezers apply to cleaning products and certain other non-foods. • Thoroughly clean all parts of the kitchen, dining room, family room and other rooms where food is eaten ALL ARE ACCEPTABLE • Vacuum all parts of the car and couches, including in All varieties of these items are acceptable for Pesach: “folds” of the seats Ammonia, baby oil, bleach, blush, • Empty and wipe all purses, briefcases, knapsacks, body wash, candles, contact lens solu- TELL and school bags ME MORE tion, detergent, dishwashing soap, eye • Check/clean drawers (especially in children’s rooms), Shopping drops, eye liner, eye shadow, furniture Guide pockets, and the trunk and glove compartment of polish, hair gel, hairspray, isopropyl Page 65 the car alcohol, liquid dish soap, lotions, mas- cara, mineral oil, nail polish, nail polish remover, oint- ments, oven cleaner, petroleum jelly, sanitizers (e.g. 1. There are two reasons one must clean their home for Pesach: Firstly, the To- rah forbids us from owning chametz on Pesach. Secondly, we are accustomed to Purell), shampoo, shaving lotion, silver polish, soaps, eating chametz all year round and getting rid of it ensures no one will mistakenly sponges eat it on Pesach. We can satisfy the first reason by selling our chametz, but that will not help for the second one. Further listings are at www.ASKcRc.org 2. It is forbidden to eat even the tiniest bit of chametz, but assuming one per- forms bitul chametz (recited after “bedikas chametz”), they may keep it in their possession as long as it is very small or so undesirable that no one would want to eat it. 2 www.ASKcRc.org / www.cRcweb.org First Time Making Pesach C) SHOPPING A second part of preparing for Pesach is pared foods. shopping for an entire pantry worth of In shopping for food, keep in mind the needs food. The simplest reason for that is that of infants, children, pets, and those who are TELL many foods require special hashgachah for ME MORE ill. Which type of formula, pet food, nutri- Pesach. But the truth is that even if a par- Shopping tional supplement, and medicinal items Guide ticular product doesn’t need special hash- might be needed? What about toothpaste, Page 65 gachah, it is prudent to purchase a new package or container mouthwash, and other toiletries for the rest to ensure that there are no crumbs or other residue of cha- of the family? Which ones are suitable for Pesach, and if the metz in the package which was used before Pesach. regular choice is not acceptable, which substitute is avail- Meat, poultry, fish, wine, and grape juice are typically avail- able? Getting answers to these questions early, will avoid a able as kosher for Pesach well before Yom Tov. After Purim, last-minute emergency. one can also purchase most dry goods, spices, frozen foods A related issue is to consider other Yom Tov shopping needs beverages, Pesach matzah, and many other staples. If those such as for clothing, shoes, shaitels (and haircuts), paper are bought in advance, the only shopping needed just before goods, presents, and Hagaddos, and plan for them accordingly. Pesach will be fresh fruits and vegetables, and (fresh) pre- D) KASHERING Whenever hot food comes in contact with · Kasher tablecloths TELL a pot, dish, counter, sink, oven, dishwash- ME MORE and dishtowels. er, piece of silverware, or anything else, Kashering · In general, flatware some of the food’s taste/flavor is absorbed the Kitchen generally can be into the pot etc. Accordingly, if these items Page 22 kashered but dish- were used with chametz during the year, we es cannot be. Ac- cannot use them for Pesach unless they undergo a process cordingly, many have known as hechsher keilim or “kashering”. silverware and dishes Items made of ceramic or glass cannot be kashered, and for which are used only on Pesach, this reason China, Corelle, mugs, and drinking glasses must and others use disposables. be replaced for Pesach. In addition, dishwashers, colanders, Details of how to and other items with small crevices or holes where food kasher the kitch- might be trapped, also cannot be kashered. One other basic en can be found rule of kashering is that nothing can be kashered unless it first in the cRc Pesach is left unused for 24 consecutive hours. Lastly, as a gener- Guide and are al rule, kashering cannot be performed on Pesach. Based on demonstrated in these considerations, most people will: the video available · Kasher their oven, stovetop, and at https://kshr.us/ TELL kitchen sink a few days before Pe- ME MORE KasherKitchen. sach. [See below in Section E]. Coun- Countertops Those who will be purchasing new pots, tertops are either kashered and/ TELL Page 26 dishes, flatware, peelers, and other kitchen or covered depending on whether ME MORE utensils for Pesach should remember that Tevillas they are made a material which is generally, they must undergo tevillah before Keilim suitable for kashering. they are used. Page 31 · Purchase pots, pans, oven mitts, and sponges for Pe- sach, and never use them during the year.

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