SPECIAL P A SSOVER E DITION Jewish Action
All in Good Measure— Shiurim of Passover
OU Consumer Guide to Passover
Immersing Ourselves in Tevilat Keilim
Kashering Microwaves GUIDE TO and Dishwashers OU 5771 for Passover The Question Passover2011 of Quinoa Passover 5771| t”gaT XSP A Special Issue of Jewish Action, the family magazine of the Orthodox Union ORTHODOX UNION Executive Vice President RABBI STEVEN WEIL Executive Vice President, Emeritus RABBI DR. TZVI HERSH WEINREB Managing Director RABBI STEVEN BURG Chief Operating Officer DAVID FRANKEL G Chief Financial Officer SHLOMO SCHWARTZ Senior Communications Officer OU Guide DAVID OLIVESTONE
President G DR. SIMCHA KATZ to Chairman of the Board STEPHEN J. SAVITSKY Passover KASHRUT DIVISION Chairman, Joint Kashrut Commission HARVEY BLITZ Chairman, Rabbinic Kashrut Commission RABBI KENNETH AUMAN Chairman, Rabbinic Kashrut Commission Emeritus RABBI EMANUEL HOLZER
Rabbinic Administrator/CEO RABBI MENACHEM GENACK Executive Rabbinic Coordinator/COO RABBI MOSHE ELEFANT Executive Rabbinic Coordinator RABBI YAAKOV LUBAN Director of Operations RABBI MOSHE ZYWICA Senior Rabbinic Coordinator RABBI NACHUM RABINOWITZ Vice President Communications and Marketing RABBI DR. ELIYAHU SAFRAN Halachic Consultants RABBI YISROEL BELSKY • RABBI HERSHEL SCHACHTER Rabbinic Coordinators RABBI MENACHEM ADLER • RABBI DAVID ARFA • RABBI YISROEL BENDELSTEIN • RABBI DAVID BISTRICER • RABBI AHARON BRUN-KESTLER • RABBI GAD BUCHBINDER • RABBI MOTTI COHEN • RABBI MICHAEL COLEMAN • RABBI CHAIM CRUPAR • RABBI ELI ELEFF • RABBI DONNEAL EPSTEIN • RABBI ELIYAHU FERRELL • RABBI ELI GERSTEN • RABBI SAUL GOLD RABBI CHAIM GOLDBERG • RABBI YOSEF GOLDBERG • RABBI NOSSON GOLDBERG • RABBI ZVI GOODMAN • RABBI AVROHOM GORDIMER • RABBI DAVID GORELIK • RABBI JOSEPH GROSSMAN • RABBI YITZCHOK GUTTERMAN • RABBI CHANANEL HERBSMAN • RABBI YERMIA INDICH • RABBI DOVID JENKINS • RABBI AVROHOM JURAVEL • RABBI MOSHE KLARBERG • RABBI CHAIM LOIKE • RABBI SETH MANDEL RABBI JACOB MENDELSON • RABBI MORDECHAI MERZEL RABBI YITZCHOK MINCER • RABBI MICHAEL MORRIS • RABBI YERACHMIEL MORRISON • RABBI NOSSON NEUBERGER RABBI DANIEL NOSENCHUK • RABBI ISRAEL PARETZKY • RABBI GAVRIEL PRICE • RABBI DOVID ROCKOVE • RABBI ISRAEL ROTHENBERG • RABBI KALMAN SCHEINER • RABBI YOEL SCHONFELD • RABBI DOV SCHREIER • RABBI SHMUEL SINGER RABBI LEONARD STEINBERG
Business Management/ Trademark Compliance RABBI HOWARD KATZENSTEIN • RABBI HERBERT FRISCH The OU Guide to Passover is published by the Joint Kashruth Commission RABBI DAVID HIRSCH • RABBI MOSHE ROSENBAUM of the Orthodox Union, Eleven Broadway, New York, NY 10004. OU PRESS 212.563.4000. www.ou.org RABBI SIMON POSNER • RABBI GIL STUDENT
OU GUIDE TO PASSOVER The Orthodox Union Kashruth Program is operated in conjunction with Director, Passover Supervision its halachic authority, the Rabbinical Council of America. RABBI DR. SHMUEL SINGER Editorial Committee RABBI NACHUM RABINOWITZ, Chair In case of any questions, please visit www.oupassover.org or call the RABBI AHARON BRUN-KESTLER • RABBI ELI ELEFF • RABBI YOSEF GROSSMAN • AVIGAIL KLEIN • DAVID OLIVESTONE • Orthodox Union at 212.613.8241. RABBI DAVID POLSKY • RABBI GAVRIEL PRICE Advertising © Copyright 2011 by the Orthodox Union. Printed in Canada. CARRIE BEYLUS Jewish Action ISSN No. 0447-7049 is published by the Orthodox Union, Eleven Broadway, New York, Art Directors NY 10004. 212.563.4000. Printed Quarterly — Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall plus Special Passover Issue. YOCHEVED LEFKOVITS • RENÉE R. ROSENFELD • TOVA BELSH Subscription: $16 per year; Canadian $20; Overseas $60. Periodicals postage paid at New York, NY and Circulation Coordinators additional offices. MALKA BRAUN • ROBERTA LEVINE POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Jewish Action, Eleven Broadway, New York, NY 10004. * Because of an early printing deadline, some of the information included in this directory was obtained before Passover productions actually occurred, and may not be completely up to date. www.oupassover.org 1 Learn Orthodox Union’s SHNSHNAAAYIMYIM Learn Nach YYoomi Nac with the Orthodoxox Union DADAF F Yo m with the More NEW SERIES ÊÊÊ ÊÊ ÊÊÊÊÊÊ ÊÊ ÊÊ ÊÊ
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Learn Orthodox Union’s SHNSHNAA Nach YYoomi ANANOUONLINEP ARS DAFDA F Yo mi MIKR FIND OUT AT WWW.OUTORAH.ORG more Passover 5771| t”gaT XSP
Inside G 5 About the Information in thisGuide 6 Engaging Your Rabbi 7 Halachic Times for Passover 10 About OU Kosher 12 All in Good Measure:Shiurim of Passover 16 The Question of Quinoa 18 Immersing Ourselves inTevilat Keilim 22 A Kashering Primer 26 Dishwashers and Microwaves for Passover 28 Observing the Passover Holiday Passover FAQ’s Preparing for Passover Brief Guide to the Passover Seder 39 Your Guide to Romaine 40 Passover Recipe Substitutes 47 About OU Press 49 CONSUMER GUIDE TO PASSOVER 2011 50 Index of Food Listings 53 Products that Do Not Require Special Passover Certification (Gray Pages) 68 Products that Do Require Special Passover Certification (White Pages) 101 Guidelines for Medicines 103 Infant Formulas and Nutritional Supplements 105 Non Food Items 107 Food Round-Up 111 G Sefirat HaOmerChart www.oupassover.org 3 lives is not a cold and imper- heavy duty koshering. Similarly, what constitutes sonal process. a large monetary outlay or loss (a legitimate ha- cr lk vag Part of the OU’s mandate is lachic consideration) differs greatly among com- to serve the broad Jewish munities and individuals within communities. Engaging community. Therefore, we This is even more true when it comes cannot give blanket answers to different minhagim. The OU can declare that a to questions that may have product is made from corn or other kitniyot. We your Rabbi many answers. What the OU cannot, however, decide your individual or com- can do—and hopefully munal attitude towards kitniyot. This depends on achieves in this Guide—is where your family comes from and other com- Oftentimes this OU Guide to Passover urges indi- share our expertise with consumers. As the munal norms, and falls squarely into the domain viduals to engage their Rabbis before making world’s largest and most comprehensive kosher of a communal or personal Rav (Rabbi). Likewise, kashrut-related decisions. Why? Why don’t we agency, we can offer first-hand information about whether newly-commercialized products like simply offer our recommendations? Because that what happens in food manufacturing. quinoa (see article on page 16) are or are not kit- is not how halacha always works—especially not Many issues are clear cut and have uni- niyot, or whether you should or should not use on Passover where individual communities have versally accepted answers. In such cases, we do peanut oil, is outside of our mandate to make a widely varying standards and customs. In part, not hesitate to offer our recommendations. In broad pronouncement. Passover is a celebration of the diversity that exists other cases, such as if or how one can kasher a We strongly urge individuals to famil- and flourishes in Torah observant life—differing dishwasher (see article on page 26), the end de- iarize themselves with their family traditions and established and rooted customs and traditions all cision depends on a plethora of individual cir- communal norms. More than anything, we urge reflecting Hashem’s word and intent. The Torah is cumstances. For example, the psak (halachic you to aseh l’cha Rav, develop a relationship with made up of the written law (Torah she-bi-ktav) and decision) for individuals in small home kitchens a Rabbi familiar with your situation, your com- our oral tradition (Torah she-be’al peh). Symbolized with non-commercial equipment may be different munity’s expectations and with the halacha in in that concept is the flexibility and receptiveness from a commercial kitchen cooking for hundreds general. to understand individual circumstances and com- of people with equipment built to withstand munal norms. The application of halacha in our
THREE CONVENIENT WAYS TO OBTAIN PASSOVER INFORMATION: A service of
212-613-8241 [email protected] www.oupassover.org (M-Th 9-5, F 9-1) Passover 5771| t”gaT XSP HALACHIC TIMES FOR PASSOVER EREV PESACH5771 Where two sets of times are listed, the first column is based on the opin- ion of Magen Avraham, and the second on that of the Vilna Gaon (Gra). MONDAY, APRIL 18, 2011 If your city is not listed here, be sure to consult your local Orthodox Rabbi for the times in your area.
CANDLE CANDLE LATEST TIME LATEST TIME LIGHTING LIGHTING FOR EATING FOR ANNULLING FIRST NIGHT SHABBAT CHAMETZ CHAMETZ YOM TOV CHOL HAMOED Magen Avraham Gra Magen Avraham Gra Atlanta 11:01 11:25 12:19 12:31 7:52 7:55 Baltimore 10:28 10:52 11:47 11:59 7:29 7:33 Boston 10:05 10:29 11:24 11:36 6:10 7:15 Chicago 10:11 10:35 11:31 11:43 6:16 7:20 Cincinnati 11:00 11:24 12:28 12:30 7:59 8:03 Cleveland 10:47 11:11 12:18 12:19 7:51 7:56 Columbus 10:53 11:17 12:07 12:24 7:54 7:58 Dallas 10:51 11:15 12:09 12:21 7:41 7:44 Denver 10:21 10:45 11:40 11:52 7:22 7:26 Halifax 10:33 10:57 11:53 12:05 7:44 7:49 Hartford 10:11 10:35 11:31 11:43 7:16 7:20 Houston 10:47 11:11 12:04 12:16 7:32 7:35 Los Angeles 10:17 10:41 11:35 11:47 7:08 7:12 Memphis 10:23 10:47 11:41 11:53 7:16 7:19 Miami Beach 10:47 11:11 12:03 12:15 7:27 7:29 Milwaukee 10:12 10:36 11:31 11:43 7:19 7:24 Minneapolis 10:32 11:56 11:52 12:04 7:43 7:49 Montreal 10:14 10:38 11:34 11:46 7:26 7:31 New York 10:17 10:41 11:36 11:48 7:20 7:24 Oak Park 10:53 11:17 12:13 12:25 7:59 8:04 Orlando 10:51 11:15 12:08 12:20 7:34 7:36 Philadelphia 10:22 10:46 11:41 11:53 7:23 7:27 Phoenix 9:52 10:16 11:10 11:22 6:43 6:46 Pittsburg 10:41 11:05 12:00 12:12 7:43 7:47 Providence 10:06 10:30 11:26 11:38 7:11 7:15 San Francisco 10:32 10:56 12:50 12:02 7:30 7:33 Seattle 10:27 10:51 11:48 12:00 7:44 7:50 Silver Spring 10:30 10:54 11:49 12:01 7:29 7:33 St Louis 10:23 10:47 11:41 11:53 7:22 7:25 Toronto 10:38 11:02 11:58 12:10 7:46 7:51 Vancouver 10:29 10:53 11:50 12:02 7:51 7:57 Winnipeg 10:45 11:09 12:07 12:19 8:08 8:14
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l iul, e-mar shyou s Passover 5771| t”gaT XSP About OU KoshBY RABBI AHARON BRUN-KESTLERer
OR MILLIONS of consumers, the federally and internationally pro- tected certification mark is synonymous with kosher certifi- cation. In fact, this trusted symbol appearsF on over 60% of all kosher certified items on store shelves. In total, OU Kosher cer- tifies in excess of 500,000 consumer and in- dustrial products manufactured at more than 7,500 facilities in over 80 countries around the world. From Alaska to Zimbabwe, there are few places OU Kosher has not gone or will not go to service its clients. The OU’s global reach has enabled kosher to go mainstream through- out the world’s food and food-related indus- tries. As the world’s premier kosher certifying agency, the OU must have the expertise to re- spond to manufacturers’ and consumers’ needs in a holistic way. That means the co- ordinated efforts of hundreds of people worldwide possessing a wide vari- ety of expertise and abilities—ap- plying age old questions to the newest technologies; understand- ing, for example, how the words of the Talmud and the Shulchan Aruch apply to a modern fermentation process or just how one can kasher a five-storey spray drying tower.
10 www.oupassover.org At the center of this effort is the OU Kosher against the OU. World Headquarters in New York. The real unsung heroes of OU With over 50 Rabbinic Coordina- Kosher are the hundreds of Rabbinic Field tors (RCs / Kosher Account Executives), each Representatives (RFRs) who travel the world expert in several industries, OU Kosher has a monitoring the OU’s kosher programs on-site. level of expertise and resources unmatched by Traveling to far-off places, and sometimes any other kosher agency. No less impressive is spending Shabbat and holidays away from the in-house professional support structure home and family, these dedicated professionals A not-for-profit in the classic sense of the guaranteeing that the OU can always provide criss-cross the globe—auditing certified plants, word, the money generated from the license the most current and accurate data and indus- evaluating new facilities, and performing the of the symbol returns to the community at Kosher try leading service excellence. OU Kosher nuts and bolts work of kosher supervision. It large in the form of the OU’s vital program- maintains the world’s largest database with is they who are called on when equipment ming. OU Kosher is the foundation upon tens of thousands of entries—chemical com- needs kashering or when a company needs ap- which the OU provides its huge array of com- pounds, intermediary ingredients, products proval of a new source of supply. Without munal services. sorted by brand and type—all at the kosher them, there would be no OU Kosher. The symbol is much more than a professionals’ fingertips. The state-of-the-art OU Kosher works—first and fore- symbol of kosher certification—it attests to the OU Direct system provides OU certified com- most—for the Jewish community. OU Kosher vitality of the Jewish community. panies—free of charge—real-time access to is not a private business; no individual owns kosher letters, ingredient and product sched- it, no individuals profit from it. ules, and certification status. Additionally, a company’s products are listed on the Universal Kosher Database, a virtual marketplace where clients can source tens of thousands of pre-approved kosher items. The OU staffs’ expertise in Jewish Law and food technology ensures that questions are answered in a timely manner. No other kosher agency in the world has such a comprehen- sive infrastruc- ture, and it is why all others are measured Passover 5771| ” t gaT XSP ShiurimShiurim ofof PassoverPassover All in Good
MEASUREBy Rabbi David Bistricer
The Passover holiday is a time when we celebrate our rich heritage and affirm our commitment to the continuity of our traditions. The exodus from Egypt was the point in our great history when we were freed from bondage to man, and culminated with our becoming a nation of God with the subsequent acceptance of the Torah at Sinai. What has sustained us as a nation and preserved us throughout the millennia? The observance of Torah and mitzvot replete with their many details as required by religious law define our way of life and preserve our identity. During Passover, this notion expresses itself through required measurements of the special foods we eat during the holiday. These basic measurements and their careful observance are integral to our heritage. Indeed, the Talmud states that halachic measurements are a part of the unique laws that were given to Moshe Rabeinu at Sinai. The general measurement of food items used in the performance of mitzvot is minimally a kezayit, the size of an olive by volume. Liquids are measured by revi’it, an ancient measure equaling a few liquid ounces.
Kezayit Matzah There are some variances amongst halachic authorities as far as how the precise measurement should be calculated, but the min- imally recommended size is approximately 26 cubic centimeters. Although strictly speaking, the Torah level mitzvah of matzah re- quires one to eat the measurement of a single kezayit, there is a rabbinic requirement to consume a total of five kezeitim at different intervals of the seder. The first two portions are eaten together, one associated with the benediction of hamotzi with the other associated with the benediction of al achilat matzah. The third kezayit is eaten as part of the traditional korech sandwich from the sage, Hillel, which serves as a reminder of the Beit Hamikdash. The fourth and fifth kezeitim are eaten together at the end of the festive meal as part of the Afikoman. The fourth kezayit is associated with the korban Pesach, while the fifth kezayit is a reminder of the chagigah offering that was brought during the Three Festivals. Ideally, the required measurement for the additional four kezeitim should be the same as the basic mitzvah of matzah mentioned above. However, since these four kezeitim are rabbinic requirements, in an extenuating circumstance there is room for leniency to eat less.
Kezayit Moror Nowadays, with the absence of the Beit Hamikdash (Holy Temple), the kor- ban Pesach (paschal lamb) is not brought and therefore its interdependent sister mitzvah, maror (bitter herb), is not a Torah-level precept, but is
12 www.oupassover.org ShiurimShiurim ofof PassoverPassover
currently a rabbinic ordinance. This is because our Sages mandated that one must still eat the traditional bitter herb independently. Therefore while the minimal amount of maror that one is required to consume at the seder is also a kezayit, there are some variances amongst halachic authorities as far as how this measurement should be calculated. Moreover, some authorities calculate the measurement diferently for mitzvot de-rabbanan.The minimal size given is approximately 26 cubic centimeters, which can be limited to just a single, large leaf of romaine lettuce. Medium or small leaves of romaine lettuce will respectively amount to ap- proximately three-fifths or one-fifth of the required amount. Large romaine stalks are approximately half a kezayit, while small romaine stalks are roughly one-quarter’s worth. A single endive is between one half to one quarter of the required amount, de- pending upon whether the leaf is large, medium, or small. A filled one ounce shot glass of ground horseradish constitutes a kezayit.
REVI’IT WINE The requirement of drinking four cups of wine is rabbinic in nature and the minimal measurement required for the four cups is a rivi’it for each cup. There are some variances amongst halachic authorities as far as how this measurement should be calculated, but the minimal size given is approximately three ounces. It should be noted that if one’s cup holds more than arivi’it , one should try to drink the entire cup or at least most of it. Passover is a time when we became a nation and is therefore an opportunity to appreciate the many laws that were given to us. As we celebrate our freedom during the Passover holiday, we have the opportunity to reflect on what makes our her- itage so unique. The meticulousness, care, and detail with which we approach ritual observance will certainly make our heritage special.
—continued on next page
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Matzah* Maror 4 Cups of Wine
Talmudic Kezayit Measurement Kezayit Rivi’it
26 cubic centimeters Measurement 26 cubic centimeters 3 ounces approximate area of 4.2” one large leaf of romaine lettuce or just according to by 3.75” Rav Chaim Noeh under a full one ounce shot glass of horseradish
43.2 cubic centimeters 32 cubic centimeters 3.3 ounces Measurement approximate area of 7” approximate area of 8” according to Rav by 6.25” by 10” for romaine leaves, 3” by 5” Moshe Feinstein for romaine stalks, or a filled one ounce shot glass of horseradish
33.3 cubic centimeters Measurement 50 cubic centimeters 5.3 ounces according to Chazon Ish
It should be noted these measurements should be *viewed as approximate amounts since matzot can vary in thickness. For example, hand matzot can be considerably thicker than machine, and vice-versa.
®
® ” PassoverPassover57715771| t|”gaTt gaT XSP XSP
The Question of Quinoa
16 www.oupassover.org By Rabbi Avi Juravel
HE SHULCHAN ARUCH (REMA) IDENTIFIES several non-grain species as off limits for Ashkenazic Jews during Passover. These include mustard, lentils and peas. Two pri- mary characteristics are used to describe kitniyot: 1) they grow in a pod and 2) they are ground into flour. These traits are not absolute, and certain exceptions are made, pro- hibiting items that do not share these characteristics, and permitting others even though they fall under these categories.
An example mentioned by early halachic codifiers (poskim), is that certain types of kim- mel (caraway) are considered kitniyot. However, kimmel embodies neither characteristic. On the other hand, it is customary to use potatoes and cottonseed oils (except in Jerusalem) despite the fact that they are ground into flour. Peanuts were widely used in Russia despite the fact that they embody both characteristics of kitniyot.
In addition to kitniyot, poskim have cautioned against using foodstuffs that may be grown as an alternate crop to chametz grains or those that may be processed in close proximity to chametz. Such foodstuffs were prohibited in certain Sephardic communi- ties as well over the concern of an admixture.
Quinoa is a plant very similar in appearance to spinach. Commercially, it is not used as an alternate crop, and is never harvested with wheat. It even grows in different climates from those ideal for wheat. Industrially-packaged quinoa is processed on dedicated equipment, with no chance of contamination. However, retail-packaged quinoa may share equipment with chametz grains. Similar to other kinds of kitniyot, quinoa is com- monly milled into flour.
Kitniyot is a category with certain ambiguities. Local custom and tradition therefore play an important role in determining what is, and what is not, treated as kitniyot. Since quinoa was not used in Jewish communities in generations past, we do not have a precedent to refer to.
The OU has not taken a position about the use of quinoa on Passover and believes that this decision should be made locally. The information in this article is intended to enable an informed and enlightened conversation.
Categories of Kitniyot
MADE INTO FLOUR/MEAL GROWS IN POD Peanuts Peas Corn Soybean Mustard Bean Buckwheat Rapeseed Rice Potatoes Sunflower Cottonseed Flaxseed Quinoa
www.oupassover.org 17 Passover 5771| t”gaT XSP Immersing Ourselves in Tevilat Keilim BY RABBI MOSHE ZYWICA
18 www.oupassover.org With the Passover holiday approaching, many individuals practice to tovel them without a brachah. Utensils of and families purchase new pots, pans, dishes, flatware and wood, paper, stone, plastic, heavy stoneware or unglazed other kitchen utensils. Certain utensils require ritual im- ceramic do not require immersion. (See Pitchei Teshuvah, mersion (tevilah, or toveling) in a mikveh before use. In light Y.D.120:2.) of this, the following is a refresher on the background of Secondly, the determination of tevilah depends tevillat keilim and a primer on its practical applications. on the owner’s designated use for the object: a utensil pur- chased for non-food purposes and THE ORIGINS OF TEVILAT KEILIM occasionally used to hold food “The The Talmud in tractate Avodah Zara (75b) cites the verse in (such as a screwdriver which Bemidbar (Numbers): “V’chol asher lo yavoh ba-aish ta’aviru might be used in a pinch in the determination ba-mayim” – “Anything that cannot be placed in fire should absence of a fork) does not require of tevilah depends be passed through water.” In context, the verse refers to tevilah (Aruch Hashulchan, Y.D. on three things: the various methods by which utensils seized as spoils in 120:40); likewise, utensils which the Midianite war could be rendered usable for the Jewish cradle food contained in other • material victors. By extension, these laws are taken to apply to all utensils, such as oven racks on • designated use utensils purchased from non-Jews. In light of this, the which pots are placed. Toasters do Ourselves folowing is a refresher on the background of tevilat keilim, not require tevilah according to • provenance.” and a primer on its practical applications. Rav Moshe Feinstein. Utensils used to pre- WHICH UTENSILS MUST BE TOVELED? pare food still in an inedible state, The determination of tevilah depends on three things: such as grinders, mixers, or firstly, the materials of which the utensil is made. Biblical butchering knives, should be Law requires that only objects of metal must be immersed, toveled without a brachah, prefer- and a brachah recited; the Torah lists six types of metal re- ably together with metal utensils, so that the brachah re- quiring immersion: gold, silver, copper, iron, tin, and lead. cited over the latter will cover the former as well. (See Taz, Hybrid metals, such as stainless steel, which contains large Y.D. 120:7.) quantities of iron, also require tevilah with a brachah. Utensils that come into direct contact with food, Disposable metal, such as aluminum pans, however, do of course, must be toveled. The category, though, is far not fall under this rubric and do not require tevilah ac- broader than one might suppose. Besides silverware, cording to Rav Moshe Feinstein, as durability is one of the bowls, plates and cups, it includes griddle and grill tops defining features of a utensil. Even if the disposable item on which foods are placed directly, pizza cutters, peelers, is reused, it does not require tevilah (Iggerot Moshe, Y.D. rolling pins, salt-shakers, pot covers (see Rama, Y.D. 3:23). (This is commonly, and erroneously, taken to mean 120:5), and electrical appliances, such as urns. An appli- that one may use a utensil once or twice before toveling. ance that cannot be immersed, therefore, should not be In fact, all the classic authorities agree that even a single purchased. (Practice has demonstrated that immersion use of a vessel requiring tevilah is prohibited prior to im- generally does not harm most equipment if allowed three mersion.) Rabbinically (mi-de-rabbanan), glass and Corelle days to dry out.) must be immersed with a brachah, as tevilah is no different Finally, tevilah depends on the utensil’s prove- from any Rabbinically-mandated mitzvah for which a nance, as noted above: if it was manufactured by, pur- blessing must be pronounced. Porcelain enameled pots chased from, given as a gift by, or bought back from, a and utensils made from two or more materials, such as non-Jew, it requires tevilah. It is for this reason that many Teflon-coated frying pans require tevilah, but without a poskim prohibit the selling of chametz utensils before brachah (Sefer Tevilat Keilim 11:4 n.4). Glass-coated uten- Passover, as they are of the opinion that the utensils would sils, such as glazed chinaware, are a subject of debate require tevilah upon “re-purchase” after Passover. Utensils among contemporary poskim, but it has become common may also require a second tevilah if they were given to a
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non-Jew to repair. The determina- tion would depend on the type and extent of the repair. Utensils What to Do When Served on Non-Toveled Utensils? jointly owned by a Jewish and In a situation where the toveled status of a utensil is in question, Rav Moshe Feinstein offered the fol- non-Jewish partner do not require lowing opinion: In his Iggerot Moshe (Y.D. 3:22) he establishes that eating from a utensil that has not tevilah. been toveled constitutes a Rabbinic infraction and not a Biblical one. This allows for leniency under certain circumstances. He believed that the matter would depend on whether the food being served THE PROCESS OF TEVILAH was a liquid or a solid, which would in turn determine whether or not the utensil proffered was “ab- solutely vital” for the food’s consumption. A solid (e.g., a piece of chicken) can be eaten with The utensil must be free of any one’s hands; in this case, the plate is merely a “civilized” appurtenance but unnecessary. A liquid non-essential parts or accrued sub- such as soup, on the other hand, cannot be consumed without, at the very least, a bowl. Since stances, such as glue residue from the untoveled bowl is absolutely necessary, it may not be used. the manufacturer’s label. The im- In his Responsa, Rav Moshe Feinstein draws no distinction between a private home and a mersion must take place in a public hotel. Darchei Teshuvah, however, offers a different argument to be lenient when one is a guest mikveh, an ocean or a river that in a restaurant or hotel. (See Y.D. 120:70.) Utensils purchased, owned and used by a business entity and not an individual, were never included in the Rabbinic enactment of tevilat keilim. Many con- flows year-round. (One should be temporary authorities, however, disagree with this leniency (OU-certified establishments do not pre- aware that some men’s mikva’ot are scribe to this leniency). not suitable for tevilat keilim. Con- sult a competent authority regard- ing a mikveh not designed for keilim.) All sides of the utensil, in This prevents the utensils from jumbling together and ob- and out, must come into contact with the water. scuring some of the surface areas. In addition, it may often Anyone may perform the actual immersion, in- be necessary to turn the utensil so that its opening faces cluding a small child and a non-Jew, so long as a Jewish upward, permitting trapped air bubbles to escape. adult is present to supervise. One begins by wetting his If the utensil cannot be brought to the mikveh own hand(s) with the mikveh water. He then takes the (perhaps it is too heavy or too large to carry), a competent utensil, recites the brachah (“. . . al tevilat keilim”), if re- Rabbinic authority should be consulted. quired, and plunges the utensil into the water. (If he forgot This article was written to touch briefly on some to make the brachah, the tevilah is still acceptable.) If two of the fundamental aspects of tevilat keilim and should be utensils are being immersed together, they should not viewed merely as a primer since the topic is a complex one. touch so as not to impede the flow of water in and around. As always, one should consult his experienced local Thus, if one chooses to use a basket or milk crate for small, Orthodox Rabbi with any questions or concerns. easily lost items like silverware, he should immerse the bas- Wishing you a Chag Kasher V’ Same’ach. Enjoy ket and then drop the individual utensils in one by one. your new utensils.
www.oupassover.org 21 Passover 5771| t”gaT XSP A G Kashering rimer PG
One of the many preparations one must make for Passover is kashering, a process to prepare chametz vessels for Passover use. > Toothbrushes (Although most people kasher utensils only in preparation for Utensils made from the following materials cannot be kashered: Passover, the following directions apply to kashering utensils > Ceramic—all types—including brick, china, coffee mugs that have become non-kosher all year-round as well.) As with and enamel. all areas of > Glass—all forms—including Corning Ware, Corelle, fiber- halachah, glass, porcelain enamel (for example, porcelain sinks and enam- {The Basics of Preparing those who elized pots), Pyrex or Thermoses. Your Kitchen for Passover are unsure > Plastic—Rabbinical authorities disagree as to whether it of how to is possible to kasher plastic and other synthetic materials (in- apply the rules of kashering to their situation should cluding Teflon, rubber, Formica). If a synthetic material is a mi- ask their Rabbi. nority component of a substance (like Silestone), many Rabbis believe that one may kasher it, even if one does not normally Q General rules kasher artificial materials for a number of reasons. Ask your Rabbi for guidance. There are two steps in kashering for Passover. As a rule, materials such as fabric, metal, wood, rubber and stone (for example, granite and marble) can be kashered. 1 CLEANING—removing all tangible traces of chametz, and Q Cleaning 2 PURGING—using heat to remove all ab- sorbed chametz flavor. Items which have narrow cracks, All chametz utensils that will be used for Passover must first be crevices, deep scratches or other areas that cannot easily be thoroughly cleaned. This involves the removal of all food, rust, cleaned, cannot be kashered for Passover. Therefore, the following, dirt, calcium deposits and anything else that project above the for example, cannot be kashered: surface; it does not include the removal of discolorations. > Colanders > Decanters or baby bottles (due to their Q Purging narrow necks) > Fiters/ screens over drains in sinks In addition to cleaning, most items require some form of hot > Graters purging in order to remove the flavor that has been absorbed. As > Knives (or other utensils) where food or dirt can get trapped a rule, any utensil that came in contact with hot food, was washed between the blade and handle with hot water, or was used to store liquids, requires hot purging. > Slotted spoons A comprehensive analysis regarding when hot purging is required > Sponges and how one determines which form of purging is effective is be-
22 www.oupassover.org All methods of kashering noted in this section presuppose that the equipment was thoroughly cleaned, as described above. Q Silverware, Pots and Other Small Items
Small items are kashered with hagalah, which involves: 1 NOT USING THE 3 Place the racks back into the oven, and UTENSIL for anything, including non-chametz, for turn the oven to broil for one and-a-half hours. twenty-four hours. This also applies to the (non- 4 Passover food or pans may be placed Passover) pot in which the hagalah water will be directly on the door or racks once the oven boiled. has been kashered. 2 SUBMERGING THE UTENSIL in boiling water that is If the oven has a separate broiler chamber, it should be kashered over the fire. The water must be at a rolling boil before the in the same manner as the oven chamber. A broiler pan that comes utensil to be kashered is put into it, and the water must touch in direct contact with food cannot be kashered. every surface of the utensil. Therefore, each item should be Note: The method of kashering described above is based on the kashered individually, and the water should be allowed to re- ruling of Rav Aharon Kotler zt’l. However, Rav Moshe Feinstein turn to a boil before the next item is placed into zt’l ruled that the oven must either be kashered with a blowtorch, the pot. Large utensils may be submerged in the water one part or that an insert should be placed into the oven for the duration of at a time. Passover. Consult your Rabbi for guidance. 3 Removing the utensil from the water and RINSING IT IN COLD WATER. Q Stovetops
Q Ovens The grates of a gas stove- top should be kashered KASHERING A SELF!CLEANING OVEN: in the oven chamber of 1 Remove any visible pieces of food (or other items) from the a self-cleaning oven in oven; the same manner de- 2 Go through one complete self cleaning cycle with the racks scribed above. For an in place; electric stovetop, just 3 Other items may be kashered by inserting into oven during clean the coils and turn clean cycle. on high for ten minutes. If you have a glass- KASHERING A NON!SELF!CLEANING OVEN: topped stovetop, you 1 Clean walls, floor, door, ceiling and racks thoroughly with should consult your an abrasive cleaner (for example, Easy-Off) to remove tangible Rabbi for directions if/how it can be used for Passover. chametz. Pay special attention to the temperature gauge, the window For a gas or electric stove, it is preferable to replace the drip in the door and the edges of the oven chamber. Black discolorations pans that are under the burners; if this is not possible, the area that are flush with the metal do not have to be removed. should be covered with aluminum foil. The work area between the 2 Once the oven is clean, it is preferable that it remain unused burners should be cleaned and covered with aluminum foil. The for twenty-four hours. knobs and handles of the oven and stovetop should be wiped clean.
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Q Sinks KASHERING A STAINLESS STEEL SINK: 1 If the filter covering the drain has very fine holes, re- move the filter and put it away for Passover with the chametz dishes. If the holes are larger, the filter may be kashered with the sink. 2 Clean the sink, faucet and knobs, and do not use the sink for anything other than cold water for twenty-four hours. Passover, place a basin (or insert) into the sink. All dishes, sil- 3 Boil water verware, etc., should be washed in the basin, and wash-water up in one or more can be disposed of through the sink’s drain. One should be careful large pots (clean not to allow the sink to fill with hot water while the basin is in pots that have not the sink. been used for twenty-four Q Microwave Ovens and Dishwashers hours). The pots See article on this topic on page 26. may be chametz pots. Q Refrigerators, Freezers, Food Shelves 4 Dry the and Pantries sink, then pour These areas should be thoroughly cleaned—paying special at- the boiling water tention to the edges where crumbs may get trapped—and the over every spot shelves lined with paper or plastic. The refrigerator and on the walls and freezer will operate more efficiently if a few holes are poked floor of the sink in the lining. and on the faucet. One may kasher part of the sink and then boil more water for Q Tablecloths, Kitchen Gloves, Aprons, the rest of the sink. Extreme care should be taken during this and Other Items Made of Fabric type of kashering to ensure that none of the boiling water splashes Any item made of fabric can be kashered by washing it in a onto the person doing the kashering or others who are nearby. washing machine set on ‘hot’ and then checking to make sure 5 Rinse the sink and faucet with cold water. that no pieces of food remain attached to it. Vinyl and plastic- 6 Put a new filter over the drain. One should also purchase lined tablecloths cannot be kashered. new sponges and a fresh bottle of dishwashing liquid. Q Covering Surfaces