PASS OVER. crc. Guide. Download the App Download the crc Smartphone App for updated Kosher lists and Kosher l Pesach food lists. מועצת הרבנים דשיקגו

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1 crc PASS OVER Guide 2018 VISIT TO SEARCH KOSHER L PESACH PRODUCT INFORMATION Download the App Download the crc Smartphone App for updated Kosher lists and Kosher l Pesach food lists. AVAILABLE AT VISIT FOR EKashrus Updates EConsumer & Commercial Kosher Information EBeth Din Information מועצת הרבנים דשיקגו Chicago Rabbinical Council

2 3RD Saturday Evenings, March 17 TH and 24 TH 8:30pm - 11:00pm Sundays, March 18 TH and 25 TH 8:00am - 8:00pm crc Pesach Guide

3 This child doesn t know his parents are suffering. If you need help, call The ARK at Chag Kasher V Sameach to our entire community! Your support provides the following services for FREE: Kosher for Passover Food Pantry Medical, Dental and Eye Care Prescription Medications Rent and Utility Assistance Job Counseling Transitional Housing Illinois Nonprofit Organization Community-Funded. A Partner with the Jewish United Fund in Serving Our Community. Case Management and Advocacy Psychological Counseling Day Program for Adults with Mental Health Needs Legal Aid Judaic Enrichment Your generosity transforms the lives of your neighbors. On their behalf, we thank you. crc Pesach Guide 5778

4 Table of Contents INTRODUCTION Policy on Medicines, Cosmetics, and Toiletries 3 About the Chicago Rabbinical Council 4 Passover What s It All About? 6 Sephardic Laws and Customs 7 PREPARATION FOR PASSOVER Passover Dates and Times 9 Guide for Wedding Dates 9 Candle Lighting Schedule 9 Which Foods Are Chametz? 12 Kitnios 15 Kashering Kitchen and Countertops 19 Tevillas Keilim 26 crc Guidelines for Shaimos 29 The Mitzvah of Removing Chametz 32 Proper Disposal of Chametz 34 Pre-Passover Cleaning Checklist 35 A Basic Guide to the Sale of Chametz 36 Guidelines for Those Leaving Home Before Passover 37 Taanit B chorim 37 PASSOVER INFORMATION Shopping Guide 55 Milk and Dairy Products for Passover 61 Medicines and Cosmetics 62 Nutritional Supplements, Formula, and Milk-Substitutes Passover Consumer Pesach FAQ 71 Passover Foods for Your Pets 75 Chametz after Pesach 78 SEASONAL ARTICLES & OTHER HIGHLIGHTS Sefirat Ha Omer Calendar Music During Sefira 84 Kosher Symbols 87 A Blue Ribbon for the crc 88 A Selection of the Halachot of Birkat HaIlanot 90 Shiluach Hakan 94 Mashgiach Spotlight 98 crc Fruit and Vegetable Policy 101 Calendar 110 crc Officers and Staff 111 Is My Damaged Chicken Kosher? 38 The Laws of Eruv Tavshilin 41 The Seder 44 Seder Plate 47 Matzah 48 Reflections on Yizkor 53 Chicago Rabbinical Council 2701 W. Howard Chicago, IL For Kosher Consumer Alerts by , visit Updated Passover information is available online at and Advertising in the crc Passover Guide does not necessarily constitute a Chicago Rabbinical Council endorsement of products or services. According to crc Rosh Beth Din, Rabbi Gedalia Dov Schwartz,,שליט"א the content of this Guide is not shaimos. 2 crc Pesach Guide

5 Policy on Medicines, Cosmetics, an crc Pesach Guide

6 The Chicago Rabbinical Council SERVING THE RELIGIOUS NEEDS OF THE JEWISH COMMUNITY IN CHICAGOLAND AND BEYOND! Beth Din Zedek Rabbinical Court of Jewish Law The Beth Din is led by Rosh Beth Din, Rabbi Gedalia Dov Schwartz, and Av Beth Din, Rabbi Yona Reiss. Along with our Dayanim, Rabbi Daniel J. Raccah, and Rabbi Ephraim Friedman, and Menahel, Rabbi A. M. Abramson, the Beth Din provides an array of expert services and is available to address matters of Jewish law. Services include: Dinei Torah Litigation, Arbitration & Mediation Gittin Religious Divorce Shtarot Halachic Documentation A TRADITION OF SERVING RABBIS Founded in 1932, the crc now engages over 140 members in the U.S., Canada, and Israel, who are proud to provide the community with the specialized technical services of our expert staff. crc Rabbis discuss tahara procedures with Rabbi Elchonon Zohn, Founder and President of NASCK (National Association of Chevra Kadisha) A RISING LEADER IN KOSHER SUPERVISION AND GROWING Rabbi Sholem Fishbane; our Kashruth Administrator, leads AKO, the Association of Kashrus Organizations. The crc continues to expand its reach, recently acquiring Blue Ribbon Kosher and Minnesota Kosher. Rabbi Fishbane (at left), seated next to Rabbi Herschel Schachter, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva University s R.I.E.T.S., and other rabbis at this year s AKO Convention OUR KOSHER SUPERVISION TRAVELS THE WORLD TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY Our Rabbis travel around the world, throughout Asia and Europe, and of course, Israel, to ensure the kashrus of products you use every day. Geruth Conversion Chevra Kadisha Jewish Burial Society Rules and Procedures for Beth Din Proceedings and the Halachic Pre-nuptial Agreement are available at Rabbi Moshe Moscowitz, Senior Rabbinical Coordinator (center), visiting a new Ecolab chemical plant in Ireland 4 crc Pesach Guide

7 2018 VISIT TO SEARCH KOSHER L PESACH PRODUCT INFORMATION Download the App AVAILABLE AT Download the crc Smartphone App for updated Kosher lists and Kosher l Pesach food lists. VISIT FOR EKashrus Updates EConsumer & Commercial Kosher Information EBeth Din Information מועצת הרבנים דשיקגו Chicago Rabbinical Council AND COMMITMENT TO THE JEWISH COMMUNITY We serve the community with our annual Pesach Fair and programs about synagogue security, lifecycle events, and much more. All proceeds from kashruth supervision are invested in the community. crc Publications available for purchase at Chicago Rabbis: Visionaries, Pioneers, and Leaders, by Rabbi Moshe Kushner, z l Shaarei Gedulah by Rabbi Gedalia Dov Schwartz Rabbi Reiss, Av Beth Din, and Rabbi Dovid Cohen at the crc Pesach Fair A COMMUNITY BETH DIN, AN INTERNATIONAL LEADER Rabbi Yona Reiss, a respected expert in Jewish law, leads the Dayanim of our internationally recognized Beth Din. Sefer Zichron Menuchah Practical Halachos of Yichud in the Home and in the Workplace by Rabbi Ephraim Friedman Ahavat HaGer by Rabbi Hertzel Hillel Yitzhak Pas Yisroel and Bishul Yisroel by Rabbi Dovid Cohen Food Service Mashgiach Guidebook by Rabbi Dovid Cohen Additional crc Publications available for free online and at the crc office Spotlight on Chicago Rabbi Reiss addressing a North America Mesadrei Gittin conference WE INVEST IN QUALITY SUPERVISION AND CONSUMER RESEARCH We invest in researching community concerns, such as acceptable alcoholic beverages, Pesach products, reliable certifying agencies, and methods of checking produce for insects. crc PASS OVER Guide Passover Guide Kosher Consumer Kashrus Symbol Card Scan to order crc Publications At a recent Shechita Chabura (l to r): Rabbi Dovid Oppenheimer; Rabbi Reiss; Rabbi Dovid Cohen; Rabbi Zvi Fishbane, Rosh HaShochtim; and Rabbi Sholem Fishbane crc Pesach Guide

8 Passover What s It All About? Our wise Sages of the Mishnah teach us, In every generation one must consider himself as if he left Egypt. The message is clear unlike other Jewish holidays, where we commemorate a particular miracle or event, on Passover it s our duty to transport ourselves, to over 3,300 years ago, as slaves to the mighty Pharaoh in the land of Egypt. In the words of the great Rambam of Egypt, one must show himself as though he actually has left Egypt. Yes... make a spectacle about your great escape from the powerful Egypt superpower! From slavery to freedom! On a practical level, families throughout the world get together at the Passover Seder, and drink four cups of wine in a reclining position an act that no slave would ever imagine accomplishing. We get rid of our chametz, and we eat flat matzah, called lechem oni, bread of affliction. And let s not forget the maror, the bitter herbs, that give us a taste of the bitter life of a slave. In fact, in many communities, the Exodus from Egypt is reenacted at the Passover Seder. In the words of Rabbi Shlomo Luria, a.k.a. the Maharshal ( ), a descendant of Rashi: After the meal, the leader takes out the hidden treasure, the Afikoman Matzah, wrapped in a cover, slings it over his shoulder, walks a bit, and announces, So did our ancestors go out of Egypt with their Seder leftovers wrapped in cloth. Responsa Maharshal, Siman 86 Indeed, every Passover grants us the opportunity to educate our children about the beauty of our Torah, and the freedom we have always fought to protect, through the Seder and the many beautiful mitzvos of the holiday. This year Passover begins with the first Seder on the eve of the 15 th day of Nissan, corresponding to Friday evening, March 30, 2018, and ends outside of Israel at the conclusion of the 22 nd day of Nissan, Saturday evening, April 7, The Chicago Rabbinical Council is delighted to share this Passover Guide with you. Rabbi Gedalia Dov Schwartz, Rosh Beth Din of the crc, and Rabbi Yona Reiss, Av Beth Din of the crc, as well as other members of our Beth Din, have reviewed the content to make sure it meets halachic standards, and our Rabbis and staff have spent countless hours researching, writing, editing, and designing to make this information available for you to read, use, and enjoy. To get up-to-the-minute information about Passover products and so much more, visit our websites at www. crcweb.org and download our free app, crc Kosher Guide; follow us on Twitter and Facebook crc Kosher; and stop by our Annual Pesach Fair, Sunday, March 25th, 2-5:30 PM at HTC, 7135 N. Carpenter Rd. in Skokie. In person, in print, and online, we re your Kosher Community Connection! It s our sincerest prayer that our observance of Hashem s redemption of our People more than 3,300 years ago will lead to the Ultimate Redemption in E 6 crc Pesach Guide

9 Rabbi Daniel J. Raccah Dayan Sephardic Laws and Customs The term Sephardi, or in its plural form Sephardim, has many levels of meaning. In its most common usage, it identifies the Jews of countries from North Africa to the west, and as far as Iran to the east (with the possible exception of Yemen), as well as the Jews of Turkey, Greece, and much of the Balkans. Additionally, there were important and early Sephardic communities in Amsterdam and London. The term could possibly serve as a tribal identifier (see Rashi and Radak to Ovadia, verse 20). On a mystical level, the term is associated with particular spiritual traits and talents to be found in those of this extraction (see for example Rav Moshe David Vali, student/ colleague of Rav Moshe Chaim Luzatto, the Ramchal, in his Sefer HaLikutim Vol 1 page 9). However, from a halachic perspective, it refers to Jews who have accepted the authority of Maran, Rav Yosef Karo and his work Shulchan Aruch as legally binding upon themselves and their progeny. The submission of Sephardim to Maran Rav Yosef Karo s rulings is a powerful commonality between different Sephardic communities. The communities of the Jews in Sephardic countries are ancient, with some of them dating back to the exile from the First Beit HaMikdash. In distinction to many Ashkenazi communities, the Sephardic communities did not move and for the most part remained in the same place for hundreds and even thousands of years. This remained the status-quo until the latter half of the 20th century. The Holocaust, the creation of the State of Israel, and the rising hatred of their Arab neighbors resulted in mass exodus from the homes that the Sephardim had occupied for centuries. However, until then, each community developed essentially independent of one another. As a result, each community has its own distinct and unique customs. Even within the same country, different communities may have widely differing customs. For example, some Moroccan Jews eat rice on Pesach, while many do not. On a halachic level as well, different communities have different levels of relationship to Maran Rav Yosef Karo s authority, with all however accepting the Shulchan Aruch as a baseline. When Sephardim lived in their communities of origin, Pesach observance was not complicated. Everyone was familiar with the halachic guidelines and community customs. Today, however, there are very few Sephardic communities that survived the transplantation sufficiently well that they can continue to maintain their observance much the same way as they did in their country of origin. In America, the Syrian communities of Flatbush, New York and Deal, New Jersey; the Persian communities of New York and Los Angeles; and the Bukharan community of Queens, New York have varying levels of success in this regard. These communities may be the exception, while many Sephardic Jews find themselves confused and uncertain how to proceed and which opinion to follow. With its severity and complexity, Pesach is particularly difficult for them. This crc Guide to Passover is written primarily with Ashkenazi Jews in mind, and as such, the halachot presented therein follow the Ashkenazi traditions. The intent of this article is to identify some of the areas where the Ashkenazi and Sephardi traditions differ, and provide direction in those cases. This article only relates to the Kashering the Kitchen section of the Guide (pages 19-23). Additionally, this article does not presume nor endeavor to present the positions and halachic views of each and every Sephardic community. Rather, we will follow here the opinions of Rav Ovadia Yosef zt l. Rav Yosef was a halachic titan in our generation, and his decisions are followed by countless Sephardic Jews of all origins. Additionally, Rav Yosef recognized that many communities had veered from the total authority of the Shulchan Aruch, and as such he set as one of his missions in life to return the prominence and the absoluteness of Maran Rav Yosef Karo s authority to its proper place. In many cases, Rav Yosef s opinions reflect the unfiltered view of Maran Rav Yosef Karo, the baseline of authority for all Sephardic communities. Those desirous of following the traditions of any particular community should consult their Rabbi. E crc Pesach Guide

10 Chag Pesach Sameach Mariano s Skokie is proudly partnering with the Chicago Rabbinical Council. With the guidance and supervision of the crc, Mariano s is dedicated to maintaining the integrity of kosher foods in accordance with the highest standards of kosher law. The crc symbol is a firm guarantee to all consumers that the products bearing the symbol are in full compliance with the most demanding of kosher standards. produce Explore the best of what mother nature has to offer with our wide selection of fresh fruits and vegetables. meat and seafood Our specially trained butchers prepare restaurant-quality, kosher cuts of meats and seafood to offer you the best. deli Discover a mouthwatering assortment of rich olives in our kosher olive bar. As well as deli meats and hot foods. wine A sophisticated selection of worldwide kosher and Mevushal wines is available right in our store. we have everything you need for your Seder plate find the best selection of kosher items at: 3358 W Touhy Ave, Skokie, IL (847) open daily: 6am-10pm 8 crc Pesach Guide

11 Passover Dates and Times Thursday evening, March 29 Search for Chametz Bedikat Chametz Friday, March 30 Fast of the First Born Ta anit Bechorim Friday, March 30, 10:25 a.m. Prohibition of eating chametz begins Friday, March 30, 11:40 a.m. Latest time to burn chametz Friday and Saturday evening, March 30 & 31 First and Second Sedarim Saturday, March 31 & Sunday, April 1 First Two Days of Yom Tov Monday through Thursday, April 2-5 Chol Hamoed (Intermediate Days) Thursday, April 5 Eruv Tavshilin (see article, pages 41-43) Thursday evening, April 5 Yom Tov begins Friday, April 6 & Saturday, April 7 Last Two Days of Yom Tov Saturday morning, April 7 Yizkor (Memorial Service) (see article, page 53) Candle Lighting Schedule Friday, March 30 Saturday, March 31 Thursday, April 5 Friday, April 6 6:54 p.m. 7:55 p.m. 7:01 p.m. 7:02 p.m. (Times listed are for Chicago Area, Daylight Savings Time) Guide for Wedding Dates During the Sefirah period, i.e., from Passover until Shavuot (May 20-21), with certain exceptions, weddings should not be conducted. For information, consult an Orthodox Rabbi. By way of advance information, another period in which no weddings are to be conducted will be Sunday, July 1, 2018 through and including Sunday, July 22, 2018, the Three Weeks period of mourning for our two Temples in Jerusalem. The Three Weeks begin with the Fast of the 17th of Tammuz and culminate with the Fast of the Ninth of Av (Tisha B Av). E crc Pesach Guide

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13 Proudly Supporting Our Community Chicago s Hardworking Bank Robert Taylor NMLS ID: W Devon Ave, Chicago, IL RBankChicago.com Enjoy a Spectacular Passover getaway in the majestic countryside of Wisconsin. 8 Nights - 9 Days March 30 - April 7, 2018 Seder Package Available 2 Championship Golf Courses Join us at the beautiful Grand Geneva Resort and Spa in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin for a relaxing, fun-filled, all-encompassing Passover vacation package. Featured are two championship golf courses, tennis courts, swimming pools and the Premier Spa of the midwest. Come and enjoy the luxurious hotel rooms, gourmet meals, access to our complementary hospitality room with an array of snacks and board games. Plus we offer nightly entertainment during Chol Hamoed along with fun activities to keep you and your family happy over the entire Passover holiday. Glatt/Chalav Yisrael/ Non-Gebrucht Indoor/Outdoor Waterpark WELL Spa and Salon & Fitness Center crc Pesach Guide

14 Rabbi Dovid Cohen Administrative Rabbinic Coordinator Which Foods Are Chametz? One part of cleaning the house for Pesach is to get all chametz out of the kitchen. Of course, the first things to be removed are those that are obviously chametz bread, pasta, cookies, crackers, pretzels, etc. Other foods can be identified by simply reading the ingredient panel, which shows that breakfast cereal, soy sauce, fish sticks, licorice, candy, and many other foods often have wheat or flour (chametz) listed prominently. Only the most astute readers realize that the vinegar in their ketchup, the vitamins in the rice or milk, and the flavor in their favorite snack may in fact contain chametz. The goal of this article is to educate the reader about the many foods which potentially contain chametz, beginning with the more obvious and progressing to the more obscure. FLOUR, OATS, AND BARLEY If one of the five grains wheat, barley, rye, oats and spelt sits in water for more than 18 minutes it becomes chametz, and one may not eat, derive benefit from, or own it on Pesach. In addition, Ashkenazim do not eat kitnios a group of foods which includes (among other things) rice, corn, soy, and their derivatives but are allowed to own kitnios foods on Pesach. It is common practice that before wheat is ground into flour, the wheat kernels are tempered with water for many hours; therefore flour should be treated as chametz. 1 [In fact, matzah which is not baked especially for Pesach is made from tempered wheat and should also be treated as chametz!] Similarly, all oats are heat-treated to prevent them from becoming rancid; if this heating is done with wet steam, the oats/oatmeal may be chametz. On the other hand, barley (a.k.a. pearled barley) is processed without water, and therefore a standard bag of barley is not chametz. Some barley is steeped in water until the barley begins to sprout; this creates a product known as barley malt (a.k.a. malted barley, malt) which is definitely chametz. YEAST The Torah says that one may not own se or on Pesach. What exactly is se or? Are se or and yeast the same thing? A quick lesson in bread baking will surprisingly show that se or is yeast but yeast is not necessarily se or! Although a grain which soaks in water for 18 minutes is chametz, in order to make good bread, one needs yeast. Yeast is the living microorganism which converts some of the flour into the carbon dioxide, which fluffs-up the batter and causes it to rise. The air we breathe contains yeast. Therefore if one makes a batter of flour and water it will eventually rise even if no yeast is added, because yeast from the atmosphere will find its way into 12 crc Pesach Guide

15 the batter. But most bakers do not have the patience to wait all day for their bread to rise, so they add their own yeast into the batter to speed things up a bit. The traditional method of collecting/creating yeast was as follows: Every day the baker would take one handful of dough out of the batter and not bake it. As the day went on the yeast in that dough would multiply (and be joined by other yeast found in the air) to such an extent that that the batter would turn sour and inedible. This ball of concentrated yeast would be thrown into the next day s batter to help that batter rise (and a handful of that batter would be taken out to be saved for the next day, etc.). In English this concentrated yeast-ball is called sourdough due to its awfully sour taste; this is what the Torah calls se or and forbids one from owning on Pesach. However, one can also collect yeast from plant sources and produce it via fermentation. If yeast does not contain any ingredients from the five primary grains (as it often does not) it is not chametz even though it has the same characteristics as se or, 2 and one may own it on Pesach. [The process of fermentation and the possible chametz concerns it raises will be discussed below.] Thus, se or is concentrated yeast, but the yeast which is commonly sold in stores is not se or. Brewer s yeast is yeast recovered from beer production (discussed below). It is similar to se or, and one may not own it (derive benefit from it, or eat it) on Pesach. BEER AND WHISKY If barley is soaked in water under proper conditions, it ferments into beer; since the barley sat in water for more than 18 minutes, beer is chametz. 3 Beer contains approximately 5% alcohol, and people who want a drink with a higher alcohol content do the following: The grain is allowed to ferment until it reaches about 12-13% alcohol, and then the alcohol is separated from (some of) the water using a process called distillation to produce whisky, which contains 30-95% alcohol. The consensus of the Poskim is that whisky produced from one of the five primary grains is considered chametz, even though it went through the process of distillation. 4 In fact, most whisky contains a minimum of 10-30% of those grains, but even if the whisky is made exclusively from corn or another kitnios grain, there are a number of other reasons why it may be chametz: 1. The watery liquid that remains after distillation is called backset and is often used in creating another batch of whisky. Thus, even if the grain used in creating the whisky is kitnios, the water may be from a chametz whisky. 2. Before the yeast ferments the grain, the grain s starch must be broken-down into individual glucose molecules, and this is traditionally done with barley malt (discussed above). Since the chametz barley malt plays such a crucial role in the creation of the whisky (and also dramatically changes the taste of the grain before it is fermented), the barley malt is considered a davar hama amid, and one may not own such whisky on Pesach. 5 As such, all types of whisky should be treated as chametz unless they are specifically certified as kosher for Pesach. VINEGAR Vinegar is created when alcohol is (re)fermented, and the primary concern with vinegar is the source of the alcohol. As the name implies, malt vinegar is made from malt or beer, which we have seen is chametz, and therefore malt vinegar is definitely chametz. In contrast, wine vinegar and apple cider vinegar are made from wine and apple cider, which are not inherently chametz. However, due to the possibility that the equipment used and/ or the processing aids are chametz, it is prudent to only consume wine or apple cider vinegar which is certified as kosher for Pesach. The more difficult question is the Pesach status of white distilled vinegar, as follows: White distilled vinegar is made from distilled alcohol (described above), and the most serious concern is whether the grain used was chametz (e.g. wheat), kitnios (e.g. corn), or something innocuous (e.g. potatoes). Additional concerns stem from questions about the equipment, enzymes, yeasts, crc Pesach Guide

16 and nutrients used in creating the alcohol and vinegar. 6 Lastly, the fermentation of vinegar always begins with a starter taken from a previous batch of vinegar (similar to the way se or is used), and if that starter is chametz, the entire batch will be forbidden. The question of whether grain-based/distilled vinegar is chametz has far-reaching implications. This is because many foods are preserved with vinegar (e.g. pickles, olives), and vinegar is a prime ingredient in many condiments (e.g. ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, salad dressing); in general it is distilled vinegar which is used in these applications. Certainly, any food containing vinegar should not be consumed on Pesach unless the food is specifically certified for Pesach use. But do the concerns with vinegar mean that we must destroy or sell all of the products in our pantries which contain vinegar? As a result of the concerns outlined above, many Rabbonim recommend that people whose minhag is to not sell chametz gamur, should not sell (or retain possession of) vinegar-containing products on Pesach. However others with knowledge of the food industry argue that due to the abundance of corn in the United States, the overwhelming majority of the vinegar sold and used in the United States does not contain chametz (although it does contain kitnios). Therefore, since there is no reasonable way for the average consumer to determine whether the vinegar in a specific ketchup (for example) is chametz, they may rely on the rov (majority) and assume that the vinegar is not chametz, at least to the extent that it may/should be sold to a non-jew. As with all matters of halacha, one should consult with a local Rav. It is noteworthy that the aforementioned leniency does not necessarily apply to (a) vinegar or vinegar-containing products from other countries or (b) organic vinegar (even if it is produced in the United States, due to the difficulty in obtaining organic corn). Pesach products are generally made with white distilled vinegar which is specially-made without any chametz or kitnios concerns. However some companies choose to substitute glacial acetic acid for the vinegar in their Pesach products. Glacial acetic acid is chemically identical to vinegar but is made from petroleum feedstock, as opposed to being fermented, and poses little Pesach concern. ENZYMES, VITAMINS, FLAVORS, AND OTHER COMPLEX ISSUES Microbiology has played a great role in the advances in food technology in the past few decades. Food scientists have identified numerous microorganisms which can either serve as or help to create enzymes (see below), vitamins (e.g. Riboflavin, Vitamin B12), flavorful chemicals (e.g. MSG), and other items (e.g. xanthan gum, citric acid, yeast). In addition, scientists have learned new ways to react chemicals with one another (and use other methods) to create emulsifiers, acidulants, sweeteners, flavors, and other chemicals (e.g. polysorbates, ascorbic acid, aspartame, esters, magnesium citrate). This technology has allowed food scientists both to create an array of foods which were inconceivable 50 years ago and to improve on the way that they produce older foods. Of all these items, enzymes have arguably had the most far-reaching affect. Enzymes are chemicals which act as a catalyst for change in other items. A common example is rennet, which causes milk to coagulate into cheese, but the range of uses goes well beyond cheese. For example, one enzyme liquefies and sweetens corn into corn syrup, so that another enzyme can make it even sweeter and become the high fructose corn syrup used to sweeten soft drinks. Another enzyme is used to create the right kind of sugar molecule so that hard-candies will not stick to the wrapper, and yet another one ensures that beer does not get cloudy when it is refrigerated. The kashrus issues raised by all of this technology are beyond the scope of this article, but one issue is quite relevant to our discussion. One of the prime ingredients used in making just about all of the items discussed above is glucose (a.k.a. sugar). Glucose can be created from any starch, which means that these items may be wheat (chametz), corn or rice (kitnios), sweet potatoes (kosher for Pesach), or something else, depending on what is available in the country where the glucose is being produced. This issue is further complicated by the emergence of the global marketplace, where it may be cheaper to buy xanthan gum from France or China than from the local producer. Additionally, many of the ingredients listed above are used in tiny proportions, which would theoretically be batel b shishim, and Poskim have 14 crc Pesach Guide

17 taken different positions as to which of these serve as a davar hama amid and/or a milsah d avidah lit amah, which cannot be batel. In light of the seriousness of eating chametz on Pesach, it is obvious that no one would consider eating any food on Pesach which contains (or may contain) any of these ingredients, unless the food is certified as kosher for Pesach. [Many children and adults must consume baby formula, soy/rice beverages, or nutritional supplements (which cannot be certified for Pesach since they contain kitnios) and require information as to whether those items contain chametz. That issue is beyond the scope of this article but see listings elsewhere in this Guide for more information on specific items.] Some Rabbonim say that for the same reason one should not own any of these items on Pesach, but as noted above regarding vinegar, others argue that one may rely on the fact that the overwhelming majority of these items sold and used in the United States do not contain chametz (although they contain kitnios). As with all matters of halacha, one should consult with a local Rav. E An earlier version of this article first appeared in Hamodia and the OU website and is reprinted here with permission. FOOTNOTES 1 Mishnah Berurah 453:24. 2 See Mechiltah 9:19 on Shemos 12:19. 3 Shulchan Aruch 442:5. 4 See Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 92:8 & 123:24, and Mishnah Berurah 442:4. 5 See Shulchan Aruch 442:5 and Mishnah Berurah 442:25. 6 The nutrients are generally batel b shishim, but some Poskim hold that since they are intentionally added to the vinegar they are not batel. This issue, discussed in Magen Avraham 442:1, Nodah B yehudah Y.D. 2:56, Mishnah Berurah 447:14 and others, is beyond the scope of this article. In addition to the Torah s restrictions on owning, eating, and benefiting from chametz, an Ashkenazic minhag (custom) developed in the Middle Ages to not eat certain foods known collectively as kitnios. Mishnah Berurah 1 cites three reasons for this minhag: (a) kitnios is harvested and processed in the same manner as chametz, (b) it is ground into flour and baked just like chametz [such that Kitnios people may mistakenly believe that if they can eat kitnios, they can also eat chametz], and (c) it may have chametz grains mixed into it [so people who eat kitnios may inadvertently be eating chametz]. Although initially there were those who objected to the minhag, it has become an accepted part of Pesach in all Ashkenazic communities. crc Pesach Guide

18 WHICH FOODS ARE KITNIOS The earlier Poskim mention that rice, buckwheat/kasha, millet, beans, lentils, peas, sesame seeds, and mustard are included in the minhag, 2 and it is generally accepted that chickpeas, corn (see below), green beans, poppy seeds, snow peas, soybeans, sugar-snap peas, and sunflower seeds are also forbidden. On the other hand, coffee, garlic, nuts, olives, potatoes (see below), radishes, and tea are not treated as kitnios. 3 Iggeros Moshe 4 assumes that peanuts are not kitnios but notes that some have a custom to be machmir. Some other examples of foods which are or are not kitnios are noted below and in the Derivatives of kitnios section of this article. Iggeros Moshe explains that the minhag to not eat kitnios developed differently than other minhagim and therefore rules that only foods which we know were specifically included in the minhag are forbidden. [See also Chok Yaakov 453:9, who makes a similar point.] With this he explains the generally accepted custom to not consider potatoes to be kitnios, even though the reasons upon which the custom is based applies to potatoes. The minhag of kitnios can be dated back at least until Maharil, who died in Potatoes did not come to Europe until the 16 th century, so they were a new vegetable which was not included in the minhag. [An important exception to the aforementioned rule that new vegetables are not included in the minhag, is corn/maize which Mishnah Berurah 453:4 and others rule is kitnios, even though it was introduced to Europe after the minhag had already been enacted.] This logic has also been suggested as a basis for permitting the consumption on Pesach of a grain called quinoa. The thinking is that since quinoa, which has only recently been introduced to the Northern Hemisphere from its native South America, was never considered kitnios, it remains permitted on Pesach, even though logically it should be included in the minhag. While this logic is sound, it is noteworthy that quinoa is often packaged in plants that also package wheat and barley, and it is possible that those grains (i.e. chametz) could get mixed into the quinoa. Therefore, it is recommended that quinoa only be used for Pesach when it is specifically certified as being Kosher for Passover. As a rule, spices are not considered to be kitnios, and Rema 453:1 makes a point of noting that anise (dill) and coriander are not kitnios. Nevertheless, Taz 462:3 notes that all spices should be checked before Pesach to establish that no chametz grains are mixed in, and elsewhere Taz (453:1) specifically notes that anise and coriander seeds should be thoroughly checked. In addition, Taz and Magen Avraham (453:3) discuss whether fennel, cumin, and caraway seeds (i.e. three variations of kimmel ) can possibly be checked (and used) for Pesach. Thus, as a rule, spices are not kitnios but require special care to guarantee that no chametz grains are mixed into them. Some hashgochos consider fenugreek to be kitnios, while others do not, and the surprising ramifications of this question will be noted towards the end of this article. DERIVATIVES OF KITNIOS The earlier Poskim, including Rema, clearly indicate that oil made from kitnios is forbidden on Pesach, but some of the later Poskim suggest that such oil may be permitted, because some of the original reasons for the minhag do not apply to the oil extracted from kitnios. It is generally accepted to follow the stricter opinion in this matter, but the lenient opinion is sometimes considered as one factor in a larger decision. Therefore, on Pesach one may not use corn or soybean oil (a.k.a. vegetable oil ), and some do not use peanut oil either (see above regarding peanuts). Oil from olives, palm, coconut, and walnuts are acceptable for Pesach use, because the fruits from which they are extracted are not kitnios. Minchas Yitzchok 5 suggests that cottonseed oil is kitnios, but in a subsequent teshuvah 6 he reconsiders this position; 7 in the United States cottonseed oil is generally not considered to be kitnios, but in Eretz Yisroel there are those who refrain from using it. Canola oil was first approved for food use in the United States in 1985, and there are those who therefore suggested that it is a new item which should not be included in the minhag, as per Iggeros Moshe cited above. However, the fault with this line of reasoning is that canola oil is actually rapeseed oil (a.k.a. colza oil), which has been used for centuries in Europe. [Canola oil is rapeseed oil specially bred to have less erucic acid (a suspected cause of heart disease); therefore, only this better variation of rapeseed oil is approved for food use in the USA.] In fact, Avnei Nezer and Maharsham 8 specifically mention rapeseed and its oil in their discussions of kitnios. It is also noteworthy that canola often grows near oats, and 16 crc Pesach Guide

19 not justify the l chatchilah creation/certification of such an item, and others argue that nishtaneh may be limited to cases where the forbidden item becomes inedible in the middle of its conversion to the new item. We will see below that even those who take the strict position in this matter generally agree that foods created with these ingredients are b dieved permitted on Pesach. HALACHOS OF KITNIOS therefore even those who might argue that canola is not kitnios would agree that all of the oats must be removed before the oil is extracted from the canola. In recent decades, scientists have learnt to manipulate microorganisms to create and convert all types of enzymes and foods. This has had dramatic effects on the world of kashrus, including kitnios. What happens if one takes bland-tasting corn and uses enzymes to liquefy and sweeten it? Does the resulting corn syrup remain forbidden as kitnios? Is the halacha possibly more lenient if one takes the aforementioned corn syrup and uses enzymes to convert it to sour-tasting ascorbic acid? These questions depend on a machlokes Rishonim cited in Mishnah Berurah 216:7 regarding the kashrus of musk a fragrant byproduct of blood which is found in a gland of the male musk deer. Some Rishonim are of the opinion that since blood is non-kosher, musk is also forbidden, but others say that once the blood is nishtaneh (changed), it loses its original identity and becomes an innocuous kosher liquid. Mishnah Berurah rules that as relates to issurim d rabannan one may be lenient. Accordingly, some hashgochos take the position that since kitnios is merely a minhag (i.e. even less than an issur d rabannan) one can be lenient and certify kitnios which was truly nishtaneh. In order to qualify as nishtaneh the kitnios must go through a significant change in taste; therefore, in the cases noted above, they would certify the ascorbic acid due to the dramatic change in taste from sweet to sour but would not permit the corn syrup, since it is not changed/nishtaneh enough from the corn from which it came. This rationale is the basis for some hashgachos certification and/or acceptance of certain productions of aspartame, citric acid, monosodium glutamate (MSG), and xanthan gum for Pesach. Some argue that Mishnah Berurah s ruling is limited to cases of b dieved and does The minhag to not eat kitnios begins on Erev Pesach at the same time that one may not eat chametz. 9 Although one may not eat kitnios, one may own and derive benefit from kitnios. Therefore, on Pesach one may keep cans of sweet corn in his possession or feed millet to his parrot. Additionally, children, people who are ill, and people whose diet is otherwise restricted and must eat kitnios, are excluded from the minhag and may eat these foods after consulting with a Rav. This halacha is particularly relevant to baby formulas and nutritional supplements (e.g. Ensure) which invariably contain kitnios and are usually used by people who have few non-kitnios choices, if any, and such people are permitted to eat kitnios. When such foods are used on Pesach, they should be prepared in special non-pesach and non-chametz utensils, which should not be washed with the Pesach dishes. It must be noted that although the halacha is quite lenient in permitting children and the infirm to consume kitnios, the halacha is quite strict regarding the consumption of chametz, and one must therefore be sure that the product is truly chametz-free before consuming it. The subject of determining whether an item is merely kitnios or if it possibly contains chametz is beyond the scope of this article. Kitnios is batel b rov, which means that if someone accidentally put kitnios into their Pesach food, the food is b dieved permitted, assuming the food contains more non-kitnios than kitnios. 10 This means that although the food may have a pronounced taste of kitnios, the food is permitted (unless there are recognizable pieces of kitnios which have not been removed). Therefore, if a beverage is sweetened with aspartame made of kitnios shenishtaneh, even those people who are of the opinion that the aspartame is forbidden (as explained above) may drink the beverage, because the aspartame is batel b rov in the other ingredients. Similarly, we have seen that there is a crc Pesach Guide

20 disagreement as to whether fenugreek is kitnios. Nonetheless, even those who follow the strict approach may consume maple syrup which is flavored with fenugreek (as it often is) because it is batel b rov. Thus, although we have seen a number of disagreements as to whether certain foods are or are not kitnios, those disagreements are limited to one who wants to consume the actual item (or a hashgachah certifying a company that is intentionally putting the ingredient into a food), but these disagreements rarely affect consumers. OTHER MINHAGIM In addition to the well-known minhag of not eating kitnios, the Rema (467:8) cites customs to not eat honey, raisins, dried fruit, sugar, saffron, and cloves, and other Poskim cite numerous other customs from specific communities. Many of these minhagim are limited to cases where the person does not know for sure that the product does not contain chametz; therefore, many of these minhagim are not practiced nowadays because the hashgachah on the food guarantees that it is chametz-free. As with all matters of halacha, one who is unsure as to whether a family or community custom remains in effect, should consult with his or her Rav. E An earlier version of this article first appeared in Hamodia and the OU website and is reprinted here with permission. FOOTNOTES 1 Mishnah Berurah 453:6 & 464:5. 2 See Beis Yosef OC 453, Rema 453:1 & 464:1 and Mishnah Berurah 453:4, 7 & See Sha arei Teshuvah 453:1, Chayei Adam 127:7, and others. 4 Iggeros Moshe OC 3:63. 5 Minchas Yitzchok 3:138:b. 6 Minchas Yitzchok 4:114:c. 7 See also Mikra ai Kodesh, Pesach 2:60:2. 8 Avnei Nezer 373 & 533 and Maharsham 1: Shevet HaLevi 3:31, citing Chok Yaakov 471:2 and others. 10 Rema 453:1 as per Mishnah Berurah 453:9. AVAILABLE BY PHONE, TABLET, OR WEBSITE 24 HOURS A DAY TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS / crcweb. org ASKcRc.org 18 crc Pesach Guide

21 Kashering the Kitchen INTRODUCTION Dishes, utensils, kitchen appliances, countertops, and anything else used with food year-round, cannot be used for Passover unless it goes through a process known as kashering or hechsher keilim. For a few items kashering just involves thoroughly cleaning the item, but for most items kashering also requires submerging the item in boiling water or a similar hot process. The laws of kashering are quite complex, and this article will present the most practical points for the average consumer. Readers are encouraged to discuss any questions not covered in this article with their local Orthodox Rabbi. The following items may not be kashered for Passover: China, pottery, earthenware, cement, concrete, and enameled pots may not be kashered for Passover. The Ashkenazic custom is to not kasher glass or crystal, with the exception of glass stovetops discussed below. There is a difference of opinion as to whether plastic and other synthetic materials are included in this rule, and the crc position is that those materials may be kashered. Utensils and appliances which cannot be thoroughly cleaned, such as those having crevices in which chametz can accumulate, may not be kashered for Passover. Some examples of this are dishwashers, sieves, graters, utensils with loose-fitting handles, and bottles with narrow necks. Materials which might get ruined during the kashering process may not be kashered for Passover, out of concern that the person would be afraid of breaking his utensil and would therefore not kasher properly. We now turn to the parts of the kitchen which can be kashered. SEPHARDIC APPLICATIONS 1. Rav Ovadia Yosef (Chazon Ovadia Pesach 2003 edition page 151), following the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 451:26), rules that glass and crystal DO NOT need to be kashered for Pesach. Glass is a non-porous material, and thus merely requires to be washed and cleaned and may be used for Pesach. This includes Pyrex and Duralex as well. (Chazon Ovadia, ibid.) 2. However, an item that is not 100% glass, but contains even a small amount of material that is not able to be kashered, such as ceramic, may not be kashered (personal communication with Rav Ovadia Yosef). For example, a glass stovetop is likely not 100% glass and may contain additional materials. If even a small percentage of those additional materials are not kasherable, then the entire stovetop may not be kashered. 3. Rav Yosef (Chazon Ovadia Pesach 2003 edition, page 151) opines that plastic may be kashered for Pesach. NOTE: Sephardic applications are indicated in marked boxes. crc Pesach Guide

22 FLATWARE Silver, stainless steel, and plastic flatware may be kashered. The process begins with a thorough cleaning, after which the utensil should not be used for 24 hours. A pot of water is brought to a rolling boil, and the pieces of flatware are dropped into the water one at a time. If the water stops boiling at any point, one must wait until it returns to a boil before putting in any more flatware. The custom is to rinse the flatware with cold water after kashering. Some have the custom to kasher in a dedicated kashering pot which is not used for anything else, but most kasher in any pot which is clean and has not been used for 24 hours. POTS AND PANS Standard metal pots are kashered in the same manner as flatware; consult with your Rabbi if the pot which requires kashering is too large to fit into any other pot of boiling water. Enameled pots (e.g. Fiesta Ware, Le Creuset) and glass pots (e.g. Pyrex) cannot be kashered. In general, baking, roasting, and frying pans cannot be kashered for Passover, unless they are always used with generous amounts of oil or other grease when cooking. If that is the case, they can be kashered via libun kal which involves cleaning the pans well, not using them for 24 hours and then putting them upside-down on an open flame until both the inside and outside of the pan are hot enough to singe paper. DRINKING GLASSES The Ashkenazic custom is that drinking glasses made of glass cannot be kashered if they were ever used for hot beverages or washed with hot water, such as in a dishwasher. If they were never used or washed hot, fill the glasses with water and leave the water in the glasses for at least 24 hours; repeat this procedure two additional times with fresh water. Drinking glasses made of plastic can be kashered in the same manner as flatware outlined above, and drinking glasses (or anything else) made of ceramic or china cannot be kashered. SEPHARDIC APPLICATIONS Glass Pots (Pyrex) Per point #1 above, these items do not need to undergo kashering. Washing and cleaning them suffices (Chazon Ovadia Pesach 2003 edition page 152). Frying Pans Following the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 451:11), Rav Ovadia Yosef (Chazon Ovadia Pesach 2003 edition page 138) rules that hagala suffices for frying pans. However, the difficulty in achieving the prerequisite level of cleanliness necessary for hagala may make this process impractical. Glassware Per point #1 above, glassware does not require more than being washed and cleaned to be usable on Passover. TABLECLOTHS Fabric tablecloths may be used for Passover after being laundered. Vinyl tablecloths cannot be kashered and should be replaced for Passover. 20 crc Pesach Guide

23 ELECTRIC MIXERS, FOOD PROCESSORS, AND BLENDERS The motor area of small electric appliances (e.g. mixers, food processor, blenders) is often exposed to chametz and is very difficult to clean; it is therefore recommended that one purchase separate appliances which should be reserved for Passover use. A food processor or blender whose motor area is truly sealed, such that food does not penetrate, is not affected by this issue and may be used for Passover after separate bowls and blades are purchased for Passover use. SINKS Stainless steel or Corian sinks may be kashered by cleaning them thoroughly, leaving them unused for 24 hours, and then carefully pouring boiling water from a kettle over all surfaces of the sink and faucet. The strainer covering the sink s drain, and the aerator on the faucet, should be replaced for Passover. Faucet with coiled hoses cannot be kashered (or used) for Pesach. Porcelain sinks cannot be kashered. Dishes and other Passover utensils may not be placed in a sink which was not kashered; rather, an insert or basin which was never used for chametz must be placed in the sink, and all dishes should be put into that insert. SEPHARDIC APPLICATIONS Sinks Rav Ovadia Yosef (Chazon Ovadia Pesach 2003 edition page 151) ruled that porcelain sinks may be koshered in the same way that stainless steel or Corian sinks are kashered. He added that it is preferable to undergo this process three times for porcelain sinks. STOVETOPS AND OVENS Stovetops (ranges) and ovens may be kashered for Passover use, and the process for doing so is as follows: Stovetops The most common type of stovetop is a metal grate over an open flame, which is situated on a porcelain enamel surface. Others have electric coils in the place of an open flame or have a glass (a.k.a. glass-ceramic) surface covering electric coils; the most popular brands for this last type of stovetop are Corning and Ceran. The kashering of stovetops including glass ones is done as follows: All parts of the stovetop should be thoroughly cleaned, including scraping residual food from the surface and catch-tray, and not used for 24 hours. Then the fire or coil should be turned to its maximum temperature for at least 30 minutes. [For electric stovetops with exposed coils (i.e. not covered with glass), leave the coils on for just 15 minutes.] Afterwards, cover the following areas with foil: (a) the knobs, catch trays, and all areas between the burners, and (b) areas behind the burners where pots might touch. If there is food residue on the underside of the stove s hood, it should be thoroughly cleaned before Pesach. Non self-cleaning oven The interior and exterior surfaces of the oven and its racks must be thoroughly cleaned, the oven and racks should not be used for a full 24 hours, and then the oven should be turned on to F for one hour. As an added precaution for Passover, once this process is complete, some cover the racks and grates on both sides with aluminum foil (which should be perforated for air circulation), and do not allow food to touch the side, bottom or top of the oven on Passover. SEPHARDIC APPLICATIONS Ovens Rav Ovadia Yosef (Chazon Ovadia Pesach 2003 edition page 132) does not require the additional stringencies of covering the racks etc. and preventing food from coming into contact with the oven walls. crc Pesach Guide

24 Self-cleaning oven A complete high-temperature self-clean cycle should be run with the racks inside the oven, and then the oven may be used for Passover without covering the racks. This kashering may be done even if the oven was not left unused for 24 hours. If the racks are not inside the oven while the self-clean cycle is run, the racks should be kashered separately. Note: Low-temperature self-clean cycles (e.g. AquaLift, Steam Clean) do not qualify as kashering. Warming drawer Light one can of chafing-dish fuel (e.g. Sterno cans) in the warming drawer, being sure to use a can fueled with ethanol or methanol. [Wicked-cans that use diethylene glycol as a fuel should not be used for kashering.] Make sure to leave the door of the warming drawer slightly ajar, so that there will be enough air to allow for combustion, and allow the can to burn for two hours. As with all kashering, before you begin, the warming drawer must be thoroughly cleaned and not used for 24 hours. Microwave oven Microwave ovens may be used on Chol HaMoed, but not on Shabbat and Yom Tov. The glass plate cannot be kashered (or used) and should be removed before kashering begins. Some microwaves have a porcelain enamel interior; these cannot be kashered. To kasher the microwave appliance, clean it thoroughly, and do not use it for 24 hours. Then a cup of water should be boiled in the chamber for an extended amount of time, until the chamber fills with steam and the water overflows from the cup. For Passover, it is a commendable extra precaution to cover all foods in SEPHARDIC APPLICATIONS Microwave oven Regarding the glass plate, refer to Point 1 above that glass does not require anything more than being washed and cleaned to be usable on Passover. This assumes, though, that the plate does not contain even a small amount of un-kasherable materials (see Point 2 above). the microwave, even after performing the above kashering. If a microwave has a metal grate, it should be kashered in a pot of hot water as described in the Flatware section above. For convection microwave ovens, the same kashering process as a conventional oven should be followed, paying particular attention to cleaning out the chamber and fan assembly. REFRIGERATORS AND FREEZERS All parts of refrigerators and freezers, including storage bins, must be thoroughly cleaned and washed. The shelves should be lined with plastic or foil, which should be perforated with small holes to allow for air circulation. SEPHARDIC APPLICATIONS Refrigerators Rav Ovadia Yosef does not require the shelves to be covered, assuming the general usage does not involve placing boiling hot pots and pans directly on the racks. To his view, washing and cleaning the shelves is sufficient (Chazon Ovadia Pesach 2003 edition page 148). 22 crc Pesach Guide

25 COUNTERTOPS SEPHARDIC APPLICATIONS In any situation where the countertop cannot or will not be kashered, it may only be used on Passover after being covered with a non-porous material which will not easily rip or tear. The procedure for kashering a countertop is to clean it thoroughly, not use it for 24 hours, and then carefully pour boiling water on all surfaces. Once the countertop is kashered, it may be used without being covered. However, many people have a custom to both kasher and cover their countertops. As noted at the beginning of this article, one may not kasher utensils made of certain materials (ceramic, cement, glass), or with materials which are not robust enough to withstanding kashering, and one may also not kasher any utensil that Countertops According to Rav Ovadia Yosef (Chazon Ovadia Pesach 2003 edition page 160), countertops are kashered by pouring boiling hot water over them, assuming of course that the material is kasherable. Glass Countertops Although Rav Ovadia Yosef is lenient regarding glass, in this instance, due to the presence of porous un-kasherable grout, one should cover such a countertop and not kasher it. has cracks, nicks, or scratches where pieces of food might get stuck. These same restrictions apply to countertops, and the practical examples are detailed below. There are many countertop materials available for home use today, with an old favorite being plastic laminate (Formica), manufactured by laminating a hard plastic material onto a thin piece of wood. In some cases, there are seams where two pieces of laminate meet, creating the potential for chametz collecting in that area during the year, and special attention should be paid to cleaning those seams. Others create counters from butcher block or wood. In general, wood may be kashered only if it contains no cracks that might trap chametz. Due to the likelihood of such cracks developing, it was the practice to sand down wooden surfaces in butcher shops before Passover. If sanding the countertops is practical in one s home or if the countertop contains no cracks, the countertop may be kashered; otherwise the wooden countertop should be covered for Passover. Many kitchens use natural stone such as granite, marble, limestone, quartzite, soapstone, slate, and onyx for countertops. These may be kashered for Passover regardless of which sealant is used. Another material used for countertops is quartz resin, a man-made material made to look like granite or marble. Some common brands are Cambria, Ceaser Stone, Silestone, and Zodiaq. These may be kashered for Passover. Similarly, countertops made of acrylic or polyester look like stone. Some popular brands are Avonite, Corian, Gibraltar, Staron, Surrell, and Swanstone. These materials may be kashered for Passover if they do not contain any scratches or stains; otherwise they must be covered. There are also glass, ceramic, cement, and porcelain countertops available. These countertops cannot be kashered for Passover and must be covered. While not used as often in a home, stainless steel, copper, and zinc countertops are also available, and they may be kashered for Passover. Special thanks to Rick Glickman of Dream Kitchens for his assistance with our countertop research. As with all halachic issues, if a question arises regarding kashering one s kitchen, contact your local Orthodox Rabbi. A summary of the information about countertops is included in the chart on the following page. crc Pesach Guide

26 COUNTERTOPS The following listing indicates whether different types of countertops can be kashered for Pesach. Brand Name or Material Can it be kashered? Comment Acrylic Yes May be kashered if there are no scratches or stains; otherwise cover. Avonite Yes May be kashered if there are no scratches or stains; otherwise cover. Blue Louise Yes Buddy Rhodes No Must be covered for Passover. Butcher Block Yes May be kashered if there are no cracks; otherwise sand or cover. Caesar Stone Cambria Yes Yes Cement No Must be covered for Passover. Ceramic tile No Must be covered for Passover. Cheng Design No Must be covered for Passover. Concrete No Must be covered for Passover. Copper Yes Corian Yes May be kashered if there are no scratches or stains; otherwise cover. Cosmos Yes Craftart Yes May be kashered if there are no cracks; otherwise sand or cover. Curava No Must be covered for Passover Dekton No Must be covered for Passover Fireclay Tiles No Must be covered for Passover Formica Yes Carefully clean seams before kashering. Gibraltar Yes May be kashered if there are no scratches or stains; otherwise cover. Glass tile No Must be covered for Passover. Granite HanStone Yes Yes John Boos Yes May be kashered if there are no cracks; otherwise sand or cover. 24 crc Pesach Guide

27 Brand Name or Material Can it be kashered? Comment Laminam No Must be covered for Passover. Laminate (plastic) Yes Carefully clean seams before kashering. Limestone Marble Yes Yes Marmoglass No Must be covered for Passover. Monestone Yes May be kashered if there are no scratches or stains; otherwise cover. Nanoglass No Must be covered for Passover. Neolith No Must be covered for Passover. Nevamar Yes Carefully clean seams before kashering. Pionite Yes Carefully clean seams before kashering. Plastic Laminate Yes Carefully clean seams before kashering. Porcelain No Must be covered for Passover. Pyrolave No Must be covered for Passover. Quartz Resin Quartzite Silestone Silgranit Slate Soapstone Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Spekva Yes May be kashered if there are no cracks; otherwise sand or cover. Stainless Steel Yes Staron Yes May be kashered if there are no scratches or stains; otherwise cover. Surrell Yes May be kashered if there are no scratches or stains; otherwise cover. Swanstone Yes May be kashered if there are no scratches or stains; otherwise cover. Wood Yes May be kashered if there are no cracks; otherwise sand or cover. Zinc Zodiaq Yes Yes crc Pesach Guide

28 Rabbi Dovid Cohen Administrative Rabbinic Coordinator Tevillas Keilim Items used in the preparation or consumption of food, which were once owned by a non-jew and are now owned by a Jew, must undergo tevillas keilim (ritual immersion in a mikvah) before they can be used. The following is an outline of some of the basic halachos of tevillas keilim: Tevillah is only required for items made of metal or glass, and this includes aluminum, cast iron, chrome, pewter, Pyrex, stainless steel, tin, and many other materials. Tevillah is not required for utensils made of cardboard, ceramic, cork, leather, paper, plastic, rubber, stone, Styrofoam, or wood. China should have tevillah without a bracha. Disposable aluminum pans do not require tevillah regardless of how many times they are used. Tevillah is only required for utensils which have food contact. Therefore, a stovetop grate does not require tevillah since it never touches food, and neither does the water pan used with a chafing dish, but tevillah is required for a barbecue spit or the food pan used with a chafing dish. The cover of a chafing dish must also undergo tevillah; although it seemingly does not have contact with the actual food, it is considered to have food contact because of the considerable amount of steam that rises up from the food to the cover. A glass cake tray requires tevillah, even if the cake is always placed in cupcake holders or on a doily (i.e., never touches the actual tray), because the doily etc. is considered tafel/negligible to the food. A can opener does not have (intentional) food contact, and therefore it does not require tevillah. The tray in a toaster oven or microwave requires tevillah, because people put food right onto it, but the chamber of those appliances does not require tevillah since they do not have (intentional) food contact. The following are some other examples of items which have no food contact and therefore do not require tevillah: corkscrew, dishwashing basin, knife sharpener, and napkin ring. Tevillah is primarily required for utensils that have contact with food that is either ready to eat (e.g. flatware, plates), or is used to prepare the food to the point that it is ready to eat (e.g. pots, pans). If a utensil is intended for use with raw food, but the same item could also be used for meal-ready food, then tevillah should be performed without a bracha. For example, a pair of kitchen scissors bought to cut raw meat will not be used with meal-ready food, but since there are some who use those scissors for cutting vegetables, tevillah should be performed without a bracha. There is a difference of opinion as to whether tevillah is at all required if the utensil can only be used on raw foods (e.g., a rolling pin). Peelers, graters, and food processors which will be used with meal-ready food (e.g. carrots) require tevillah with a bracha. If they will only be used for foods that require further cooking (e.g. potatoes), then tevillah should be performed, but no bracha should be recited. Colanders, 26 crc Pesach Guide

29 skewers, and spatulas are used with food that is fully cooked, and, therefore, they require tevillah with a bracha (assuming they are metal or glass). Containers used for storage of food, and from which no one ever eats directly, should have tevillah without a bracha. Rav Schwartz,,שליט א has ruled that any electrical appliance that might get ruined as a result of tevillah, is excused from the requirement of tevillas keilim, and may be used without tevillah. The item undergoing tevillah must be free of chatzizot, items that block the water from having direct contact. This means that not only must all stickers and labels be removed before tevillah, but the person performing the tevillah should be sure not to grip the item too tightly when it is in the mikvah (for if he does, his hand will be a chatzizah). The bracha of קדשנו במצוותיו וצוונו על טבילת כלים אשר is recited before tevillah begins. If more than one person will be performing tevillah, one person can recite the bracha for all of the participants. The following is a list of items which do or do not require tevillah, based on the assumption that the utensil is both used and manufactured in the standard manner. Those which are listed as requiring tevillah is based on an assumption that they are made from a form of metal or glass which requires tevillah, as opposed to plastic, paper, rubber, wood, or other materials which are excused. The status for some entries are marked with a 1 or a 2 which refers to the following: 1 If this person will sometimes use the utensil with meal-ready food (e.g. many fruits and vegetables), tevillah is performed with a bracha. If it will only be used with food that requires further cooking, tevillah should be performed, but no bracha should be recited. 2 If the utensil ever has food contact, tevillah is required with a bracha; if the utensil never has food contact, no tevillah is required. Tevillah? Bracha? Tevillah? Bracha? Apple corer ü ü Baking sheet ü ü Barbecue grill cover û û Barbecue grill food-handling tools ü ü Barbecue grill grate ü ü Basin for dishwashing û û Blech 2 2 Bottle warmer û û Bread box ü û Butcher s knife ü û Cake tray 2 2 Cake tray cover û û Can opener û û Candy dish 2 2 Canister cover û û Chafing dish cover ü ü Chafing dish food pan ü ü Chafing dish water pan û û Chalif (shechitah knife) ü û Coffee mill û û Coffee mug û û Colander, metal ü ü Colander, plastic û û Cookie cutter ü û Cookie sheet ü ü Corelle (cup) û û Corelle (plate, bowl) ü ü Cork û û crc Pesach Guide

30 Tevillah? Bracha? Tevillah? Bracha? Corkscrew û û Corn holders ü ü Corn popper ü ü Crock pot pot made of ceramic û û Crock pot pot made of metal ü ü Crock pot base û û Crock pot cover (metal, glass) ü ü Cup metal, glass, Corelle ü ü Cup plastic, ceramic û û Double boiler food pot ü ü Double boiler water pot 2 2 Dough hook û û Egg slicer ü ü Electric knife ü ü Flour sifter û û Food Processor ü 1 Food scale û û French fry cutter ü û Fruit juicer ü ü Grater ü 1 Grill (actual part which touches food) ü ü Grinder ü 1 Hot plate 2 2 Ice cream scooper ü ü Immersion blender û û Immersion heater û û Juicer (for fruit) ü ü Kiddush cup ü ü Knife sharpener û û Knife, electric ü ü Knife, for butchering ü û Knife, for shechitah ü û Measuring cup, plastic û û Measuring cup/spoon, metal or glass ü 1 Meat hammer û û Meat slicer ü ü Meat tenderizer û û Meat thermometer û û Melon baller ü ü Microwave chamber û û Microwave plate 2 2 Mug û û Napkin ring û û Onion chopper ü 1 Oven rack û û Pasta extruder û û Peel (pancake flipper) ü ü Peeler, standard ü ü Peeler, used only for potatoes ü û Pet food dish û û Piping bag ü ü Pizza cutter ü ü Pot (metal, porcelain enamel) ü ü Pot cover (metal, glass, porcelain enamel) ü ü 28 crc Pesach Guide

31 Tevillah? Bracha? Tevillah? Bracha? Poultry shears ü 1 Reddler (makes holes in matzah dough) û û Rolling pin û û Sandwich-maker û û Saucer 2 2 Scissors (for food) ü 1 Serving tray 2 2 Shechitah knife ü û Shredder ü 1 Skewer, metal ü ü Skewer, wood or bamboo û û Spit ü ü Spit for barbecuing ü ü Spoon rest û û Storage container ü û Stovetop grate û û Strainer, metal ü ü Strainer, plastic û û Sugar canister ü û Toaster û û Toaster oven chamber û û Toaster oven rack, tray ü ü Urn ü ü Whisk û û The previous article is excerpted from the Food Service Mashgiach Guidebook, printed by the crc and available at crc Guidelines for Shaimos As we clean and prepare our homes for Passover, it is not uncommon to come across many items, other than chametz, that we would like to discard. Questions often arise regarding papers or publications that bear Hebrew letters and may be considered shaimos, religious items or texts, which require special disposal. Therefore, we present the following guidelines established by our Rosh.שליט"א Beth Din, HaRav Gedalia Dov Schwartz GUIDELINES In regard to disposal of items containing Hebrew script, etc. and shaimos, the following guidelines are recommended: Any parts of Kisvei Kodesh such as Tanach, Gemara, and siddurim, etc. must have geniza, burial of religious items. This includes tefillin, mezuzot, rabbinic sefarim, and mezuzah covers. It would be advisable that worksheets, etc. not be reproduced or written in ksav ashuri (printed) Hebrew letters not handwritten script) if possible, and it is advisable that entire p sukim not be reproduced. These worksheets may be disposed or recycled. Jewish newspapers may be put into double plastic bags and then disposed of. This includes such publications as the Jewish Press, the Yated, etc. In Jewish publications such as Likutei P shatim and shul newsletters, only the Divrei Torah sections must have geniza. The social sections may be recycled. E Important note: As the crc will not be collecting shaimos, please do not bring your shaimos to the crc office during the Passover season. crc Pesach Guide

32 YOSEF Y. BEN-ZEV Realtor YOSEFSELLSCHICAGO.COM BUY. RENT. SELL YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SEPCIALIST RESULTS THAT MOVE YOU Stu ingal ervices Phone Cell Call for all your Electrical Repairs! Best Wishes for a Healthy and Happy Passover! Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky Paid for and authorized by Schakowsky for Congress. Umbrella Organization for Chicago-Area Holocaust Survivor Groups and Association of Decendents of the Shoah-Illinois Chag Pesach Kasher v Sameach To the Chicago Holocaust Community, which includes all the Jewish people! ANOTHER PROJECT BY THEFINETOUCH g r a p h i c d e s i g n thefinetouch.com 30 crc Pesach Guide

33 Pic of Danny and Mitch 8052 Monticello Ave Ste. 210 Skokie, IL libenu.org Person-centered, Kosher homes Community Inclusion Vocational and Day Programs Recreational Activities Lev Chicago Respite Consultation and Education Advocacy Please Join us for the 8th Annual Libenu Share the Dream Gala, honoring Mitch Dayan and Danny Hechtman, Wednesday, April 25, crc Pesach Guide

34 Rabbi Yona Reiss Av Beth Din The Mitzvah of Removing Chametz One of the chief precepts in the observance of Pesach is the requirement to get rid of all chametz (leavened foods that have been fermented from wheat, barley, spell, rye, or oats) in our possession. This requirement is a function of the negative prohibitions of the Torah against eating, owning or gaining benefit from chametz, as well as the positive commandment of tashbisu (Shemos 12:15) of eradicating chametz from our midst. There are two fundamental ways to eradicate chametz prior to the time that it is prohibited to benefit from chametz, which occurs at midday on Erev Pesach according to Torah law, and one hour beforehand as a matter of rabbinic law: (a) bedikas chametz and biur chametz searching for, and then destroying the chametz that we find in our possession, which the Talmud derives is a mitzvah that is specifically fulfilled on the evening (searching) and morning (destroying) of Erev Pesach, respectively; and (b) bitul chametz nullifying any chametz in our possession. The Talmud (Pesachim 6b) raises the question as to why bitul chametz is necessary since one is performing bedikas chametz and biur chametz anyway. The answer given is that there is a fear that, despite rigorous checking, someone may neglect to find a piece of chametz. Then, when it is discovered on Pesach, that person may harbor a temporary desire to retain ownership of it, in which case such individual will violate the prohibition against owning chametz on Pesach. The commentators raise the reverse question namely, why is bitul chametz not sufficient? Two different answers are offered: (a) one who nullifies chametz but otherwise retains the chametz in their possession may not have the requisite level of intention to truly nullify the chametz completely; (b) even if the nullification works, there is still a fear that if the chametz is still around, one might come to eat the chametz by mistake on Pesach (see Ran on Pesachim 2a, s.v. Ela ). The ideal fashion of fulfilling the mitzvah of destroying chametz is through burning it (see, e.g., Aruch Hashulchan, O C 445:1). To fulfill the mitzvah of burning the chametz properly, it is necessary that one still own the chametz at the time that it is destroyed. Therefore, the nullification of all chametz in one s possession is only recited immediately after the chametz has been thrown in the fire (Rema, Orach Chaim 434:2). A prior nullification of chametz that one does not know about (not including the chametz that will be eaten or destroyed in the morning) is recited in the evening of Erev Pesach as well. There is a third method of removing chametz, and that is through mechiras chametz selling the chametz to a non- Jew (see Mechiras Chametz Ke-Hilchato, chapter 1, n. 2, that 32 crc Pesach Guide

35 this also constitutes a partial fulfillment of the mitzvah of removing chametz). This method is described in the Tosefta (Pesachim 2:6) and is helpful in terms of enabling certain chametz to be bought back and consumed after Pesach. Even if one performed bitul chametz on certain chametz that one intended to consume after Pesach, the law follows the opinion of Rabbi Yochanan in the Talmud Yerushalmi that such chametz may not be consumed after Pesach because of the fear that the nullification of the chametz was insincere (see Rosh, Pesachim 2:4). In such a case, the chametz has the status of chametz she avar alav hapesach chametz that was Jewishly owned on Pesach, which is therefore forbidden for consumption afterwards. However, if the chametz is sold, such a sale is considered absolute since the non-jew may consume the chametz or not sell it back. Therefore, when it is sold back after Pesach (as is usually the case), the original sellers of the chametz may partake of the chametz at that time. As the practice of mechiras chametz has become more widespread, some rabbinic authorities have recommended that a person perform mechiras chametz even if they do not think that they have any chametz left to sell (see Mechiras Chametz KeHilchato, 1:11). Although this is not an absolute obligation, it is probably a good idea, especially since people may own stock shares and the like that invest in chametz products. The authorities also discuss the possibility of someone who inherits chametz right before Pesach but only finds out about the inheritance afterwards. If a blanket sale of chametz has been performed, then any problems regarding unlawful ownership of chametz (and the permissibility of consuming it afterwards) can be more easily averted. The halakhic authorities discuss whether the mechiras chametz should be performed prior to or after the burning and nullification of the chametz. According to some authorities, the sale should be conducted afterwards, because otherwise the chametz that is being burned and nullified does not technically belong to the Jewish sellers anymore (see, however, Bechor Shor to Pesachim 21a, that nullification pertains even to the chametz that is sold beforehand). On the other hand, if the sale takes place afterwards, there is no chametz left to sell. Therefore, it is generally understood that one s bitul chametz beforehand is not intended to cover the chametz that is set aside for sale. Based on similar considerations, it is common practice is to perform mechiras chametz even prior to the burning and nullification of the chametz with the explicit stipulation made to the non-jewish buyer that a certain amount of chametz is excluded from the sale by the sellers to fulfill the mitzvah of biur chametz. In either event, the mechiras chametz must be completed before the end of the fifth hour of the day when one can still derive benefit from it (Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, O C 114:1). The Ba al Hamaor (on Pesachim 7a) mentions a fourth method of disposing of chametz, namely by eating it. While his opinion, namely that this could even be done later in the day on Erev Pesach, is categorically rejected in halacha, nonetheless this method of disposal has relevance (although not necessarily as a mitzvah fulfillment per se) with respect to the last pieces of chametz that are consumed prior to the time (i.e., until the fourth hour of the day) that chametz becomes prohibited on Erev Pesach. Along these lines, if someone conducts an early sale of chametz (after which there is still the intention to eat more chametz while it is still permitted) it is important to carve out from the sale not only the chametz that will be burned but also the chametz that will still be eaten as well. These four different methodologies of removing chametz through: (a) searching for and destroying chametz; (b) nullifying the chametz; (c) selling the chametz; and (d) consuming the chametz, are good guideposts for our attitude as we prepare for the Pesach festival. The Talmud (Berachos 17a) relates that chametz is a metaphor for the evil inclination, which becomes more pernicious if left to ferment. We should all (a) identify the forces of temptation and distraction in our lives, and destroy them; (b) foster the attitude that illicit pleasures are null and void and of no interest or value to us; (c) transfer matters of distraction to those places where they will be better served and controlled; and (d) only partake in worldly matters that are necessary for our well-being. In taking these steps, we can harness our Pesach preparations in optimal fashion to perfect our spiritual state of mind and level of service to the Almighty. Chag Kasher ve Sameach. E crc Pesach Guide

36 Proper Disposal of Chametz Every Jew is obligated to celebrate the entire holiday of Passover without owning or benefiting from chametz. There are three components to ensuring that this obligation is fulfilled: 1. Mechirat chametz (sale of chametz) 2. Bedika and bitul of chametz (the search for and nullification of chametz) 3. Biur chametz (destruction of chametz) MECHIRAT CHAMETZ One who cannot dispose of all of his chametz before Passover must authorize his Orthodox Rabbi, in advance, to sell this chametz for him to a non-jew. This transaction is completely legal, giving the non-jew all rights of ownership over the chametz that has been sold to him. After the conclusion of the festival, your Rabbi will purchase the chametz from the non-jew. You should wait at least one hour after Passover before using this chametz, to give the Rabbi time to complete the re-purchase of the chametz and restore its ownership to you. All chametz that is to be sold should be placed in a special room or section of the house, together with chametz dishes and utensils, until after Passover. This area should be locked or closed off so that access to it will be difficult. Be sure not to leave any items there which you may need to use during Passover. It is important to list your home address as well as your office address when selling your chametz through your Rabbi. BEDIKAT CHAMETZ The search for chametz is made on Thursday evening, March 29, 2018, immediately after dark. By that time, your home should be thoroughly cleaned of all chametz except for that which you have set aside for the mitzvah of bedikat chametz and that which you intend to eat before it becomes prohibited (for specific times for the 2018 holiday, please see page 9. In preparation for the search, it is customary to spread 10 small pieces of bread around the house. If at all possible, this should be done by someone other than the person who will be conducting the actual search. It is important to be very careful when placing the pieces of chametz that they each be placed in a sealed plastic bag, or other complete containment (e.g. wrapped in paper towel or napkin and totally taped closed with masking tape), to prevent the spread of chametz. Traditionally the search is conducted by the light of a single-wick candle. In contemporary times, however, many poskim (rabbinic decisors) recommend searching with a flashlight to facilitate performing a thorough and safe search. The person conducting the search first recites a blessing: ברוך אתה ד' אלקנו מלך העולם אשר קדשנו במצוותיו וציוונו על בעור חמץ. Ba-ruch a-ta ado-shem elo-keinu me-lech ha-o-lam asher kid shanu b mitz-votav v tzi-vanu al bi-ur chametz. Once the blessing has been recited, one then proceeds with the search, going from room to room to look for the 10 pieces of chametz which were intentionally left out, as well as any other chametz which may have been overlooked or left behind when cleaning for Passover. Using a feather as a brush (where practical), all the chametz is gathered into a bag or cloth, and carefully set aside to be burned the following morning. During the course of the search one should make every effort not to speak except for matters directly pertaining to the search itself. Speaking between reciting the blessing and commencing the search may ac- 34 crc Pesach Guide

37 tually require repeating the blessing. BITUL CHAMETZ After the search for the chametz has been completed, a formal renunciation of ownership or desire to benefit from any undiscovered chametz in one s possession must be recited by everyone. Since the person making this declaration must understand what he or she is reciting, it may be recited in any language the reader understands. Here is the bitul chametz statement, in Aramaic and English: כל חמירא וחמיעה דאכא ברשותי דלא חמיתה ודלא בערתה ודלא ידענא לה לבטל ולהוי הפקר כעפרא דארעא. Any chametz or leaven that is in my possession, which I have not seen, have not removed and do not know about, should be nullified and become ownerless, like dust of the earth. BIUR CHAMETZ On Friday, March 30, 2018, chametz may be eaten no later than 10:25 A.M. Daylight Savings Time in the Chicago area. All chametz to be sold that remains in one s home must be kept in a sealed cabinet or room throughout Passover, as explained above. All chametz that has not been sold (see prior section) must be burned on Friday, March 30, 2018, no later than 11:40 A.M. Daylight Savings Time in the Chicago area. If burning the chametz is impossible or impractical, one should be certain to dispose of it in another fashion, such as by flushing it down the toilet or placing it in a public trash can. Please note that due to environmental concerns, if the chametz was collected and/or placed in plastic bags during the process of Bedikat Chametz, the chametz should be removed from any plastic bag or plastic container before it is burned, and the plastic bag should be placed in a public trash can. The following formula is recited at the time of burning: כל חמירא וחמיעה דאכא ברשותי דלא חמיתה ודלא בערתה ודלא ידענא לה לבטל ולהוי הפקר כעפרא דארעא. Any chametz or leaven that is in my possession, whether I have recognized it or not, whether I have seen it or not, whether I have removed it or not, should be nullified and become ownerless, like dust of the earth. As a community service, the Agudah will hold a public biur chametz on Friday, March 30, 2018 between 8:00 A.M. and 11:00 A.M. in the parking lots of Yeshivas Ohr Boruch at 2828 W. Pratt Blvd. and JDBY at 3200 W. Peterson Ave., both in Chicago. To allow for complete burning in time, no chametz will accepted after 11:00 A.M. E Pre-Passover Cleaning Checklist DISPOSAL OF CHAMETZ CHECK LIST Did you remember to Q check your medicine cabinet for sprays, toiletries, and cosmetics including mouthwash, that are not recommended for Passover use? Q thoroughly clean and wash the playpen, including padding, as well as the high chair and crib, carriages and strollers, as well as toy boxes? Q make certain that your pets are not fed chametz during Passover? Q turn your children s pockets inside-out to shake out all crumbs; see that all family members do the same with their clothes? (Women should also be careful not to leave candy, gum, or chametz cosmetics in their purses.) Q thoroughly clean the glove compartment of the car, and vacuum the inside of both the front and back seats, as well as the trunk? Q meticulously clean your kitchen area: stove, cupboards, refrigerator, table top, shelves, sink, etc.? Q kasher any utensils or silverware before Friday, March 30, 2018 at 11:40 A.M. (in the Chicago area)? Q check the drawers, filing cabinets, etc. in your office, as well as in your home, for chametz you may have forgotten? Q replace all vacuum cleaner bags? crc Pesach Guide

38 Rabbi Leonard A. Matanky Chairman, crc Kashrut Commission, Rabbi, Congregation K.I.N.S. of West Rogers Park, Dean, Ida Crown Jewish Academy A Basic Guide to the Sale of Chametz American Jews take Pesach very seriously. In fact, according to the Pew Research Center, 70% of American Jews participate in a Seder - which is more than the number who light Shabbat candles, fast on Yom Kippur, or keep kosher at home. We take Pesach very seriously - which is the reason that we not only clean our homes assiduously and nullify any remaining chametz religiously, but in modern times we sell our chametz halachically. It s not that Jews never sold chametz to a non-jew before Pesach. But, until the Middle Ages, at Pesach-time Jews would simply remove their chametz from their homes and sell it outright to a non-jew. But then, in the Middle Ages, Jews began to operate distilleries which had so much chametz on premises that it could no longer be removed. As a result, the 16th-century Polish sage, Rabbi Yoel Sirkis, known as the Ba Ch, introduced the novel idea to both sell the chametz and rent the spaces where it was stored, so that the chametz would no longer be controlled by the Jewish owner. This is the very same halachic procedure we follow today, as modern food technologies allow us to store so much chametz in our homes that it is unreasonable to expect Jews to remove everything tht could be sold. But the sale of chametz and rental of space is not a simple halachic matter, one that a typical layman knows how to do. Enter the rabbi - who despite common parlance - does not buy the chametz before Pesach. Rather, the rabbi serves as the designated agent, shaliach, to arrange for the sale of chametz on behalf of his congregants. Procedurally, appointing an agent is very simple and can be accomplished by contract or through a symbolic transfer known as kinyan chalifin - the lifting of a handkerchief or other such item. Ideally, this action is done in person, but when necessary can be done by mail or even over the phone. Therefore, rabbis typically make themselves available to their membership for several weeks before Pesach so that laymen can appoint them as agents, completing a form which details where all of the chametz will be stored. At that time, and to add to the seriousness of this exchange, there is also a custom to pay the rabbi (often a donation to a special fund) for his services. On Erev Pesach the rabbi will arrange for the sale of all the chametz from all of the people who have assigned him as their agent to a non-jew. (For those who travel to Israel, and because of the eight-hour time difference, we also conduct a special sale of chametz on the day before.) At the crc, this is accomplished in the presence of a Beth Din overseen by HaRav Yona Reiss, shlit a. To avoid any of the many halachic issues that may arise, the sale is accomplished through a number of different halachic methods as follows: First, there is a contract that is written between the buyer (the non-jew) and the sellers. This contract is a legal document and includes provisions regarding the rental of locations where the chametz is stored, different types of chametz, chametz that may have been missed, and even when the sellers may be in a different time zone the buyers. Next there is a transfer of money, a down payment for the rented spaces, and the chametz which will be fully appraised following the conclusion of the holiday. This is followed by a kinyan chalifin, the exchange of an item such as a handkerchief; a handshake, tekiat kaf; a verbal agreement, kinyan odita; and the rental of space through which the moveable property (the chametz) can also be acquired. All of these steps are safeguards, just in case the ownership of the chametz may not be adequately transferred, and the process while well-practiced and detailed, requires great expertise and experience. But it s all real, and it s all 100% legal. So, if during Pesach the non-jew wanted to get a bowl of chametz cereal from one of the seller s homes - he could! And if after Pesach the non-jew chose to finish paying for all of the chametz, it would be his. But that s the way it is supposed to be - because we take Pesach very seriously. E 36 crc Pesach Guide

39 Guidelines for Those Leaving Home Before Passover BEDIKAT CHAMETZ SEARCH FOR CHAMETZ As outlined in the Shulchan Aruch (Rabbi Yosef Karo s Code of Jewish Law), anyone leaving home before the traditional evening of bedikat chametz, must carry out the search on the night before he or she departs. However, since this is not the normal evening for bedika, no bracha is recited. Another option is to appoint a sheliach agent to perform the bedika at the normal time in one s home. On the morning of Erev Passover (Friday, March 30, 2018), the statement of bitul must be pronounced. If that morning one will be in a location where the latest time for owning chametz is different than it is in the place where his home is located or anywhere else he may own chametz, he must be certain to recite the statement of On Friday, March 30, 2018, Taanit B chorim, Fast of First Born Sons, is held to commemorate their deliverance from death during the tenth plague in Egypt. All firstborn males, whether firstborn to their father or their mother, should fast. Even one born through Caesarian section should fast, according to many Poskim (decisors), although some rule leniently in this case. If a woman s first pregnancy ended in a miscarriage, even if she was already at an advanced stage in the pregnancy, or even if she delivered a stillborn child, the first baby who is born to her afterwards, if male, would be considered a firstborn in this regard. If a couple has a firstborn son who is not yet Bar Mitzvah age but is at least 30 days old, it is customary for his father to fast on his behalf. A distinguishing feature of this fast is that although it is recorded in the Shulchan Aruch (O.C. 470:1), it does not have a Talmudic source and is classified as a minhag (custom), rather than a law. For this reason, if on Erev Passover a firstborn would attend a seudat mitzvah (meal held in honor of the fulfilment of a mitzvah), such as a brit milah (ritual circumcision), pidyon haben (redemption of the firstborn), or siyum mesechet (completion of the study of bitul prior to the earliest of these times. MECHIRAT CHAMETZ SELLING THE CHAMETZ Taanit B chorim Because of differing opinions regarding those who travel to Eastern time zones (where the holiday begins earlier) a separate sale of chametz is arranged earlier in the home community for those traveling towards the Eastern time zones. Another option would be the transfer of the chametz as a gift to someone else who remains in the community; the recipient of the gift would arrange the sale of the chametz. This should only be done under the guidance of an Orthodox Rabbi, to ensure its halachic validity. Any other questions regarding the laws of pre-passover travel should be addressed to the Rabbi as well. a tractate in the Talmud), he would be permitted to partake of the seudah and would be exempt from fasting for the duration of the day. It has become common practice for individuals to conduct a siyum on Erev Passover after morning services in the synagogue so that all attending firstborn males, as well as fathers of firstborn males who are not yet Bar Mitzvah age, will avoid the need to fast. In the event that a firstborn is unable to participate in a siyum on Erev Passover and he knows that fasting the entire day will severely impact his ability to perform the mitzvot of the Seder night properly, he should not fast. However, the Mishnah Berurah (670:2) recommends that in such a case one should limit his eating to light foods, avoiding a regular meal. Other Poskim (Responsa Olas Shmuel, 58, quoted in Kaf HaChaim 670:8) suggest that the proper approach would be to fast only until chatzot hayom (mid-day). Rav Yoseph Eliyahu Henkin, zt l (Kisvei HaGaon Rav Y.E. Henkin, vol. 2:31) maintains that redeeming the fast with charity (i.e. donating to charity an amount that equals what one typically eats during the course of a day) is actually the most recommended course of action. E Note: For specific questions about these laws, please consult your Orthodox Rabbi. crc Pesach Guide

40 Rabbi Sholem Fishbane Kashruth Administrator Is My Damaged Chicken Kosher? Q&A WITH RABBI FISHBANE I found a broken bone in my chicken (see Picture #1), can I eat it? If there is visible bruise or lots of blood near the break, the chicken is likely not kosher. If there are none of these then the break likely happened after the shechitah (when the chicken was flapping in the cones or being hung on the conveyor belt) and the chicken is kosher. The chicken has a bruise in it which is red (or black) (see Picture #2). Can I eat it? If there are no broken bones the chicken itself may be eaten, but the bruise itself is collected blood which in itself is not kosher. The mashgiach in the plant should have noticed it and made a slit in the bruise to allow the salt to take effect on the dense area. If you notice a slit on the bruise, you can eat it. If there is no slit, then you should cut out the bruise, and can then consume the rest of the chicken. What about a pinkish color at the narrow end of the drumstick (see Picture #3)? If it is a light pinkish color as is common it is permitted even if the bone is broken, as this likely happened just after shechitah. If, however, the bone is broken and the coloring is a darker red or the color is spread over a large area, the chicken should not be eaten. One piece of chicken in the package was so banged up that the Rabbi said I shouldn t eat it (see Picture #4). What about the other pieces of chicken in that pack? If they are separate pieces (not attached), they can be eaten since these pieces are unlikely from the same chicken. What if it was a whole chicken; I understand that I cannot eat any part of that chicken but what about the liver which came with it? If the liver is in a bag it is unlikely to have come from that specific chicken, and it can be eaten. 38 crc Pesach Guide

41 was. I already cooked the chicken, do I have to kasher my pan and oven? You may well have to kasher your pan and oven, and should address that question to your Rabbi who will weigh how seriously not kosher the chicken actually There seems to be red juice coming out of the meat when I broil it. Is that blood? No. That is called tzir which is not halachically dam, and is permitted. There are brown or pink things on the inside of the chicken (near the ribs) that I don t usually see. Are those the chicken s internal organs? Can I eat them? Those are likely the kidneys (brown) or lungs (pink) that the industrial vacuum missed, and they need to be removed. They should have been removed before melichah (salting) so as to allow the salt to have direct contact with the meat. You should remove them yourself, and the rest of the chicken can be eaten. E Give us your two cents for a chance to win a $100 Amex gift card. Take our online survey to help us make the crc Pesach guide better! Visit or scan the QR code to access the survey online crc Pesach Guide

42 100% Match until April 13th! Passover -> Freedom -> Jewish Direction Our children have questions Jewish education provides answers Support our Jewish Community Day Schools DONATE NOW AND HAVE A DOUBLE IMPACT (224) May you have a Happy Passover!!! 40 crc Pesach Guide

43 Rabbi Akiva Niehaus Rabbinical Coordinator, Transportation and Liquor Departments The Laws of Eruv Tavshilin As we approach the holiday of Pesach 5778, it may be prudent to review the laws of Eruv Tavshilin, because we will have the privilege of performing this special mitzvah prior to the last days of Yom Tov. When Yom Tov falls out on Friday leading into Shabbos, every household must prepare an Eruv Tavshilin before Yom Tov in preparation for Shabbos. By setting aside some cooked food and bread in honor of Shabbos before the onset of Yom Tov, one is permitted to prepare Shabbos foods on Friday. Let us explore why it is necessary, how it works, and the procedure used. THE BACKGROUND On Yom Tov, like Shabbos, one may not transgress the 39 forbidden melachos, with a few exceptions. One of the exceptions is the melacha of bishul (cooking) as it states (Shemos 12:16), the only work that may be performed on Yom Tov is that which is needed so that everyone will be able to eat. However, cooking on Yom Tov is only permitted if the food will be consumed on Yom Tov; cooking for a later date, be it a regular weekday, another day of Yom Tov, or Shabbos, is forbidden, and according to some opinions, may involve a Biblical prohibition. Accordingly, when Yom Tov occurs on Friday, it should be forbidden to prepare food on Friday for the next day, Shabbos. How, then, is one able to prepare fresh, tasty food for Shabbos? To alleviate this concern, Chazal instituted a new procedure called Eruv Tavshilin, literally, the mixture of foods. If one prepares food for Shabbos before the onset of Yom Tov, he may continue the preparation for Shabbos on Yom Tov. The rationale for this is that if one begins the food preparation before Yom Tov, any cooking on Yom Tov is considered a mere continuation of the original cooking (Rama O.C. 527:1). Initially, one must be careful to ensure that all food prepared on Friday is edible before Shabbos begins. However, in extenuating circumstances, one may prepare food on Friday for Shabbos even if the food will not be edible when Shabbos begins (Mishnah Berurah 527:3). 1 Accordingly, special care must be taken to ensure that the cholent is prepared early enough on Friday to allow it to be edible (at least one-third cooked) by the time Shabbos begins. As an extension of the above requirement, many people have a custom to accept Shabbos early when Yom Tov falls on Friday to ensure that all food preparation is completed well before nightfall (ibid). THE PROCEDURE The Eruv should be prepared on Erev Yom Tov, i.e. Thursday. If the Eruv was prepared on an earlier day, the Eruv is effective but should ideally be prepared again on Erev Yom Tov without a bracha (Shulchan Aruch 527:14). The Eruv consists of two food items: one cooked and one crc Pesach Guide

44 baked. 2 As explained, by setting aside a cooked item and a baked item for Shabbos before the onset of Yom Tov, all subsequent preparations are considered a continuation of the original preparation rather than a new preparation. For this reason, we set aside a cooked item and a baked item because the vast majority of food preparations involve cooking and baking. The cooked item should be at least the size of a k zayis (approximately 1 fluid ounce) (Shulchan Aruch 527:3). It should be an item that is usually accompanied by bread (e.g. meat, fish, or eggs); common custom is to use a hard-boiled egg. 3 Although one may use a cooked food even if it was not cooked specifically for the Eruv, the optimal form of the mitzvah is performed when one cooks a food specifically for the Eruv. 4 The baked item should ideally be whole and at least the size of a k beitza (2 fl. oz.), but it is sufficient if the piece is at least the size of a k zayis (Rama 527:3). Ideally one should use bread (when an Eruv is done in preparation for Shabbos on a Yom Tov other than Pesach) or matzah, but if these are unavailable, cake or cookies from the five species of grain may be used. Many people have a custom to use matzah as the baked item. The baked and cooked items are held in one s hand and the following beracha is recited: al mitzvas eiruv, followed by the declaration, Bahadein eiruva as printed in many siddurim. The declaration states that, with the Eruv, preparation for Shabbos may take place on Yom Tov. It is important that one understand the meaning of the declaration; if necessary, the declaration may be recited in English. 5 After the declaration, the food items should be stored in a safe location so that they remain intact until Shabbos. In fact, the Eruv must stay intact until the preparations for Shabbos have been completed. 6 It is customary to use the Eruv s baked item, if it is a whole bread or matzah, for lechem mishnah on Shabbos, and then to eat the Eruv-foods during Seudah Shlishis. 7 WHAT KIND OF PREPARATIONS ARE PERMITTED? The Eruv is primarily designed to allow cooking and baking on Friday for Shabbos. In addition, the Eruv permits activities indirectly related to food preparation (e.g. lighting candles and washing dishes with hot water); it also permits preparations which do not involve melachah (e.g. straightening up the house for Shabbos). Other preparations which involve melachah and are not food-related (e.g. carrying a machzor to shul on Friday for Shabbos through a public domain) are subject to dispute; therefore, it is preferable to derive benefit from it on Yom Tov itself. 10 It is important to stress that preparing the Eruv Tavshilin only permits actions which may be performed on Yom Tov and were prohibited merely because they were done in preparation for Shabbos; actions which are prohibited to be done on Yom Tov (e.g. turning on and off lights, using electric appliances) are never permitted, even if an Eruv was prepared. Additionally, the Eruv Tavshilin only allows preparation for Shabbos; preparation for a weekday remains prohibited. WHO NEEDS TO PREPARE AN ERUV TAVSHILIN? Any household which intends to cook, bake, or even reheat food on Friday for Shabbos, must prepare an Eruv Tavshilin. 11 Those who do not intend to do any food preparation may still need to prepare an Eruv for other preparations (see footnote). 12 One Eruv is sufficient for all members of the household (Mishnah Berurah 527:56). A guest in a hotel or in someone s home needs to prepare an Eruv and does not automatically become part of the household s Eruv (see footnote). 13 E FORGOT TO PREPARE THE ERUV? If one forgot to prepare the Eruv before the onset of Yom Tov and remembered before tzeis hakochavim (nightfall), he may still prepare the Eruv Tavshilin. 8 If he does not remember until after tzeis hakochavim, he may no longer prepare the Eruv, and should consult his Rav as to how he should conduct himself on Yom Tov crc Pesach Guide

45 FOOTNOTES 1 The rationale for this requirement is based on the following: Logic dictates that a Rabbinical institution, such as Eruv Tavshilin, may not override a Biblical prohibition; it is thus self-evident that the Eruv Tavshilin is only effective where there is no Biblical prohibition. As explained above, according to some opinions, cooking on Yom Tov for Shabbos may involve a Biblical prohibition. In order to accommodate these opinions, one must be careful to ensure that all food prepared on Friday is edible before Shabbos begins, thus avoiding the Biblical prohibition. However, in extenuating circumstances, one may rely on the other opinions which rule that preparing food for Shabbos does not involve a Biblical prohibition (ibid.). 2 According to most opinions, the main component of the Eruv is the cooked item not the baked item because the term cooking encompasses baking as well. However, in order to accommodate the position of some opinions which rule that baking is not included in the term cooking, one must set aside a baked item as well. If one set aside a baked item for the Eruv but failed to set aside a cooked item, the Eruv is not valid and must be prepared again in the proper way. If, however, one set aside a cooked item but failed to set aside a baked item, the Eruv is valid (Shulchan Aruch 527:2). Nonetheless, if one remembers before the onset of Yom Tov that he forgot to set aside a baked item, he should take a baked item along with the cooked item and say the declaration again without repeating the bracha (Mishnah Berurah 527:7). 3 One explanation for this custom is that the Eruv must stay intact and edible until the preparations for Shabbos are finished. Accordingly, one must use a food item which does not spoil quickly, so the custom developed to use a hard-boiled egg, which satisfies this requirement (Aruch HaShulchan 527:13, Ben Ish Chai - Shanah 1, Tzav 1). As an aside, one should be careful to leave the egg in its shell because, according to many opinions, an egg should not be eaten if it was left overnight without its shell (see Aruch HaShulchan Y.D. 116:22). If the egg was shelled, it should be mixed with another food (e.g. mayonnaise) before the night passes. 4 See Biur Halacha, 527:6, s.v. adashim. 5 See Mishnah Berurah 527:40. 6 If the baked item was eaten (or ruined) before preparations for Shabbos took place but the cooked food is intact, Shabbos preparations may continue as usual (Mishnah Berurah 527:46). If, however, the cooked item was eaten, the Eruv is disqualified, unless a k zayis of the food remains (Shulchan Aruch 527:15). If the Eruv is ruined or eaten while one is in the midst of food preparation, preparation of that particular food may be completed (ibid. 527:17). 7 Mishnah Berurah 527:48. The reason for this is that once an item is used for a mitzvah, it should be used for additional mitzvos (ibid.). 8 Rama 527:1. If doing so will cause one to miss the correct time to recite mincha, he should appoint a messenger to make the Eruv on his behalf. Alternatively, he may give all the food items he wishes to prepare for Shabbos as a present to a friend who prepared an Eruv and ask the friend to cook and bake the food (Mishnah Berurah 527:4). 9 In extenuating circumstances, there is a possibility that one may be able to rely on the Rav s Eruv. In addition, (a) on any Yom Tov other than Rosh Hashanah, there is an option to make the Eruv on the first day of Yom Tov with a t nai - a condition (see Shulchan Aruch 527:22 for more details), and (b) one who forgets to prepare the Eruv may still light Shabbos candles but should only light one candle (Mishnah Berurah 527:55). 10 See Mishnah Berurah 302:17, Levush 528:2, Noda B Yehuda Tinyana O.C. 25, and Kinyan Torah 3:70:2. 11 T shuvos Shevet HaKahasi 2: One who does not intend to heat or prepare food on Friday for Shabbos may still need to prepare the Eruv for other activities, such as lighting Shabbos candles or carrying items in a public domain. According to many Poskim, the Eruv should be prepared and the declaration recited, but the bracha should be omitted (Kaf HaChaim 527:113). Nevertheless, one who intends to light Shabbos candles and may possibly cook or bake for Shabbos should prepare the Eruv as normal (Chut Shani, Yom Tov pg. 150). 13 The guest may ask permission to join the household Eruv and pick up the Eruv food with intention to acquire a portion of the food prior to the Eruv setup. Alternatively, the guest may prepare his own Eruv, but should do so without a bracha (Chut Shani ibid. pg. 154). Guests who have been given free reign of the house and are welcome to help themselves to food and drink without specific permission (e.g. children visiting their parents home for Yom Tov) are likely included in the household Eruv. Give us your two cents for a chance to win a $100 Amex gift card. Take our online survey to help us make the crc Pesach guide better! Visit or scan the QR code to access the survey online crc Pesach Guide

46 The Seder Passover, through the Seder, is an active demonstration of both our spiritual and physical redemption from Egypt; the foods we eat, prayers we say, and the stories we tell bring this experience to life. Our guide is the Haggadah a book filled with Scripture, Rabbinic teachings, songs, prayers and rituals a work unique to the holiday of Passover. BEFORE THE SEDER The Seder table should be set before nightfall with the following items: 1) Seder Plate - The Seder plate should contain - starting from top left (NE) going clockwise the following: a. an egg, hard-boiled and lightly roasted, to commemorate the korban chagigah (festival sacrifice) b. a roasted piece of meat or chicken or meat or chicken bone (with some meat on the bone), to commemorate the korban Pesach (Passover sacrifice) c. charoset (usually made of grated apple, ground walnuts, cinnamon, red wine and dates), to symbolize the mortar used for making the bricks of the cities our ancestors were forced to build for Pharoah. Many in the Sephardic community add to the charoset fruits to which our People are compared, such as raisins, pomegranates, cinnamon, ginger and other sweet ingredients. d. chazeret (Romaine lettuce), a type of maror, which along with the maror reminds us of the bitter slavery. Please note that the lettuce must be checked for insects prior to the onset of the holiday. The process to do this may be found on pages and on our website at e. karpas (celery, parsley, boiled potato, etc.), which will be dipped in salt water to arouse curiosity of the children f. (in the middle of the plate) maror (the bitter herb ground or grated horseradish) Sephardim don t use horseradish, as it has a sharp taste and not a bitter one. The Sephardic custom is to use the fresh leaves or stalks of Romaine lettuce or endives, but not the root. 2) Bowl of salt water for dipping the karpas Some in the Sephardic community dip the karpas into vinegar instead of salt water. 3) Three whole matzot shmura should be placed under or in front of the Seder plate. They should be covered and separated from each other by a napkin or cloth. 44 crc Pesach Guide

47 Note: Matzot shmura are matzot that were made specifically for the sake of the mitzvah of matzah and from wheat that was protected from moisture from the time of its harvest. They are the matzot that one should use for the obligations of the Seder. For more information regarding matzot at the seder see the Matzah article pages Most Sephardim permit matzah ashira, which is made from fruit juice or eggs on Passover, although not for the mitzvah of lechem oni (Motzi Matzah). Please check with your Orthodox Rabbi to determine the appropriate use of these products on Passover. 4) Seats should be equipped with cushions, so that the participants can lean on their left sides while eating and reciting the Haggadah (except for eating of the maror) to imitate free people and nobility. 5) Everyone should have a cup that holds at least 3.3 fluid ounces (except on Friday night when the first cup must contain at least 4.42 fluid ounces). While one should drink the entire cup or at least most of the cup, the obligation is fulfilled if at least 1.7 fluid ounces is consumed after each blessing over the wine. Most Sephardim only recite blessings over the first and third cups of wine. 6) Enough wine should be available to fill four cups for each person at the Seder. Red wine is preferable, but white wine may also be used. Children and pregnant women, or people who for health reasons cannot drink wine, may fulfill the obligation with grape juice (preferably, with a little wine mixed in). Fill each of the four cups to the brim. If you must dilute 100% grape juice with water, the ratio should not exceed two-thirds cup water to onethird cup grape juice. If you don t have enough wine to perform the mitzva (Kiddush, Havdalah, etc.) you may add water, but not more than twofifths cup wine to three-fifths cup water. Note: The bracha over all these mixtures is Hagafen. 7) A separate cup designated as Kos Eliyahu (Elijah s Cup). This cup will not be drunk. THE STEPS OF THE SEDER The measurements in the following sections are calculated according to Rabbi Gedalia Dov Schwartz, Rosh Beth Din of the Chicago Rabbinical Council, based on the halachic decisions of the late Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, zt l, that are quoted by his son, Rabbi Dovid Feinstein Shlit a in his Haggadah, Kol Dodi. At the beginning of the Seder, many Sephardic communities have a young child go outside the door of the house and knock. Who s there? ask those on the inside. An Israelite, responds the child. Where are you coming from? they ask. From Egypt, says the child. Where are you going? they ask. To the Land of Israel! the child exclaims. The child then re-enters the house, and the Seder begins. I. Kiddush, sanctifying the day over a cup of wine, is recited while holding the cup in the right hand. Those who will not be making kiddush for themselves should listen to the leader (or someone else) say the bracha (blessing), keeping in mind that they are fulfilling their obligation through this recitation, and say amen when the blessing is completed. Everyone then drinks the majority of their cup while leaning to their left. (Try to finish the drink in two gulps.) II. Urchatz, washing the hands. Water is poured from III. IV. a cup, twice on the right hand and twice on the left. Don t say a blessing on the washing. Karpas (celery, parsley, boiled potato, etc.) is then dipped in the salt water and eaten, after reciting the blessing borei pri ha adama as printed in the Haggadah. Yachatz, the middle matzah, is broken into two. The larger piece is set aside for the Afikoman, which is eaten later, and the smaller piece is kept with the other two matzot. crc Pesach Guide

48 V. Maggid, the telling of the Passover story. Relating the story of our Exodus from Egypt is the vital mitzvah of the Seder night. The Torah teaches us that one is specifically obligated to tell the story of Passover to the children (V hegadita l vincha, Exodus 13:8). It is therefore important for everyone present, and children in particular, to understand the story. Throughout the Seder, it is appropriate to offer commentary or insights into the Exodus, and anyone who amplifies the story through questions, interpretations, or discussion, is deemed to be praiseworthy. Most importantly, children should be encouraged to raise any questions they have at the Seder separate from the well-known Mah Nishtana to further demonstrate the true meaning of freedom. VI. Rochtza, washing hands as before, but this time a blessing is recited: ( al netilat yadaim ). Don t speak from the time you wash your hands until after you have eaten the matzah. VII. Motzi Matzah, the blessing and eating of the matzah. The leader of the Seder holds all three matzot, and recites the blessing over bread ( hamotzi lechem min ha aretz ). He then drops the bottom matzah and recites the blessing over eating matzah ( al achilat matzah ). Finally, he distributes a small piece of each of the top two matzot to the participants (who supplement their portion from other matzah shmurah on the table) to amount to a piece or pieces equivalent in size to 6 inches by 7.5 inches). Everyone now eats, while leaning on the left side. Try to eat this matzah within about 3 minutes. VIII. Maror, (bitter herbs - grated, raw horseradish or romaine lettuce). Say the blessing ( al achilat maror ) just before you eat the maror. Dip the maror in the charoset, then shake it off and eat the maror without leaning. The measurements for how much should be eaten are dependent on what is being used as maror as follows: a) For pure, grated horseradish, eat an amount that can be compacted into a vessel measuring 1.1 fluid ounces, or b) for whole-leaf Romaine lettuce, eat enough leaves to cover an area of 8 by 10 inches, or c) for Romaine lettuce stalks only, eat enough stalks to cover an area of 3 by 5 inches. IX. Koreich, a sandwich is made, using a little of the bottom matzah (add from the table s supply if necessary) and maror. The total amount of matzah should be a piece or pieces equivalent in size to 6 inches by 4 inches. The measurements for how much maror should be eaten are dependent on what is being used as maror as follows: a) For pure, grated horseradish, eat an amount that can be compacted into a vessel measuring.7 fluid ounces, or b) for whole-leaf Romaine lettuce, eat enough leaves to cover an area of 8 by 10 inches, or c) for Romaine lettuce stalks only, eat enough stalks to cover an area of 3 by 5 inches. Don t say a separate blessing on koreich, but do say the paragraph, zecher lemikdash kehillel beforehand. X. Shulchan Oreich, the festive meal is now eaten. Many people have a custom to eat boiled eggs dipped in salt water. One should take care not to overeat at the meal, as one must leave room for two more cups of wine, and the matzah of the Afikoman. Roasted meat should not be served at the meal, so as not to appear as though we are bringing the Paschal sacrifice outside the Temple. The meal should be eaten while leaning, and one should discuss the Haggadah during the meal as well. XI. Tzafun, dessert. At the end of the meal, the Afikoman (matzah set aside during Yachatz, adding from the table s supply if necessary) is eaten while leaning. No blessing is said, and the total amount of matzah to be eaten should be a piece or pieces equivalent in size to 6 inches by 6.5 inches. Nothing should be eaten or drunk after the Afikoman except for water and the two remaining cups of wine. Some Sephardic communities pass the Afikoman around the Seder table from right shoulder to right shoulder, thus reenacting the Exodus from Egypt. XII. Bareich, the Grace After Meals is recited. Don t forget to insert the appropriate prayer for Pesach ( ya aleh veyavoh ). XIII. Hallel, prayers in praise of Hashem. XIV. Nirtzah, the conclusion of the Seder, including traditional festive songs. 46 crc Pesach Guide

49 SEDER PLATE NOTE: If someone prepares any of the seder items on the first night of Yom Tov, it must be intended to be eaten on the first day of Yom Tov. If one intends to use the same egg or bone on both nights, it must be prepared before Yom Tov. If the maror or charoset wasn t prepared before Yom Tov, it should be chopped or ground with a shinui (different method), so as to avoid the melacha of grinding. Romaine lettuce and many other vegetables must be checked for insects prior to the onset of the holiday. The process to do this may be found on our website and on pages of this guide. Beitza, the egg, hard-boiled and lightly roasted, commemorates the korban chagigah (festival sacrifice). An egg represents the circle of life and is used because it s the traditional food for mourners in Jewish custom. It reminds us of the destruction of the Bais HaMikdash (Holy Temple) and our inability to bring this sacrifice. DID YOU KNOW that the first day of Pesach falls on the same day of the week as Tisha B Av? Zro a, roasted piece of meat or chicken, or a meat or chicken bone, commemorates the korban Pesach (Passover sacrifice), which, unfortunately, we cannot bring nowadays. The zro a may not be eaten on the seder night, because we do not eat any roasted meat or fowl on the seder night. DID YOU KNOW that unlike many depictions of the zroa a on the seder plate, there must be some meat left on the bone? Charoset (usually made of grated apple, ground walnuts, cinnamon, red wine and dates) symbolizes the mortar used to make the bricks of the cities we were forced to build for Pharoah. Charoset at the seder may only be eaten during meal; during Maror and Koraich, the vegetable should be dipped into the charoset and shaken off. DID YOU KNOW that the texture of the charoset should be more like a compote/ apple sauce not large chunks? Karpas (celery, boiled potato, parsley etc.) is a vegetable, which is dipped into salt water. The vegetable reminds us of the spring season, and the salt water reminds us of the bitter tears we cried while enslaved in Egypt. The word karpas is composed of an anagram for the Hebrew word parech, hard work, and the Hebrew letter samech, which has a numerical value (gematria) of 60, representing the 600,000 Jews who left Egypt. DID YOU KNOW that the (salt) water also represents the mikvah (in this case the Nile River) in which the Jews immersed themselves in order to eat the matzah and korban Pesach? Maror (the bitter herb ground horseradish root) represents the bitter slavery we endured in Egypt. The horseradish is grated or ground and should not be mixed with other ingredients; prepared jarred horseradish should not be used. DID YOU KNOW that we have two bitter herbs on the table, because we eat maror twice at the seder? Chazeret (Romaine lettuce), which, as a type of maror, reminds us of the bitter slavery. While many people use the traditional Romaine lettuce as chazeret, others use whole horseradish root. DID YOU KNOW that Romaine lettuce is used to remind us how the Egyptian slavery began in an easy way and then became harder, just as Romaine is sweet when it s young and bitter when it s older? crc Pesach Guide

50 Rabbi Dovid Cohen Administrative Rabbinic Coordinator Matzah The food which is most-closely associated with Pesach is undoubtedly matzah, the flat simple bread made of just flour and water, and baked so quickly and carefully that the batter has no chance to ferment/rise. Until modern times, every family baked their own fresh matzah just before and/or on Pesach, and for those people the halachos of baking matzah for Pesach was quite a practical topic. Nowadays, just about everyone purchases their matzos from a professional matzah bakery, and we will therefore limit our discussion to the halachos that are relevant to the average consumer. MATZAH SH MURAH It is axiomatic that all food eaten on Pesach must be free of chametz. In addition, the Torah teaches that matzah used for the mitzvos at the Seder must meet a higher standard known as matzah sh murah (literally watched matzah ). The basic requirements to qualify as matzah sh murah are that (a) the process of creating the matzah is carefully and specially watched to ensure that the matzah does not become chametz,(שמירה) and (b) that shemirah/watching is done with the specific intention that the matzah produced might be used at the Seder.(לשמה) When must this watching begin? There are three opinions: Rif and Rambam say that it must begin at kitzirah/harvest, Rosh holds that it should be from the time of techina/milling, and Ran says that it is sufficient if the batter is watched from the time of lishah/kneading through baking. Shulchan Aruch cites all three of these opinions and states that it is good/best to follow the strictest opinion. If that is not possible, then at least the matzah should be watched from the time of techina, and if one is unable to obtain either of these types of matzah then they can rely on the most lenient opinion which allows for watching from the time of lishah. There is yet another question as to whether shemirah can be accomplished through mere watching or if there is a requirement that the watcher actively participate in the processing of the grain, flour, and/or dough. Biur Halacha records the common practice to rely on simple watching for kitzirah and techina, but require the watcher s participation from lishah and on. In practice this means that a Jew will oversee the operation of the combine/harvester and the milling/grinding machinery without actually manning that equipment, but will have hands-on participation in the kneading and baking of the matzah. All hand-made Pesach matzah with a reputable hashgachah is sh murah from the time of kitzirah/harvesting and on. Typically, such matzah relies on Biur Halacha that the watcher must only participate from lishah and on; any that meet the higher standard of having a qualified person actually participate in the kitzirah and techina 48 crc Pesach Guide 5778

51 will be specially marked. There is a significant difference of opinion as to whether a Jew who is not Shomer Shabbos is able to create matzah sh murah. Briefly, some hold that he is disqualified because he does not perform mitzvos, others hold that since he is a Jew he is able to fulfill this role, and a third opinion differentiates between types of non-practicing Jews. Different matzah bakeries have adopted different standards on this question, and this point is a significant distinguishing factor between matzah brands. Consumers are advised to consult with their Rabbi to determine the standard they should be looking for, and then check with the matzah bakeries to ascertain which matzos meet that standard. HANDMADE MATZAH V S. MACHINE-MADE MATZAH The first machines to assist in the production of matzah were created in the 1800s. At the time there was a fierce debate as to whether matzos made in such machines could be used on Pesach, particularly at the Seder, and this controversy centered primarily on two issues. The design of the machines might encourage chimutz by warming the dough and/or leaving areas where dough might get trapped and sit for extended times. In contrast, others maintain that a well-designed machine is actually more dependable than a human in preventing chimutz. Is matzah kneaded by a human-controlled machine considered sh murah and acceptable for use at the Seder or must the Jew actually perform the kneading himself? As the design of matzah-baking machinery changed over time, the debate also shifted. At first, the machines were less sophisticated and involved in very minimal parts of the matzah-baking process. Consequently, the latter concern was not as meaningful. However, as the technology developed there was less and less human involvement in the production, and the question of whether such matzos qualify as sh murah became more pronounced. A negative outcome of the modernization of matzah-baking machinery was that some of the more automated designs are modeled after the production lines used in making crackers which tend to have relatively long stretches of time when the dough is not being worked (esek). This is a radical change from the traditional process of creating handmade matzah, which focuses on never leaving the dough without esek for more than a few seconds. Certain machine-matzah bakeries are more careful about this issue than others, and consumers interested in matzos that meet the higher standard should consult with their local Rabbi who can help them determine which matzah to purchase. On the positive side, we note that matzah-baking machinery has led to the commercialization of matzah production, and currently most Jews can purchase machine-made matzah more easily and for considerably less money than handmade matzah, which has made observance of the Yom Tov more feasible for the multitudes. At the current time, different parts of the broader Jewish community have adopted alternative practices on the issue of using machine matzos, and they can be divided into a number of different groups. Some only use handmade matzah, others only use machine-made matzah, and most use hand-made matzah for the Seder (when sh murah is required) but will use machine-made matzah during the rest of the Yom Tov. In deciding which practice to adopt, each person should consider his family tradition and discuss the issue with their local Rabbi. KEFULAH AND NEFUCHAH The Ashkenazic custom is to bake all Pesach matzos very thin so that the (very intense) heat of the oven can penetrate the matzah s entire thickness. If, however, a matzah folds over (kefulah) or develops an air-pocket (nefuchah) before it is baked, there may be surfaces which do not get fully baked. Those non-fully baked areas may contain batter which is already chametz or which can become chametz if mixed with water. Typically, matzah bakeries have someone who checks the baked matzos and discards any kefulos or nefuchos. Nevertheless, it is advisable for consumers to recheck the matzos they have purchased, and remove any questionable ones. The following are the guidelines for what does and does not have to be removed: If a matzah folds over during the baking process and the crc Pesach Guide

52 two parts of the fold actually touch, the point of contact and approximately 1 inch of matzah in each direction should be removed and discarded. [See Pictures 1 & 2.] 1 2 manner as a kefulah. Accordingly, if one finds an inch-high nefuchah or the signs of a popped nefuchah bubble 1 [Pictures 6 & 7] they should remove and destroy the 6 7 On the other hand, if the two edges are near each 3 other but do not actually touch [Picture 3], the matzah may be eaten (unless that area appears to be not fully baked). Most true kefulos are spotted and removed in the matzah bakery, and the closest most consumers come to seeing a kefulah is when two sides of the matzah fold over so completely that they blend together into one somewhat thicker piece of matzah, leaving just a crease or line to indicate that there was some sort of folding. [See Pictures 4 & 5.] Experienced matzah bakers say that such folds occur before the matzah is placed into the oven and the 4 5 folds have been compressed by a rolling pin after they were folded. Contemporary Poskim rule that although the custom is to not eat such folds, they are not true kefulos and therefore there is no need to remove any space around the fold, and one may even wait until Pesach to remove them. A classic matzah is thin and flat, and if the dough separates to form a bubble or air-pocket (nefuchah) that is more than approximately 1 inch high, it makes us suspect that it may be chametz. The concern only applies if the top and bottom layer of dough separated from one another to form a bubble. However, in the common case where the entire matzah lifted up in one spot (as a hill instead of a bubble ) the matzah is acceptable and not considered a nefuchah. The common custom is to treat a nefuchah in the same affected area and approximately one inch around it; the rest of the matzah is acceptable for Pesach use. OAT, RYE, SPELT, AND WHOLE WHEAT MATZOS Most matzah is made of wheat flour (and water), but in recent years bakeries have also begun producing matzah made of rye, spelt, oats, and of whole wheat flour. Shulchan Aruch 2 records that the matzah used at the Seder may be made from any (or all) of the five primary grains (wheat, barley, rye, oats, and spelt). However, Rema 3 comments that the minhag is that it should be made from wheat. [Elsewhere, Shulchan Aruch 4 rules that Seder matzah may also be made of white or whole wheat flour.] Mishnah Berurah 5 sees that the minhag as (a) based on the assumption that people prefer wheat matzah, and (b) as limited to matzah eaten at the Seder, where it is preferable to perform the mitzvah with the most desirable matzah. He therefore notes that if wheat matzah is not available, one may use other types of matzah at the Seder. In addition, we can deduce that if someone personally prefers another type of matzah, or if someone has a medical condition (e.g., celiac or wheat allergy) which prevents them from eating wheat matzah, they may surely eat matzah made from another acceptable grain. Lastly, there is no restriction whatsoever regarding eating nonwheat matzah during the rest of Pesach. It is noteworthy that matzah-style crackers produced for Pesach without any of the five-grains, are surely not suitable for use at the Seder. SHALEM / WHOLE MATZOS On the Seder Plate (k arah) and at all Yom Tov meals, one is required to have whole matzos upon which they recite the beracha of hamotzi. [This is the same as the require- 50 crc Pesach Guide 5778

53 ment to have lechem mishneh (two whole loaves of bread) at each Shabbos meal during the year.] The first qualification for shalem (whole) is that just about all of the original matzah must be intact. Specifically, that means that if more than 1/48 th of the matzah was broken off, the matzah is considered incomplete and does not qualify as a shalem. 6 In practical terms, 1/48 th of a hand-made matzah is approximately the size of a piece which is (a) 1 inch by 2 inches, (b) the length and width of a 9-volt battery, or (c) a bit larger than the average thumb. For a machine-made matzah, 1/48 th is approximately a piece which is 1 inch by ¾ of an inch, or the size of a AAA battery. If more than that amount of the matzah has been cracked off or is missing, the matzah is not whole and cannot be used at the Seder or for lechem mishneh. Even if the entire matzah is present, it is not considered shalem if is cracked to the point that if someone was to hold the matzah by its smaller side, the rest of the matzah would crack off. 7 A matzah which is so fragile, is not considered shalem even though no parts are missing. USE AT THE SEDER Matzah is eaten three times at the Seder: Motzi Matzah, Korech, and Afikomen. The baseline requirement is that at each of these times, one should eat a piece of matzah which is equal in volume to that of an olive (kezayis). However, due to a number of factors, the amount which one must eat (a) is larger than the average sized olives, and (b) is not the same at all three of these times. In practice, if one has hand-matzah which is of an average thickness, the amount they should eat is as follows: Motzi-Matzah Korech Afikomen a piece equivalent in size to 6 inches by 7.5 inches a piece equivalent in size to 6 inches by 4 inches a piece equivalent in size to 6 inches by 6.5 inches The amounts listed above are two-dimensional and are accurate for average-sized matzos. If a person has a brand of hand-matzah which is particularly thin, they should eat a larger piece of matzah at each of these times, and if the matzah is particularly thick (as is common with gluten-free oat matzah), then the amount required is much smaller. Although people of Sephardic lineage and certain infirm or elderly people are permitted to eat egg matzah on Pesach, they may not be used at the Seder because Seder-matzah must be lechem oni (a poor man s bread) which reflects the simple food served to the Jews when they were enslaved in Mitzrayim. The only matzah which qualifies as lechem oni is one which is produced with just flour (whole wheat or white) and water; matzah made with egg, fruit juice or another liquid is considered matzah ashirah ( rich -bread) and not acceptable. 8 Each time matzah is eaten at the Seder, one must do so with hesaibah (reclining), and should finish their portion within approximately minutes. This article is excerpted from the author s forthcoming book on the Laws of Pesach. FOOTNOTES 1 It is common for a nefuchah bubble to pop shortly after the matzah is taken out of the oven, leaving behind a circular area which is somewhat recessed (because the top layer is missing), has a lighter color (because it was not baked as thoroughly), and is sometimes a bit softer than the rest of the matzah (again, because it was not baked as thoroughly). The size of the popped bubble gives some indication as to whether the bubble was an inch high. 2 Shulchan Aruch 453:1. 3 Rema 453:1. 4 Shulchan Aruch 454:1. 5 Mishnah Berurah 453:2. 6 Shemiras Shabbos K hilchaso Chapter 55 footnote 24*, based on the lenient opinion in Sha arei Teshuvah 274:1. 7 See Shulchan Aruch 167:1 and Mishnah Berurah167:11. 8 Shulchan Aruch 462:1. The crc is proud to announce that we are now certifying Matzah Hamehuderet hand matzos that are baked at the highest kashrus standards. For more information, and to order these very affordable mehadrin hand matzos, please mehudermatza@gmail.com crc Pesach Guide

54 Guaranteed Rate congratulates Shimmy Braun on his chai year We re proud to recognize Shimmy s 18 years of providing financing for our community. Honesty, integrity and commitment to excellence have established Shimmy as one of Guaranteed Rate s top producers and a role model for the mortgage industry. He possesses the experience and savvy to exceed your highest expectations while offering unparalleled customer service every step along the way. For a low, low rate and all your mortgage needs, contact Shimmy today. Shimmy Braun SVP of Mortgage Lending 3940 North Ravenswood Chicago, IL Let s get started SHIMMYB ( ) Rate.com/shimmy shimmy@rate.com NMLS ID: IL MB NMLS ID #2611 (Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System IL - Residential Mortgage Licensee - IDFPR, 122 South Michigan Avenue, Suite 1900, Chicago, Illinois, 60603, , 3940 N. Ravenswood Ave., Chicago, IL #MB crc Pesach Guide 5778

55 Rabbi Gedalia Dov Schwartz Rosh Beth Din Reflections on Yizkor Pesach is one of the occasions when Yizkor, the mentioning of the souls of the departed, is recited in the synagogue following the Torah reading on the Eighth Day. Its recitation is accompanied by the giving of tzedakah. The major source for this minhag (custom) is cited by Rav Yosef Caro, o.b.m., the author of the Shulchan Aruch, in his primary commentary, Beis Yosef, on the Tur, Orach Chaim, paragraph 621, referring to the davening on Yom Kippur. In quoting the Ashkenzic Posek (decisor), the Mordecai writes, Our custom of pledging tzedakah on Yom Kippur on behalf of the departed may be found as a source in :עגלה ערופה the Sifrei (Shoftim 210) that in the chapter of (Dvorim XXI, 8) says, Grant atonement to thy people; these are the living, that you have redeemed, these are the dead, teaching us that the dead need atonement. The Sefer Rokach (207) writes that the reason for giving tzedakah on behalf of the deceased on Yom Kippur is because of the juxtaposition in the Parsha, referring to Yom Kippur in the Mishkan, which describes the entry of the Kohen Gadol into the Holy of Holies once a year and juxtaposed to it states, Each man should give the redemption of his soul to Hashem. The Rokach writes that the giving of charity on behalf of the departed serves as scrutiny by Hashem directed towards the deceased, that if they were alive they would have contributed to tzedakah according to their means, and it results in a favorable bequest on their behalf by their descendants, who state their pledge. However, later authorities explain that Yizkor is not only recited on Yom Kippur but also on the three major Holidays, Shalosh Regalim, Pesach, Shavuos, and Succos, in conjunction with aspects of tzedakah. Those who grew up in the American Jewish community when there was a lesser commitment to the observance of mitzvos and sparse shul attendance all year round remember the amazing shul attendance just for those brief times for Yizkor. All shul bulletins or outside signs clearly stated the time for Yizkor on the above occasions. Many people used to literally burst into the shul asking, When is Yizkor? or Did they say Yizkor yet? Rabbis and shul presidents were careful to plan their appeals for charity at Yizkor, which in many cases meant requesting funds for the maintenance of the shul itself. Once Yizkor was over, most of the attendees left the shul. The writer of this article remembers how some non-orthodox groups brazenly announced and publicized what they termed, Businessman s Yizkor, creating some type of memorial service at a time advantageous to them and without interrupting their work schedule. The halachos of Shabbos and Yom Tov were basically ignored, but Yizkor was observed. There used to be a saying in the American rabbinate in regard to the connection of the American Jewish community which was mostly nonobservant as to what did tie them to some communal synagogue experience. It was the three Y s Yizkor, Yahrzeit, and Yisgadal (Kaddish). These moments, whenever it occurred, although basically sad, nevertheless somehow connected many an American Jew and his family to some trans-generational experience within the boundaries of memory. With great change and growth of an ever-increasing Torah observant community in the United States the above era of American Jewish history has mainly faded in comparison to the intensity and vibrancy of Torah observant communities participating all year round in Yiddishkeit. The spiritual and emotional bonds evoked by the memories of parents and grandparents aided in creating attachments, although oft times quite minimal, to a historic Jewish community. As we celebrate the great Yom Tov of Pesach let us strive and pray for increased understanding and devotion, not only to those various reminders of bygone generations, but even more committed to the present and future generations fulfilling all of Torah and mitzvos. E This article originally appeared in the 2012 crc Guide to Passover. crc Pesach Guide

56 בס ד Foods Chicagoland s Oneg WishesYou a Pesach Kasher v Sameach Thank you for your patronage throughout the year and during this Pesach season DAIRY crc Pesach Guide

57 Shopping Guide Shopping Guide PESACH 2018 Recommendations are for products purchased in the United States This list of products is marked as follows: Acceptable without Passover Certification Food items in this section should preferably be purchased before Passover Must bear reliable Passover Certification Not acceptable for Passover Sephardim should contact their local Sephardic rabbi regarding issues of kitnios Product Status Notes Adhesive bandages Air freshener Alcohol Alfalfa Kitnios For drinking Denatured Isopropyl alcohol Aluminum products Includes aluminum foil and pans Amaranth Ammonia Anise Kitnios Antacid (chewable) Apple juice Apple sauce Aspartame Baby carrots Baby food Baby formula Baby oil Baby ointment Baby powder Baby wipes Bags Baking powder Baking soda Balloons Band-aids Amaranth is not kitnios but requires certification to be sure no other grains are mixed in Concentrate also requires Pesach certification Raw are acceptable if they contain no additives Canned, cooked or frozen Includes jarred or canned, but Gerber carrots & squash are okay See Nutritional Supplement pages When acceptable, bottles should be filled and cleaned separately from Pesach dishes since formula is kitnios Acceptable if it only contains talc, talcum powder, corn starch, or other innocuous ingredients Acceptable if they do not contain ethyl alcohol (ethanol) If powdered, wash before Pesach Product Status Notes Beans Kitnios Bean sprouts Kitnios Benefiber Chametz Beverages Bicarbonate of soda Bird food Bleach Bleach wipes Blush Body wash Braces See pet food pages Brewer s yeast Chametz Brown sugar Buckwheat Kitnios Buckwheat pillow Wax for braces is also acceptable; wash rubber bands before placing in mouth One may own and derive benefit from kitnios Butter Candles Scented are also acceptable Candy Canned fruits or vegetables Canola oil Kitnios Caraway Kitnios Carrots Cat food Charcoal Raw (including baby carrots) are acceptable if additive-free Canned, cooked or frozen See pet food pages Includes plain, easy-light, apple, hickory, and mesquite Cheese Cheese spreads Chewable pills See medicine letter (page 3) Chicago Rabbinical Council 2701 W. Howard St., Chicago, Illinois

58 SHOPPING GUIDE PESACH 2018 Product Status Notes Chewing tobacco Chickpeas Kitnios Cigarettes Cloves Cocoa powder Coconut (shredded) Coffee Contains flavors and other sensitive ingredients Some have a custom not to use cloves for Pesach Acceptable if 100% pure and not processed in Europe. Hershey s is acceptable except for Special Dark Sweetened or flavored Unsweetened & unflavored Beans which are plain, unflavored, and not decaffeinated do not require certification, but the grinder must be clean Instant, flavored or decaffeinated coffee requires certification K-cups require certification Coffee filters Coffee whitener Cologne Colonoscopy drink Confectioners sugar Contact lens solution Contact paper Cooking oil spray Cooking wine Coriander seeds Kitnios Corn & corn products (e.g. corn oil, corn syrup) Kitnios Corn remover Cosmetics Creams (cosmetics) Crock pot liner Cumin Kitnios Cutlery (plastic) Dates Glaze may be problematic Decaffeinated coffee or tea Dental floss or tape Dentures Deodorant Dessert gels & puddings Detergent Dill Dishwashing soap Dog food Dried fruit e-cigarette Juice Edamame Kitnios See medicine and cosmetic pages See medicine and cosmetic pages See medicine and cosmetic pages Lipton decaffeinated tea bags are acceptable without certification Acceptable (including waxed) if not flavored Seeds (Kitnios) Leaves See pet food pages Product Status Notes Eggs Ensure Eye drops Eye liner Eye shadow Fabric protector Fabric softener Fennel Fish Fish food Flax seeds Cooked or liquid Whole and raw (including pasteurized) See nutritional supplement page Seeds (Kitnios) Leaves Flour Chametz Floss (dental) Foil (aluminum) Food coloring Food supplements Formula for infants Frozen dinners Fruit Fruit juice Fruit preserves Furniture polish Garlic Gloves (disposable) Glue Grape juice Grapefruit juice Green beans Kitnios Gum (chewing) Hair gel Hairspray Hemp, hemp oil Kitnios Herbal tea Honey Horseradish Hydrogen peroxide Ice (in bag) Fresh Canned, frozen or processed See pet food pages Flax seeds are not kitnios See spices Acceptable (including waxed) if not flavored See nutritional supplement page See baby formula Canned, cooked, dried or sweetened Fresh Frozen is acceptable if it is not sweetened or cooked, and contains no sensitive additives Pure frozen concentrated orange juice Other concentrates Fresh Peeled (in jars or cans) Powder free Powderless or with powder Raw Prepared = Acceptable without Passover Certification = Must bear Passover Certification = Not acceptable for Passover

59 SHOPPING GUIDE PESACH 2018 Product Status Notes Ice cream Ices Infant formula See baby formula Insecticide sprays Some traps contain chametz Instant coffee or tea Invert sugar Isopropyl alcohol Jam Jelly Juice (fruit) K-Cups Kasha Kitnios Ketchup Kimmel Kitnios Lactaid Latex gloves Laundry detergent Laxatives Lemon juice Pure frozen concentrated orange juice Other concentrates Lactaid milk may be used if purchased before Pesach Chewable pills Non-chewable pills Powder free Powderless or with powder See medicine and cosmetic pages Concentrate also requires Pesach certification Lentils Kitnios Lip products Liqueur Liquid dish detergent Liquid medicines See medicine letter (page 3) Liquor Listerine PocketPaks Lotions Makeup Margarine Mascara Matzah Mayonnaise Meat See medicine and cosmetic pages Requires Passover certification, and this brand is not certified See medicine and cosmetic pages Fresh or frozen raw meat in original packaging is acceptable, but ground, cooked or repacked requires Pesach certification Medicine See medicine letter (page 3) Milk Millet Kitnios Mineral oil Mineral water Monosodium glutamate If certified is unavailable, buy before Pesach Acceptable if it does not contain carbonation, flavors or vitamins Product Status Notes Mousse (for hair) Mouthwash MSG Mushrooms Mustard Kitnios Nail polish Nail polish remover Napkins Non-dairy creamer Nutritional supplements Nuts Ointments Olive oil Oil (cooking) Orange juice Orthodontics Oven cleaner Pam Pans (aluminum) Paper products Paraffin Parchment paper Peanuts Kitnios Peas Kitnios Pecans (all shelled) Perfume Pet food Petroleum jelly Pickles See medicine and cosmetic pages Canned Raw or dried See nutritional supplement page Peanuts are kitnios Pecans (all shelled) Other nuts (incl. chopped) are acceptable without certification if free of BHA and BHT, and not blanched, roasted or ground Extra virgin (unflavored) Other types, including extra light Pure frozen orange juice concentrate does not require Pesach certification Wash rubber bands before placing in mouth Including bags, napkins, plates, and wax paper May be used for hot or cold See pet food pages Pills See medicine letter (page 3) Pineapple (canned) Plastic (cutlery, plates) Plastic wrap Plates Including paper, plastic and Styrofoam May be used for hot or cold Play-doh May contain chametz Polish (for furniture, shoes, or silver) Pop = Acceptable without Passover Certification = Must bear Passover Certification = Not acceptable for Passover

60 SHOPPING GUIDE PESACH 2018 Product Status Notes Popcorn Kitnios Poppy seeds Kitnios Potato chips Poultry Powdered dish detergent Prunes Pumpkin seeds Quinoa Raisins Rice, including wild rice Saffron Salads (bagged) Salmon Salt Sanitizers (e.g. Purell) Scouring pads Seltzer Sesame seeds Kitnios Shampoo Shaving lotion Sherbet Shortening Silver polish Snow peas Kitnios Soaps Soda Sorbet Sorghum Kitnios Soup mix Sour tomatoes Soy products Spices Splenda Stain remover Stevia Fresh or frozen raw poultry in original packaging is acceptable, but ground, cooked or repacked requires Pesach certification Not kitnios; acceptable if raw and without additives Quinoa is not kitnios but requires certification to be sure no other grains are mixed in Kitnios Rice milk may contain chametz; see milk alternatives page Some have a custom not to use saffron for Pesach If certified is unavailable, and contains no kitnios or sensitive additives; buy before Pesach Fresh Canned, frozen or processed Acceptable without iodine or other additives Kitnios Soy sauce and soy milk may contain chametz; see milk alternatives page Anise, caraway, coriander seeds, cumin, dill seeds, fennel seeds, and mustard are kitnios Other spices are acceptable in whole form, but ground spices require certification Product Status Notes Stick deodorant String beans Kitnios Styrofoam Brown sugar and confectioners sugar Sugar Pure, white cane sugar without additives is acceptable Sugar substitute Sunflower seeds Kitnios Sunscreen Suppositories Syrups Tea Tissues Tofu Kitnios Tomato-based products Toothpaste Toothpicks Tums Tuna fish (canned) Turmeric Vanilla Vaseline Vegetable oil Vegetables Vegetable wash Vinegar Vitamins Water Wax for braces Wax paper Whitener (for coffee) Wild rice Kitnios Wine Wood chips Wrap (plastic) Yogurt Pure black, green or white tea leaves or tea bags are acceptable unless they are flavored, instant or decaffeinated, in which case they require certification Lipton decaffeinated tea bags Herbal tea See for updated information Toothpicks are acceptable unless flavored or colored Chewable antacids require Pesach certification, and this brand is not certified for Pesach Turmeric is not kitnios See spices Bagged salads - see Salad (bagged) Canned, cooked or frozen Fresh raw vegetables are acceptable if they are not kitnios (see listing for individual vegetables) and don t contain additives other than sugar Acceptable if it does not contain carbonation, flavors or vitamins = Acceptable without Passover Certification = Must bear Passover Certification = Not acceptable for Passover

61 CHICAGO RABBINICAL COUNCIL PASSOVERFAIR Sunday, March 25, :00 5:30 pm Hebrew Theological College 7135 N. Carpenter Road Skokie, IL 5778 / 2018 Live Romaine Lettuce Checking Demonstration Keilim Kashering crc FAQ Booth Drop-off, and pick-up on the spot or in West Rogers Park. Shaatnez Testing AFTA-Approved Representative Knife Sharpening crc Pesach Guide

62 Thank you for your patronage throughout the year and during this Pesach season Kashered At 212 F 60 crc Pesach Guide

63 Rabbi Yosef Landa Rabbinical Coordinator, Dairy Industry Milk and Dairy Products for Passover Although milk seems like a simple and innocuous product which should not pose any chametz concerns, there are two important reasons why it needs to be certified for Passover. Firstly, there is a possibility that was produced on the same equipment as products which contain chametz. Since milk is heated during its production, halacha is concerned about a transfer of taste, a bliah, from previously produced products on the same equipment. Secondly, the vitamins added to the milk may contain chametz. Although these vitamins are a very minute percentage of the milk and below the level of bitul, nullification, it is best (for reasons beyond the scope of this article) not to rely on bitul l chatchila, to begin with. It is recommended that milk and milk products sufficient for the full 8 days of Passover should be purchased before the holiday, as stores may not have P-18 (meaning Passover 2018) on the label or container during the holiday itself. Due to the low probability of encountering the issues detailed above, it is preferable to purchase milk with Kosher for Passover certification, but if kosher-certified milk is not available, one may purchase regular milk before the holiday begins. Other dairy products, such as cheese, half and half, and cream, not only are subject to the issues mentioned above, but they contain other ingredients that are chametz-sensitive. Therefore, these products require Kosher for Passover certification. For milk and related dairy products, nearly all companies indicate Kosher for Passover status by stamping P-18 alongside the best by or expiration date. Any exceptions will be noted in bold below. We have listed the brands, along with the plant numbers where they are produced in parentheses, of the dairy products the crc certifies for Passover. In the case of milk, the crc logo on the product is not necessary; as long as the correct brand, plant number, and P-18 are present, it is kosher for Passover. For all items below, Plants and will bear Star-D-P. MILK Bareman s (17-284) Best Choice (17-37) Best Ever (17-101) Borden (17-37) Country Delight (17-38) County Market (17-101, ) Deans Dairy Pure (17-37, 17-38) Festival ( ) Friendly Farms (17-38) Great Value (17-37) HyVee (17-101, ) IGA (17-101) Jewel (17-38) Kemp s ( ) Kirkland ( ) Market Pantry (17-101, , ) Marsh (17-37) Members Mark (17-37) Lucerne (17-38) Nature s Best (17-101) O Organics (17-37) Organic Valley (17-37) Piggly Wiggly (17-37) Prairie Farms (17-101, , ) Roundy s ( ) Sav-a-Lot ( ) Schnucks (17-101, ) Sendik s ( ) Sentry (17-37) Shopper s Value (17-101, ) Sentry (17-37) Thatsmart (17-101, ) Trader Joe s (17-37, ) Trig s ( ) Value Check (17-101) Whole Foods (17-37) WIC (17-37) Wisconsin Farms ( ) CHEESE *Oneg Cheese when bearing Kosher for Passover *Schtark Cheese when bearing Kosher for Passover HALF AND HALF *Kemp s ( ) when bearing P-18 *Prairie Farms (17-284) when bearing P-18 Sendik s ( ) when bearing P-18 Trader Joe s ( ) when bearing P-18 ORANGE JUICE Dierberg (17-37) Marsh (17-37) Orchard Pure (17-37) SOUR CREAM * Daisy Brand ( ) Sour Cream & Light Sour Cream when bearing Passover 2018 WHI PPING CREAM Organic Valley (17-37) Dairy Pure (17-37) crc Pesach Guide

64 Medicines and Cosmetics MEDICINE GUIDELINES The crc s general guidelines on medicines, cosmetics and toiletries can be found on page 3 of this guide. The following is a summary of the medicine portion of those guidelines: All pill medication with or without chametz that one swallows is permitted. [Candy-coated pills are an exception to this rule, but they are quite uncommon.] Rav Schwartz, Shlit a, has ruled that, as a rule, vitamins do not qualify as medications and are instead treated as food supplements, which require hashgachah for Passover. If a doctor prescribes a specific vitamin which does not have Passover supervision, please review your specific situation with your doctor and Rabbi. Liquid and chewable medications that may contain chametz should only be used under the direction of a doctor and Rabbi, who will judge the severity of the illness, the likelihood that the medicine contains chametz, and the possibility of substituting a swallowable pill. Important: Do not discontinue use of liquid, chewable or any other medicine without consulting with your doctor and Rabbi. Liquid and chewable medications that contain kitnios may be consumed by someone who is ill. For laws of taking medicine on Shabbos and Yom Tov, please consult your Rabbi. MEDICINE AND TOILETRY DETAILS Items marked Possible chametz contain edible ingredients whose chametz-status we were unable to determine; these items may be permitted for someone who is seriously ill, and consumers should consult with their Rabbi. For an expanded and updated list of products, search www. ASKcRc.org or our smartphone apps. ALLERGY Adwe Allergy Relief (Liquid) Allegra Children s Suspension (Liquid) Possible chametz Allegra Children s Orally Disintegrating Tablet Possible chametz (dairy) Claritin Children s (Chewable) Possible chametz Zyrtec Children s Allergy Indoor & Outdoor Allergies (Liquid) Possible chametz Zyrtec Dissolve Tabs (Tablets) Possible chametz ANTACID / DIGESTION / GAS Adwe Calcium Heartburn Relief (Chewable) Adwe Ko-Lanta Antacid Anti-gas (Liquid) Align (Capsules) Alka Seltzer Original Effervescent Tabs (Tablets) Possible chametz Alka Seltzer Xtra Strength (Effervescent Tablets) Possible chametz Culturelle Digestive Health (Capsules) Possible chametz Culturelle Kids (Chewable) Possible chametz Culturelle Kids Packets (Powder) Possible chametz Gas-X Extra Strength Chewables Cherry Crème Possible chametz Gas-X Extra Strength Peppermint Crème (Chewable) Possible chametz 62 crc Pesach Guide

65 Imodium AD For Ages 6 & Up (Liquid) Imodium AD (Liquid) Imodium AD Multisymptom Relief Caplets Kaopectate Max Peppermint (Liquid) Kaopectate Vanilla Regular Flavor (Liquid) Possible chametz Possible chametz Possible chametz Possible chametz Pepcid Complete Berry Flavor (Chewables) Possible chametz (dairy) Pepcid Complete Cool Mint (Chewables) Possible chametz (dairy) Pepto Bismol 5 Symptom Relief (Caplets) Pepto Bismol 5 Symptom Relief (Chewable) Possible chametz Pepto Bismol 5 Symptom Relief Cherry (Liquid) Possible chametz Pepto Bismol Children s Pepto Bubble Gum Flavor (Chewable Tablets) Possible chametz Pepto Bismol Max Strength Cherry Flavor (Liquid) Possible chametz Tums (all varieties) Possible chametz BLUSH All are recommended BODY SOAP All are recommended COLOGNE Only recommended if free of (denatured) alcohol or if manufactured in the United States COUGH, COLD & FLU Adwe Cough Syrup Tussin (Liquid) Alka Seltzer Plus Cold Effervescent Tabs (includes Night Cold Formula) (Tablets) Possible chametz Alka Seltzer Plus Severe Cold & Flu Formula (Effervescent Tablets) Possible chametz Cold-EEZE Daytime QuickMelts (Mixed Berry flavor) (Meltaway) Possible chametz Cold-EEZE Nighttime QuickMelts (Mixed Berry flavor) (Quickmelt tablet) Possible chametz Delsym Children s 12 Hour Cough (Grape Flavor) (Liquid) Possible chametz Delsym Children s 12 Hour Cough (Orange Flavor) (Liquid) Possible chametz Delsym Cough Suppressant (Liquid) Possible chametz Mucinex Chest Congestion Mini-Melts for Kids Bubble Gum Flavor (Dissolving Granules) Possible chametz Mucinex Cough Mini-Melts for Kids Orange Creme Flavor (Dissolving Granules) Possible chametz Theraflu Multi-Symptom Severe Cold (Packets) Possible chametz Theraflu Nighttime Severe Cold and Cough Powder (Powder) Possible chametz Triaminic Children s Night Time Cold and Cough (Liquid) Not Triaminic Day Time Cold and Cough (Liquid) Not Vicks DayQuil Cough (Liquid) Possible chametz Vicks NyQuil Cough (Liquid) Possible chametz Vicks NyQuil Cold and Flu (Liquid) Possible chametz Zicam Rapid Melt (Tablets) Possible chametz CREAMS All are recommended DEODORANT Gel All are recommended Liquid if free of (denatured) alcohol or if manufactured in the United States Spray if free of (denatured) alcohol or if manufactured in the United States FIBER SUPPLEMENTS see Laxatives FEVER REDUCER / PAIN RELIEF Adwe Fever-Ex (Liquid) Signature Care Junior Strength Ibuprofen Chewable (Tablet) Possible chametz GAS see Antacid/Digestion/Gas crc Pesach Guide

66 HAIRSPRAY AND MOUSSE if free of (denatured) alcohol or if manufactured in the United States INDIGESTION see Antacid/Digestion/Gas LAXATIVES / FIBER SUPPLEMENTS Benefiber Healthy Shape (Powder) Chametz, Not Benefiber (powder) Chametz, Not Benefiber Stick Packs (unflavored) (Powder) Chametz, Not Citrucel (Caplets) Dulcolax Overnight Relief (Tablets) Dulcolax Pink (Tablets) Dulcolax (Suppository) Epsom Salt (pure), Generic or Branded versions (Powder) Ex-Lax (Tablets) Fibercon (Caplet) Metamucil 4 in 1 MultiHealth Fiber Original Smooth (Powder) Possible chametz Metamucil Original Coarse (Powder) Mineral Oil (pure), Generic (Liquid) Miralax (Powder) Pedia-Lax Stool Softener (Liquid) Possible chametz Pedia-Lax (Suppository) Peri-Colase (Tablets) Phillips Milk of Magnesia (Caplets) Phillips Milk of Magnesia Fresh Mint (Liquid) Possible chametz Phillips Milk of Magnesia Original (unflavored) (Liquid) Polyethylene Glycol (pure) Generic or Branded versions (Powder) Prunelax Ciruelax (Tablets) Senokot Tablets (Tablets) Senokot-S Tablets (Tablets) LIPSTICK ALMAY Color + Care Liquid Lip Balm Smart Shade Butter Kiss BAREMINERALS Gen Nude Matte Liquid Lipstick Gen Nude Radiant Lipstick Marvelous Moxie Lipgloss Moxie Plumping Lip Gloss Statement Luxe-Shine Lipstick Statement Matte Liquid Lipstick BOBBI BROWN Creamy Matte Lip Color Creamy Lip Color Lip Color Rich Lip Color Sheer Color Lip Gloss Shimmer Lip Gloss Possible chametz Possible chametz CLINIQUE Almost Lipstick Chubby Stick Intense Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm Pop Lip Shadow Cushion Matte Lip Powder Sweet Pots Sugar Scrub & Lip Balm Different Lipstick Long Last Glosswear Long Last Lipstick Not Long Last Soft Matte Lipstick Marimekko X Clinique Pop Lip Colour + Primer Not Quickliner For Lips Intense COLOR ICON Lipliner Fab Fuchsia DIOR Addict Lip Tattoo 64 crc Pesach Guide

67 Double Rouge Metalizer ESTEE LAUDER Pure Color Envy Hi-Luster Light Sculpting Lipstick Pure Color Envy Metallic Matte Sculpting Lipstick Pure Color Love Lipstick All Day Lipstick Pure Color Envy Pure Color Envy Sheer Matte Sculpting Lipstick GIORGIO ARMANI Beauty Ecstasy Shine Lipstick Beauty Rouge Ecstasy Express Moisture L ORÉAL Colour Riche Le Matte Lip Pen Colour Riche Lipcolour Colour Riche Matte Lipstick Extraordinaire By Colour Riche Infallible Le Rouge Infallible Paints/Lips Matte Infallible Pro-Matte Liquid Lipstick LANCOME Color Design Color Design Matte Lip Crayon L absolu Rouge Rouge In Love Shine Lover MAYBELLINE Color Sensational Color Elixir Lip Lacquer Color Sensational Powder Matte Lipstick Colorburst Balm Stain Lipstain Colorstay Overtime Lipcolor Basecoat Colorstay Overtime Lipcolor Topcoat Colorstay Ultimate Suede Lipstick Not Not Not Not Possible chametz Super Lustrous Lipstick Cream Super Lustrous Matte Super Lustrous Pearl Super Lustrous Shine Lipstick ULTA3 Lip Glaze Oil Alluring Lip Glaze Oil - Blissful Lip Glaze Oil - Divine Liquid Lip Shine Matte Lipstick Moisturizing Lipstick Possible chametz URBAN DECAY 1993 (Comfort Matte) 714 (Mega Matte) Accident (Metallized) Afterdark (Comfort Matte) Alpha (Mega Matte) Amulet (Metallized) Anarchy (Cream) Ud X Kristen Leanne Vice Liquid Lipstick Ud X Kristen Leanne Vice Liquid Lipstick Duo WET AND WILD Cheek & Lip Tint Bundle Crystal Clear - Megaslicks Lip Gloss Fantasy Makers Megalast Lip Color Fm - Hazardous Red Limited Edition Gloss Em Up Set Mega Slicks Megalast Lip Color Pink Suga Megalast Liquid Catsuit Matte Lipstick Fm - Purple Panic Perfect Pair Ombré Lip Wand Pretty Pocket Pair Perfect Pout Gel Lip Liner Bare To Comment Silk Finish Lipstick A Short Affair LOTIONS All are recommended REVLON Lip Balm MASCARA All are recommended crc Pesach Guide

68 MISCELLANEOUS Asthma Inhalers, all types (Liquid Vapor) Bayer Low Dose Baby Aspirin (Chewable) Castor Oil (pure) (Liquid) Chapstick Classic Original Chapstick Moisturizer Possible chametz Dramamine Chewables Orange Flavor (Chewable) Possible chametz Ensure, assorted nutritional supplements see Nutritional Supplements Pages Femcon Fe (brown and white pills) (chewable tablet) Possible chametz (dairy) Fixodent Original (Cream) FlavorX Apple, Grape, Lemon, Raspberry and Watermelon flavors (Liquid) Possible chametz Floss, Flavored Possible chametz Floss, Unflavored Lip Balm, Assorted Listerine PocketPaks, assorted varieties (Dissolving strip) Not NoDoz Alertness Aid (Pill) Pedialyte Liters and Singles (Liquid) Polident 3 Minute (Tablet) Possible chametz Polident Overnight Whitening (Tablet) Possible chametz Polygrip Free (Cream) Polygrip Original (Cream) Probiotics powders, liquids, gelcaps Possible chametz Probiotics tablets/pills Unisom SleepTab (Tablet) Vicks ZzzQuil (Liquid) Possible chametz Vivarin (Tablet) MOUSSE see Hairspray and Mousse MOUTHWASH Only recommended if known to be chametz-free NAIL POLISH All are recommended OINTMENTS All are recommended PERFUME if free of (denatured) alcohol or if manufactured in the United States SHAMPOO All are recommended SHAVING CREAM Cream Gels Liquid Lotion TOOTHPASTE Only recommended if known to be chametz-free All are recommended All are recommended Possible chametz All are recommended MOUTH PAIN RELIEF Abreva (Gel) Anbesol Maximum Strength (Liquid) Possible chametz Kanka Mouth-pain (Liquid) Possible chametz Orajel Maximum Strength Toothache (Gel) Possible chametz Orajel Mouth Sores Triple Medicated (Gel) VITAMINS See Guidelines above WIPES if free of (denatured) alcohol or if manufactured in the United States 66 crc Pesach Guide

69 Nutritional Supplements, Formula, and Milk-Substitutes Passover 2018 The crc thanks the OU for researching the following nutritional supplements and infant formulas. These items have been determined to be suitable for someone who is infirm (choleh she ain bo sakanah) and for infants, respectively, when bearing the OU logo. Most of these products contain kitnios, and for some that is the primary ingredient. With the exception of the flavors used, any item which might be chametz-based is used in such small proportions that it is batel b shishim (nullified). Where possible, it is preferred to (a) use a substitute which is certified for Pesach, and (b) use a liquid supplement instead of a powdered one. MEDICAL NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS Those items marked with a star (*), contain oat fiber which is not chametz. Arginaid Arginaid Extra Benecalorie Beneprotein Boost Glucose Control Boost High Protein Boost Nutritional Pudding Boost Plus Diabetishield Enlive Ensure Complete Nutrition Shake Ensure Healthy Mom Shake Ensure High Calcium Shake Ensure High Protein Shake Ensure HN Ensure Homemade Shake Ensure Plus Ensure Plus HN Ensure Plus Next Generation Ensure Shake Ensure TwoCal Fibersource HN Glucerna 1.0 Glucerna 1.2* Glucerna 1.5* Jevity 1.0 Jevity 1.2* Jevity 1.5* Liquid Diabetisource AC Liquid Fibersource HN Liquid Isosource Liquid Isosource HN with Fiber Nepro Nepro Vanilla Nepro with Carb Steady Flavored Novasource Renal Nutren (Product line) Osmolite 1.0, 1.2, 1.5 Osmolite HN (unflavored) Perative Promote (however, Promote with fiber is NOT recommended) crc Pesach Guide

70 Pulmocare Resource 2.0 Resource Dairy Thick Resource Diabetic Resource Milk Shake Mix Resource Thicken Up Resource Thickened Juice Resource Shake Plus Simply Thick Thick & Easy (Al)l Thick-It Vivonex Pediatric Vivonex Plus Vivonex Ten PEDIATRIC SUPPLEMENTS Boost Kid Essentials, 1.0, 1.5 Boost Kid Essentials with Fiber D-Vi-Sol Enfamil 5% Glucose Water Fer-In-Sol Drops Poly-Vi-Sol Drops Tri-Vi-Sol Drops Resource Just for Kids with Fiber Pediasure Peptide Pediasure Vanilla Powder Pediasure Shakes Pediatric Electrolytes Bright Beginnings Comforts for Baby Cottontails CVS Pharmacy Goodness H-E-B Baby Home 360 Baby Meijer Mom to Mom Naturalyte ShopRite Parent s Choice Pedialyte (all flavors) Top Care Walgreen s Western Family INFANT FORMULAS 365 Everyday Value Ameribella America s Choice for Baby Babies R US Baby Basics Baby s Choice Baby s Only Organic Bear Essentials Belacta Belacta Premium BelactaSure Berkley & Jensen Bright Beginnings Cottontails CVS Daily Source Discount Drug Mart Earth s Best EleCare EnfaCare EnfaGrow Enfalac Enfamil Enfapro Food Lion Full Circle Fulton Street Market Gerber Good Start Giant Giant Eagle Baby Hannaford H-E-B Heinz Nurture Home 360 Baby 68 crc Pesach Guide

71 Hy-Vee Isomil Kirkland Signature Kuddles Laura Lynn Life Brand Little Ones Meijer Baby Member s Mark Mom to Mom Moo Moo Buckaroo Mother s Choice My Organic Baby Nature s Place Nestle Good Start Next Step NutraEnfant O Organic Baby Parent s Choice Premier Value President s Choice Price Chopper Publix Rite Aid - Tugaboos Shopko Similac Similac LeMehadrin 1, 2 & 3 Simply Right Stop & Shop Sunrise Supervalu Target Tippy Toes by TopCare Top Care Topco Up & Up Vermont Organics Walgreens Wegmans Well Beginnings Western Family BABY FOOD Gerber carrots and squash are acceptable for Passover, even for adults (l chatchilah). Gerber green beans and peas are kitnios, and are suitable for infants and others who may consume kitnios. MILK-SUBSTITUTES ALMOND MILK ORIGINAL 365 Everyday Value Almond Breeze Almond Breeze Unsweetened Almondsense Essential Everyday FredMeyer Fresh & Easy Friendly Farms Full Circle H-E-B Hy-vee Laura Lynn Market Basket Meijer Natural Directions Nature s Place Price Chopper Roundy s Shop Rite Silk So Delicious Unsweetened Sunnyside Farms Tree of Life Winn-Dixie COCONUT MILK ORIGINAL Coconut Dream RICE MILK ORIGINAL Rice Dream Enriched Unsweetened Harris Teeter RiceSense Enriched crc Pesach Guide

72 Full Circle Hy-Vee Meijer Nature s Place Shop Rite Market Basket Enriched Price Chopper Enriched Wild Harvest Enriched SOY MILK ORIGINAL 365 Everyday Value (Original, Light, and Unsweetened) Best Choice Clearly Organic Fit & Active Organic Fit & Active Fresh & Easy Soysense Giant Green Way Harris Teeter Naturals Organic Harvest Farms Hy-Vee Market Basket, Unsweetened Meijer Natural Directions Organic Nature s Place Nature s Promise Organic O Organics Shop Rite Organic Shop Rite Silk Smart Menu Organic Soy Dream Stop & Shop Western Family Aseptic Winn-Dixie Organic Give us your two cents for a chance to win a $100 Amex gift card. Take our online survey to help us make the crc Pesach guide better! Visit or scan the QR code to access the survey online 70 crc Pesach Guide

73 Consumer Pesach FAQ FOOD Bottled Water As long as it is not flavored and does not contain vitamins, bottled water that contains minerals is acceptable for Pesach without special certification. Coatings on Fruits & Vegetables There are no kitnios or chametz issues regarding the coatings put on fruits and vegetables. One exception is dried fruit, such as raisins, which may have a kitnios coating to keep them from sticking to one another and should only be used with Pesach certification. Decaffeinated Coffee There are a number of different methods of removing caffeine from coffee beans, and a common denominator between them is that the beans come in contact with a (hot) liquid which draws the caffeine out of the bean. The liquid used for decaffeination may be water, a chemical solvent (i.e. ethyl acetate, methylene chloride, carbon dioxide), or a combination of the two, and sometimes water extracts the caffeine from the beans, and then the solvent is used to extract the caffeine from the water before the water is reused. In cases where the chemical solvent has direct contact with the beans, the beans are often soaked in hot water or steam to soften them before the solvent is applied. The Pesach issues with these processes are that (a) ethyl acetate may be derived from chametz, and (b) the water used in the process is sometimes purified (hot) on a carbon bed, which is in turn purified with hot ethyl alcohol, which may be derived from chametz. Due to these concerns, decaffeinated coffee is only recommended on Pesach if it bears a reliable kosher certification, which guarantees that the decaffeination process has no traces of chametz or kitnios. [In addition to the issue of decaffeination, instant coffee and flavored coffee, require hashgachah for Pesach.] Eggs Raw eggs that are still in the shell can be used for Pesach, even if they are not specifically certified for Pesach. This is true of both white and brown eggs, and also applies to eggs which are pasteurized in-shell. However, if you will be using eggs which are not specifically certified for Pesach, we recommend that you buy them before the holiday so as to avoid the small chance that there was chametz in the ink used to mark the eggs or as an additive to the water used to wash the eggs. [Such chametz would not pose a concern if it was present before Pesach.] In contrast, liquid eggs (refrigerated or frozen) and cooked eggs require special Pesach certification because crc Pesach Guide

74 they may possibly contain sensitive ingredients or have been processed on equipment used for other items. Frozen Fruit Frozen fruit may be used without hashgachah if it is not sweetened or cooked. Ascorbic and citric acid, which may be listed in the ingredient panel, can be chametz or kitnios (or innocuous); therefore we cannot recommend anything uncertified that contains these ingredients. However, since sugar does not pose a Pesach concern, fruit sweetened with sugar (without any other ingredients) is acceptable for Pesach. Gluten-Free Foods People who are celiac or otherwise choose to avoid gluten will not eat items that contain wheat, rye, spelt, and barley, and at first glance it would seem that anything labeled gluten-free is automatically be suitable for Pesach. The simplest reasons why this is not accurate are that (a) oats can be gluten-free, yet oats mixed with water is chametz, and (b) corn, rice, and beans are all gluten-free but are not eaten by Ashkenazic Jews due to the custom of avoiding kitnios. In addition, in order to qualify as gluten-free, the FDA requires that the product be shown to contain less than 20 ppm of gluten. This may be an appropriate standard for people suffering from celiac but such tests will not show whether the product was produced on hot equipment used for chametz/gluten (which was not kashered) or whether the gluten-free products had incidental contact with gluten-containing grains during transit or processing. Such issues have been observed by Mashgichim overseeing kashrus for items claiming to be gluten-free. However, there is a more fundamental reason why gluten-free products are not necessarily acceptable for Pesach: the standards for gluten-free and chametz-free are not the same! The term gluten is used to refer to specific proteins (gliadin, hordein, and secalin) found in certain grains and any item free of those proteins can be labeled gluten-free. Of course, these grains also have other components such as starch which may be gluten-free but are most definitely chametz. Thus, for example, in some countries wheat starch which is converted into glucose, later becomes alcohol, and finally ferments into vinegar, may be labeled gluten free yet the product is clearly not suitable for Pesach. A real-life example of this is Benefiber powder which is made of pure wheat dextrin and is chametz but since it is free of wheat protein it is labeled as being gluten-free (see ly/1ckr3ng). Similarly, Scotch whisky is made of malted barley and is surely chametz, yet the Scotch Whisky Association proudly reports that it is acceptable for coeliacs (the English spelling of celiac) (see question #90 at These examples reflect the fact that the standard for gluten-free is not the same as the halacha s standard of chametz-free. Accordingly, we recommend that people wishing to purchase food for Pesach check that the item is certified as being kosher for Pesach and not merely rely on a company s gluten-free claim. MEDICAL Chewing a Pill Many people have a difficult time swallowing pills. For a pill which is generally swallowed (and for which we have no information whether it contains chametz), a person may chew the pill instead. Coated Pills Most pills which one swallows are coated with a glaze, wax or shellac which makes the pills easier to swallow, and some of these coatings have some form of simple sugar (e.g. sucrose) mixed in to make it even more pleasant to swallow the pill. None of these ingredients pose a Pesach concern. Once in a while a pill is coated with sweeteners which are Pesach sensitive (e.g. sorbitol or mannitol) or which contain a flavor; such items would be listed as one of the inactive ingredients, and we would not recommend those for Pesach. [This occurs so infrequently, that our general recommendation remains that all pills are permitted.] An example of this issue is the Advil brand family of tablets. The (inactive) ingredient panel of the standard Advil tablets and caplets shows that they contain pharmaceutical glaze (i.e. shellac) and sucrose, and one who swallows an Advil pill notices that they have a more pleasant/sweet taste than pills coated with a non-sweet- 72 crc Pesach Guide

75 ened coating. These do not pose a Pesach concern. However, the ingredient panel on the Film-Coated Advil tablets and caplets indicates that its coating contains mannitol and a flavor, and that variety is therefore not recommended. Colonoscopy The primary solutions used to flush the patient s colon in preparation for a colonoscopy are polyethylene glycol based (e.g. GoLYTELY, NuLYTELY, MiraLAX). The ingredients used in the unflavored versions of these solutions do not pose any Pesach concern and may be consumed on Pesach. These solutions are also available pre-flavored or with a flavor pack that one adds to the solution, and these are not recommended for Pesach. In recent years, another option has become available sodium phosphate tablets (e.g. Osmo-Prep, Visicol). As with all other inedible tablets which are swallowed (as opposed to chewed), these tables may be used on Pesach regardless of which ingredients they contain. If someone is unable to drink the unflavored solution, and their doctor recommends that they not use the tablets, they should consult their Rabbi and doctor as to whether they may take the flavored solution and/or reschedule the procedure for before or after Pesach. Diabetes At the Seder one is required to consume large quantities of carbs, such as wine and matzah, which poses a unique challenge for diabetics. An excellent and thorough guide for this has been written by Rabbi Hirsch Meisels of the Friends with Diabetes website. The English version of the guide is available at org/files/pdf/pesachenglish.pdf, and that website also has other resources for Jewish diabetics. We have not reviewed the medical and halachic advice provided by those guides and recommend you discuss the details with your doctor and Rabbi. Glucose Tablets Although there is a small chance that the common ingredients in glucose tablets (dextrose, ascorbic acid, citric acid, and flavors) might well be chametz, the likelihood is that they are not, and in light of the seriousness of controlling one s diabetes it is permitted to take them on Pesach. If one s doctor permits one to substitute some other item (such as dried fruit) for glucose tablets, and those items are known to be kosher for Pesach, it would be preferable to use that substitute. Intravenous Someone who may be hospitalized on Pesach may allow him/herself to be given any intravenous fluid because (a) it is unlikely that they contain chametz and (b) even if it did, there is halachic rationale to permit any incapacitated person to use it. KASHERING Barbeque Grill The grates of a barbeque grill must be kashered with libun gamur, which is not recommended for the average consumer. If a person purchases separate grates for Pesach, the rest of the grill can be kashered with libun kal, which can be accomplished relatively easily, as follows: If the grill comes with a cover, light the grill with coals or gas, close the cover, and allow it to burn on its highest setting (or filled with a considerable amount of coal) for an hour. If the grill does not have a cover, follow the same procedure, but make sure that all surfaces of the grill are covered with coals. As with all items being kashered, it is crucial that the grill be cleaned thoroughly of all food residue, which is often a particular difficulty in a barbeque grill. In fact, if the grill has too many holes, cracks, and crevices where food may get trapped, one should refrain from kashering the grill at all. Braces In order to remove chametz from braces, we have been told by orthodontists that [for those people who do not have a water-flosser (e.g. Waterpik)] the best way to clean braces is to use a proxa brush which has a narrow bristled end that fits between the different wires and brackets. It is an inexpensive and effective tool for removing all residue from braces and other dental appliances. crc Pesach Guide

76 Dishwasher The first step in kashering any item is to remove all residual chametz. With this in mind, Rema 451:18 rules that any utensil which has small cracks and crevices where food might get trapped should not be kashered for Pesach because of the difficulty in getting the utensil perfectly clean. Our Guide presents the position of our Posek, Rav Schwartz who holds that the racks, silverware holder, and drain/filter areas of a dishwasher are classic examples of Rema s ruling; since there is a concern that food might be left in these areas, a dishwasher cannot be kashered for Pesach. Others hold that Rema s ruling is limited to strainers and other items that (a) have smaller and many more holes and (b) come in direct contact with Pesach food. Granite It is well established that stone can be kashered (see Shulchan Aruch 451:8), and one would therefore imagine that all Rabbis would agree that granite can be kashered. However, granite is commonly sealed with a synthetic coating so as to prevent staining, and there is a difference of opinion as to whether that coating can be kashered. Some Rabbis follow the opinion that synthetic materials cannot be kashered and therefore rule that sealed granite cannot be kashered. [A subset of this group is that some Rabbis follow this strict opinion for Pesach but not when kashering from non-kosher to kosher.] The crc and most other hashgochos accept the lenient opinion that synthetics may be koshered, and, therefore, our Pesach Guide provides directions for how granite and other sealed stone surfaces can be kashered. For more on the question of whether synthetics can be kashered, you may want to see Iggeros Moshe OC 2:92 & 3:58, Tzitz Eliezer 4:6:c, and Minchas Yitzchok 3:67. Kedairah Blech A kedairah blech can be kashered with hag alah. 1 The kedairah blech, a.k.a. the un-blech, has two parts, a pan and a cover. The first step is to clean the pan and the cover thoroughly, and not use them for 24 hours. The pan should then be kashered by filling it with water and bringing that water to a rolling boil. The top 2 of the cover (i.e. the side which comes in contact with the pots) must be submerged into boiling water. One possible way to do this would be by placing the cover upside down in the pan as it is filled with water, which is brought to a rolling boil (as described above). Steamers/Iron for Kashering The general rule (as per Iggeros Moshe YD 1:60) is that one must kasher with water which is in liquid form, and cannot kasher with steam. Accordingly, a steamer can only be used for kashering if two conditions are met: firstly, the steam must condense to the point that the whole area being kashered is covered with water, and secondly, that water must be at approximately the boiling point (212 F). Most steamers sold for cleaning purposes do not meet these criteria and cannot be used for kashering. One cannot kasher a counter with an iron without any water present. [The exact details as to why are beyond the scope of this forum.] Theoretically, hot water could be put onto the counter and then the iron could be used to bring that water to a boil, but it would be too difficult to know if every spot came into contact with boiling water (or if, instead, the water only hit certain spots), so we would not recommend it. Urn Rav Schwartz ruled that if it is the type of urn which is not brought to the table, is never used for anything but heating hot water, and is not washed with chametz items, it may be used for Pesach without kashering. If it is small enough to be brought to the table, is used to heat other beverages, you ever warm challah or other food on top of it for Shabbos, or you clean it with vinegar (to remove calcium buildup) or with the chametz dishes, then it should not be used for Pesach without kashering. E FOOTNOTES 1 Although people may put dry chametz foods (e.g. challah) directly onto the kedairah blech, the blech s pan is filled with water and therefore libun gamur is not required. 2 This is because the hag alah water must come in contact with the side of the utensil which had contact with the chametz (see Shulchan Aruch 451:1-2). VISIT US ONLINE / 74 crc Pesach Guide

77 Passover Foods for Your Pets On Passover, a Jewish person may not eat, own, or derive benefit from chametz which is fit for human or canine consumption, and owning chametz pet food to feed to an animal (even if the animal belongs to someone else or is ownerless) is a violation of the latter two of those restrictions. Although there are certain leniencies for foods that are not fit for human consumption, most modern day pet food would not be in that category. The food may be raw, or not prepared in a way that most people would entertain eating, but that does not put it in the halachic category of nifsal m achilas adam not fit for human consumption. While Ashkenazic Jews have a custom to not eat kitnios, they may own and derive benefit from them. To aid pet owners, the crc certifies certain varieties of pet food for Passover, which means that we visit the factory to determine which formulas are chametz-free, relieving the consumer of that responsibility. However, if no certified (or recommended) pet food is available, the consumer would have to carefully read the ingredient panel to determine whether a specific product contains any chametz (and many, in fact, do). A complete list of possible pet food ingredients is beyond the scope of this guide; however the following are a few pointers when reading the ingredient panel. If an ingredient does not appear in the following guidelines, it may still be chametz or chametz-sensitive. 1 In addition to checking for the five chametz grains wheat, barley, rye, oats, and spelt also look for brewer s yeast (a common flavoring agent, which is chametz), malt (a barley-based sweetener), pasta, xanthan gum (a thickener which may be fermented from chametz), and other generic terms which may refer to a chametz ingredient (e.g. flour, gluten, middlings, starch, et al). 2. Many varieties of animal feed contain a multitude of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, some of which may well be chametz, and there is no realistic way for a consumer to determine which of them are problematic. However, the good news is that vitamins comprise such a small percentage of the animal food that they are batel. Therefore, it is generally accepted that if the animal food was created before Passover, it may be used on Passover. 3. Some common ingredients used in pet food which do not pose a Passover concern are: a. Animal, poultry and fish products. b. Vegetables, such as alfalfa, asparagus, beets, and carrots. c. Assorted kitnios foods, such as buckwheat, corn products, lentils, millet, peas, rice, peanuts, sunflower seeds, and soy products. d. Other items, such as barley grass, BHA, BHT, carrageenan, cellulose, colors, eggs, gums (other than xanthan gum), kelp, lactose, linseed, milk products, molasses, oils, psyllium, and whey. By no means do these pointers cover all of the ingredients used in pet food, and we suggest that you contact a kashrus professional if you are unsure about any of the other ingredients in a given pet food. The following is a list of pet foods approved for Passover Make sure to check all labels. A product listing both meat and dairy ingredients may not be used any time during the year. Feed available at zoos is often chametz and should not be purchased or fed to the animals on Passover. After Passover, pet food with chametz may be purchased only from stores which are non-jewish owned (e.g. PetSmart, Petco) or Jewish owned and have sold their chametz. NOTE: Mixes sold in stores often contain chametz. It is advisable to mix regular and Passover food together one to two weeks before Passover before switching completely to Passover food. The ratio of regular and Passover food should be changed slowly to get the animal used to the new diet. Check with your veterinarian before changing diet. crc Pesach Guide

78 For cats and dogs, one may feed his pet any of the following items when bearing crc: CATS: Evanger s: Beef Tips with Gravy; Chicken Dinner for Cats; Freeze-Dried Beef Liver; Freeze-Dried Beef Tripe; Freeze-Dried Wild Salmon; Organic Braised Chicken Dinner for Cats; Organic Turkey and Butternut Squash for Cats; Slow Cooked Beef Stew for Cats Grain Free; Slow Cooked Chicken Stew for Cats Grain Free; Slow Cooked Turkey Stew for Cats Grain Free; Wild Salmon. There may be varieties of other name brand pet foods, such as Prescription Diet and Science Diet, which may be chametz-free. Consumers are urged to check all labels for chametz and/or chametz-sensitive ingredients as listed in the introductory paragraph above. DOGS: Evanger s: 100% Beef; 100% Buffalo; 100% Chicken; 100% Duck; 100% Organic Chicken; 100% Organic Turkey with Potatoes and Carrots; 100% Pheasant; 100% Sweet Potato; All Natural Beef Liver Chunks; Beef, Chicken, & Liver; Beef Chunks Dinner in Gravy; Beef Dinner; Beef with Chicken; Braised Beef Chunks with Gravy; Catch of the Day; Chicken Chunks Dinner in Gravy; Cooked Chicken: Duck and Sweet Potatoes Dinner; Freeze-Dried Beef Liver; Freeze-Dried Beef Tripe; Freeze-Dried Wild Salmon; Hunk of Beef; Lamb and Rice Dinner; Lamb Chunks Dinner in Gravy; Senior Dinner; Turkey Chunks Dinner in Gravy; Whole Chicken Thighs; Wild Salmon. There may be varieties of other name brand pet foods, such as Prescription Diet and Science Diet, which may be chametz-free. Consumers are urged to check all labels for chametz and/or chametz-sensitive ingredients as listed in the introductory paragraph above. FISH: Fish food, including pyramid feeders, and vacation blocks often have chametz. Goldfish and tropical fish can be given tubular worms, frozen brine shrimp, and freeze-dried worms (if they do not contain fillers). BIRDS (PARROTS, PARAKEETS, COCKATIELS, MACAWS): Millet, sorghum, wild bird food (check for chametz ingredients) as main diet. Peanuts, sunflower seeds, and safflower seeds can be given. Larger birds, such as parrots, can eat pure alfalfa pellets (make sure it is pure alfalfa since it is common to add grains) or dry dog food (see above for list). Smaller birds can also eat pure alfalfa pellets crush before feeding. Can supplement with sliced grapes, cottage cheese, rice cakes (birds like these), small pieces of lean meat, matza, berries, eggs, canned baby fruits. All large food should be shredded before serving. These items should be given sparingly. For minerals, can have oyster shells (calcium) or mineral block such as Kaytee Tropical Fruit Mineral Block Treat. The greater the variety, the better. HAMSTERS, GUINEA PIGS, GERBILS & RABBITS: Best to feed pure alfalfa pellets. Make sure it is pure alfalfa since it is common to add grains. Dried alfalfa may also be given. Can supplement with mixture of cut-up fruits and vegetables - carrots, grapes, apples, melon, kale, parsley, oranges, celery, dry corn, sunflower seeds, or cabbage. Can also give some matza. If not accustomed to these items, give sparingly. Guinea pigs will especially benefit from kale, parsley, and oranges. Hamsters will especially benefit from apples. Guinea pigs need vitamin C added to diet. LIZARDS: Be aware that mealworms, which as living creatures are not chametz, are commonly sold in a bed of wheat flakes or oatmeal, which is chametz and, therefore, may not be owned or used on Passover. Live crickets are permissible. Whole insects (live or dead) with no additives or other ingredients are permissible. E 76 crc Pesach Guide

79 Kosh er fo r p a sso v e r foo d fo r p e t s This PASS OVER don t forget your PETS! Evanger s is endorsed by the crc as Kosher for pets for Passover, to make feeding your dogs, cats & ferrets during the holidays simple and convenient. photo courtesy of barkerandmeowsky.com Available exclusively at independent pet stores. evangerspetfood.com See our SPECIAL OFFER at crcweb.org crc Pesach Guide

80 Rabbi Dovid Cohen Administrative Rabbinic Coordinator Chametz after Pesach After all of the Pesach dishes have been put away, we still have one halacha relating to Pesach which remains; it is known as chametz she avar alav hapesach (literally: chametz which passed through Pesach). GENERAL RULES The Torah forbids Jews from owning chametz on Pesach, and in order to discourage people from violating that prohibition, Chazal legislated that any chametz owned by a Jew on Pesach is forbidden forever to all Jews. 1 Not only may one not eat such chametz, known as chametz she avar alav hapesach, but one may not even derive any pleasure/benefit from the chametz. The prohibition of chametz she avar alav hapesach is Rabbinic in nature, and therefore some Acharonim are of the opinion that if one is unsure as to whether a specific item is or is not forbidden, one may be lenient. Others argue that in cases of doubt one may not eat the food but may have benefit/pleasure from it. Mishnah Berurah 449:5 cites both opinions without offering a definitive ruling, but it is noteworthy that Iggeros Moshe 2 is lenient. As with most prohibitions, it is generally accepted that if some chametz she avar alav hapesach was mixed into other food, the entire mixture is forbidden, unless the chametz comprises less than 1/60 of the mixture (i.e. batel b shishim) 3. For this reason, if a Jew owned chametz flour over Pesach and used that flour in a soup, the entire soup would be forbidden. WHICH FOODS ARE INCLUDED Only chametz foods are forbidden after Pesach as chametz she avar alav hapesach, but kitnios (e.g. rice, beans, corn), and other foods forbidden based on minhag, are not chametz. Therefore, a Jew may own them on Pesach, and they remain permitted after Pesach, regardless of who owned them. Some foods are obviously chametz, e.g. bread, pasta, cookies, crackers, and pretzels, and are clearly included in the halacha of chametz she avar alav hapesach. Other chametz-containing foods include breakfast cereals, most varieties of soy sauce, beer, whisky, and even flour (see Mishnah Berurah 453:24) and oatmeal. 4 On the other hand, plain barley kernels and most vinegars (other than malt vinegar), do not pose a concern of chametz after Pesach. JEWISH STOREKEEPERS The prohibition of chametz she avar alav hapesach is limited to chametz owned by a Jew on Pesach, but chametz owned by a non-jew is permitted. To this end, most conscientious Jews sell all of their remaining chametz 78 crc Pesach Guide

81 to a non-jew just before Pesach (mechiras chametz) and repurchase it after Yom Tov. Therefore, as a rule, observant Jews rarely have any of their own chametz which is chametz she avar alav hapesach, and they only deal with these halachos as relates to food purchased in stores after Pesach. If the storekeeper sold his chametz, then the chametz is permitted after Pesach, since technically it did not belong to the storekeeper. But if he did not do this, or if he purchased new chametz on Pesach (which is obviously not included in the pre-pesach sale), that chametz is forbidden. If one is unsure about purchasing chametz in a specific store after Pesach, a local Rabbi should be consulted to clarify the status. JEWISH MANUFACTURERS AND DISTRIBUTORS The status of Jewish-owned food manufacturers and distributors is somewhat more complicated than that of a storekeeper. If the storekeeper completes a mechiras chametz, at least the chametz which he owned from before Pesach, is permitted after Pesach. However, if a manufacturer or distributor continues to sell chametz from his stock to a supermarket on Pesach, that chametz is forbidden, which means that the chametz being sold in the supermarket is chametz she avar alav hapesach. As relates to the food manufacturer, the onus of guaranteeing that the food is not chametz she avar alav hapesach generally falls upon the Rabbis who certify the food as kosher, and there are different opinions as to how to deal with this. The most straightforward approach is to require that on Pesach all Jewish-owned companies not purchase, produce, or distribute anything that contains any potentially chametz ingredients. There are those who take a more lenient approach. They allow the Jewish owners of the company to sell the entire company not just its chametz to a non-jew, using a modified mechiras chametz, and consider the Jewish owners to be mere employees who help the new owner manage his company for Pesach. In this manner, the hashgachah considers the company no longer Jewish-owned, and imposes no restrictions as to what they can do on Pesach. Others disagree with this latter approach for two reasons. First, they claim that the sale of an entire company to an unknown buyer who has never even seen it, has no idea of what he is buying, does not have the means to follow through on the purchase, and is never given a fair accounting of the profits he earned during his weeklong ownership, is such an obvious sham as to invalidate the entire transaction. Secondly, there are serious halachic questions as to whether chametz purchased during the week of Pesach belongs to the buyer (i.e. the Jew) or the company s owner (i.e. the non-jew); these questions are beyond the scope of this article. As with all matters of halacha, consumers should consult with their Rabbi as to which of these methods they deem acceptable, and for information as to which hashgochos follow which standard. The aforementioned issue is even more complicated when considering a food distributor which is owned by a Jewish person. There is no certification body to consider how best to avoid chametz she avar alav hapesach, and it is close to impossible for consumers to know which products were in his warehouse (and are therefore forbidden) during Pesach. Due to the seriousness of the situation, some Rabbis have suggested creative ways to allow the distributor to perform a mechiras chametz which will even cover the chametz the distributor purchases and sells on Pesach. However, it is far from clear that these suggestions are halachically valid, or that they are even implemented at all distributors. Accordingly, consumers are advised to seek guidance from their local Rabbi as to how they act regarding this issue. E FOOTNOTES 1 Shulchan Aruch 448:3. 2 Iggeros Moshe OC 4:96. 3 See Shulchan Aruch 447:11 and Mishnah Berurah 447: See the end of Mishnah Berurah 454:13. FOLLOW US AND POST YOUR QUESTIONS ON facebook.com/crc-kosher crc Pesach Guide

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83 Sefirat Ha Omer Calendar 2018 Sefira is the counting of seven complete weeks from the second evening of Pesach until Shavuot. The count, which takes place after nightfall for the following day, is preceded by the blessing only if done in the evening and no days have been missed in the count. ברוך אתה ד' אלקנו מלך העולם אשר קדשנו במצותיו וצונו על ספירת העומר Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q היום יום אחד לעומר היום שני ימים לעומר היום שלשה ימים לעומר היום ארבעה ימים לעומר היום חמשה ימים לעומר היום ששה ימים לעומר היום שבעה ימים שהם שבוע אחד לעומר היום שמונה ימים שהם שבוע אחד ויום אחד לעומר היום תשעה ימים שהם שבוע אחד ושני ימים לעומר היום עשרה ימים שהם שבוע אחד ושלשה ימים לעומר היום אחד עשר יום שהם שבוע אחד וארבעה ימים לעומר היום שנים עשר יום שהם שבוע אחד וחמשה ימים לעומר היום שלשה עשר יום שהם שבוע אחד וששה ימים לעומר היום ארבעה עשר יום שהם שני שבועות לעומר היום חמשה עשר יום שהם שני שבועות ויום אחד לעומר היום ששה עשר יום שהם שני שבועות ושני ימים לעומר היום שבעה עשר יום שהם שני שבועות ושלשה ימים לעומר היום שמונה עשר יום שהם שני שבועות וארבעה ימים לעומר היום תשעה עשר יום שהם שני שבועות וחמשה ימים לעומר היום עשרים יום שהם שני שבועות וששה ימים לעומר היום אחד ועשרים יום שהם שלשה שבועות לעומר היום שנים ועשרים יום שהם שלשה שבועות ויום אחד לעומר היום שלשה ועשרים יום שהם שלשה שבועות ושני ימים לעומר היום ארבעה ועשרים יום שהם שלשה שבועות ושלשה ימים לעומר היום חמשה ועשרים יום שהם שלשה שבועות וארבעה ימים לעומר היום ששה ועשרים יום שהם שלשה שבועות וחמשה ימים לעומר היום שבעה ועשרים יום שהם שלשה שבועות וששה ימים לעומר היום שמונה ועשרים יום שהם ארבעה שבועות לעומר היום תשעה ועשרים יום שהם ארבעה שבועות ויום אחד לעומר היום שלשים יום שהם ארבעה שבועות ושני ימים לעומר היום אחד ושלשים יום שהם ארבעה שבועות ושלשה ימים לעומר היום שנים ושלשים יום שהם ארבעה שבועות וארבעה ימים לעומר היום שלשה ושלשים יום שהם ארבעה שבועות וחמשה ימים לעומר היום ארבעה ושלשים יום שהם ארבעה שבועות וששה ימים לעומר היום חמשה ושלשים יום שהם חמשה שבועות לעומר היום ששה ושלשים יום שהם חמשה שבועות ויום אחד לעומר היום שבעה ושלשים יום שהם חמשה שבועות ושני ימים לעומר היום שמונה ושלשים יום שהם חמשה שבועות ושלשה ימים לעומר היום תשעה ושלשים יום שהם חמשה שבועות וארבעה ימים לעומר היום ארבעים יום שהם חמשה שבועות וחמשה ימים לעומר היום אחד וארבעים יום שהם חמשה שבועות וששה ימים לעומר היום שנים וארבעים יום שהם ששה שבועות לעומר היום שלשה וארבעים יום שהם ששה שבועות ויום אחד לעומר היום ארבעה וארבעים יום שהם ששה שבועות ושני ימים לעומר היום חמשה וארבעים יום שהם ששה שבועות ושלשה ימים לעומר היום ששה וארבעים יום שהם ששה שבועות וארבעה ימים לעומר היום שבעה וארבעים יום שהם ששה שבועות וחמשה ימים לעומר היום שמונה וארבעים יום שהם ששה שבועות וששה ימים לעומר היום תשעה וארבעים יום שהם שבעה שבועות לעומר Saturday evening, March 31 Sunday evening, April 1 Monday evening, April 2 Tuesday evening, April 3 Wednesday evening, April 4 Thursday evening, April 5 Friday evening, April 6 Saturday evening, April 7 Sunday evening, April 8 Monday evening, April 9 Tuesday evening, April 10 Wednesday evening, April 11 Thursday evening, April 12 Friday evening, April 13 Saturday evening, April 14 Sunday evening, April 15 Monday evening, April 16 Tuesday evening, April 17 Wednesday evening, April 18 Thursday evening, April 19 Friday evening, April 20 Saturday evening, April 21 Sunday evening, April 22 Monday evening, April 23 Tuesday evening, April 24 Wednesday evening, April 25 Thursday evening, April 26 Friday evening, April 27 Saturday evening, April 28 Sunday evening, April 29 Monday evening, April 30 Tuesday evening, May 1 Wednesday evening, May 2 Thursday evening, May 3 Friday evening, May 4 Saturday evening, May 5 Sunday evening, May 6 Monday evening, May 7 Tuesday evening, May 8 Wednesday evening, May 9 Thursday evening, May 10 Friday evening, May 11 Saturday evening, May 12 Sunday evening, May 13 Monday evening, May 14 Tuesday evening, May 15 Wednesday evening, May 16 Thursday evening, May 17 Friday evening, May 18 crc Pesach Guide

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85 Think of the Possibilities We do. Summer camp at the Bernard Horwich JCC, one of Keshet s 20 day and overnight sites serving 250 campers with disabilities. keshet.org EVER WONDER WHERE THE PEOPLE WITH ALL THE ANSWERS, GET ALL THE ANSWERS? Marcum LLP is one of the largest independent public accounting and advisory services firms in the nation, with offices in major business markets throughout the U.S., as well as Grand Cayman, China and Ireland. Headquartered in New York City, Marcum provides a full spectrum of traditional tax, accounting and assurance services; advisory, valuation and litigation support; and an extensive range of specialty and niche industry practices. The Firm serves both privately held and publicly traded companies, as well as high net worth individuals, private equity funds and hedge funds, with a focus on middle-market companies and closely held family businesses. Marcum is a member of the Marcum Group, an organization providing a comprehensive array of professional services. Ask Marcum. marcumllp.com crc Pesach Guide

86 Rabbi Eli Markowitz crc Representative for Blue Ribbon Kosher and Minnesota Kosher Music During Sefira The Tur (Orach Chaim 493) writes that one should not get married between Pesach and Shavuos. The reason for this custom is based on the Talmud (Yevamos 62b) that tells us that in the days between Pesach and Shavuos, 24,000 students of Rabbi Akiva passed away as a consequence of them failing to be respectful of one another. To commemorate this tragic event, we refrain from getting married at this time, so as not to increase our happiness. Many people also have a custom to avoid listening to music during sefira. Notably there is no mention of this minhag in the Shulchan Aruch. Let us explore the background for this minhag. The Mishnah (Sotah 48a) tells us that when the Sanhedrin (Rabbinic Assembly) became obsolete, a ban was imposed on the music in the Bais Hamishtaos (wine houses). 1 As explained by the Rambam (Hilchos Taanios 5:14), the ban on music is a sign of mourning over the destruction of the Bais Hamikdash (Holy Temple). 2 The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 560:3) writes that listening to singing, even without music, is forbidden if it is being enjoyed while drinking wine. However, playing musical instruments is forbidden, even if not accompanied with wine drinking. The Rema argues that the prohibition is primarily while drinking wine, but he agrees that if one is listening to music all day, it is considered excessive and it is prohibited even without wine. A third opinion, not cited in the Shulchan Aruch, is the opinion of the Rambam (Teshuva 224) who writes that all music is forbidden and there is no differentiation between vocals and instruments, and wine is not a factor. Nevertheless, even according to the most lenient position, one should not drink wine while listening to a live band. 3 Rav Moshe Feinstein (IGR M O.C. 1:166) held that one should optimally be stringent in keeping with the opinion of the Rambam and not listen to any music at all, as a sign of mourning over the destruction of the Bais Hamikdash. Rav Feinstein goes on to say that at the very least, when it comes to the days of sefiras ha omer (and the 3 weeks) one should avoid listening to music. This seems to be a source for our custom of not listening to music during the sefira (IGR M Y.D. 2:137). However, there may be another source for our custom. The Magen Avraham (O.C. Siman 493:1) says that during sefira there is a prohibition to dance. The Aruch Hashulchan says that if dancing is prohibited, then surely playing a musical instrument is prohibited (see Minchas Yitzchak 1:111). However, not all Poskim are convinced of this argument and they rule that music would not necessarily be forbidden based on the prohibition to dance. Accordingly, they say that essentially it is just a minhag that developed over time crc Pesach Guide

87 GUIDELINES Let us now discuss the guidelines for this minhag. There is a dispute in the Poskim whether recorded music has the same status as live music (see Piskei Teshuvos 493:4). Most of the Poskim are of the opinion that there is no difference, and both are prohibited. This appears to be the minhag during sefira. 5 If one prefers listening to music while doing work or exercising in order to stay energized or awake, there is definitely room for leniency because the intention is not for simcha ( joy). 6 This would also apply to one who is listening to music while driving in order to remain awake. Additionally, playing music in the car to calm down a child would also be permitted. An argument can be made that if the source for not listening to music is based on the prohibition of dancing, then slower, more meaningful songs which will not lead to dancing should be allowed (Halichos Shlomo Vol. 2, 11:14). Although songs of regesh (emotion) may not be included in the minhag, having a kumzits (a gathering of people singing together) is not appropriate, because singing together tends to be joyful (Kovetz Halachos, page 102). Rav Feinstein (IGR M O.C 1:166) writes that one may listen to a recorded voice (a song with just vocals and no instruments) during sefira but not recorded instruments. Some Poskim (Shevet Halevi 8:127) rule that even a recorded voice has the status of music, but others say that it depends on the type of song (Yechaveh Daas 6:32, Piskei Teshuvos 493). In conclusion, the Meiri, in his Introduction to Masechta Berachos, writes that sometimes, in our desire to follow halacha, we get caught up in the details and we lose sight of what is really important. Let us remember that during these days of sefira, we need to minimize our happiness as a sign of mourning over the loss of the 24,000 students of Rabbi Akiva. It would behoove us to take a moment (as we turn off the CD in our car) to remember what the message of this minhag is really all about. E FOOTNOTES 1 See Rashi (ad loc.) who says that this ban on music only applies in a Bais Hamishtaos. Tosfos, however, adds that the prohibition would include one who is having excessive enjoyment from music, e.g. he wakes up and goes to sleep listening to music. 2 The Yerushalmi on the Mishnah in Sotah gives an alternative explanation, i.e. the ban was due to the fact that we no longer had the Sanhedrin to regulate the content of the songs. 3 Some exceptions include weddings and other seudas mitzvah. 4 Ashrei Ha ish 65:20. See also IGR M Y.D. 2:137 as well as Shailos U tshuvos Shoalin V darshin 4:37. 5 It seems that regarding the prohibition of listening to music while drinking wine, the practice is to be lenient and view recorded music as different (see Yechaveh Daas 6:34). Perhaps this is due to other considerations: 1) We are so accustomed to recorded music that it does not bring us joy, 2) recorded music was not part of the original takana (Chelkas Yaakov O.C. 64), and 3) we are generally in low spirits, and it would be beneficial for us to listen to music that uplifts the soul (Maharshag 2:125). 6 Kovetz Halachos, page 109. See Gemara in Sotah 48a which says that the workers who pull in boats can listen to music, because the music is only being used to speed up their work. FLY THROUGH THE CHECKOUT! Get crc advertiser Passover coupons on the web at: crcweb.org/coupons.pdf crc Pesach Guide

88 4840 main street skokie illinois KEHILAT CHOVEVEI TZION Raffi Arzoumanian, AIA, LEED AP, NCARB Principal a+c architects is a team of professionals dedicated to creating insightful solutions to clients design needs. For 25 year, a+c architects has provided exemplary architectural, engineering and interior design services for commercial, institutional and residential clients, emphasizing stewardship of client resources, including their facility goals, budget, schedule and vision. SUMIT CONSTRUCTION HEADQUARTER BECKER ROAD RESIDENCE Complete car repair for over 30 years Days: Evenings: Fax: Body Shop inc. Under direct owner management remains at our ORIGINAL and ONLY location, conveniently located in Skokie at the corner of Kedzie and Howard. 86 crc Pesach Guide

89 Kosher Symbols There are more than 1,400 kosher certifying agencies around the world! The following is just a small sample of commonly found and acceptable kosher symbols and their agencies. Additional recommended agencies and symbols may be found on our app and our website at and searched at The fact that a particular agency does not appear on these lists does not imply that the crc has determined it to be substandard. Note: There are three areas of kashrus that require extra diligence and research even when bearing a recommended kosher symbol. These three areas are: meat, Passover hotels, and cruises. Kehillah Kosher, Los Angeles, CA Orthdox Union, New York OK Kosher, Brooklyn, NY Cape Town Beth Din, Cape Town, South Africa Kof-K, Teaneck, NJ Star-K, Baltimore, MD Atlanta Kashrus Commission, Atlanta, GA Vaad HaRabbonim of New England, Boston, MA Kashrus Council of Canada, Toronto, Ontario Rabbinical Council of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia Rabbinical Council of California, Los Angeles, CA Scroll-K, Denver, CO Badatz Eida Hachareidis, Jerusalem, Israel Central Rabbinical Congress, Brooklyn, NY Dallas Kosher, Los Angeles, CA Rabbi Menachem Meir Weissmandel, Monsey, NY Vaad HaRabanim of Greater Seattle, Seattle, WA Council of Orthodox Rabbis of Greater Detroit, Detroit, MI Kosher Supervisors of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI Rabbi Zevulun Charlop, Bronx, NY crc Pesach Guide

90 A Blue Ribbon for the crc Something exciting is always happening at the crc, as we continue to reach out to and hear from consumers and vaadim (kosher certification agencies) around the globe. Our app and website are used throughout the world and all hours of the day and night. We get calls from consumers down the block and in cities across the country and from agencies and consumers in communities near and far. In addition, from our home in Chicago, the crc has traditionally supported many smaller vaadim by advising their leadership how to better run proper kashrus agencies, said Rabbi Sholem Fishbane, crc Kashruth Administrator. Vaadim have expressed great admiration for the help we offer in a non-competitive way. It was understandable, therefore, that as Rabbi Baruch M. Clein, head of Blue Ribbon Kosher (BRK), began to plan his retirement, he approached the crc and proposed that we might acquire his agency and to continue to provide kosher supervision for the companies under their certification. Rabbi Yechezkel Greenberg, then head of the Rabbinical Board of Minnesota Kosher, also reached out to us for help in cementing the crc involvement in the community, explained Rabbi Fishbane, by having the crc take over Minnesota Kosher (MK) as well. Minnesota Kosher concentrates primarily on local establishments, while Blue Ribbon companies can be found in Minnesota, North Dakota, Texas, Pennsylvania, and even as far as Thailand. Last year, crc rabbinical coordinators visited many companies certified by Blue Ribbon Kosher to assess what would be involved in assuming responsibility for this supervision, and arrangements were completed by March The crc s purchase of Minnesota Kosher was finalized in July. When the kashrus agencies in Minnesota recognized the need to give over the reins to an established hashgacha, it was only natural for them to contact the crc, added Rabbi Fishbane. This is testament to the culture of crc and how we interact with others to work toward the betterment of kashrus overall. The companies whose products have been certified by BRK are enthusiastic about the purchase, according to Rabbi Moshe Moscowitz, crc Senior Rabbinical Coordinator. Through BRK the crc broadens the type of products the crc certifies, and for the agencies and their companies, crc certification affords global recognition and provides advanced computer systems for data entry and publicity, as well. Rabbi Fishbane recruited Rabbi Eli Markowitz, whose wife is originally from Minneapolis, as the crc s local representative in Minnesota to oversee kashrus for many of the companies and plants formerly under Blue Ribbon Kosher and Minnesota Kosher. Rabbi Markowitz attended Yeshiva Torah Vodaath in New York and received semicha from Rabbi Yisroel Belsky zt l. He is also a talmid of Rabbi Yisroel Reisman shlit a. Both Rabbi Belsky and then Rabbi Reisman influenced Rabbi Markowitz to enter the kashrus field. Often Rabbi Markowitz and those 88 crc Pesach Guide

91 in his shiur accompanied Rabbi Belsky zt l on visits to the Orthodox Union. Rabbi Reisman showed me the way to take halachos and make them practical for kashrus sheilos, said Rabbi Markowitz. I regularly consult with him. We are also fortunate to have the guidance of Rabbi Shimon Perez, who previously led hashgacha for Minnesota Kosher and helped Rabbi Clein with BRK. Rabbinical coordinators of the crc travel to Minneapolis to work with and mentor Rabbi Markowitz and ensure crc policy is adopted by the new accounts. The companies are impressed with the crc s level of professionalism and the scope of what they are able to do, said Rabbi Markowitz. Rabbi Markowitz, himself, is impressed by how much time and effort the crc office and rabbinical coordinators put into every visit and company. Seeing their dedication is motivating, he said. As we welcome Blue Ribbon Kosher and Minnesota Kosher to the crc family, we look forward to continuing to offer superior customer service and exemplary support for individuals and agencies in Chicago, the Midwest, and everywhere in the world where kosher consumers are found. E The Chicago Rabbinical Council IS PROUD TO WELCOME Blue Ribbon Kosher Minnesota Kosher to the family crc Pesach Guide

92 Rabbi Daniel J. Raccah Dayan A Selection of the Halachot of Birkat HaIlanot The source of this unique blessing is the following passage in Birachot (43b): Rav Yehuda said that one who goes out during the days of Nissan and sees trees that are blossoming should recite the following blessing: Blessed is He who did not withhold anything from this world, and who created good creations and good trees to allow man to benefit from them. INTRODUCTION The blessing was instituted because the blossoming of trees only comes from time to time, and with the blossoming of wilted trees, a person witnesses H-shem perform an act of renewal 1. Birkat HaIlanot (literally blessing of the trees ) is amongst the many blessings recited upon sighting certain events. Yet, due to the great importance of this blessing in the Kabbalistic perspective 2, it has received enhanced significance 3. In times past, the general populace was unmindful of this blessing 4, although scholars were scrupulously careful to fulfill it 5. WHEN? The month: The Gemara appears to tie the reciting of this blessing to the month of Nissan. In fact, some Poskim 6 hold that the blessing should be recited only during the month of Nissan (this year March 17 April 15). Indeed, many 7 are particular to recite the blessing on Rosh Chodesh Nissan. However, many 8 argue that the Gemara discusses the common state of affairs, but the blessing may be recited even after Nissan. One may recite the blessing in Adar (this year February 16 March 16) if the blossoms appear then 9. However, others 10 hold that if the blossoms will remain until Nissan, then one should wait until Nissan to recite the blessing in order to fulfill the mitzvah according to all authorities. In countries (such as Australia) and climates where trees blossom in other periods of the year, the blessing should be recited whenever the trees blossom, even though it is not Nissan 11. Time of Day: Birkat HaIlanot may be recited at night as long as the person is able to clearly see the blossoms on the trees 12. WHO IS OBLIGATED? Who says the bracha: Women may recite this blessing 13. Some Poskim 14 (decisors) indicate that women need not exert themselves to recite this blessing but rather should recite it if the opportunity presents itself. However, others 15 do not distinguish between men and women. 90 crc Pesach Guide

93 Modesty should be maintained if they elect to recite the blessing along with men. How many people: The blessing may be recited when one is alone 16. However, many authorities 17 indicate that preferably the blessing should be recited with a Minyan. WHICH TREES? Type of Tree: This blessing needs to be recited on the blossoms of fruit trees 18. However, if a person mistakenly recited the blessing on non-fruit bearing trees, he should not repeat the blessing upon seeing blossoming fruit trees 19. Number of trees: Some authorities 20 opine that the blessing must be said upon a minimum of two trees. However, many Poskim 21 hold that while it is preferable to recite the blessing upon seeing a minimum of two trees, it is permissible to do so even when seeing just one tree. Location of the trees: The language of the Gemara and particularly the Rambam 22 that speaks of going out and not simply seeing prompted some Poskim 23 to state that one should recite the blessing upon trees in orchards or fields outside the city. However, most authorities 24 do not accept this as a requirement, but rather as an enhancement of the halacha. E This article is excerpted from an extended version which will be available in the near future. FOOTNOTES דוקא. וע' ברוקח )סי' שמב( והמרדכי )ברכות סי' קמח( ובס' צדה לדרך )מאמר א כלל ג סו"פ כח, דף לו ע"א בדפוס ווארשא תר"מ( ועוד שמשמע מדבריהם שניסן לאו דוקא, כאשר כתב מכבר בשו"ת יחוה דעת ח"א )סי' א(. ע"ש. ועי' לרבי אברהם בן הרמב"ם בס' המספיק לעובדי ה' )מהד' נסים דנה, פרק ל' סוף עמ' 249( שכתב בימי האביב. וכן במשנ"ב )סי' רכו ס"ק א( בשם אחרונים שניסן לאו דוקא, אלא דאורחא דמילתא נקט. ע"ש. ועוד טובא. 9.9 א"ר )סי' רכו ס"א( ומקור חיים לבעל חוות יאיר )קיצור הלכות סי' רכו( בשם הצדה לדרך וכן בהגה בבאר היטב )סי' רכו ס"ק א( וכן מבואר במ"ב )סי' רכו ס"ק א( שה"ה בחודש אחר. אבל ראה בס' מועדי הגר"ח ח"א )הל' פסח תשובה יא( שאין לברך בחודש אדר. ובס' דולה ומשקה )סי' רכו, עמ' קלא( שלא נהגו לברך קודם ניסן אבל אם בירך יצא. ע"ש שו"ת משפטי עוזיאל ח"א )חאו"ח סי' ו( ושו"ת יחוה דעת ח"א )סי' א( וכן בחזו"ע פסח )מהד' תשס"ג, הל' ברכת האילנות אות ז( שו"ת הר צבי )חאו"ח סי' קיח( ושו"ת מנחת יצחק ח"י )סי' טז( ובס' מעשה חמד )פ"א אות יט( ובס' קובץ הלכות פסח )פ"ג אות ו( וס' הלכה ברורה )סי' רכו אות ו(. ע"ע בשו"ת מטה לוי ח"ב )חאו"ח סי' י( ובשו"ת חמדת צבי ח"א )ס"ס יח( ובשו"ת צי"א חי"ב )סי' כ אות ג( ושו"ת להורות נתן ח"ה )סי' ז( עי' שו"ת יין הטוב ח"א )סי' מד מה(, שו"ת ציץ אליעזר חי"ב )סי' כ אות ו( וס' חזון עובדיה )פסח, מהד' תשס"ג הל' ברכת האלינות ס"א, עמ' י'( ושו"ת רבבות אפרים ח"ו )סי' תנח אות ב'(. אמנם ראה בשו"ת הר צבי )חאו"ח סי' קיח( ומש"כ עליו בשו"ת יין הטוב הנ"ל )סי' מה, דקמ"א ע"א( וראה עוד בשו"ת חמדת צבי ח"א )סי' יח אות ט( ומש"כ עליו בשו"ת צי"א הנ"ל ובס' מעשה חמד )פ"א הערה ס', עמ' צח( 1313 שו"ת הר צבי ח"א )סי' קיח( >נדפסה לו בשו"ת יין הטוב ח"א )סי' מד(<, ס' חזון עובדיה )פסח, מהד' תשס"ג הל' ברכת האילנות ס"א, עמ' י' וכן בט"ו בשבט ברכות, דיני ברכת האילנות אות ג', עמ' תס( ובס' הליכות ביתה )פי"ג סכ"ג( וס' אשרי האיש ח"ג )פ"נ אות ב'( וס' מועדי הגר"ח ח"א )הל' פסח תשובה א(. ועי' גם בשו"ת באר שרים ח"ה )סי' ל לא( ושו"ת צי"א חי"ב )סי' כ אות ה( ושו"ת רבבות אפרים ח"ו )סי' קו( עי' בשו"ת תשובות והנהגות ח"א )סי' קצ( ר"ש קמינצקי בס' קובץ הלכות פסח )פ"ג ס"ז( שראוי לנשים להדר אחר ברכה זו עי' ס' קובץ הלכות פסח )פ"ג אות ט(. וראה בס' ועלהו לא יבול ח"א )עמ' קכד( מעשה רב שרשז"א בירך יחידי. ע"ש חסד לאלפים )סי' רכא-רל אות כג( וכן במועד לכל חי )סי' א אות ו( והוב"ד בכפה"ח סופר )סי' רכו אות ז(. וכן כתב הרב בן איש חי בס' לשון חכמים ח"א )סי' מב( שו"ת הלכות קטנות ח"ב )סי' כח(, משנ"ב )סי' רכו ס"ק ב'(, ס' חזון עובדיה )פסח, מהד' תשס"ג הל' ברכת האילנות ס"ג, עמ' יג(. אמנם יש לציין שיטת היעב"ץ בס' מור וקציעה )סי' רכה, ד, ער ע"ב במהד' מכון ירושלים( שאפשר לברך גם על אילני סרק שו"ת שבט הלוי ח"ו )סי' נג אות ד'(, ס' חזון עובדיה )פסח, מהד' תשס"ג הל' ברכת האילנות ס"ג, עמ' יג( 2020 עי' שו"ת הלכות קטנות ח"ב )סי' כח( שכתב "גם אין לברך אלא על ריבוי אילנות". וכן משמע דעת הפתח הדביר )סי' רכו אות א'( והכפה"ח סופר )סי' רכו אות ב( והדעת תורה )סי' רכו( מתוך כתבי הדעת קדושים. ובס' תורת חיים )סי' רכו ס"ק א( כתב שמלשון מברכה משמע שצריך הרבה אילנות. ע"ש. וכן העלה בס' אור לציון ח"ג )פ"ו אות א(. ועי בשו"ת צי"א חי"ב )סי' כ אות ז( 2121 הגאון חיד"א במורה באצבע )אות קצח( שהמדקדקים מקפידים שיהיו שתי אילנות. והוב"ד במועד לכל חי )סי' א אות ט(. מבואר שמעיקר הדין סגי באילן אחד. ובשו"ת בצל החכמה ח"ו )סי' לו( ובס' מעשה חמד )פ"ו הערה לז( כתבו להוכיח כן ממקורות שבהם הנוסח היא "אילנא" בלשון יחיד. ע"ש. וכן פסק בתשובות והנהגות ח"א )סי' קצא( ובס' מועדי הגר"ח ח"א )הל' פסח תשובה ה( ובס' קובץ הלכות פסח )פ"ג אות ח(. והנה בחזו"ע פסח )מהד' תשס"ג הל' ברכת האילנות אות ג( העלה שעל אילן א' שב ואל תעשה עדיף. אמנם בחזו"ע ברכות )דיני ברכת האילנות אות ב( חזר בהו והעלה שאם אינו מוצא אלא אילן א' מברך עליו. ע"ש. וראה בשו"ת רבבות אפרים ח"ח )סי' עז( שראה לר"מ פיינשטין שבירך על אילן אחד. ע"ש. ועי' בס' מבית לוי מועדי השנה )פנ"ח הערה ה( שהמנהג לברך בכל גוונא רמב"ם )הל' ברכות פ"י הי"ג(: "היוצא לשדות ולגנות ביומי ניסן" 2323 מהר"ח פאלאג'י בשו"ת לב חיים ח"ב )סי' מה(. ואע"פ שבספרו מועד לכל חי )סי' א אות ז( העיד שבקושטא נוהגים בפשיטות לברך בתוך העיר וגם מנהג הרב הי"ם הגדול היה לברך בתוך חצרו, מ"מ עמד בדעתו שיש לברך מחוץ לעיר חוץ מזקן ותש כח. ע"ש. וע"ע ברוח חיים )סי' רכו( שחזר לומר שזקן או חולה יכול לברך בתוך העיר. ע"ש. ע"ע בשו"ת הלכות קטנות ח"ב )סי' כח( במעשה רוקח על הרמב"ם )שם( ובפרי האדמה ח"א )הל' ברכות פ"י הי"ג, דכ"ט סוע"ד( דחו הדיוק בלשון הרמב"ם. והגאון חיד"א בס' מורה באצבע )סי' קצח( כותב שהמדקדקים מקפידים ויוצאים לשדה לברך. ע"ש. מבואר שהוי דקדוק. וראה בפתח הדביר )סי' רכו אות א( שהאריך להוכיח כן. ע"ש. וע"ע בשו"ת צי"א חי"ב )סי' כ אות א-ב( ובשו"ת בצל החכמה ח"ו )סי' לו( ובאור לציון ח"ג )פ"ו אות א( ובחזו"ע פסח )הל' ברכת האילנות אות ב(. וע' במעשה חמד )פ"ו אות יד( ופסקי תשובות )סי' רכו הערה 7( שכן המנהג כיום לברך בעיר. 1.1 הרא"ה והריטב"א בברכות )מג ע"ב(. ועי' בשפתי כהן עה"ת )בראשית א,יב(. בערוך השלחן )סי' רכו ס"א( מסביר שבברכה זו נותן שבח והודאה להשי"ת שברא בשביל האדם אפי' דברים שאין בהם הכרחיות לחיי האדם כמו פרי האילנות. ע"ש וע"ע בשו"ת חמדת צבי ח"א )סי' יח(. 2.2 עי' להגאון חיד"א בס' מורה באצבע )אות קצט( ובכפה"ח )סי' רכו אות ו( 3.3 עי' פסקי תשובות )סי' רכו אות א'( 4.4 עי' באשל אברהם בוטשאטש )סי' רכו( שכתב שכעת רובא דרובא אין מברכים ברכה זו. וע"ע בא"א בוטשאטש תנינא )סי' רכו( ובערוך השלחן )סי' רכו ס"ס ב(. 5.5 עי' ערוך השלחן )סי' רכו סוס"ק ב'(. עי' הנהגת הגרשז"א בס' הליכות שלמה )תפלה פכ"ג הערה 121, עמ' רפט( שפעם נשתבח בעצמו שמאז היותו בר מצוה לא חיסר מלברך ברכה זו אפילו שנה אחת. ע"ש. 6.6 עי' שו"ת הלכות קטנות ח"ב )סי' כח(. וע"פ הסוד שייכת ברכה זו דוקא לימי ניסן עי' בברכ"י )סי' רכו אות ב( ומורה באצבע )אות קצח( ומועד לכל חי )סי' א אות ט( וחסד לאלפים )סי' רכא-רל אות כג(. וראה בפתח הדביר )סי' רכו אות ב( ושד"ח )אסיפת דינים מע' ברכות סי' ב אות א( שהאריכו. וכן הסיק להלכה בכפה"ח סופר )סי' רכו אות א(. 7.7 רבי חיים הכהן בהגדת ערב פסח )דיני ברכת האילנות אות כ, עמ' נ בנדמ"ח( אור לציון ח"ג )פ"ו אות א( וס' מבית הלוי מועדי השנה )פנ"ח אות א(. ועי' בחזון עובדיה פסח )מהד' תשס"ג, הל' ברכת האילנות אות ו( שיש לברך הקדם ואין להשהות הברכה כדי לברך בציבור. וכ"כ בס' מעשה חמד )פ"ו אות ו( שדעת רוב הפוסקים שמעלת זריזין מקדימין עדיפה מברוב עם. ע"ש. השווה לפסקי תשובות סי' רכו הערה 10(. ועי' בשו"ת יד יצחק ח"א )סי' קצח(. 8.8 עי' ספר האשכול )הל' ברכות סי' כט, עמ' 68( וריטב"א )ר"ה יא ע"א( שניסן לאו crc Pesach Guide

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96 Rabbi Ephraim Friedman Dayan Shiluach Hakan When spring arrives, and the outdoor temperature rises, new bird nests tend to appear throughout the city, on trees, under awnings, and in various other locations sometimes even upon traffic lights! When these nests are occupied by recently laid eggs or newly hatched baby birds, they provide us with the opportunity to fulfill the mitzvah d oraissa (Biblical commandment) of shiluach hakan. Let us examine some of the primary halachos which govern this mitzvah. The Torah states (Devarim, 22: 6-7) Should a bird s nest chance to be before you, on the path, in any tree, or on the ground chicks or eggs and the mother bird is sitting on the chicks or on the eggs, you shall not take the mother bird while she is on the young. You shall surely send away the mother bird, and the young take for yourself, so that it should be good for you, and you will live long. From these verses we derive the following: 1) It is forbidden to take a mother bird while she is brooding over her young, whether they are still inside the eggs or have already hatched. 2) It is likewise forbidden to remove the eggs or chicks from the nest as long as the mother bird is present. 3) One fulfills a mitzvas asay (a positive commandment) by sending away the mother bird, at which point they may acquire the young for themselves. When we refer, then, to the mitzvah of shiluach hakan, we are not actually referring to sending away the young inhabitants of a nest, as the term might suggest; rather to the sending away of the mother bird who is visiting the next to care for her offspring. The following basic question must then be addressed: Is this mitzvah mandatory or optional? That is, suppose one has no need or desire for the eggs in a nest which he chances upon, as is generally the case nowadays, particularly in urban society. Does the Torah, nonetheless, obligate us to perform the mitzvah of shiluach hakan by sending away the mother bird, or under these circumstances, may one simply continue along his way, and leave the nest untouched? This question is a point of much contention in halacha, and both sides have strong support in the writings of prominent Poskim (decisors). 1 The lenient position seems to be the more prevalent view. Nevertheless, there is great merit in seizing the opportunity to perform this mitzvah when it presents itself. Every mitzvah provides an opportunity for one to fulfill the will of the Creator, which in and of itself, is reason enough to do it. The mitzvah of shiluach hakan, in particular, brings with it the promise of longevity (as one of the above quoted verses states explicitly), as well as many other benefits and blessings, as described in Midrashic sources. 2 So, although all opinions agree that there is no obligation to actively seek out opportunities to perform shiluach hakan, doing even that is a worthwhile endeavor, and 94 crc Pesach Guide

97 certainly when an opportunity presents itself, it is well worth grabbing. This brings us to the next question. If, indeed, one has no need for the eggs or chicks, can the mitzvah be fulfilled in its entirety by simply sending away the mother bird, or is the subsequent acquisition of the young an integral and necessary component of the mitzvah? The answer to this question is a matter of dispute among the authorities. There are those who state explicitly that taking the offspring is not necessary. 3 In their view, although the Torah clearly states, הבנים תקח לך","ואת and the young take for yourself, this is not meant to be understood as a requirement, but rather now that one has sent away the mother bird, they may acquire the young, if they wish. Others, however, maintain that the mitzvah of shiluach hakan is not fulfilled unless one actually takes possession of the offspring. 4 It is recommended that one comply with the more stringent opinion. 5 To take possession of the offspring a halachically valid kinyan (method of acquisition) must be performed. This can be accomplished by lifting the offspring three tefachim (handbreadths), or approximately twelve inches, above the nest. Alternatively a kinyan can be performed by completely encompassing the offspring with the palm of one s hand without lifting them at all. It should be noted that according to all authorities, it is not necessary to acquire more than one egg or chick to fulfill the mitzvah properly, regardless of how many of each one the nest may contain. Once one has properly acquired the offspring as described above, the mitzvah is complete, and the eggs or chicks can be returned to the nest. There is no need to keep them or consume them. When returning them, it is advisable to mafkir them, that is, to declare them ownerless. Preferably this declaration should be done in front of three people. By rendering the offspring hefker (ownerless), it allows for the possibility of another individual 6 to fulfill the mitzvah with this nest, in the event that the mother bird returns. If one does not declare them hefker, the eggs or chicks will remain in his possession even after they are returned to the nest. Consequently, even if someone were to chase away the mother bird upon her return to the nest and take the offspring, this would be a pointless act and not the fulfillment of a mitzvah. This is because a prerequisite of the mitzvah of shiluach hakan is that the young contents of the nest not be the property of any individual. 7 (See Ownership of the Nest below.) SENDING AWAY THE MOTHER BIRD Having discussed the matter of acquiring the young, let us now take a step back to the first stage of the mitzvah, which is sending away the mother bird. How is this accomplished? According to many authorities, anything one does to cause the mother bird to fly off the nest (e.g. banging on or near the nest, or throwing some object in the direction of the nest), constitutes a fulfillment of the mitzvah. It is not necessary to make any form of physical contact with the mother bird. If the mother bird is awake when one wishes to fulfill the mitzvah, it is possible that as one approaches the nest, she will become frightened by what she sees or hears and will immediately fly off onto a nearby tree or the like. Therefore, as one is approaching the nest, it is proper to have kavana (intent) that any action you do, and any noise you create is intended for the purpose of fulfillment of this mitzvah. Thus, rather than losing the opportunity to do the mitzvah for the time being, one will actually have fulfilled it in a simple fashion. One should then proceed to acquire the offspring, as described above. WITH WHICH BIRDS MAY THE MITZVAH BE PERFORMED? The mitzvah of shiluach hakan applies only to sending away the mother bird. If the father bird is sitting on the nest, sending him away does not constitute the fulfillment of a mitzvah of any form. The average person, however, will not be able to tell by looking at the nest whether it is the mother bird or the father bird who is there at any point. For this reason, it is recommended that the mitzvah be performed at night. Although with regard to many species the father bird will actually incubate the eggs during many of the daylight hours, in most species at night it is exclusively the mother bird who performs that role. Furthermore, the mitzvah only applies to kosher species of birds. There is no crc Pesach Guide

98 mitzvah of shiluach hakan with regard to any non-kosher species. However, the group of birds which qualify as kosher for the purpose of shiluach hakan is broader than the group of birds whose flesh and eggs we may actually consume. In order for a species of birds to be considered kosher for consumption, in addition to meeting all the criteria in the Talmud, there also must exist a mesorah (tradition) that this particular species is indeed kosher. If no such mesorah exists, neither the fowl nor the eggs of the species may be eaten by anyone of the Jewish faith. For the purpose of shiluach hakan, on the other hand, a mesorah is not necessary. As long as a species of birds possesses the various traits listed in the Talmud as proof of its kosher status, it qualifies for the fulfillment of this mitzvah. Some examples of birds which are eligible are pigeons, doves, sparrows, robins, cardinals, sparrows, quails, blackbirds, ducks, and geese. Among the birds which do not qualify for the mitzvah are crows, jays, falcons, owls, eagles, and ravens. halachically ownerless, and the mitzvah can still be performed. Some examples of this latter situation are a nest on a front porch, which is accessible from the public sidewalk, and a nest on a windowsill or other ledge on the exterior of a building. BRACHA It should be noted that no bracha is recited upon performing the mitzvah of shiluach hakan. This, however, in no way detracts from the great value and importance of the mitzvah. As we have attempted to demonstrate, the laws of shiluach hakan are not overly intricate, and the opportunities to fulfill it are many, for one who is looking for them. E The book, A Practical Guide to the Mitzvah of Shiluach HaKen by Rabbi Naftali Weinberger was extremely useful in preparation of this article. OWNERSHIP OF THE NEST In its description of the mitzvah of shiluach hakan, the Torah utilizes the expression יקרא","כי which means, If you chance upon [a bird s nest]. The Talmud interprets this to mean that the mitzvah cannot be fulfilled with a nest that is,מזומן prepared. In practical terms this means the nest cannot be anyone s private acquisition, but rather it must be ownerless and available to all. If a bird builds a nest on one s private property, under certain conditions, according to halacha, that nest will automatically be considered as the possession of the property owner, thus disqualifying it for the performance of the mitzvah (whether by that individual or anyone else). However, if the nest is readily available to the public, albeit that it is technically located on private property, it remains FOOTNOTES 1 See A Practical Guide to the Mitzvah of Shiluach Hakan, chapter 2, footnotes 4, 8, and 10, for an overview of the various opinions of the Poskim in this matter. 2 See ibid, chapter 3. 3 Shailos U tshuvos Chacham Tzvi, 83, and others 4 Chazon Ish Y.D. 175, and others 5 See Aruch Hashulchan Y.D. 292:4 6 If the eggs are returned to the nest in the proper manner, the first individual can, himself, also fulfill the mitzvah again, upon the return of the mother bird. 7 If, when performing shiluach hakan the first individual did not acquire all the offspring, the eggs or chicks which were untouched never became anyone s personal property. Thus, the mitzvah may still be performed with this nest by sending away the mother bird upon her return, and then taking one of the above items which was not acquired by the first person. VISIT TO SEARCH KOSHER L PESACH PRODUCT INFORMATION Download the App Download the crc Smartphone App for updated Kosher lists and Kosher l Pesach food lists. AVAILABLE AT VISIT FOR EKashrus Updates EConsumer & Commercial Kosher Information EBeth Din Information 96 crc Pesach Guide

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100 Mashgiach Spotlight RABBI MOSHE KATZ A crc Yotzei v Nichnas, the supervisor who makes unannounced visits to food service establishments, has a multi-faceted job. One of his primary responsibilities is to teach the mashgichim working in the foodservice establishments how to monitor all ingredients and products brought in to each establishment and to ensure that the hechsherim (certifications) on these products meet crc standards. He must also set up a system for bishul Yisroel (cooking by a Jewish person), which includes securing that the pilot lights never go out and programing the ovens to meet bishul yisroel standards; train mashgichim to check produce for bugs; and recheck their vegetables to verify that the mashgichim are meeting crc requirements. Our Yotzei v Nichnas, Rabbi Moshe Katz, goes above and beyond in performing the tasks necessary to this crucial position. Rabbi Katz is absolutely a pleasure to work with. He s extremely thorough and professional, and if an issue comes up he works to correct it, said Howard Lichtenstein of Emma s Bagels. He responds immediately any time I have a question regarding kashrus or crc-related kashrus. Born and raised in New York, Rabbi Katz moved to Chicago in 1966 to learn at the Telshe Yeshiva. In 1973, he married Leah Romanovski, a Chicagoan, and the Katzes decided to make their new home in the city. In 1976, Rabbi Katz became the general manager at Telshe Yeshiva. His involvement with the yeshiva community enabled him to also work as an independent mashgiach for yeshiva banquets and other private events for the yeshiva population. In those days most functions were not glatt kosher, and a high standard was set for mashgichim who supervised strictly glatt kosher functions. Rabbi Katz developed a relationship with Rabbi Chaim Goldzweig, a long-time member of the crc Kashruth Commission, who was responsible for most of Rabbi Katz s training in kashrus. In 1981 Rabbi Katz officially started working as a mashgiach for the Chicago Rabbinical Council, under the tutelage of Rabbi Shandalov. In 2008, with the passing of Rabbi Naftali Trop, the crc s official Yotzei Vinichnas, Rabbi Katz assumed this critical position for the crc. Working closely with Rabbi Yaakov M. Eisenbach, crc Kashrus Coordinator for all Food Service accounts, in this new role he supervises all of the Chicago Rabbinical Council food service locations, regularly spot-checking each restaurant and establishment to ensure that the mashgiachim are doing their jobs and that all kashrus standards are followed accordingly. Working hand in hand with Rabbi Katz, notes Rabbi Eisenbach, I have seen over and over that he has tremendous ability in any matter that may arise in the kashrus field and beyond. The crc is truly blessed to have him. Rabbi Katz also designs systems to properly separate fish from meat and/or dairy, answering such questions as to whether oil from a meat deep fryer can be reused for French fries served with fish. As Rabbi Sholem Fishbane, crc Kashruth Administrator explains, Rabbi Katz works with the establishments to have everything set up. Unlike an auditor whose job is to find problems, Rabbi Katz works to make sure the food service establishments are set up in a way with the least likelihood of problems arising. I have seen him help design kitchens and discuss where to place machinery to make sure that the kosher kitchen is set up in a user friendly kosher way. Rabbi Katz s extreme watchfulness and scrutiny has averted a crisis in many establishments. For example, on a routine inspection with Rabbi Fishbane, Rabbi Katz Rabbi Katz and Rabbi Yaakov M. Eisenbach 98 crc Pesach Guide

101 inspected a box which was labeled as containing kosher fish fillets with the skin attached. He, nevertheless, checked each piece of fish and explained that even with such a label, many times he has found that the skin had been removed, and he has had to reject that product. On another occasion a restaurant ordered a large delivery of French fries which includes many boxes, all from the same company, with the same product name, and even the same item code. Instead of merely assuming that because the first few boxes had a hechsher, they all must be kosher-certified, Rabbi Katz took the extra step to check each box and found several boxes without a hechsher! He immediately called Manny Feferman, a buyer for Sysco Food Company, who in turn called the factory, and found out that although the French fries appeared to be similar products, some of the boxes (without a hechsher) were produced in a non-kosher factory out of the country. Rabbi Katz s knowledge of halacha and attention to detail saved the day. In addition to carrying out essential duties, Rabbi Katz develops a special rapport with business owners and their employees. He is also the liaison between food service establishment management and their mashgichim, creating a team atmosphere which facilitates the adherence to kashrus observance. He warmly interacts with owners, managers, and staff at every level, including those who are less familiar with kashrus. As a result, Rabbi Katz is widely admired, and his approachable manner makes the process of learning proper protocol easier to understand and follow. Rabbi Sidney Glenner, the owner of Glencrest Healthcare and Rehabilitation Centre, the first proprietary nursing home to be under the crc, has worked very closely with Rabbi Katz to set up a center that meets the kashrus needs of its wide variety of residents. This nursing home, with approximately 300 patients, is like a community of its own. The entire community of patients and their loved ones benefit from us meeting the high kosher standards of the crc. Although the nursing home was kosher before, it was a big adjustment to meet crc standards. Working together with Rabbi Katz was a pleasure and he helped us tremendously to facilitate this change over. Admirably, Rabbi Katz manages to treat each of his several business relationships in such a personal way that the clients he works with each feel like they re on (L-R) Rabbi Daniel Glenner, Rabbi Moshe Katz, Rabbi Sidney Glenner at Glencrest Healthcare and Rehabilitation Centre the top of his list of priorities. His quick response and availability means a great deal to them, and he s always willing to take a call or make a visit to troubleshoot any issues that arise. Rabbi Katz goes out of his way to help us find solutions for issues, and he s especially helped us with this when it comes to our Pesach production, said Daniel Neiman of Zelda s Kosher Gourmet. He ll help us figure out the best way to kasher and use our equipment, or if we re looking to purchase new equipment he ll talk us through the proper way to use it. He s also extremely hands-on and gives our staff experiences of issues he s dealt with in the past, and they appreciate hearing those concrete examples. Kimberly Cohen of Highland Pop recalled fondly the early stages of her business and her decision to make it kosher and become part of the crc. She described Rabbi Katz as integral to making her feel supported and proud of her decision. It s a big risk to open any business, she explained, and when everything was new to her, Rabbi Katz, along with everyone else at the crc was 100 percent supportive and thrilled about another kosher business. All of my interactions with Rabbi Katz are absolutely exemplary, Cohen said. He s one of the finest human beings and he has so much life experience, which just goes in hand with being a good person. He s a pleasure to work with but knows every rule and is a wealth of unlimited resources. If I don t know something he s always my first call. We, at the crc and in the Chicagoland community, are grateful to Rabbi Katz for everything he does. We wish him lasting strength, vitality, patience, and good humor, so that he can continue to do the amazing work he does for us for many years to come! E crc Pesach Guide

102 Buy with Confidence, Sell with Success! atproperties.com 100 crc Pesach Guide

103 Rabbi Yisroel Langer Bedikas Toloyim Specialist Chicago Rabbinical Council Fruit and Vegetable Policy Below you will find the current crc position on the proper checking and use of various fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables purchased in the United States. Infestation levels change due to seasons, growing environments, global imports, and other factors, and therefore the crc constantly reviews its policies and cleaning methodologies. The instructions noted below represent the most updated information as of the printing of this book. It is difficult to cover all the different varieties, so if you want to use a product which is not found on this list, please call the crc office at (773) A word of caution: This guide is primarily directed towards those experienced in the inspection of produce for insects. If you have never done so in the past, the crc does not recommend that you start on your own by just reading the guide and policy. Rather, wait until you ve been given some hands-on direction and become experienced enough and capable to do so. Furthermore, the actual insects may not be what you are expecting. They are not simple flies, roaches or spiders. Most of them are small and hard to find right away due to their size and color, but nevertheless forbidden to consume. For those first-timers we do offer an alternative method to clean leafy vegetables which is listed under alternate method if no thrip-cloth is available. When we refer to a crc cleaning thrip-cloth method the following procedure should be followed: THRIP-CLOTH METHOD (USING A SILK CLOTH) FOR LETTUCE (ROMAINE, ETC.): You will need a large bowl, dish soap, 2 strainers, a thripcloth, and a light box. 1. Separate the leaves and place them into a bowl of water. 2. Put enough dish soap (a good choice would be Seventh Generation 0% fragrance) or kosher for Passover vegetable wash into the bowl until the water and leaves become somewhat slippery. 3. Agitate and soak the leaves in the soapy water for 1-2 minutes. 4. Remove the leaves from the bowl, and discard the water. 5. Repeat steps 2-4. Alternatively (instead of repeating steps 2-4) one can wash each leaf under run- crc Pesach Guide

104 ning water (both sides) and then place leaves into a new bowl of soapy water. 6. Remove leaves and pour the water through a thripcloth (fine silk cloth that can be purchased from the crc) that is sandwiched between 2 strainers. 7. Check the cloth carefully on top of a light box or similar apparatus. If a bug is found, repeat process (steps 2, 3, and 6). If no bugs are found, rinse off soap and enjoy. ALTERNATE METHOD IF NO THRIP-CLOTH IS AVAILABLE: For large leafy vegetables: Separate leaves. Soak and agitate in soapy water. Gently rub a sponge over the entirety of each side of every leaf making sure to open all folds of the leaf. Rinse both sides of each leaf under running water. No further checking is required. For small leaf vegetables such as parsley, cilantro and other herbs: Follow steps 2-5 of the thrip-cloth cleaning method. One may then check the water using a clear basin in bright light very carefully for insects. (Please note that a lot of time is needed when checking the water as the insects will be harder to see when floating in water). If there are insects found in the water, the process should be repeated until no insects are found in the water. Then three samples or batches of the vegetable must be checked and if no bugs are found, the remaining produce may be used without further checking. Please note that we do not recommend the use of salt water or vinegar to properly remove insects from fruits and vegetables. Produce (especially organic) can sometimes be infested with insects. If the thrip cloth contains bugs after following the above method three times, the produce would be considered highly infested. Such produce should preferably not be used, but in situations of necessity, can be consumed after performing the thrip cloth method repeatedly and finding two consecutive rounds of a bug free cloth on the bug light. NOTE: Due to specific Passover restrictions and issues of space, the following is a partial list. Additional fruits and vegetables are listed on our website at NAME YEAR-ROUND KOSHER STATUS PASSOVER EXCEPTIONS INSPECTION RECOMMENDATIONS Artichokes See Inspection Recommendations Frozen requires special Passover certification Whole artichokes not recommended without reliable kosher certification. Fresh and frozen artichoke bottoms do not require certification. Use crc thrip-cloth cleaning method, as directed above. Arugula Asparagus, Green Frozen and canned require special Passover certification Fresh asparagus must have the tips cut off and discarded. One should either peel the entire sides of the asparagus or remove all the triangular side leaves and wash well. Canned are permissible only with reliable kosher certification. Fresh white asparagus is permissible without further checking after rinsing with water. Canned are permissible only with reliable kosher certification. Use crc thrip-cloth cleaning method, as directed above. Asparagus, White Frozen and canned require special Passover certification Basil, fresh Blackberries, fresh Not 102 crc Pesach Guide

105 NAME YEAR-ROUND KOSHER STATUS PASSOVER EXCEPTIONS INSPECTION RECOMMENDATIONS Blackberries, frozen Bok Choy Requires special Passover certification if it contains any sensitive additives Frozen blackberries, without any kosher sensitive ingredients added, may only be purchased for purposes of blending thoroughly to produce smoothies and the like. Use crc thrip-cloth cleaning method, as directed above. Broccoli, fresh or frozen Brussels Sprouts, fresh Requires reliable kosher certification Not Frozen requires special Passover certification It is very impractical and close to impossible for the average consumer to properly check fresh or frozen broccoli. It is therefore highly recommended that only product with a reliable kosher certification be used. Broccoli stems (no florets) may be used without checking after rinsing with water. Brussel Sprouts, frozen and canned Cabbage, fresh green Requires reliable kosher certification Requires special Passover certification Cabbage, red Cauliflower, fresh Cauliflower, frozen Celery Stalks Chard, all varieties, including Swiss Chard Requires special Passover certification Remove and discard 4 outer green leaves. Remove remaining green leaves (if any) and rinse them thoroughly under a stream of water. The remaining white leaves may be used without any further checking, other than a cursory inspection for obvious insect infestation. The first four (4) layers of leaves must be removed and discarded. The rest of the head should then be rinsed, followed by a cursory inspection to rule out obvious infestation. The washing and cleaning procedure for fresh cauliflower is as follows: 1. Remove green leaves from head. 2. Cut head into 8 pieces. 3. Prepare bowl of water mixed with vegetable wash. 4. Place (cut) cauliflower into bowl of water, and agitate for 30 seconds. 5. Remove cauliflower from water. Check water using the thrip-cloth cleaning method above. If certified, no further checking is required. If not certified, it must be checked as one would check fresh cauliflower. Canned or jarred cauliflower requires a reliable kosher certification. Must be washed and checked well, especially around the bottom of the stalk and around the leaves. Use crc thrip-cloth cleaning method, as directed above. crc Pesach Guide

106 NAME YEAR-ROUND KOSHER STATUS PASSOVER EXCEPTIONS INSPECTION RECOMMENDATIONS Chives, fresh Must be washed well. A general inspection is needed to rule out obvious infestation. Cilantro, fresh Use crc thrip-cloth cleaning method, as directed above. Cranberries, canned, frozen & Cranberry Sauce Dates, fresh Dates, dried Dill, fresh Acceptable without certification Acceptable without certification Requires special Passover certification Requires special Passover certification Except during Passover, canned cranberry sauce and canned and frozen cranberries are acceptable without certification as long as they do not contain any kosher-sensitive ingredients. In this context, citric acid, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, sugar, and water are not kosher-sensitive. Slice open a handful from the container and check inside. If no insects are found the rest may be eaten without checking. This applies to all dates domestic, pitted etc. Dried dates with no additional flavors are acceptable even without certification. Slice open a handful from the container and check inside. If no insects are found the rest may be eaten without checking. This applies to all dates domestic, pitted etc. Use crc thrip-cloth cleaning method, as directed above. Endive, fresh Fenugreek Ground or powdered require special Passover certification Use crc thrip-cloth cleaning method, as directed above. Cut along length of fenugreek green leaf and check for bugs inside and around the area protruding from the bulb. Discard the roots. Figs, fresh Figs, dried Acceptable without certification Requires special Passover certification Slice open a handful from the container and check inside. If no insects are found the rest may be eaten without checking. This applies to all figs (domestic, etc.). Slice lengthwise. Check for wasps (black-ish appearance) and worms. Frisee Use crc thrip-cloth cleaning method, as directed above. Grapes, fresh, all varieties Separate the large bunch of grapes into 3 or 4 smaller bunches, and rinse under cold water. Green Onion, (Scallion) Cut scallion root from top to bottom of bulb; examine between thin layers where they emerge from the bulb. If no insects are found, the remaining scallions may be consumed after thoroughly washing. If insects are found, the entire head must be checked carefully. Remove any leaf miner trails (as seen in picture). 104 crc Pesach Guide

107 NAME YEAR-ROUND KOSHER STATUS PASSOVER EXCEPTIONS INSPECTION RECOMMENDATIONS Horseradish, fresh A general inspection is needed to rule out obvious infestation. Horseradish, jarred Requires reliable kosher certification Requires special Passover certification Kale, fresh Kale, frozen Requires reliable kosher certification Requires special Passover certification Use crc thrip-cloth cleaning method, as directed above. It is very impractical and close to impossible for the average consumer to properly check frozen kale. Leek Lemon Grass, dried, frozen Acceptable without certification Requires special Passover certification Cut along full length of the leek so every leaf is separated. Wash each leaf thoroughly under running water. Remove leaf miner trails (see Green Onion above). Frozen dried lemongrass without any kosher sensitive ingredients is acceptable without certification. Lettuce, all besides iceberg Use crc thrip-cloth cleaning method, as directed above. Lettuce, iceberg Use crc thrip-cloth cleaning method, as directed above. Lettuce, iceberg pre-washed Purchase before Passover or with special Passover certification Use crc thrip-cloth cleaning method, as directed above.. Lettuce, Romaine, not pre-washed Use crc thrip-cloth cleaning method, as directed above. Lettuce, Romaine, prewashed Purchase before Passover or with special Passover certification Use crc thrip-cloth cleaning method, as directed above. Lettuce, spring mix, prewashed Mint, fresh Mushrooms, fresh Purchase before Passover or with special Passover certification Use crc thrip-cloth cleaning method, as directed above. Use crc thrip-cloth cleaning method, as directed above. Fresh mushrooms must be rinsed, and a cursory inspection is needed. Mushrooms, dried or frozen Acceptable without certification Frozen require special Passover certification All dried or frozen without any kosher-sensitive ingredients are acceptable without certification. crc Pesach Guide

108 NAME YEAR-ROUND KOSHER STATUS PASSOVER EXCEPTIONS INSPECTION RECOMMENDATIONS Mushrooms, Portabella Portabella mushrooms should have the brown under-part removed. Nori Seaweed Onion, all varieties fresh Onions, fresh cut Acceptable without certification Acceptable without certification Requires special Passover certification Both toasted and regular are acceptable without certification, but a thorough checking for insects and very tiny seahorses must be made. This can be done by using a light box or a very bright back light. Cut off both ends of the onion. If the layers of onion are tightly packed, then peel first layer of the onion or wash well. If the layers of onion are loose, wash each layer. Onions, freeze dried and canned Requires reliable kosher certification Requires special Passover certification Onions, frozen Acceptable without certification Oregano, fresh Use crc thrip-cloth cleaning method, as directed above. Parsley, fresh Use crc thrip-cloth cleaning method, as directed above. Parsley, dried Acceptable without certification Ground or powdered require special Passover certification Dried parsley without any added kosher-sensitive ingredients is acceptable without certification. Pepper, Chili, dried Potatoes, all varieties, fresh Ground or powdered require special Passover certification Dried chili peppers with no added kosher-sensitive ingredients are acceptable without certification. Canned, cooked, and bottled chili peppers require reliable kosher certification. A general inspection is needed to rule out any obvious infestation. Potatoes, frozen, canned, instant, dehydrated, potato starch and potato flour Requires reliable kosher certification Requires special Passover certification Prunes, dried Acceptable without certification Requires special Passover certification With no added flavors. Does not need to be checked for insect infestation. Raspberries, fresh Not 106 crc Pesach Guide

109 NAME YEAR-ROUND KOSHER STATUS PASSOVER EXCEPTIONS INSPECTION RECOMMENDATIONS Raspberries, frozen Rhubarb, fresh Rosemary, fresh Shallots, peeled and washed Acceptable without certification Requires special Passover certification if it contains any sensitive additives Frozen raspberries, without any kosher-sensitive ingredients added, may only be purchased for purposes of blending thoroughly to produce smoothies and the like. Must be washed and checked well, especially around the bottom of the stalk and around the leaves. Use crc thrip-cloth cleaning method, as directed above. A general inspection is needed to rule out obvious infestation. Spinach, fresh Spinach, frozen Requires reliable kosher certification Requires special Passover certification Use crc thrip-cloth cleaning method, as directed above. It is very impractical and close to impossible for the average consumer to properly check frozen spinach. Therefore, only product with a reliable kosher certification may be used. Spinach, prewashed Purchase before Passover or with special Passover certification Use crc thrip-cloth cleaning method, as directed above. Strawberries, fresh Strawberries, frozen Sun-dried Tomatoes Acceptable without certification Requires special Passover certification Requires special Passover certification The crc has been finding a high occurrence of insects in strawberries, so that the previous method of rinsing and rubbing under a strong stream of water is not being efficient in removing the bugs (especially those that are hiding under the seeds). There is a particular and extensive method for cleaning fresh strawberries. Please see the crc website at crcweb.org/fruit_vegetable_policy.php. All frozen strawberries packed only with sugar are acceptable. Sundried tomatoes do not require certification if no kosher-sensitive ingredients are added. All jarred and canned tomato products require reliable kosher certification. Thyme, fresh Use crc thrip-cloth cleaning method, as directed above. FLY THROUGH THE CHECKOUT! Get crc advertiser Passover coupons on the web at: crcweb.org/coupons.pdf crc Pesach Guide

110 M PADDIWAX...a little out of the ordinary... PRECISION Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. Gifts OPEN HOUSE! BLACK RED BLACK RED Thurs. March 15, 7pm 10pm Motzei Shabbos, March 17, 9pm-11pm Sunday, March 18, 10am-1pm See our coupon at crcweb.org Sheet Metal Air Conditioning Air Filtration Heating Boilers Water Heaters Service New Installations Seder Plates Dip Bowls Matza Plates & Covers Hostess Gifts Howard Kaplan Afikoman bags Vort Gifts PADDIWAX President Unique Havdalah Candles Tableware X DIELINE DOES NOT PRINT...and so much more! Hours by appointment Contact Sue Kaplan or W. Morse Ave., Chicago 8038 N. Central Park, Skokie, IL paddiwax@gmail.com 108 crc Pesach Guide

111 crc Pesach Guide

112 Calendar 5778 Ta anit Esther* Feb. 28, 2018 Purim Mar. 1, 2018 Pesach Mar. 31 Apr. 7, 2018 Yom Hashoah Apr. 12, 2018 Yom HaZikaron Apr. 18, 2018 Yom Ha-Atzmaut Apr. 19, 2018 Lag B Omer May 3, 2018 Yom Yerushalayim May 13, 2018 Shavuot May 20-21, 2018 Shiva Asar B Tamuz* July 1, 2018 Tisha B Av* July 22, Rosh Hashana Sept , 2018 Tzom Gedalya* Sept. 12, 2018 Yom Kippur* Sept. 19, 2018 Sukkot Sept , 2018 Hoshana Raba Sept. 30, 2018 Shmini Atzeret Oct. 1, 2018 Simchat Torah Oct. 2, 2018 Chanuka Dec. 3-10, 2018 Asara B Tevet* Dec. 18, 2018 Tu B Shevat Jan. 21, 2019 Ta anit Esther* Mar. 20, 2019 Purim Mar. 21, 2019 Pesach Apr. 20 Apr. 27, 2019 Yom Hashoah May 2, 2019 Yom HaZikaron May 8, 2019 Yom Ha Atzmaut May 9, 2019 Lag B Omer May 23, 2019 Yom Yerushalayim June 2, 2019 Shavuot June 9-10, 2019 Shiva Asar B Tamuz* July 21, 2019 Tisha B Av* Aug. 11, 2019 * Fast Day 110 crc Pesach Guide

113 c R c OFFICERS Rabbi Elisha Prero President Rabbi Shaanan Gelman Vice President Rabbi Yosef Posner Vice President Rabbi Aaron Leibtag Treasurer Rabbi David Perkel Secretary c R c EXECUTIVE STAFF Rosh Beth Din שליט"א Schwartz, Rabbi Gedalia Dov Av Beth Din שליט"א Reiss, Rabbi Yona Executive Director Rabbi Levi Mostofsky Kashruth Administrator Rabbi Sholem Fishbane Av Beth Din Emeritus זצ"ל Karno, Rabbi Israel M. Founding Av Beth Din זצ"ל Regensberg, Rabbi C. David FOLLOW US AND POST YOUR QUESTIONS ON facebook.com/crc-kosher VISIT US ONLINE / KASHRUTH COMMISSION Rabbi Dr. Ben Dov Leibenstein, Chairman Emeritus Rabbi Dr. Leonard A. Matanky, Chairman Rabbi Alan M. Abramson Rabbi Dovid Cohen Rabbi Yaakov M. Eisenbach Rabbi Zvi Engel Rabbi Sholem Fishbane Rabbi Shaanan Gelman Rabbi Chaim Goldzweig Rabbi Micah Greenland Rabbi Joel E. Gutstein Rabbi Baruch Hertz Rabbi Dr. Jerold Isenberg Rabbi Levi Mostofsky Rabbi Yosef Posner Rabbi Elisha Prero Rabbi Yona Reiss Rabbi Gedalia Dov Schwartz Rabbi Chaim Twerski 2018 c R c GUIDE COMMITTEE Rabbi Sholem Fishbane Rabbi Levi Mostofsky שליט"א, Schwartz Rabbi Gedalia Dov Rosh Beth Din שליט"א Reiss, Rabbi Yona Av Beth Din Mrs. Biranit Cohen Editor Mrs. Shoshana Kohn, Fine Touch Design Cover Design, Layout, and Typography crc Pesach Guide

114 Now crc certified UNDER STRICT KOSHER SUPERVISION MEHUDAR SHMURAH HAND MATZA CRISP, FRESH TASTE Available at your fine kosher store or 112 crc Pesach Guide

115 Prices start at $ a month 74 crc Pesach Guide

116 CHICAGO RABBINICAL COUNCIL 2701 WEST HOWARD STREET CHICAGO ILLINOIS ONE QUESTION. Four answers. Why is GLENCREST HEALTHCARE CENTRE superior over any other care facility? 1. Awarded Joint Commission National Quality Seal of Approval with special Post-Acute Care accreditation 2.The ONLY private healthcare facility certified kosher with Hashgacha. Mashgiach Temidi. Glatt Kosher. Cholov Yisrael Available. חג כשר ושמח Happy Passover to all of our guests, families and friends. 3.A higher level of clinical oversight with 24/7 nurse practitioners and respiratory therapists. 4.A specialized short-term rehabilitation program to get you home sooner. Our programs will match your medicare or managed care benefits. Medicare - Medicaid - Private Pay - All Insurances Accepted Private suites at no additional cost Healthcare & Rehabilitation Centre 2451 W. Touhy Chicago, IL Daniel Glenner, President/CEO, Ari Pancer, Operations, Steve Schayer, Chaplain