B H Pesach Halachos and Minhagim CONGREGATION BAIS PINCHAS NEW ENGLAND CHASSIDIC CENTER 1710 BEACON STREET BROOKLINE, MA 02445 NISSAN 5777 Prepared as a community service by Grand Rabbi Levi Y. Horowitz The Bostoner Rebbe, ZT L
DESCRIPTION OF CHOMETZ Chometz is a mixture of one of the five types of grain (wheat, rye, spelt, barley and oats) either in flour or in grain form with water, which is allowed to ferment. The period normally required for fermentation is considered to be eighteen minutes. This will depend on the temperature and ingredients and whether the mixture was being kneaded. A combination of Chometz and a permissible substance is also prohibited on Pesach. Chometz, or a mixture of Chometz is forbidden to be kept on Pesach. It is important, therefore, that products which may contain Chometz be checked with the proper Rabbinical authorities. In addition to bread, crackers and cereals, the prohibited foods include: beer, whiskey and other alcoholic beverages, cakes, cookies, spaghetti and noodle products, grain vinegar, herbal teas, medications, vitamins and many cosmetics. It is prohibited to derive any benefit from Chometz kept by a Jew during Pesach. Care should, therefore, be taken to obtain Chometz after Pesach from someone reliable in the precepts of Chometz, who sells his Chometz prior to Pesach. If in doubt, it is advisable to wait until reasonably certain that new stock of Chometz has been acquired. Admixtures of Chometz types with permissible components are prohibited. Since Chometz prohibitions extend to even the slightest admixture (the rule 1:60 is generally not applicable), extreme care must be used on ascertaining that commercially available food products are free of all Chometz derivatives. Page 3
Food technology has become so complex that only such food as has been evaluated by an Orthodox Rabbi who is knowledgeable in this area of commercial food preparation, may be used for Pesach. Kitnyos Peas, lima beans, rice corn, lentils, kidney beans, buckwheat, mustard and peanuts are prohibited to be eaten on Pesach, by decree of the Gaonim (ap. 700-11.) Extracts of Kitniyos are also prohibited. Care should be taken with regard to supervision in buying the following foods: dried fruits, ground pepper, vinegar, horseradish, soda and seltzer. Sale of Chometz It is forbidden to keep Chometz or its mixtures or derivatives in ones possession. All Chometz not destroyed must be sold to a non-jew. Chometz may be sold until the sixth hour. It is important to understand the procedure of selling the Chometz. The Rabbi is appointed as an agent of the seller of the Chometz to sell it to a non-jew. Not only does one sell to the non -Jew Chometz in his possession, but he also subleases to the non-jew the property on which the Chometz is located. The non-jew is allowed free access to the Chometz he purchases. This procedure is not a legal fiction but a bona fide sale in accord with Talmudic and secular law. Page 4
LAWS OF KASHERING To make an oven permissible for Pesach use, it must be cleaned and scraped thoroughly. If at all possible, a blowtorch should be used. If not, the oven should be heated to its maximum temperature and left burning for a period of one hour. Turn off gas jets and insert paper to check if it ignites or is scorched. Insert a special metal liner into the oven. If unable to do so, cover oven with tin foil. To Kasher top burners, have them cleaned and scraped thoroughly and the flame left on (same as above.) If no special range top is available, use tin foil to cover. In an electric range the heating elements may be cleaned the same way. The grates, upon which the pots stand, as well as the racks and shelves in the oven and the broiler, must be heated, too. The part of the stove around the jets should be covered. Utensils that are directly used on the fire (e.g.: pans, barbecue spits, broilers) without the intermediation of water or other liquids, require 'Leebun' (e.g. -heating to a point of glowing for some utensils and for others to a temperature at which a very thin splinter of wood touched to the surface will burst into flames.) Pots, spoons, forks, and knives, etc., require total immersion in boiling water and then rinsing in cold water. All kitchen counters and tables should be thoroughly cleaned and then covered with plywood, cardboard or paper. Make sure to clean thoroughly your dishwasher, washing machine, dryer, food mixer, food processor, etc. People leaving their apartments before the evening of Bedikas Chometz, must search for Chometz the evening before leaving. However, no Brocha is to be made on any Bedika other than on Erev Pesach. No work, meals or learning should be started within the period prescribed for the Bedika - before the actual search begins. The search must be done by the light of a candle contain ing a single wick, not a Havdalah candle. Page 5
It is customary to place pieces of bread (ten) around the house before beginning the search. This is done so that in case nothing is found, the Brocha will have not been said in vain. Bedikas Chometz must not be merely a ceremony, but must constitute a thorough search. A Brocha is said prior to the Bedika and following the Bedika "Kol Chamira." This is the Chometz that may still be in his possession, unknown to him, after completing the search. The following English text may be used in the evening for those who do not understand the Aramaic one: "All manner of leaven that is in my possession, which I have not seen, or removed, shall be null, and accounted as the dust of the earth." MATZOH One should be careful to obtain at least for the first two nights of Pesach, Shmurah Matzoh (Matzoh which has been under constant supervision from the time of the reaping of the grain to the baking.) These are to be used at least for the important parts of the Seder, i.e.: Motzi, Korach, and Afikomen. Egg Matzohs may not be eaten during Pesach. The exception to the rule: - such as for the sick or the aged, one should ask a Shaylah. SEDER It is preferable to use celery or parsley for Karpas. All Four Cups of Wine must be drunk while reclining on your left side. A majority of the cup must be drunk. A sip does not cover the law. The Motzi is recited on the Two Whole Matzohs and the remaining piece of the middle one. (After eating the Karpas, the middle Matzoh is broken into two parts and the larger piece is put aside for the Afikomen.) The bottom Matzoh is then set down and a Brocha of 'Acheelas Matzoh' is said on the remaining Matzoh. There is an opinion that it is required, at this point, to eat two K'zaisim. Korach is taken from the bottom Matzoh. Charosis should be shaken off both after the dipping of Moror and Korach. During the evening meal, no roasted meat or poultry may be eaten. After the eating of the Afikomen nothing further is to be eaten before going to bed. Page 6
It is prohibited to eat Matzoh, Erev Pesach. Moror - either Romaine lettuce or horseradish can be used, but if Romaine lettuce is used it must be thoroughly cleaned and checked. POINTS TO CHECK - Since all vitamins may be derived from Chometz,vitamins should be checked as to their sources, or only Passover approved vitamins should be used. - The Vitamin D in milk may be a derivative of Chometz. For this reason, no milk supplements with this vitamin should be bought on Pesach unless its supervision is checked. - Malt and all of its derivatives are Chometz. Many products such as baby formula, instant teas, etc., contain malt and cannot be used on Pesach. - Canned fruits requires Hashgocha as they may contain corn sugar and not cane sugar. - Although, cloth or linen tablecloths that have been used during the year may be used for Pesach, they must be washed thoroughly - no starch should be used. It is advisable, though, to have special tablecloths for Pesach. The same applies to dish towels. PLEASE NOTE The following items must be checked thoroughly for Chometz: Brooms - Mops - Garbage Pails - Cribs - Play Pens - Highchairs - Carriages - Infant Seats - Car Seats - Pet Food Dishes, etc. Please be advised - aluminum high chair trays can be Kashered. Check with your local Rabbi for details. IMPORTANT NOTE The Bostoner Rebbe, Shlita, strongly advises not to keep any items of Chometz B'ein (real Chometz) in your freezer or cabinets by relying on the "Shtar Mechirah" or selling of Chometz, such as: bread, rolls, cakes, cookies, dough, noodles, wheat cereals, crackers, etc. The Rebbe will not accept on his "Shtar" any of the aforementioned products. On any other questions check with the Rebbe or your local Rabbi. Page 7
SCHEDULE FOR PESACH KIDDUSH For Kiddush Cup, a capacity of 4.4 fluid ounces is the accepted amount required. For those unable to consume large amounts of wine, a cup of 3.3 fluid ounces capacity may be used (opinion of Jerusalem's Rabbi No'eh.) The maximum measurement of a Kiddush Cup is 5.3 ounces (Chazon Ish.) IMPORTANT: The major portion of the cup must be consumed for each of the Four Cups of Wine required at the Seder. If one cannot consume that much wine, then one may either dilute it by making a mixture of l/3 water and 2/3 wine or substitute grape juice. In any event, slightly more than 1/2 of the cup must be drunk at each time. MINIMUM AMOUNT OF MATZOH SHMURAH RABBI NO'EH RABBI FEINSTEIN Piece Meal Piece Meal H A N D HAMOTZI 1/3 Matzoh.95 fl. ozs 1/2 Matzoh 1.5 fl. ozs. M A D E KORACH & 1/4 Matzoh.75 fl. ozs. 1/3 Matzoh 1.1 fl. ozs. AFIKOMEN MACHINE HAMOTZI 4" x 4".95 fl. ozs. 4" x 6" 1.5 fl. ozs. MADE KORACH & 3" x 4".95 fl. ozs. 3" x 6" 1.1 fl. ozs. AFIKOMEN If 'Matzoh Mael' is used, the minimum requirement is the amount that is contained in a vessel with fluid ounce capacity as shown in the above table. Page 8
MINIMUM AMOUNT OF MOROR MOROR.7 fl. ozs. 1.1 fl. ozs. KORACH.7 fl. ozs. 1.1 fl. ozs. The minimum requirement for Moror and Korach is the amount of pure grated horseradish that can be compacted in a vessel of the capacity shown in the above table. If Romaine lettuce is used, the minimum requirement is 2 1/2 grams (Rabbi No'eh) or 3/4 ozs. PLEASE NOTE: All Shiurim (Matzoh, Moror, Korach) should be eaten preferably within four minutes. ALSO: Measurements for the Matzohs are based on 8 Matzohs to the pound. BEDIKAS CHOMETZ Sunday evening - April 9, 2017-8:35 p.m. MAYIM SHALONU At 6:30 p.m. on Sunday evening, April 9, 2017, a group will leave for the Blue Hills to get Mayim Shalonu for use at the baking of Matzoh at noon, Erev Pesach. Male adults and boys, 10 years and older can join. FAST OF THE FIRST BORN Monday, April 10, 2017 for those who are unable to fast, there will be a Siyum after each Shacharis Minyan. MATZOH BAKING There will be a special Matzoh baking - Matzoh Shel Mitzvah - on Monday, April 10, 2017 at 12:30p.m. in Sharzer Hall of Congregation Bais Pinchas. TIMES PERTAINING TO THE EATING AND BURNING OF CHOMETZ April 10, 2017 One may eat Chometz no later than 9:45 a.m. Burn Chometz no later than 11:00 a.m. April 18, 2016 Chometz may again be eaten at 8:45 p.m Page 9
SCHEDULE OF SERVICES Pesach 5777 April 10, 2017 -Shacharis -6:10, 7:00, 8:00 a.m. Monday - Candle Lighting Time - 6:51 p. m. Erev Yom Tov - Mincha - 7:05 p. m- -Maariv -Daf Yomi -6:10 a.m. April 11, 2017 - Shacharis - 8:45 a. m. Tuesday - Musaf - Tal First Day Yom Tov - Daf Yomi - TBA - Mincha - 7:10 p. m. - Maariv April 12, 2017 - Shacharis - 8:45 a.m. Wednesday - Musaf Second Day Yom Tov - Daf Yomi - TBA - Mincha - 7:10 p. m. - Maariv -7:50 p.m. April 13, 2017 - Shacharis - 6:00, 7:00, 8:00 a.m. Thursday - Mincha - 7:10 p.m. Chol Hamoed - Maariv - 7:50, 8:15 p. m. - Daf Yomi - TBA April 14, 2017 - Shacharis - 6:00, 7:00, 8:00 a.m. Friday - Candle Lighting Time - 6:55 p. m. Erev Shabbos Chol Hamoed - Mincha - 7:10 p. m. - Maariv Page 10
SCHEDULE OF SERVICES Pesach 5777 April 15, 2017 - Shacharis - 8:45 a.m. Shabbos -Mussaf Shabbos Chol Hamoed - Daf Yomi - 5:25, 5:55 p.m. - Mincha - 6:55 p.m. April 16, 2017 - Shacharis - 8:45 a.m. Sunday - Cnadlelighting -6:58 p.m. Erev Yom Tov -Mincha - 7:15 p.m. - Maariv - Daf Yomi - TBA - Tish - 12:00 a.m - Shiras Hayam April 17, 2017 - Shacharis - 6:00, 7:00, 8:00 a. m Monday - Mussaf Seventh Day Yom Tov - Mincha - 7:10 p.m. - Maariv - 8:00 p.m. - Daf Yomi - TBA April 18, 2017 -Shacharis - 8:45 a.m. Tuesday Eighth Day Yom Tov - Musaf -Yizkor -Daf Yomi -Mincha -Baglaytem Dem Yom Tov -Maariv -TBA -6:50 p.m. April 19, 2017 -Shacharis -6:05, 7:00, 8:00 a.m. Wednesday -Mincha -7:20 p.m. Isru Chag -Maariv -8:00 p.m. -Daf Yomi -6:10 a.m., 7:15 p.m. Page 11
When baking Challah for Shabbos after Pesach, it is customary to press your house key on the top of the Challah, in a few different places. The key is a symbol for Parnassah Prosperity. Remove the key before baking the Challah.