01 Apr PESACH QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS: WITH RABBI MOSHE ELEFANT FROM THE OU
What is the origin of the custom of not
eating gebrochts (matzah dipped in
water)?
The Shulchan Aruch (OC 463:3) rules
that flour made from roasted wheat kernels may not be
mixed with water on Pesach. Even though wheat that is ful-
ly roasted cannot become chometz, we are concerned that
perhaps some kernels were not properly roasted, and sub-
sequently, the flour might become chometz when mixed
with water.
The same concern applies to matzah with flour on its sur-
face. It is forbidden to mix such matzah with water because
the flour may not be fully baked and would be susceptible to becoming chometz (MB
463:8).
Where there is no perceptible flour in or on the matzah, is there a concern that some
of the dough may not have been thoroughly mixed, and within the matzah there
may be raw flour that was not fully baked? There are two different customs; Mishnah
Berurah (458:4) notes that there are anshei ma’aseh, scrupulous individuals, who
act stringently and do not allow matzah to come in contact with water, as perhaps
it may contain unbaked flour. Many Chassidim have this custom. However, Mish-
nah Berurah (ibid., citing Shaarei Teshuva 460) maintains that this stringency is not
halachicaly mandated, since there is no evidence of raw flour in matzah. In addi-
tion, our matzos are thin-like crackers, and it is highly unlikely they will contain
flour. This was the opinion of Chazon Ish (OC 121:19) as well. Shaarei Teshuva, (OC
460:10) notes that both groups are meritorious. Those who do not eat gebrochts are
motivated by yiras shomayim (fear of heaven), lest they inadvertently transgress the
laws of Pesach. The ones who are lenient are concerned that not eating gebrochts will
limit their simchas (joy of) Yom Tov. Shaarei Teshuva concludes: “Both groups are
pursuing paths for the sake of Heaven, and I declare: And Your people are entirely
righteous (Yeshaya 60:21).”
Can I kasher my tablecloths and dish
towels for Pesach?
Magen Avrohom (O.C. 442:19) writes that a tablecloth
can be kashered for Pesach if it undergoes a thorough
washing with hot water and soap and is beaten. Igros
Moshe (Orach Chaim IV:106) writes that today’s
home washing machines, when run through a hot
cycle with detergent and agitation, satisfy all these
requirements. Rav Belsky, zt”l held that towels made
from polyester and other synthetic materials can be kashered in this
manner. However, one must inspect the cloth or towel thoroughly to
make sure that no chametz remains. It is therefore, better to buy new
towels for Pesach, and only use washed tablecloths if they are covered
with plastic.
How do I kasher my braces for Pesach?
The best thing I can recommend is to clean them as best as possible.
Not in a way that will ruin them but wash them with warm water and
don’t eat hot chametz for 24 hours before Pesach.
I sometimes become hungry and thirsty during
Maggid. May I eat a snack or drink a coffee?
The second cup of wine at the seder is filled after karpas so that Maggid (the
central portion of the Haggadah) will be recited over the cup of wine. The Mishnah
Berurah writes that after filling the cup, it is inappropriate to drink a separate cup
of wine (Be’ur Halachah 473:3 s.v. Harishus). Both Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach
(Halichos Shlomo, Hil. Pesach 9:34) and Rav Elyashiv (Shevus Yitzchok, Pesach
9:3) maintain that only wine is restricted, but in cases of necessity, one is permitted
to drink water or coffee. Rav Elyashiv explains that unless there is a pressing need,
even water should be avoided because the Haggadah should be recited with a
sense of awe and reverence (see Mishnah Berurah 473:71).
May one eat peanuts on Pesach?
There are different customs on whether peanuts are con-
sidered kitnios. Someone who considers them kitnios
should definitely not eat them. those who don’t consider
peanuts kitnios, can eat them on Pesach. I remember
when I first joined the OU, we had a company that made a
run every year of peanut oil because there are people that
consider peanut oil not to be an issue because they don’t
consider peanuts to be kitnios. That company stopped manufacturing peanut oil because
less and less people are eating peanuts on Pesach.
Can one kasher plastic bowls and utensils for Pesach?
Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l (Igros Moshe Orach Chaim II:
92) was asked whether it is permissible to kasher synthetic
materials for Pesach. He writes that the Torah sets forth
guidelines for kashering metal, wood and clay, but does not
discuss new materials that were recently developed. Since
we do not have any clear guidelines from the Torah or early
poskim as to what they might have held regarding these new
materials, we should not permit kashering them. However,
many other poskim including Minchas Yitzchak (3:67), Chelkas Yaakov (Yoreh
Deah 45), Tzitz Eliezer (4:6) and Rav Ovadya Yosef zt”l (Chazon Ovadya, Hilchos
Pesach) were lenient, provided that the plastic will not melt or get ruined from
the kashering process. However, if the plastic has scratches or cracks, it cannot
be kashered. Many in America have the minhag to follow Igros Moshe and not
to kasher plastic. However, if one does not know if that is their minhag, it is the
position of the OU poskim that one may be lenient if there is a need.
Can one kasher drinking glasses for Pesach?
Shulchan Aruch (451:26) writes that glass does not absorb and
therefore does not need to be kashered. However, Rama (Orach
Chaim 451:26) writes that the minhag of Ashkenazim is that glass
that had been used with hot chametz may not be used on Pesach
even if it was kashered. There are two reasons given for this. One
reason is because we compare glass, which is made from sand, to
cheres (earthenware), which is made from clay. Just as cheres can-
not be kashered, likewise glass may not be kashered. The other reason is because
we are concerned that one might not kasher glass properly for fear it might crack.
Chayei Adam 125:22 writes that if it is difficult to purchase new drinking glasses
for Pesach, glasses, which are used primarily for cold drinks, may be kashered with
hagalah.