Rabbi Moshe Kaufman Kashrus Administrator Tuesday, March 9, 2021 יום שלישי כ"ה אדר תשפ"א A Pesach Primer Table of Contents Foreword by Rabbi David Hellman ....................................................................................................................... 2 Methods of Kashering by Rabbi Moshe Kaufman ................................................................................................ 3 Kashering Your Kitchen ......................................................................................................................................... 4 Community Kashering ........................................................................................................................................... 7 Tevilas Keilim ........................................................................................................................................................ 8 Mechiras Chametz (Selling Chametz) ................................................................................................................... 8 Bi’ur Chametz ........................................................................................................................................................ 8 Bitul (Nullification of) Chametz ............................................................................................................................. 8 Ta’anis Bechorim (Fast of the First Born) ............................................................................................................. 9 What is different when the first Seder falls on Saturday Night? by Rabbi Yaakov Jaffe ...................................... 9 Products .............................................................................................................................................................. 12 Fresh Box Farms Produce (Bracha and Marror) ................................................................................................. 14 Zmanim/ Halachic Times ..................................................................................................................................... 15 665 Beacon Street Boston, MA 02115 | Tel. 617-426-2139 | Fax. 617-426-6268 | [email protected] Foreword by Rabbi David Hellman Our Sages teach us that the wise person can learn from everyone, and so I would like to take this opportunity to learn from the rasha, the wicked child, of the Hagadah. We of course are not meant to emulate his actions or mocking questions, but we can see how the Hagadah understands his error and learn from that framing a fundamental lesson of Pesach and for our spiritual lives in general. “What does the wicked one say?” asks the Hagadah. “What is this service to you?” he questions, challenging us why we remember the exodus and why we perform the mitzvot. The Hagadah does not provide a response, as it does for the other children’s’ questions, but rather forcefully states, “‘For you,’ but it is not ‘for him.’ Since he removed himself from the group (the klal) he has denied the foundational principle (the ikar).” The Hagadah does not stress that the wicked child challenges the authority of the Torah, nor that he seems ungrateful to Hashem for redeeming us. In the eyes of the Hagadah, his worst offense is that by his referring to the mitzvot as “for you” and not “for him,” he has excluded himself from the group, from the klal. The foundational principle, the ikar, that he denies is not belief in Hashem, but identification with the Jewish people. There are many ways to be wicked, but on Pesach, the rasha’s greatest sin is excluding himself from the Jewish people, from the group and the community. Conversely, the foundational lesson of Pesach is to realize that we are one people who share a common history and story bound up in Hashem liberating us from Egypt. On Pesach, in particular, we must remember that we are part of something bigger, part of a family and part of a community. We are a member of the Jewish people and part of Jewish history. We are not alone. We need others and they need us. We are now preparing to celebrate our second Peach during the coronavirus pandemic, and one very important lesson we have learned over this past year is exactly how much we need each other. When we are alone, we are sad, weaker, and in greater danger. However, when we support one another and work together, we can overcome almost anything. When we think of others and know that others are thinking about us, we are strengthened spiritually and emotionally. A sense of community nourishes us all. We have seen this across the world and we have lived it here in Boston. Personally, I have seen so many people perform individual acts of chessed both for dear friends and for those they don’t know well, from anonymous tzedaka donations, to help with groceries, to phone calls and zoom visits to wish people well. Our shuls, schools, and community institutions, have all stepped up to the challenge to support the community in any way that they can. I truly believe that our community will be stronger after the pandemic passes if we can hold onto these feelings and all of these community initiatives. In this vein, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Rabbi Moshe Kaufman, Kashrut Administrator and Executive Director of KVH Kosher, and the entire dedicated KVH Kosher team who have worked tirelessly and with great self-sacrifice over this past year. In ways that no one knows, they have gone beyond their responsibilities to support all of our kosher resources, restaurants, caterers, and more, despite the financial, logistical, and other great challenges. They have worked, as they always do, with the community in mind, wanting to service and strengthen it, for the benefit of us all. Wishing everyone a Chag Bari, Kasher, V’Sameach, Rabbi David Hellman 2 Methods of Kashering by Rabbi Moshe Kaufman There will also be a Pre-Pesach webinar where we will show practical home kitchen kashering. Details and link to follow. All utensils, equipment, dishes and cutlery which come in contact with non-Passover food must undergo a purging process known as Hechsher Keilim, aka “Kashering”. 1. Items fashioned from certain materials or fashioned in a certain manner may not be Kashered. Earthenware Concrete China Cement Pottery Glass- According to the Ashkenazic custom, glass cannot be Kashered under normal circumstances (there are unique circumstances under which they may be Kashered, beyond the scope of this primer. Please consult your Rabbi. This year some Ashkenazic authorities are advising that glass may be Kashered.) Plastic - While some authorities do not allow plastic to be Kashered many others do allow. This year many authorities are advising that plastic may be Kashered. 1. Items which have nooks and crannies and cannot be cleaned properly including (but not limited to), pots and pans with rolled “lips”, colanders, sifters, and some dishwashers, cannot be Kashered with Irui or Hagala (see below for definitions) 1. Any item which may get ruined through the Kashering process may not be Kashered. This can apply to light plastics which may bend, glass which can shatter, sheet pans and hotel pans which require libun gamur, or any item which is not heat resistant. This is out of concern that one may not Kasher it properly out of concern of breaking his equipment. The basic premise behind Kashering is known as “K’bol’o, kach polto” - the very manner in which the item became non-permissible is the manner in which we Kasher to make it permissible. Methods of Kashering: 1. Irui- pouring or spraying boiling water. This method is used for items which only became non-Kosher or Chametz via indirect heat, such as sinks, counters, and tables on which hot Chametz such as pasta, soup, or toast may have been placed or spilled on. Every spot needs to be hit with a direct flow of boiling water. It is not sufficient to pour the water in one spot and allow it to spread out. You do not have to Kasher the whole utensil at once. If you run out of water or need a break, you can do so. When using the Irui method, all items being Kashered should not be used for 24 hours prior to Kashering. PRO TIP- The best way to do Irui is with an electric kettle. It is easier to handle and control the flow of water. A standard tea kettle will also work. 1. Hagalla- Immersing in boiling water. This method is used for pots, pans, flatware, cups, and most small wares that may be Kashered. The water should be boiling when items are immersed. You do not have to 3 Kasher the whole utensil at once. If you run out of water or need a break, you can stop in the middle. This is especially important for large items that cannot be submerged at one time. When Kashering a large pot, fill the pot and boil. When the water reaches a boil, using a tongs, place a rock in the fire under the pot. When the rock is heated, place the rock in the pot and the water will boil over, Kashering the rest of the pot. PRO TIP- If you do not wish to bother with the rock, after boiling the pot, empty the pot. Fill a disposable roaster pan with water and place it on the fire to boil. While holding the pot on its side, dip the pot gently into the pan and slowly roll the pot until all sides have been Kashered. Make sure the water is boiling while you do this. 1. Libun Kal - Light scorching – several methods: 1. Heat with a torch until the opposite side is hot to the touch(around 190°F depending on the density of the metal). This method can be used for items requiring Irui (Use of blow torches is not