21 Mar PESACH QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS: WITH RABBI MOSHE ELEFANT FROM THE OU

Why is mechirat chametz for a supermarket that continues to sell chametz during Pesach a valid sale?

It isn’t. The regular mechiras chometz that you and I do does not work for a Jewish supermarket that is opened on Pesach. The reason is very simple; when you and I sell the chometz, we take all the chometz we own and we ask the Rav to be our agent to sell the chometz; and that’s it. We’re not buying or getting any chometz on Pesach; it’s all sold. These stores have two issues which complicate their mechiras chometz. One issue is, they’re constantly getting deliveries. So if the Rav is doing mechiras chometz on Erev Pesach, he can only sell what this person had at that point. If there are new deliveries that come later on, they were not included in mechiras chometz. The second problem is what does mechiras chometz represent? It represents that we are selling the chometz. Any chometz that is in our house is owned by a non-Jew that is allowed to own chometz during Pesach. If something belongs to you, I can’t use or sell your product. So if the store was serious about the mechiras chometz, how are they selling the chometz? It’s not their chometz! It’s the non-Jews chometz. Therefore, if they continue to sell the chometz, what they are saying is that their mechiras chometz was not a real transaction.

I am puzzled by our practice of reciting a separate bracha on each cup of wine. Ordinarily, when I recite a blessing on one cup of wine, I do not make another blessing when I drink another cup, unless I specifically did not have in mind to drink further. Why is Pesach different?

That is a good question. Indeed, the custom of the Sefardim (following Shulchan Oruch 474:1) is to only make a bracha on the first cup of Kiddush and the third cup after Birchas Hamazon. (After Birchas Hamazon a new bracha must be recited because the Birchas Hamazon concludes the meal and cancels all brachos.) However, Rama (ibid.) rules, and this is the custom of Ashkenazic Jewry, that a separate blessing is recited on each cup. One explanation is the following; Between the first and second cup, and between the third and fourth cup, two paragraphs of Hallel and a concluding bracha are said. During these recitations, one may not interrupt with extraneous activities, such as drinking wine. This period of time, when drinking is not permitted, is considered a hefsek (break), and the bracha on wine that was previously recited is terminated. As such, a separate bracha must be recited on the second and fourth cup of wine. (Based on Ran, Pesachim 110a and Mishna Berura 474:4)

Can I kasher my quartz (stone aggregate) countertops for Pesach?

Engineered quartz countertops, such as Caesarstone or Silestone, are made from a combination of stone, syn-thetic resins and pigments. Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 451:8) writes that stone can be kashered. But there are differences of opinion regarding whether one may kasher synthetic materials for Pesach. The Major-ity of poskim permit kashering synthetic materials such as plastic, however, Rav Moshe Feinstein, zt”l was strict, and many have the custom to follow this ruling. Rav Belsky, zt”l said that even those that have the minhag not to kasher synthetic materials, as per the psak of Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l, can still be lenient and kasher these counters. This is because these counters are primarily made of stone and the resin is only a small amount used to bind the stones together. Achronim debate whether we can define a material based on the majority of its components (See Minchas Yitzchak 4:114:4), which in this case is stone. Since not kashering synthetic materials is itself a chumra (stringency), Rav Belsky, zt“l said that one may rely on the poskim that view this material to be like regular stone. However, on a practical level, it is difficult to properly clean and kasher a countertop. Rav Belsky, zt”l would recommend that instead of kashering, countertops should be covered for Pesach.

GOING TO A MOTEL ON CHOL HAMOED- KASHERING A MICROWAVE & REFRIGERATOR

In terms of going to a hotel on pesach, you’re allowed to go into the room, but the Halacha is that you have to do bedikas chametz. Check the room, you don’t neces-sarily have to use a candle and obviously you can’t use 10 pieces of bread, but you should check the room and check the refrigerator. If you want to put food into the fridge you need to clean it first. In terms of the micro-wave, the halacha is that you can’t kasher it on Pesach. Any kashering you do, has to be erev Pesach before the zman. So, without getting into the question of how to kasher a microwave, you can’t kasher it on Pesach. So, if you’re going to want to use the microwave, which is not some-thing I recommend, but if you really need to use it, clean it well and then triple wrap everything.

Can one Kasher a heating draw for pesach?

We recommend not kashering them for Pesach.

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 cannot 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. 

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 fully roasted cannot become chometz, we are concerned that perhaps some kernels were not properly roasted, and subsequently, the flour might become chometz when mixed with water.The same concern applies to matzah with flour on its surface. 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 individu-als, 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, Mishnah 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 addition, our matzos are thin-like crackers, and it is highly unlikely they will con-tain flour. This was the opinion of Chazon Ish (OC 121:19) as well. Shaarei Tes-huva, (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 eat-ing 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 table-cloth 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 tow-el 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 cen-tral 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 Au-erbach (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.

How can one sell liquor and prescription medicines to a nonJew as part of mechiras chametz, if the New York law is that the sale of those items requires a special license?

It’s a good question but what’s been determined over the years is that the government does not oppose something sold for religious reasons and so, even though you didn’t go through all the government steps, they don’t care.

One is not permitted to eat before hearing Havdalah. If one forgot to recite Havdalah in Kiddush and must wait until after Maggid to recite Havdalah, may Karpas be eaten at the usual point of the seder?The Shulchan Aruch Harav (473:7) writes that in this scenar-io, since one cannot recite Havdalah until after Maggid, one may eat the Karpas even without having said Havdalah. The Mishnah Berurah (Beiur Halacha 473, s.v. Od) writes that if one has not yet eaten the Karpas, perhaps it is better to recite Havdalah (before Maggid) and then eat the Karpas, because eating before Havdalah is a clear violation, while adding an additional cup is a matter of dispute among poskim. How-ever, he leaves the question unresolved. The Kol Dodi Haggadah quotes Rav Moshe Feinstein, zt”l who held that in this case, since one is forbidden to eat without making Havdalah, one should in fact recite Havdalah before eating the Karpas.

If someone is going away for Pesach to a hotel- what kashrus questions should they ask before booking? What issues can come up at a hotel over Pesach?

The kashrus questions you should ask are, what hashgacha does the hotel have? Is it a reliable hash-gacha? Unfortunately, too many people are calling me with questions about hotels where they have already booked the reservations and didn’t think to ask under which Kosher supervision is this program. I can tell you that we at the OU, the largest hashgacha in the world, don’t give hashgachas to any hotels for Pesach. It’s very complicated to certify hotels for Pesach. If a hotel isn’t fully kosher, there’s a section they take and the rest of the hotel isn’t kosher, I would strongly recommend not to go there on Pesach. Therefore, I would recommend that you make sure the company giving the hashgacha is reliable and up to standards you are comfortable with. It’s not something you should take for granted that just because the hotel advertised in Jewish media, there’s no question you can go there.

A custom exists not to consume matzah in the days leading up to Pesach (the number of days prior to Pesach, if any, varies by custom); would it then be permissible to consume chicken coated with Pesach certified matzah meal even on the eve of Pesach?

Rav Hershel Schachter, OU Kosher’s chief posek (halachic decisor), main-tains that using matzah meal as a coating is not included in the minhag of abstaining from matzah consumption during the days leading up to Pesach even if it is Pesach certified. Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De’ah. 214:1) writes that a minhag is a type of vow. When interpreting what is included in a vow, we follow the meaning of how people speak. Therefore, since this form of matzah is not what is referenced it is not included in the minhag. On the eve of Pesach, when a rabbinic ordinance prohibits the consumption of matzah, the matzah meal-coated chicken would still be permitted. The crumb coating is no longer seen as a matzah-derived food.

I purchased OU-P certified instant soup mix and the ingredients note that the product contains yeast. Is it really kosher for Pesach?

Yeast is a microorganism and its chametz status is dependent on the host on which it is grown, in addition to other factors. The yeast used in OU-P certified soup mixes is not grown on chametz and is made especially for Pesach. Similarly, yeast used in Pesach certified wines is acceptable.

I am Sephardic and consume kitniyot on Pesach. May I use any soy or rice products on Pesach or do these items need to bear Pesach certification?

Items containing soy or rice must bear a Pesach certification dueto the possibility of cross-contamination with chametz at theproduction facility. The OU certifies a number of products for Pesach which bear the designation of OU-kitniyot.

Which medications/vitamins areKosher for Pesach?

Medications that are non-chewable and do not contain fla-vored coatings do not even have to be Kosher for Pesach, as they are inedible and are not consumed in a normal man-ner. Rabbis disagree as to whether the same can be said for non-chewable vitamins. We suggest you consult with your personal rabbi as to whether or not they should be Kosher for Pesach. We cannot emphasize enough that you should speak to your personal rabbi before refraining from taking any medication for any reason.

I do not sell actual chametz even if it is part of a mixture. Does food containing modified food starch (MFS) constitute chametz?

A: In the United States it is assumed that modified food starch (MFS) is derived from corn or potato starch. Therefore those who are meticulous not to sell chametz gamor (actual chametz) may sell such items. If, however, the product is labeled Non-GMO (genetically modified organism) or is imported, it may be actual chametz and one should discard it before Pesach to avoid selling it.

Do alcohol-based sanitizers require Pesach certification?

You can use them.

What type of food can be served to my dog on Pesach? Can he be served rice even if our family does not eat kitniyot on Pesach?

OU certifies Kosher Paws dog food, available at kosherpaws.com.Additionally, research has been done on the subject and Blue Buf-falo brand dog food produces grain-free formulations. Your dog can eat rice on Pesach even if your family does not.

Can jarred horseradish be used as ‘Maror’ at the seder?Jarred horseradish is made with vinegar, even when certified for Pesach, and therefore cannot be used as ‘Maror ’at the seder.

Does purified water enhanced with minerals require Pesach certification?

Although the OU approves bottled and distilled water without Pesach certification, when it comes to enhanced water an OU-P is required. This is due to the fact that the enhanced water may contain sensitive ingredients such as citric acid, which may be derived from corn starch or amylase.

Given that the mitzvah of bedikas chometz (searching for chametz) takes place once a year, it would seem to me that we should recite an additional blessing of Shehechiyanu. Why do we not do so?

A number of reasons are given for this. Rosh (Pesachim 1:10) says that since the search for chometz is done in preparation of Pesach, the Shehechiyanu on the Yom Tov covers bedikas chometz as well. Tur (Orach Chaim 432) offers another explanation. If a person leaves home within 30 days before Pesach, bedikas chometz is performed at the last night one will be home before Pesach begins. Since bedikas chometz is not always performed at a set time, it is inappropriate to recite the bracha of Shehechiyanu which concludes ‘vehigiyanu lazman hazaeh’ – “who has allowed us to live to reach this time”. Avudraham (Shaar 3 – Birchas HaMitzvah) explains that Shehechiyanu is only recited when engaging in a pleasurable mitzvah. Destroying chometz causes pain; one discards and destroys perfectly good food. Thus, no blessing is recited.

Does frozen salmon require special Pesach supervision?

Raw frozen salmon that contains nothing other than water and salt does not require special Pesach supervision. Although the ingredients frequently list coloring, this refers to pellets that salmon are fed that have no effect on their Pesach status.

COSMETICS ON PESACH

When we think about cosmetics, it’s not something edible, not even by a dog, and should not be seen as a problem. Even if there’s something with chametz in the product, as long as it’s not edible it shouldn’t be a problem. Whenever we speak about Pesach it’s good to be machmir, be careful, and there are those that rely on different lists which list cosmetics that are chametz free. If you can get such a cosmetic, it’s even better! But a cosmetic that is totally inedible is not an issue. This is aside from lipstick; lipstick is something you ingest so you should be more careful.

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

Are steam pasteurized nuts kosher for Pesach without Pesach certification?

Steam pasteurized nuts are acceptable for use on Pesach without Pesach certification pro-vided that there are no other additives noted.

Which paper plates can I purchase for Pesach?On page 82 in our Pesach guide and on https://oukosher.org/Pesach/guidelines/non-food-items/ ) you will find a list of inedible products that can be used on Pesach without any supervision whatsoever. These items are permitted by our rabbinical authorities either because they contain no chametz or kitniyos, or because the items are so inedible that they can be used regardless of any chametz or kitniyos.

Do raw meat and poultry products require special Pesach supervision?

All meat and poultry do not require special Pesach supervision as long as they are raw and unprocessed. Ground meat and poultry count as unprocessed for these purposes.

Can I use milk that is not certified for Pesach?You can use your regular brand of milk even if it is not certified for Pesach. Just try to purchase it before Pesach so that any chametz would be nullified before Pesach.