25 Mar PESACH KASHRUS QUESTIONS WITH RABBI MOSHE ELEFANT FROM THE ORTHODOX UNION (OU)

This year, Erev Pesach falls on Shabbos. What unique halachic challenges does this present?
Let’s discuss them, starting with Bedikas Chametz. As we know, Bedikas Chametz is usually done on the night of Erev Pesach, which this year would be Friday night. However, since we don’t perform Bedikas Chametz on Shabbos, it will be done on Thursday night instead. The Bedikas Chametz on Thursday night will be done in the same way as it is every year, just one night earlier.

If someone forgets to do Bedikas Chametz on Thursday night, they should perform it on Friday with a bracha. The bracha and Kol Chamira recited before and after the Bedika will remain the same. If someone will not be home on Thursday night or Friday, they should perform Bedikas Chametz on the last night they are home before Pesach, without a bracha. This should be done in the same way as a regular Bedikas Chametz, with the candle and bread, but without making a bracha.

The burning of the Chametz will take place on Friday morning, at the usual time for Bedikas Chametz burning. We will not recite Kol Chamira after burning the Chametz on Friday morning; instead, Kol Chamira will be recited on Shabbos morning. We will not burn any Chametz on Shabbos, Chas V’shalom, but we will recite Kol Chamira on Shabbos. As for eating chametz, one can continue eating chametz until Shabbos, at the time we would normally stop eating chametz on Erev Pesach, since Shabbos is Erev Pesach. Technically, one can eat chametz all day Friday, including Friday night and Shabbos morning, up until the time of the z’man. One challenge we face is that many restaurants, particularly pizza shops, want to remain open on Friday to cater to people preparing for Pesach.

Could a pizza shop stay open all day Friday? Technically, yes. The challenge is finding mashgichim willing to work all day Friday. However, it is permissible for pizza shops to be open, as chametz can still be eaten.

This year Taanis Bechorim is on Thursday. Anyone who wants to avoid fasting should participate in a siyum on Thursday, not on Friday or Shabbos. Since Erev Pesach falls on Shabbos, we do not fast on Shabbos, so the fast is moved to Thursday.

When Shabbos arrives, we face several challenges. On one hand, we need to eat bread at the Shabbos meal; we need to wash and eat challah. On the other hand, since your home is already set up for Pesach, you can’t just convert it back to a regular home for Shabbos. Everything you’ve cooked and baked is already Pesachdik. So, what should we do?

You can’t eat matzah on Erev Pesach, so substituting challah with matzah is not an option. For those of us staying home and not in hotels, here’s a suggestion: Purchase small challahs that are soft and don’t make crumbs. At the Shabbos meal, use a Pesachdik table with Pesachdik silverware, which could be disposable. Make Kiddush in your Pesach cup with Pesachdik wine. When it comes time to wash, do so, but eat the challah on a porch or in a separate corner of the home, over a disposable tablecloth. Afterward, clean yourself off, rinse your mouth, and return to the table to enjoy your Pesachdik meal, just like a regular Friday night meal during Pesach.

Shabbos morning presents additional challenges. You must get up early to eat chametz before the z’man and have two meals. Since it’s Erev Yom Tov, you can’t wash for Shalosh Seudos in the afternoon, nor can you eat matzah as it is Erev Pesach. Therefore, get up early, daven, and make sure you finish davening in time to go home, wash, make Kiddush say Bircas Hamazon. Follow the same procedure for the challah on the porch or in the corner after. After eating, bench and take a walk. If you sit at home, you may end up waiting 30 minutes. A walk around the block gives you more time. Afterward, you can wash again, and then you’re done with chametz.

Any leftover chametz should be flushed down the toilet, or if you live in an area with an eruv, thrown into the street. Be sure to dispose of the tablecloth and any remaining chametz properly, and say Kol Chamira.

Now, there’s a long day ahead since Yom Tov begins at night. You’re to eat during the day, but don’t overeat. You don’t want to be hungry for the Seder, or not able to eat at the Seder.

On Shabbos, you can eat, but you should avoid eating anything that will be part of the Seder meal, such as matzah, maror, or even foods used for charoses. You should eat during the day but not too late in the afternoon, as it’s already Erev Yom Tov, and you should avoid eating a full meal late in the day. Stick to snacks to save your appetite for the Seder.

Setting the table for the Seder should only be done after Shabbos. You are not allowed to set the table for Yom Tov on Shabbos. You are also not allowed to cook, bake, or do any physical preparation for Yom Tov on Shabbos.

Lastly, if someone still has chametz left on Shabbos afternoon before Erev Pesach, they should try to get rid of it. If they can’t, they can either dispose of it by flushing it down the toilet, by giving it to a non-Jewish neighbor, or by throwing it into the street. Do not put it in your own garbage can, as it is considered your property.

With the war going on in Eretz Yisrael, many chayalim will be on the battlefield in Gaza over Pesach. What halachic issues might they face, and how lenient can they be regarding what they eat while on the battlefield?
I must tell you, over the last couple of years, I’ve had the privilege of getting to know the Rabbanut Hareishit of the Tzavah, the army. They are truly wonderful people— talmidei chachamim who know exactly how to handle these issues. The army is preparing for these situations. Of course, when soldiers are on the front lines, everything becomes a matter of pikuach nefesh. If your life is in danger, it takes precedence over everything else.

As for the food they’ll be receiving, it will be Kosher l’Pesach. In the event that they’re in a place where no food is available besides chametz, and it’s a matter of sakanas nefashos (danger to life), they’ll have to do what they must. But I don’t believe they will face such a situation. They will have the usual Shabbos and Yom Tov challenges, which they always encounter, as every Shabbos and Yom Tov brings its own set of issues. However, I don’t think Pesach presents any unique or special challenges for soldiers in the Israeli army.

I know it presents logistical challenges for the army—they need to kasher their kitchens and prepare meals that are Kosher for Pesach. But that’s not the soldier’s responsibility; it’s the army’s responsibility.

The army is doing everything necessary, and they are doing it excellently. Just like when the war broke out, and no one was prepared, they managed to provide thousands of kosher meals overnight—literally.

Why do some hechsherim require the
following items to be certified kosher
for Pesach?

Seltzer, K Cups with Plain Coffee,
Decaf Coffee Beans or Grounds,
Bottled Water

Seltzer:
There was a concern that the carbonation used in seltzer could come from beer. When beer is manufactured, there may be excess carbonation that is sold to seltzer companies. However, all of our research has shown that this is not the case, and that is why we are comfortable saying that plain seltzer is Kosher for Pesach. That said, there are still some who are concerned about this issue.

K-Cups with Plain Coffee:
If you look at the OU directory, you’ll see that plain K-Cups are acceptable for Pesach without requiring special Pesach certification. However, there are many other types of K-Cups that contain flavored coffee or other additives, and these must be certified for Pesach. There is a list in our directory of what is acceptable for Pesach, and that list should be followed. But plain, non decaffeinated K-Cups can be used for Pesach, while anything else needs to be specially certified for Pesach.

Decaf Coffee Beans or Grounds:
Decaffeinated coffee is a real concern because alcohol may be used in the decaffeination process. If alcohol is used, it could potentially be chametz-based alcohol. Therefore, one should not purchase decaffeinated coffee unless they are certain it is acceptable for Pesach.

Bottled Water:
Plain bottled water with no added ingredients is acceptable for Pesach without requiring special Pesach supervision. However, sometimes herbs, minerals, or other additives are added to the
water, which could be a concern for Pesach. Many recommend buying water with no additives before Pesach to ensure its acceptability. Personally, I advise that any water with additives should not be purchased unless it has Pesach supervision, or you should buy water with no additives at all. Do not buy water with additives unless it has clear Pesach certification.

General Notes:
I’ve spoken about this on many different forums: if you live in an area where it’s difficult to find kosher for Pesach products, and you need to know what can be used in place of something else that is unavailable, I respect and understand that. We’ve researched these products and determined which ones are acceptable. However, if you can find products with acceptable supervision that is always preferable.

How do certain people in Eretz Yisrael receive heterim to eat kitniyos?
This is one of the most common questions I get, and I’m going to give you an answer that might sound a bit contradictory. Let me explain what I mean.

Many people call me, and in Eretz Yisrael this issue is perhaps even more common due to the prevalence of mixed marriages. In these families, one side is Sefardi and eats kitniyos, while the other side is Ashkenazi and does not.

On one hand, an Ashkenazi person who does not eat kitniyos should not eat kitniyos. I had someone in my shul come to me about two years ago. This individual had medical issues and an extremely limited diet, and he needed to eat kitniyos, or he would have nothing to eat on Pesach. He did Hataras Nedarim and was allowed him to eat kitniyos.

However, for a regular, healthy Ashkenazi Jew, they do not have a right to eat kitniyos, and I do not have a heter to permit them to do so. But what I do have a heter for is Shalom Bayis. This
means that if a family includes both Ashkenazim and Sefardim, or if different families are involved, they should not say, “We can’t sit together because we have different customs.” They need to find a way to work it out. For example, they can cook the rice in a separate pot and serve it on disposable dishes and utensils so it doesn’t affect the other family’s silverware. They can learn to live together harmoniously.

I’m a strong proponent of Shalom Bayis. People need to learn how to live together. But I will not agree that an Ashkenazi Jew should be allowed to eat kitniyos just because their Sefardi neighbor does. If your Sefardi neighbor eats kitniyos, that has nothing to do with you. You are Ashkenazi, and you should not be eating kitniyos. Kitniyos is not just a chumrah; it is a halachah that is codified in the Shulchan Aruch for Ashkenazim. We don’t eat kitniyos, and Baruch Hashem, there is plenty of food to eat on Pesach. No one can tell me they don’t have enough options. So that argument just doesn’t hold up.

Ultimately, Pesach is about minhagim— customs. V’higadeta L’bincha—passing down our heritage. If part of your heritage is not eating kitniyos, that is the heritage you should continue to observe.

Finally, one last point: When a couple gets married, the wife follows her husband’s customs. So, if the husband is Ashkenazi and the wife is Sefardi, she stops eating kitniyos. If the husband is Sefardi and the wife is Ashkenazi, she can begin eating kitniyos.

Can a dishwasher that was used with Chametz be kashered for Pesach use?
I don’t know of a way to kasher it.

Could you please clarify whether people need to cover the kitchen countertops for Pesach?
People should cover the kitchen countertops for Pesach. Some suggest that granite countertops can be kashered, but my personal opinion is that they should not be kashered. Certainly, if you have countertops made of Formica or other materials, they should be covered. There’s no need to go overboard, but they should have a decent covering.

Is an immersion heater acceptable to kasher?
Yes, it can be kashered, provided you know how to do it properly.

Are there any leniencies (kulos) used in hotels that people would never use at home?

The OU does not certify any hotels for Pesach because running a Pesach program is extremely complicated, and we’re just not involved in that anymore. That doesn’t mean you can’t find a kosher program for Pesach, but all of them rely on having good Mashgichim and an adequate number of them. There are all sorts of minhagim that people follow. For example, someone told me that their family doesn’t eat garlic on Pesach, and my family has the same custom. They’re going to a hotel, and while the hotel’s food is kosher L’Pesach, it may contain garlic. All the customs that people are stringent about on Pesach may not be observed in a hotel because hotels need to provide a variety of food. To make a nice variety, there are bound to be challenges. The Hashgachah overseeing it has a tough job, and I respect their hard work. However, it’s not easy, and a hotel experience can’t be compared to the standards we maintain at home.

The CRC recently launched a revolutionary Hechsher logo scanner as part of their innovative new app for kosher consumers. Does the OU have any similar technology, or are they working on something like that?
Yes, we also have an app that you can use to identify products. If you’re standing in a store and want to know about our certified products, you can download our app, and it will provide all the information you need. We also offer the Pesach directory, which is the consumer’s number one publication for Pesach. In addition to listing all the OU- certified products for Pesach, it provides an incredible amount of useful information. I’m always impressed by the team behind this directory, led by colleagues of mine who are truly experts. The directory even includes a two-page guide detailing how to kasher every appliance in your kitchen for Pesach. It covers rules for different products and situations that arise during Pesach. It’s an invaluable resource, and of course, it’s available online as well, not just in print.

The OU also has a website with extensive information about kashrus, kashering, DE (dairy equipment) certification, and Yoshon. The website provides essential information for the rest of the year. Additionally, we have two dedicated Rabbanim who work full-time answering questions: one handles phone calls, and the other addresses written communications, including WhatsApp, emails, etc. As we approach Pesach, we receive a minimum of 1,000 calls a day— and that’s on a slow day! We add extra staff to handle the calls, and our team works tirelessly, answering questions until Erev Pesach. The level of service we provide is unmatched. I’m extremely proud of what we do at the OU to serve Klal Yisrael.

Do the following items require a kosher for Pesach hechsher?
Vitamins?
Cough Drops?
Baby Toothpaste?
Vitamins are a real question. There are two aspects to consider: chewable vs. non- chewable vitamins. A chewable vitamin should only be used if it has a kosher L’Pesach designation. For non-chewable vitamins, you need to assess how essential it is for you to take that vitamin. If it’s crucial for you, you may take it. Only if you can determine that the entire issue is only Kitniyos.

Cough drops?
Cough drops are more problematic because they are typically candy-like. You should not take cough drops without kosher L’Pesach supervision.
Baby toothpaste, even if it’s made to be swallowed safely?
There are many toothpastes listed as acceptable for Pesach. I’m sure you can find one that is suitable for Pesach use.

Can one use the same Havdalah set they use all year round for Pesach?
Yes, you can. Actually, this year, it’s not much of an issue because there won’t be a regular Havdalah on the first Motzei Shabbos. Since the first Motzei Shabbos is Yom Tov, we won’t use besamim (spices). Similarly, the second Shabbos will also be Yom Tov, and there won’t be a regular Havdalah either. People typically buy, and I recommend that we do this at home if my wife remembers, the Yaknehaz candles.

Can a timer be used on Yom Tov for a hot plate, so it turns on and off throughout Yom Tov?
Yes, but not on Shabbos. You can use a timer on your hot plate on Yom Tov, as it’s permitted to cook on Yom Tov. However, you cannot set a timer on Shabbos to turn on the hot plate. For example, if you set the timer to go on at 9am, you cannot then put food on the hot plate beforehand. This is not allowed on Shabbos, but it’s fine on Yom Tov because cooking is permitted then.

Can one ask a non-Jew to turn on an oven during Yom Tov?
No, you cannot ask a non-Jew to turn on an oven for you on Yom Tov. In fact, asking a non-Jew to turn on the oven may be more problematic than having a Jew do it because of the issue of Bishul Akum. If a non-Jew lights the fire, you must be the one to place the food in the oven; otherwise, it would be a problem of Bishul Akum.

Is it permissible to give chametz to a toddler during Pesach?
Absolutely not, unless it’s a life-threatening situation (Sakanas Nefashos). Even then, if you must give chametz, it should ideally be given in a way that it belongs to a non-Jew. You are not allowed to own or benefit from chametz in any way on Pesach.

Is one allowed to own stock in a company that sells chametz over Pesach?
Unless you have a controlling interest in a publicly traded company or are part of the company’s administration, you can keep the stock. However, I recommend that people who own stocks—whether or not they have a management role or controlling interest— sell their stocks to a non-Jew before Yom Tov as part of their Mechiras Chametz and avoid trading them on Pesach. If you have mutual funds, insurance bonds, or other investments where you’re unsure where the money is invested, you don’t need to worry about it. So, if you have a mutual fund and are unsure where the money is invested, including in companies that may sell chametz, you don’t have to be concerned.

Can one reuse a disposable aluminum pan multiple times before throwing it out without toiveling it?
This is a great question. There are different opinions among the poskim. Personally, I don’t require people to toivel the pan. My opinion is that you can use it without toiveling it.

When staying with non-observant Jews, can I use their tea kettle or water boiler to make tea or coffee on Pesach?
If you’re unsure whether the tea kettle or water boiler is kosher for Pesach, it’s best not to use it.

Is whiskey aged in barrels that previously held beer or other chametz-based drinks considered chametz?
Yes, it is considered chametz.

Recently, the Badatz hechsher in Eretz Yisrael has stopped giving hechsherim on wax coatings for orange peels. Have you heard about this? Does the OU monitor wax coatings on orange peels?
We don’t believe this is an issue. We have investigated the coatings, and it’s not just about oranges—since most people don’t eat orange peels. The concern is more about fruits and vegetables whose peels are consumed, such as apples and pears. However, after consulting with our Rabbanim, we have determined that it is not a problem.

Can one go to a motel during Chol Hamoed? Can one kasher the microwave and refrigerator in the motel room?
Regarding staying at a hotel during Pesach, you are allowed to enter the room. However, Halacha requires you to perform bedikas chametz (checking for chametz). You should check the room, including the refrigerator. While you don’t necessarily need to use a candle, and you obviously can’t use ten pieces of bread, you still need to inspect the room and the fridge.

If you plan to store food in the fridge, it must be cleaned first.

As for the microwave, Halacha dictates that you cannot kasher it during Pesach. Any kashering must be done before the start of Pesach, specifically before the deadline (zman). So, without delving into the details of how to kasher a microwave, it is not permissible to kasher it during Pesach. If you must use the microwave (though I wouldn’t recommend it), clean it thoroughly and then triple-wrap everything.

Why does milk need special Pesach certification?
Milk may contain added vitamins that carry a slight chametz risk. Therefore, it is recommended to purchase milk that has special Pesach supervision. If Pesach- certified milk is not available, regular milk should be purchased before Pesach, at which time chametz can be nullified (batel).

Are blanched almonds kosher for Pesach without an OU-P?
Yes, blanched almonds are acceptable for use on Pesach without special certification.

Do alcohol-based sanitizers require Pesach certification?
You can use them.

Does food containing modified food starch (MFS) constitute chametz?
In the United States, it is generally assumed that modified food starch (MFS) is derived from corn or potato starch. Therefore, those who are meticulous about not selling chametz gamor (actual chametz) may sell such items. However, if the product is labeled as Non-GMO (genetically modified organism) or is imported, it could potentially be actual chametz. In such cases, it is advisable to discard the product before Pesach to avoid selling chametz.

How can one sell liquor and prescription medicines to a non-Jew as part of mechiras chametz if New York law requires a special license for such sales?
This is a good question. However, it has been established over the years that the government does not object to these sales when conducted for religious purposes. Although the formal legal requirements for selling these items may not be met, authorities generally do not interfere in religious transactions of this nature.

Can one eat out (mish) during Pesach?
The custom of not eating out (missing) during Pesach stems from the heightened level of care people take regarding what they consume during the holiday. Each family has its own standards, and many prefer to eat only food prepared according to their personal customs at home.

That said, this minhag can sometimes present challenges, particularly regarding shalom bayis (peace in the home). For example, if your parents or in-laws invite you for Pesach and their standards align with yours, maintaining family harmony may take precedence over the minhag of not eating out.

Being a religious Jew means being thoughtful and discerning. This includes considering the broader consequences of one’s actions. While the minhag of not mishing is meaningful, it should not come at the expense of shalom bayis or other important considerations.

QUESTION FROM A READER
I am a Type 2 diabetic, and throughout the year, I take New Chapter Berberine, which has OU certification. Regarding Pesach, can I take Berberine?
Roland Wakter

One should only purchase products with reliable kosher certification. Some companies manufacture with supervision, but we do not certify it as kosher for Pesach. You should reach out to the manufacturer with the certification—those companies have chemists who can confirm whether the product contains chametz or kitniyos. If it only contains kitniyos, it is acceptable, but if it contains chametz, you should avoid taking it, especially if it’s a chewable or liquid form. If it’s a pill that he swallows, the doctor needs to assess how critical it is for him to take it. If it is essential, then he could take it during Pesach.