1 בס"ד Pesach Guide 5781 Rabbi Beni Krohn [email protected] (201) 527-5548 I. Maos Chittim and Mechiras Chametz Maos Chittim - There is an ancient custom to give charity before Pesach to see that all Jews have their holiday needs met. As opposed to Matanos L’Evyonim, which can easily be done on the day of Purim, Maos Chittim are needed well in advance of Pesach to allow for proper distribution of funds. Please send your checks as early as possible and make them out to: YIOT Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund (memo: Maos Chittim). Checks can be placed in my mailbox (139 East Cedar Lane). Additionally, you can make your donation online at https://www.yiot.org/payment.php. *Please make sure to choose “Ma’os chitim” in the dropdown menu so your donation can be directed appropriately. Mechiras Chametz (Sale of Chametz) - During the eight days of Pesach, our homes must be clear of all Chametz products and all products that contain any Chametz content. Any items that one wishes to keep in one’s home must be placed in designated areas and sold for the eight-day period to a non-Jew. During the entire Pesach, the designated cabinets should not be opened, and no items in the designated areas should be used. Attached to this document is the Mechiras Chametz form. I will be available to meet in my office in shul and outside in the parking lot to arrange for the sale of your Chametz at the following times: Sunday March 14th 9:00am-10:15am (OFFICE) Thursday March 18th 8:15-9:30pm (OUTSDE) Sunday March 21st 9:30-11am (OUTSIDE) & 7:30-9pm (OFFICE) Monday March 22nd 7:30pm-9:15pm (OUTSIDE) I encourage you to see me personally for the sale of your Chametz. For those for whom that is not possible, please contact me to make alternative arrangements. 2 II. Erev Pesach Which Falls on Shabbos: A Practical Guide This year, 2021 / 5781, Pesach begins on Motzei Shabbos, March 27. This creates many questions regarding how to prepare for Pesach. Some of these questions include when do we prepare the Seder? When do we burn the Chametz? When do the first-borns fast? Below you will find guidance for this unique circumstance: 1. Sale of Chametz: One should arrange to sell their Chametz with me, and I will facilitate the sale on Friday morning. We will stipulate with the non-Jew that the sale will only be finalized on Shabbat morning following the conclusion of our Shabbat meal (by 10:56 AM). 2. Searching for Chametz: Search for Chametz cannot take place on Erev Pesach which will be Friday night, so we conduct the search on Thursday evening, March 25 after 7:55 PM. The blessing of ‘Al Biur Chametz’ is recited before the search and ‘Kol Chamira’ is recited following the search. 3. Burning the Chametz: We burn the Chametz on Friday morning, March 26 before 11:59 AM without reciting the Kol Chamira. Following the burning of chametz one may still make use of your chametz the rest of the day. 4. When do we annul ownership of Chametz: We do not recite the second ‘Kol Chamira’ when burning the Chametz on Friday but rather recite it on Shabbat morning before 11:59 AM after having finished disposing of any leftover chametz and putting away any chametz utensils. 5. The fast of the first born: Because we do not fast on Shabbos, the fast is conducted on Thursday, March 25. We will have siyumim after each shacharis minyan on Thursday morning – details to follow. 6. Serving Chametz food on Shabbat: 6.1. Chametz Pots, Pans, plates & cutlery: One may not wash these after use and put them away so it is advisable to use disposable items that can be discarded after the meal 6.2. The Shabbat Table: One can place a plastic tablecloth over your Chametz-free table, and wrap up the table cloth following your Shabbat meal. Alternatively, you can use a table that you don’t plan to use on Pesach and wipe it down following use being careful to dispose of any crumbs. 6.3. Hot foods: Any of these foods prepared for Shabbat meals should be free of Chametz and prepared in Pesach utensils. Be careful to keep any Chametz utensil separate from this food. 7. Chametz leftovers after the Shabbat meal: Any leftovers should be disposed of before 11:59 AM in one of the following ways: 7.1. Flush small quantities of chametz down the toilet 7.2. Place large amounts of chametz with the items that have been part of the sale of chametz. 8. Is Chametz Muktzah: Chametz becomes muktzah (you shouldn’t move it) after 11:59 AM. 3 8.1. If one finds chametz after 11:59 AM you can cover it to be removed on Chol HaMoed or find a non-Jew to remove it 9. Seudah Shlishit: There are two options for when/how to eat the third meal of Shabbat 9.1. Finish Shabbat lunch by 10:56 AM and eat your third meal of meat/fish/or fruit in the early afternoon after Mincha. 9.2. Split Shabbat lunch into two meals with a twenty-minute break in the middle. One should wash for Challah/Egg Matzah for both meals. Both meals should be concluded by 10:56 AM. 10. Preparing for the Seder: All preparations should wait until after the conclusion of Shabbat at 7:57 PM. Before any preparations are made for the Seder, after 7:57 PM, one should recite ‘Baruch HaMavdil Bein Kodesh Lechol’. 11. Lighting Pesach Candles: One should take a flame from an existing flame lit before Shabbat. 12. Recitation of Havdallah: Havdallah is recited as part of the first Kiddush at the Seder. III. Pesach 5781 Product Information A partial Pesach product list follows. I have tried to identify some of the more frequent questions. This is not a complete list. The OU, CRC (Chicago Rabbinical Council) and Star-K all have extensive Pesach resources available online, and I encourage you to make use of them: Star – K: https://www.star-k.org/images/passoverdirectory2021.pdf CRC: https://www.crcweb.org/Passover/5781/Pesach_Guide_%202021.pdf OU: https://oukosher.org/passover/the-ou-guide-to-passover-2021/ Individuals with Diabetes face special challenges over Pesach. The Star K has prepared a very helpful guide of Halacha, advice, etc. Please see: http://www.star- k.org/articles/articles/seasonal/349/passover-guide-for-diabetics/ Air Freshener: Does not require Pesach certification Alcohol: See: Rubbing alcohol Alcoholic Beverages: Require Pesach certification Aluminum Foil and Pans: Do not require Pesach certification Ammonia: Does not require Pesach certification 4 Artificial Sweeteners: Requires Pesach certification Splenda – contains kitniyot and may not be used Agave, Maple Syrup, Stevia, Xylitol – Requires Pesach certification Truvia – May not be used on Pesach Baby Foods: Formula – Materna Brand infant formula from Israel is the only non-kitniyot kosher for Pesach formula (when stating Kosher L’Pesach on the label). Kitniyot-based formulas may be used without Pesach certification under the following conditions: 1. They must be used in separate utensils and may not be washed in a kosher for Pesach sink. 2. It is preferable to buy all formula before Pesach as it contains traces of ascorbic acid (which may be chametz). This applies to both powder and liquid varieties. For a complete listing of acceptable, kitniyot-based formulas see: http://oukosher.org/passover/articles/baby-formula/ Please note: All formulas must contain a proper year-round hashgacha. Jars – All require Pesach certification Cereals - Even rice cereals must be considered chametz without Pesach certification because they are produced near actual chametz. Pedialite- Pedialite, Pediaflor and Pediasure contain kitniyot- see "Formula" for usage. Baby Oil, Lotions and Medicated Ointments: Do not require Pesach certification Baby Wipes: All may be used Baking Powder: Requires Pesach certification Baking Soda: Does not require Pesach certification Bleach: Does not require Pesach certification Braces: Wax for braces may be used. See "rubber bands" below. 5 Candy: Requires Pesach certification Chapstick: May be used (on Chol Hamoed only) if new and unflavored Charcoal Briquets: Do not require Pesach certification Cosmetics: Do not require Pesach certification. However, some are strict about lipsticks (especially flavored ones). Dates: Require Pesach certification, as their “glaze” may be problematic Dental Floss: Unflavored (waxed / unwaxed) dental floss does not require Pesach certification Dill: Seeds - Are considered kitniyot Leaves - Are not considered kitniyot and do not require Pesach certification Dishwashing Detergent: Does not require Pesach certification Eggs: Do not require Pesach certification. They can be purchased on Pesach itself. Fish: Frozen – Due to the frequent application of glazes to raw fish, all frozen raw fish (processed & unprocessed, including gefilte fish) requires Pesach certification. Fresh - Does not require Pesach certification Tuna cans – Require Pesach certification. Flour: Considered chametz even if one doesn’t know that it has come in contact with water Food Coloring: Requires Pesach certification Fruit: Frozen: - Unsweetened, uncooked, additive-free (without syrup, citric acid, ascorbic acid or Vitamin C) whole or sliced fruit does not require Pesach certification. - Frozen fruit that contains sweeteners, besides sugar, requires Pesach certification Canned - Requires Pesach certification, even if packed in its own juice 6 Fresh – Whole, unpeeled produce does not require Pesach certification. Cut-up or peeled produce requires Pesach certification- citric acid is used to prevent browning. Dried - Requires Pesach certification, as kitniyot oils and chametz flour may be used to prevent sticking. Garlic: Fresh – Does not require Pesach certification Peeled – Requires Pesach certification Halvah: