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applies only to the eating of such products; their posses-
Preparing for Pesach sion is permissible, as is using them for other (non-eating)
purposes. Whereas the rabbis of the sephardic communi-
5782 | 2022 ty 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 kitni-
yot items permitted for sephardim may be obtained from
Preparing for Pesach JSOR 732-531-4872 (www.jsor.org). Instructions can also be
found there for inspecting rice before Pesach. Additionally,
Chometz results when one of the five type of grains (wheat, the OU and the Star-K have begun certifying kitniyot prod-
barley, rye, oats or spelt) comes in contact with water and ucts for use by sephardim. The OU indicates that the prod-
is allowed to stand for a brief period of time without being ucts are kitniyot and the Star-K uses a Star-S to indicate
baked. We are forbidden during Pesach to eat, own or de- kitniyot for Sephardim.
rive any benefit from such a mixture that has been allowed
the time to rise. Therefore, all grain products, their deriva- Those who avoid eating kitniyot need to be particularly
tives or mixtures are forbidden. diligent in purchasing products for Pesach. Often products
bear kosher for Pesach labels even though they contain
Compliance with the prohibitions of eating, owning or pos- kitniyot, and sometimes stores are not careful to separate
sessing chometz, or deriving any benefit from chometz between the kitniyot and non-kitniyot products.
takes three forms. The first is the actual removal of
chometz from our homes, either through consuming it or Following is a list of products that are usually considered
disposing of it. This culminates in a search for chometz on as kitniyot. As with all other Pesach matters, please feel
the evening before Pesach (bedikat chometz), and in the free to contact our rabbinic staff with any questions.
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 hagaddah or sid- The following are considered kitniyot:
dur) over any chometz which we might still inadvertently • Aspartame
have in our possession (bitul chometz). This nullification • Beans
is recited twice, once after bedikat chometz and then a • Bean Sprouts
final time after biur chometz. Finally, any chometz which • Black Eyed Peas
can neither be consumed nor disposed of before Passover • Buckwheat
may be sold to a non-Jew (mechirat chometz). The form for • Caraway
mechirat chometz is found elsewhere in this publication • Cardamom
and is available online at www.gns.org as well. • Corn
• Corn Oil
Quinoa • Corn Syrup
• Edamame
This “grain-like” seed has caught on in recent years as a • Fennel Seeds (not fennel bulbs and leaves)
welcome addition to our traditional Pesach diet. It will be • Fenugreek
available again this year with the kosher for Pesach su- • Flaxseed (Linseed)
pervision of major kashrut organizations. Certification en- • Green Beans
sures that the quinoa is produced in a manner that avoids • Hemp Seeds
any contact with actual grains or with machinery on which • Licorice
such grains were processed. Such certification is neces- • Lentils
sary due to the increased demand for quinoa all year long • Millet
and its growing popularity, which often results in it being • Mustard
processed with actual grains. • Peas
• Popcorn
• Poppy Seeds
Kitniyot • Rapeseed
Jews of ashkenazic descent also avoid legumes (kitniyot) • Rice
such as beans, peas, rice, corn, or other such foods. There • Sesame Seeds
are two traditional reasons given for the institution of this • Soybeans
rabbinic prohibition. Some of the foods could be ground • String Beans
into flour and confused with chometz flour, whereas oth- • Sunflower Seeds
ers normally grow in close proximity to chometz products • Teff
and might not be free of mixed in grains. This prohibition • Tofu

SCOPE Magazine Passover 2022 65