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PREPARING FOR PESACH 5776 – 2016
INTRODUCTION
Chometz results when one of the five type of grains (wheat, barley, rye, oats
or spelt) comes in contact with water and is allowed to stand for a brief
period of time without being baked. We are forbidden during Pesach to eat,
own or derive any benefit from such a mixture that has been allowed the
time to rise. Therefore all grain products, their derivatives or mixtures are
forbidden.
Compliance with the prohibitions of eating, owning or possessing chometz, or
deriving any benefit from chometz takes three forms. The first is the actual
removal of chometz from our homes, either through consuming it or
disposing of it. This culminates in a search for chometz on the evening before
Pesach (bedikat chometz), and in the symbolic burning of the chometz (biur
chometz) on Erev Pesach morning. The second is the recitation of a formula
of nullification of ownership (found in the hagadah or siddur) over any
chometz which we might still inadvertently have in our possession (bitul
chometz). This nullification is recited twice, once after bedikat chometz and
then a final time after biur chometz. Finally any chometz which can neither
be consumed nor disposed of before Passover may be sold to a nonJew
(mechirat chometz). The form for mechirat chometz is found elsewhere in
this publication, and is available on line as well.
QUINOA
This “grain-like” seed has caught on in recent years as a welcome addition to
our traditional Pesach diet. Although there are some poskim who consider
quinoa in the category of kitniyot, it will be available again this year with the
kosher for Pesach supervision of major kashrut organizations. Certification
insures that the quinoa is produced in a manner that avoids any contact with
actual grains or with machinery on which such grains were processed. Such
certification is necessary due to the increased demand for quinoa all year
long and its growing popularity, which often results in it being processed with
actual grains.
KITNIYOT
Jews of ashkenazic descent also avoid legumes (kitniyot) such as beans,
peas, rice, corn, or other such foods. There are two traditional reasons given
for the institution of this rabbinic prohibition. Some of the foods could be
ground into flour and confused with chometz flour, whereas others normally
grow in close proximity to chometz products and might not be free of mixed
in grains. This prohibition applies only to the eating of such products; their
possession is permissible, as is using them for other (non-eating) purposes.
Whereas the rabbis of the sephardic community never instituted such a
prohibition, Jews of sephardic descent who eat kitniyot also need to be sure
that they are free from any chometz mixtures. A reliable list of kitniyot items
permitted for sephardim may be obtained from JSOR 732-531-4872.
Instructions can also be found there for inspecting rice before Presach.
Additionally, the OU and the Star-K have begun certifying kitniyot products
for use by sephardim. The OU indicates that the products are kitniyot and the
Star-K uses a Star-S to indicate kitniyot for sephardim.
Those who avoid eating kitniyot need to be particularly diligent in purchasing
products for Pesach. Often products bear kosher for Pesach labels even
though they contain kitniyot, and sometimes stores are not careful to
separate between the kitniyot and non-kitniyot products.
Following is a list from the Star-K of products that are usually considered as
kitniyot. As with all other Pesach matters, please feel free to contact our
rabbinic staff with any questions.
Anise
Ascorbic Acid
Aspartame
Beans
Bean Sprouts
Black Eyed Peas
BHA (in corn oil)
BHT (in corn oil)
Buckwheat
Calcium Ascorbate
Canola Oil
(Rapeseed)
Caraway Seeds
Chickpeas
Citric Acid
(possibly chometz)
Confectioners Sugar
(possibly chometz,
possibly KFP – look
for KFP symbol)
Coriander
Corn
Corn Oil
Corn Syrup
Cumin
Dextrose
Emulsifiers
Fennel
Fenugreek
Glucose
Green Beans
Guar Gum
H.V.P*. (possibly
chometz)
Isolated Soy Protein
Kasha (Buckwheat)
Kimmel
Licorice
Lecithin
Lentils
MaltoDextrin(possibly

chometz)
Millet
MSG (possibly
chometz)
Mustard Flour
NutraSweet
Peanuts
Peas
Popcorn
Poppy Seeds
Rice
Saffron
Sesame Seeds
Sodium Erythorbate
Sorbitan
Sorbitol
Soy Beans
Soy Oil
Stabilizers
Starch
String Beans
Sunflower Seeds
Tofu
*hydrolyzed vegetable protein
Dishes and utensils used for chometz year round should be packed away in
preparation for Pesach. Certain dishes and utensils normally used may also
be used for Pesach once they are properly kashered and any chometz they
have absorbed has been removed. The following section provides a brief
summary of the laws involved in kashering utensils and appliances for use on
Pesach. Please contact any of our rabbis if you have additional questions.
KASHERING – A SUMMARY
1. METAL
Silverware (only with all metal pieces and no parts glued together), pots
used on top of the stove (no baking utensils or frying pans) and other metal
utensils may be kashered for Passover use. They must first be cleaned
thoroughly (if they are silver they should be polished) and then allowed to
stand unused for 24 hours. They are then completely immersed in a large
pot (made kosher for Passover) of boiling water, and rinsed in cold water
after being removed from the pot. The boiling water must touch each part of
the utensil, although it does not need to touch all parts simultaneously.
Large pots may be kashered by first cleaning them as above, allowing them
to stand for 24 hours and then filling them with water to the very top,
allowing the water to boil. A heated stone or some other noncombustible
material is then placed inside the pot so that the boiling water overflows the
top lip of the pot.
China, pottery, earthenware, utensils that have different parts glued together
and items that cannot be thoroughly cleaned (such as a sieve) cannot be
kashered for Passover use.
2. GLASSWARE
Glasses which have been used primarily for cold liquids during the year may
be “kashered” for Passover by immersing them in cold water for a period of
72 hours. The water must be changed every 24 hours, and with the
exception of the time when the water is being changed, the glasses must be
continually submerged. Glasses, pyrex, corningware, and the like which are
used with heat must be treated as china and cannot be kashered for
Passover.
3. OVEN
A selfcleaning oven is kashered for Passover use by simply running it
through the selfclean cycle. Special care must be taken to insure that the
area around the inside seal of the door is thoroughly cleaned. As with all
kashering procedures the oven should remain unused for 24 hours before
kashering it.
A conventional oven, either gas or electric, may be kashered by cleaning it
twice with a caustic oven cleaner and then, after waiting for 24 hours,
turning it to its highest temperature for one hour. The broiler pan and tray
may not be kashered in this manner. They should be removed from the oven
and not used.
Oven Racks – assuming that food is not cooked directly on the oven racks,
they may be kashered by first cleaning them, allowing them to stand unused
for 24 hours, and then placing them in the oven while the oven is being
kashered. If food is cooked directly on the racks, a new set of racks should
be used for Pesach. Occasional spillovers on the racks do not qualify as food
being cooked directly on them.
A microwave oven may be kashered by cleaning it, and after not using it
for 24 hours, placing a styrofoam cup of water in the oven and boiling it until
the oven fills with steam. If a glass tray is used in the oven, it should be
replaced for Pesach. Microwave Convection ovens are kashered in the same
way as a regular oven.
4. STOVE TOP
Conventional Gas Burners may be kashered by placing the racks (or grates)
upon which the pots rest into the oven while it is being kashered. The burner
itself does not need to be kashered. The drip pans should be covered.
Electric Burners (either metal or glass) may be kashered by turning them on
until the element glows red.
The other areas of the stove top surrounding the burners should be covered
with aluminum foil. Glass stove tops present significant difficulty on Pesach
because covering them often results in cracking. Please speak to our rabbis
for further information.
5. DISHWASHER
Difficulties in kashering a dishwasher are primarily due to the difficulties in
thoroughly cleaning it. Assuming that all corners, edges and rubber gaskets
and food traps can be properly cleaned, a stainless steel dishwasher may be
kashered by running it through two soapy cycles with hotter water than is
usually used (such as a sanisteam), after allowing it to sit unused for 24
hours. It is preferable to stop the dishwasher mid cycle and to pour in a pot
full of boiling water, raising the temperature of the water inside. The cycle
should then be allowed to finish. A new set of racks should be purchased for
Passover use. Plastic dishwashers may not be kashered for Passover use,
according to the psak of Rav Moshe Feinstein, z”l. According to those poskim
who allow plastic to be kashered for Pesach, a plastic dishwasher may be
kashered in the same manner as above. The racks should remain in the
dishwasher during kashering and need not be replaced. All agree that a
porcelain dishwasher may not be kashered.
6. SINK AND COUNTERTOPS
A stainless steel sink may be kashered by cleaning it and allowing it to sit
unused for 24 hours. Boiling water may then be poured over the entire
surface of the sink, including the faucets. Enamel or porcelain sinks cannot
be kashered for Passover and require a covering or plastic sink insert.
There are many different materials used for countertops today, which makes
the question of kashering them very complex. Most poskim agree that
countertops made of glass tile, ceramic, porcelain or concrete cannot be
kashered. Countertops made of these materials should be thoroughly cleaned
and then covered with a non-absorbent material (cardboard, contact paper,
aluminum foil, etc). Most poskim agree that countertops made of natural
stone, granite (unsealed), marble, stainless steel or metal, without any
seams, can be kashered through the use of boiling water. Nothing hot should
be placed on these countertops for 24 hours prior to kashering them. They
should then be thoroughly cleaned and boiling water should be poured over
them. Steam alone (produced by a heavy duty or commercial steamer)
should not be used to Kasher countertops unless there is condensate that
remains on the entire surface and retains its kashering temperature.
The question becomes more complex when we talk about countertops that
are made of plastic or acrylic, such as formica or corian, or natural stone with
an acrylic sealant. Also countertops made of ground stone which is bound
with an acrylic resin, such as silestone or caeserstone, fall into this category.
The psak of Rav Moshe Feinstein, zt”l, is to prohibit these materials, whereas
the psak of Rav Gedalyah Dov Schwartz, shlita, of the Chicago Rabbinical
Council (CRC) permits them to be koshered, as long as there are no seams in
the countertops (formica countertops are usually seamed). If one relys on
the opinion that these countertops may not be koshered, they should be
cleaned and covered with a double layer of covering, and one should avoid
placing hot food directly on them.
Tabletops should also be double covered for use during Passover.
Below are some common kashering situations that often arise (please note
that these guidelines assume the more stringent opinion that plastic should
not be koshered for Pesach):
UTENSIL PREPARATION
Baby Bottle Since it comes into contact with chometz
(e.g. washed with dishes, boiled in chometz
pot), new ones should be purchased.
Baby High Chair Thoroughly clean. Preferable to cover the
tray with contact paper.
Blech Should be replaced.
Blender/FoodProcessor
Smoothie Machine
New or Pesachdik receptacle (plus any part
of unit that makes direct contact with food)
required. Thoroughly clean appliance. The
blade should be treated like any knife and
kashered through hagola.
Can Opener Manual or Electric – Clean thoroughly.
Candlesticks/Tray Clean thoroughly. Should not be put under
hot water in a kosher for Pesach sink.
Coffeemakers Coffeemakers that have brewed only
unflavored pure caffeinated coffee. Clean
thoroughly. Replace with new or Pesachdik
glass carafe and new filters. Coffeemakers
that have brewed flavored coffee or
decaffeinated coffee should be cleaned
thoroughly and put away. Keurig
coffemakers should not be kashered for
Pesach.
Colanders Use new ones for Pesach.
Dentures, Bite Plates,
Braces
Clean thoroughly after one has finishing
eating chometz.
Dishwashers See above.
Electric Burner Drip
Pans
Clean thoroughly.
Grater Use new ones for Pesach.
Instant Hot Devices See Water Filters.
Metal Wine Goblets Kasher in boiling water.
Metal Wine Trays Kasher in boiling water.
Mixer Do not use, even with new blades and bowls.
Pump Pot If in contact with chometz (e.g. sponge) do
not use. Otherwise, does not need
kashering.
Refrigerator, Freezer Thoroughly clean. Lining shelves is not
necessary.
Towels, Tablecloths,
etc.
Those used during the year with chometz
may be used on Pesach if they have been
laundered with soap and hot water, even if
the stains do not come out. The same
applies to potholders, bibs, and aprons.
Synthetic material, such as Rayon and
Terylene, that can only withstand a warm
water cycle, may be used on Pesach after
they have gone through a washing with
detergent and only if there are no visible
stains after they have been cleaned.
Transparent tablecloths may be coated with
a powder and should be rinsed off before
use.
Vases Those used on the table during the year may
be used on Pesach if they are washed inside
and out.
Washing cup (used in
kitchen )
Metal – boiling water.
Plastic – Put away with chometz dishes.
Water Pitchers Should be put away with chometz dishes.
***************
Water Filters Plastic water filters that are connected to the
faucet should be thoroughly cleaned,
including the outside and the coupling, and
may be used on Pesach without changing the
filters. If they are metal and have been on
consistently since last Pesach, they should
be left on during kashering of the spigot. If
they were first attached some time after
Pesach, they should be removed before
kashering the spigot and should be kashered
separately. Instant hot devices and
individual hot/cold water filters that are
connected to the sink with a separate spigot
should be kashered along with the sink.
Instant hot devices should be turned on
during kashering of instant hot spigot.
Water Coolers Cold water coolers should be cleaned
thoroughly. The hot spigot on a water cooler
should not be used if it came into contact
with chometz during the year.
Water Urn If it has been washed with chometz utensils,
Metal (uncoated) – Hagola; both inside and
outside should be kashered. Porcelain
Enameled or Plastic – Do not use.

LAWS OF CHANUKAH

For the entire eight days of Chanukah it is forbidden to fast (even on the yahrzeit of a parent) or to eulogize.

It is customary to eat milk foods because Yehudit, daughter of Yochanan the High Priest, was taken to be defiled by the Greek ruler Holofernes. She fed him cheese (to make him thirsty) and wine (to quench his thirst); and after getting him drunk she killed him. This was one of the events that sparked the Maccabean uprising. Food fried in oil is also eaten to commemorate the miracle of the Menorah. Latkes and donuts are the most common foods

It is obligatory to light candles, and one should even borrow money to fulfill this mitzvah. If a poor person needs money for Chanukah candles the community is obligated to provide for him.

The minimum obligation is that every household should have one candle burning every night. It is customary to be scrupulous regarding this mitzvah: to have one candle on the first night and an additional candle every night (1-8), and for everyone in the house as well

Any type of oil is acceptable for use in the menorah, however, it is best to use olive oil. The oil should not be made of a forbidden substance, nor should it be something from which it is forbidden to derive benefit.

All wicks are acceptable, but it is best to use cotton. The same wicks may be used over and over again

The menorah should be similar to the Menorah in the Temple and therefore electric menorahs should not be used.

Wax candles are also acceptable, providing they have a single wick.

It is correct to have a Menorah of glass or metal if one is lighting with oil, since other substances such as clay become disgusting after one use. If one can afford it, it is correct to buy a beautiful Menorah.

If a number of people are lighting in one household they should make a slight separation between their menorahs so that there is no confusion to the observer as to the number of candles.

Ideally, the Menorah should be placed outside the house to the left of the entrance. Since anti-Semitism was so common throughout Jewish history it became customary among may communities to place the Menorah inside the house, near the entrance or on the table. In many families it is the custom to place the menorah in a window facing the public, especially where many people share one entrance (e.g., apartment building). In Israel it is customary to light outside in a special box that prevents the flames from blowing out.

The menorah should be no lower than three tfachim from the floor (approx. 10.5 inches or 27cm) and should be no higher than 20 amot from ground level (35.5 ft or 10.8 m). Ideally, it should be about 10 tfachim high (35 inches or 90 cm).

The Menorah should have all the candle or wicks on the same level, none higher or lower than the others.

It is customary to have an additional candle (the shamash) with which to light the other candles and in order to use it’s light. The shamash should be placed in a way that shows that it is not one of the Chanukah candles.

It is forbidden to derive benefit from the light of the Menorah just as it was forbidden to derive benefit from the Menorah in the Temple, and also in order to show that its purpose of the Menorah is for a Mitzvah, not just for illumination.

There are different customs as to the lighting of the Menorah. Some light at sunset. Some light about ten minutes after sunset and some light 1/2 hour after. Some specifically light after the evening service is recited (Maariv). Ideally a person should follow the custom of his father. If this is not known or is inapplicable for any reason, one should follow the custom of the local community.

It is obligatory to put in enough oil, or a long enough candle to burn for at least 1/2 hour after nightfall (i.e. the appearance of three medium size stars).

In exceptional circumstances one may light one and a quarter hours before sunset with a blessing. (However one should be careful to put in more oil or to use longer candles). If possible it is better to appoint an agent to light candles at the correct time, than to light early.

If one forgot or was not able to light at the correct time, one may light as long as people are still awake in the house in which one is lighting.

It is best to light in the presence of many people in order to publicise the miracle.

On the first night three brachot, blessings are recited. “Lehadlik ner shel Chanukah”, “She asa nissim” and “Shehecheyanu”. On the other nights only the first two blessings are said.

All the blessings should be recited before actually lighting the candles. First light the Shamash before the blessings to avoid delay. It is forbidden to speak between the recitation of the blessings and the completion of candle lighting.

“Haneirot Halalu” is recited either during or after the lighting of the additional candles. “Maoz tsur yeshuaty” is then sung.

Place first candle on the extreme right of the Menorah. On the second night add a candle on the left. Light the newest candle first and proceed to the right.

The Menorah should not be moved after is has been lit.

If the Menorah was lit in accordance with the requirements of Jewish law and it was extinguished, one is not obligated to relight it, but one may relight it without reciting a blessing.

If the Menorah was not lit properly in the first place, or was lit in a windy place and blew out then one is obligated to relight if it went out within 1/2 hour after nightfall.

On Friday afternoon, the Chanukah candles should be lit before the Shabbat candle-lighting time (if one accepted Shabbat early, it is forbidden to light Chanukah candles). Mincha should be said before lighting, if possible.

Remember to put in more oil or bigger candles on Friday, so that they burn 1/2 hour after nightfall. Try to light just before the Shabbat candles, (without of course delaying the lighting of the Shabbat candles) .

After Shabbat one should first recite Havdalah, then light the Chanukah candles. One may not use the Menorah as the candle for Havdalah.

If one is a guest at someone’s house (and staying there), one should give the owner a small amount of money to buy a portion in their candles and one may fulfil the obligation through the owner. Alternatively the guest may light his own Menorah.

If one is eating out then one should light the Menorah at their place of residence

During Shacharit one should recite the full Hallel every day. “Al hanissim” the special paragraph of prayers for Chanukah is added in the Shmoneh Esreh and also in Birkat HaMazon. If one forgot to say this addition, one should not repeat either Shmoneh Esreh or Birkat HaMazon.

It is customary to light a Menorah in the Synagogue every evening. It is placed at the southern wall of the Synagogue, in imitation of the Menorah in the Temple in Jerusalem

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