Microsoft word - jlic pesach 2008 passover guide-1.doc

JLIC HALAKHA SERIES
PASSOVER GUIDE 5768/2008
Prepared by Rabbi Mordy Friedman
SECTION ONE: PREPARATIONS FOR PASSOVER
1. THE SELLING OF CHAMETZ - MECHIRAT CHAMETZ Guidelines for properly cleaning and koshering one’s home and kitchen for Passover SECTION TWO: EREV PESACH (*that falls out on Shabbat*)
3. TA’ANIT BECHOROT (fast of the first born) 4. BEDIKAT CHAMETZ (the search for chametz) 5. LATEST TIME TO EAT & BURN CHAMETZ 7. EATING THREE MEALS & LECHEM MISHNAH ON SHABBAT SECTION THREE: KOSHER FOR PESACH PRODUCTS & CHAMETZ
(kosher products lists, medications, cosmetics, kitniyot, etc) SECTION FOUR: BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE LAWS OF THE SEDER
11. SEFIRAT HA’OMER (the counting of the Omer) 1. THE SELLING OF CHAMETZ - Mechirat Chametz
During the eight days of Pesach, our homes must be emptied and cleared of all chametz products and all products that have any chametz content. All such items are to be placed in designated areas and sold for the eight-day period to a non-Jew. During the entire Pesach, the designated cabinets should not be opened, and no items in the designated areas should be used during this period. Many authorities maintain that the selling of chametz should only be used for mixtures containing some chametz ingredients, whereas pure chametz such as bread and cookies should be eaten, physically destroyed or given permanently to a non-Jew. In order to sell your chametz, please see me personally. This will allow you to appoint me as
your agent by means of a kinyan, a symbolic acquisition, which is preferable. Please fill out the attached form [see pennocp.org] and bring it to me by Thursday night. If you will be in a
different time zone than that of UPenn during Pesach, please make sure to tell me. [For those who find it impossible to meet with me personally, please contact me directly (ravmordy@pobox.upenn.edu) and we will work something out. It is not recommended to sell your chametz via the internet to any random site.] Please note: All chametz must be sold and stored in designated/marked cabinets by 9:PM Friday
morning, April 18. Please make sure to sell your chametz long before this time and try not
leave it for the last minute. Foods not included in the sale cannot be added later. After the end of Pesach, the food should remain locked up for at least two hours, giving the rabbi sufficient time to repurchase the food for his community. [Jews living with non-Jewish roommates often have shared chametz, and it is sometimes ambiguous
which chametz products belong to the Jew. To remove doubt, one should physically hand over all of the chametz to the non-Jew prior to Pesach as a gift, stating, “I give this to you as an unconditional gift, and accept no responsibility for storing or guarding it.” In addition, state to the non-Jew that you have no part or parcel in any food that he/she owns or brings into the apartment over Pesach. The non-Jew may then continue to own and use the chametz over Pesach. Once this is done, there is no further need to sell the chametz. If the Jew will be in the room over Pesach, the chametz should be stored in some specifically designated area, to prevent confusion. In addition, it is preferable not to use a joint fridge, but to sell your portion of the fridge to the non-Jew with a symbolic acquisition via picking up an object. If this is not possible, one should arrange for a separate section of the fridge for your own private use.] [For those with Jewish roommates who do not observe the laws of Pesach, ideally, try to convince
them to get rid of their chametz as well and not to bring in new chametz over Pesach to the room. If this is not possible, state to your roommate verbally that anything that he/she owns or buys over Pesach is absolutely not yours and you have no part in it. Under this situation, do NOT use the same fridge as your roommate. For those who live in shared living spaces where food is communally owned, you must make sure that no chametz is bought over Pesach with communal funds that you contributed to or else you will have chametz in your possession over Pesach.] 2. CLEANING ONE’S HOME FOR PESACH
Basic Cleaning
If you will not be in your dorm or you will not be using your kitchen during Pesach, you do
not need to Kasher your cooking appliances in the manner described below. Rather, you
simply need to eliminate all physical chametz in your possession, including bits of bread in toasters, spills on surfaces, etc. Pieces that are both smaller than an olive and inedible do not count, so the easiest thing to do is to dispose of all the large pieces, then clean your surfaces with a strong, inedible chemical cleaner. If anything remains after this, it is not edible chametz and you need not destroy it. This is the simplest method for counters, cooking appliances, Don’t forget to clean all chametz out of lockers, desks, vehicles, and other locations around campus where you store personal property. [As will be elaborated below, one need not be concerned about owning cosmetics, shampoos, inedible solid medicines, etc. on Pesach.] Although it is nice to neaten up one’s coin collection, wash windows, books, etc, these are not required. One should focus primarily on chametz elimination.
In a conventional oven, whether gas or electric, the oven must be completely clean before kashering can begin. Oven cleaner may be necessary to remove baked on grease. If a abrasive/caustic type of oven cleaner (such as Easy-Off) was used to clean the oven and some stubborn spots remain after the caustic cleaner has been applied a second time with similar results, the remaining spots may be disregarded. Once the oven and racks have been cleaned, they may be kashered by Libbun Kal. Turning the oven to the broil setting for 2 hours satisfies the requirement of Libbun Kal. Pay special attention to the temperature gauge, the window in the door and the edges of the oven chamber to make sure they are cleaned. In a gas oven the broil setting will allow the flame to burn continuously. In a conventional electric oven, the highest setting of broil or 550oF sufficiently kashers the oven. For a continuous cleaning oven, one cannot assume that such an oven is clean because the
manufacturer claims it to be continuously clean. A visual inspection is required. Since caustic
or abrasive oven cleaners, e.g. Easy-Off, cannot be used without destroying the continuous clean properties of the oven, a non-abrasive, and non-caustic, cleaner must be used to clean the oven. Grease spots will usually disappear if the top layer of grease is cleaned with Fantastic and a nylon brush. Then the oven should be turned on to 450oF for 2 hours so that the continuous clean mechanism can work. If the spots don't disappear the oven should be left on for a few hours to allow the continuous clean mechanism to deep clean. If the spots do not disappear, the spots should be removed with oven cleaner or steel wool. If the spots are dark spots that crumble, they can be disregarded. In all of the above cases the oven should then be kashered by turning the In a self-cleaning oven, the self-cleaning cycle will clean and kasher the oven simultaneously.
This is true for convection ovens with a self-cleaning feature as well. The oven need not be
cleaned well before the process begins because everything inside of the oven is reduced to ash. The oven door and rubber around the door should, however, be completely clean before beginning the self-clean cycle. Some older self-cleaning ovens are not as effective as they once were, and one should run multiple cycles. Oven Racks are very difficult to thoroughly clean, hence it is easiest to simply buy new ones. If
one cannot, it is recommended that they be placed into a self-cleaning oven and go through one complete cycle or set the oven to broil for an hour and a half. Some people also cover them with aluminum foil (punching holes though to allow the air to circulate). Oven Broiler: The broiler pan and grill cannot be kashered by just turning on the gas or
electricity. Since food is cooked directly on the pan or grill, they must be heated to a glow in order to be used on Pesach. An alternate method is to replace the pan with a new pan and Kasher the empty broiler cavity by cleaning and setting it to broil for 2 hours. If one does not intend to use the broiler on Pesach, one may still use the oven, even without koshering the broiler, provided that the broiler has been thoroughly cleaned. Similarly, other cooktop inserts such as a griddle or a barbecue broiler would require “Libbun Gamur,” heating the surface to a red glow before usage. If not, the insert should be cleaned and covered and not used for Pesach Cooktop/Stovetops: On a gas range the cast iron or metal grates upon which the pots on the
range sit may be inserted into the oven after they have been thoroughly cleaned. (If one has a self-cleaning oven one need not clean the grates first.) The grates can be kashered simultaneously with the oven. Another method of kashering the burners is to place a blech (all year round blech may be used) or heavy foil over each burner and turn on highest temperature for 15 minutes. (For safety concerns it is recommended to do one burner at a time.) The rest of the range should be cleaned and covered with a double layer of heavy-duty aluminum foil. (Stainless steel stove tops may be purged with boiling water and need not be covered.) The burners themselves do not need Kashering or covering but should be thoroughly cleaned. The drip pans should be thoroughly cleaned and need not be kashered. Kashering a Glass, Corning,
Halogen or Ceran electric range top for Pesach is a very difficult task. The elements of the
stove can be turned on until they come to a glow (minimally for ten minutes). The burner areas
are now considered Kosher for Pesach. However, the rest of the cook top presents a serious Kashering problem. The unheated area of glass top ranges cannot be covered with foil like conventional or porcelain tops. Since glass tops are made of tempered glass, and are not meant to be covered, there is a risk that the glass cooktop will shatter if it is covered. Therefore, one should check with the company before attempting to kasher a Corningstove top. In an electric
cooktop, one only needs to turn the burners on the high heat setting for 5 minutes in order to
kasher them, since the burners come to a glow in a few minutes. The remaining cooktop areas should be covered. The knobs with which the gas or electricity is turned on should be cleaned.
No other process is necessary to kasher the knobs. Microwave Ovens
Clean the microwave thoroughly with some form of cleaner and do not use for 24 hours. Then boil a cup of water on the highest setting for 20 minutes, or until all the water has boiled off. The glass plate (if you have one) should be replaced or covered (after being cleaned and kashered in boiling water). Food should not be heated directly on the old glass plate on Pesach. If your microwave walls have holes or grates through which food has fallen and cannot be removed, it’s best to cover all foods that you heat in the microwave on Pesach. Refrigerator and Freezers
All items should be removed from the refrigerator, including both food and shelving, and the refrigerator should be cleaned thoroughly with a cleansing agent, paying special attention to the holes and corners. If hot chamtez was spilled on a shelf, then that shelf should be covered (make sure to perforate any covers to allow for air circulation). Otherwise, covering shelves is not necessary – although it is a widespread custom. High Chairs - Should be cleaned thoroughly and the tray should be covered with contact paper.
Metal Utensils
Metal Utensils that have been used for cooking, serving or eating hot Chametz may be
kashered by cleaning them thoroughly, waiting twenty-four (24) hours and then immersing them, one by one, into a large industrial sized Kosher for Pesach pot of water which has been heated (and a drop of soap has been added to it) and is maintaining a rolling boil when the vessel is
immersed. Note that Teflon coated pots can not be kashered. It is customary to buy new
While koshering utensils, the utensils undergoing the kashering process may not touch each other on the way in to the pot. In other words, if a set of flatware is being kashered for Pesach, one cannot take all the knives, forks and spoons and put them in the boiling water together. They should be placed into the boiling water one by one. The process is finalized by rinsing the kashered items in cold water. If tongs are used to grip the utensil, they should be loosened for a moment while the utensil is underwater. Otherwise, the utensil will have to be immersed a second time with the tong in a different position so that the boiling water will touch the initially gripped area. The entire utensil does not have to be kashered at once; it may be done in parts. Please watch out for utensils that are rusty or difficult to clean properly. Even silverware made of two parts (a handle and a blade, for instance) should most often not be kashered. Technically, a non-Kosher for Pesach pot may also be used for the purpose of kashering, provided that it is thoroughly clean and has not been used for twenty-four (24) hours. However, it is the custom to make the pot Kosher for Pesach before using it for kashering. This can be accomplished by cleaning the pot, leaving it for 24 hours, filling the pot completely with water, waiting until the water comes to a rolling boil, and throwing in a hot stone or brick which has been heated on another burner. The hot rock will cause the water to bubble more furiously and run over the top ridge of the pot on all sides at one time. The pot is now kashered.
Ashkenazim today do not kasher glass utensils used with hot chametz for Pesach. Arcolac,
Pyrex, Duralex & Corelle should be treated as glass for kashering purposes. Glassware used
with cold chametz may be kashered. Each utensil should be soaked in room temperature water for 72 hours. The water should be changed every 24 hours. [There are different opinions about whether plastic utensils can be kashered in the same manner as metal.] Kitchen towels, as well as tablecloths, should be laundered and can then be used on Pesach (although many simply use new or special tablecloth and towels). Sponges, on the other hand, China sinks cannot be kashered at all. Porcelain or corian sinks should also be considered like
a china sink, since there is a controversy whether these materials can be kashered. These sinks should be cleaned and completely lined with contact paper or foil. The dishes that are to be washed should not be placed directly into the sink. They must be washed in a Pesach dishpan that is placed on a Pesach rack. Alternatively, a sink insert can be purchased, allowing for the placement of either dairy or meat dishes directly into the sink. Dishes can also simply be washed while holding them in the air and not placing them on the surface of the sink at all. Stainless steel sinks can be kashered by the following method. Clean the sink thoroughly. Hot
water should not be used or poured in the sink for twenty-four (24) hours prior to kashering. (It is recommended that the sink be covered or the hot water knob covered or removed, etc. to insure that it is not used.) Kashering is accomplished by pouring boiling hot water from a Pesach kettle/pot over every part of the stainless steel sink. The poured water must touch every part of
the sink including the drain and the spout of the water faucet. It is likely that the kashering kettle(s) will need to be refilled a few times before the kashering can be completed. Granite sinks can be kashered like a stainless steel sink.
In addition, one must kasher the drain filter of the sink, just as one kashers the sink itself. If the holes in the filter are very fine, then it cannot be koshered and one should buy a new one. Countertops and Tabletops
Countertops made of granite may also be kashered. Formica countertops should be cleaned and covered with a waterproof material. The same goes for tables with synthetic tops. Wood tables could theoretically be kashered with boiling water, but the custom is to clean them with a Dishwashers
Porcelain and enamel dishwashers can not be kashered for Pesach. Stainless steel dishwashers may be kashered but the racks should be replaced. These dishwashers must be thoroughly cleaned. Please contact a rabbi before doing so. Electric Mixers, Food Processors and Blenders
It is recommended that one purchase separate appliances to be reserved for Pesach use. In a case where this is not possible, so long as the motor area is completely sealed and food cannot get into crevices in the machine itself, one may rely on kashering the blades and bowls or buy new ones Floors should be swept and washed with a household floor cleanser. Regarding small cracks that may be in your floors, so long as the cleanser reached that area you do not have to worry. Food Cabinets
If you will not be using that cabinet all of Pesach, or will not be in the apartment for Pesach, you may simply seal/lock the cabinet and sell it in its entirety. If you would like to use the cabinet, take out all the contents of the cabinet, wash it with a rag soaked in a household cleaner. It is also preferable to line the cabinet with some form of paper. EREV PESACH THAT FALLS OUT ON SHABBAT
INTRODUCTION
Question: Why is this Pesach different than all other Pesachs? Answer: Because this year Erev Pesach (the eve of Passover) falls out on Shabbat. Many of us may be familiar with the regular Erev Pesach routine: every first born fasts or goes to a siyum, chametz is burnt, and we prepare for the Seder. This year, however, the routine needs to be significantly modified and changed, as Erev Pesach falls out on Shabbat and we cannot do any of those activities. The following is a brief summary of the relevant and practical laws for this unique situation that we encounter this year. 3. THURSDAY – Ta’anit Bechorot (fast of the first born)
On a regular Erev Pesach (14th of Nissan), all first born males are obligated to fast in commemoration of the final plague – makkat bechorot – when God smote every Egyptian firstborn and saved every Jewish firstborn. This year, when Erev Pesach falls out on Shabbat, we are forced to move the fast day to an earlier date, as it is not permissible to fast on Shabbat. Therefore, we move the fast day to Thursday, the 12th of Nissan (April 17th). 4. THURSDAY NIGHT - BEDIKAT CHAMETZ (the search for leaven)
The search for chametz is performed in the usual manner, only that it takes place on Thursday night (as one cannot carry a candle or flashlight on Friday night to do the search!). The search takes place after nightfall (tzet hakochavim) at approximately 8:17pm (in Philadelphia). One should try to perform the search immediately after this time. As usual, both the blessing of ‘al biur chametz’ prior to the search, and the recital of the formal renunciation of chametz (‘kol chamira’) are recited afterwards. The only difference is that if one knows he or she will be eating chametz on Friday or Shabbat, that chametz should be placed in a special and safe place, so that one’s nullification of the chametz will not apply to it. [One who forgot to perform the search on Thursday night due to this year’s special circumstances, may do so on Friday morning Let’s review the laws of searching for chametz: The Torah forbids us not only to eat, but also even to own Chametz on Pesach. We remove any Chametz unknown to us by “nullifying” it through Bittul Chametz, thus making the Chametz ownerless. Our chachamim, however, further mandated a thorough check of the house on the night before Pesach for two reasons: 1) in case we have not truly nullified our Chametz in our hearts and 2) lest one find and eat Chametz on Pesach. This is not just a perfunctory search of our homes! This is not spring cleaning! This is a serious search that should be taken seriously and should involve more than a few minutes. Places to check include drawers, lockers, backpacks, coat pockets, garages and cars. One should try to do the bedikah as soon as possible after nightfall; it is improper to push it off until late at night. The Bedika is done in the dark, using a candle or flashlight to explore everywhere [if the candle will create a fire hazard – use a flashlight!]. It is customary to place 10 pieces of bread before the search begins (make sure to wrap them in tin foil so as not to make new crumbs), although finding only those pieces does not fulfill one’s obligation – one must perform a real search. If one will be leaving one’s house for Pesach and will doing the bedikah before Thursday night, no bracha is said. Therefore, those leaving school before the night of Bedikat Chametz
should do bedika the night before leaving, without a bracha, but with the “Kol Chamira”
declaration (which can be found in any traditional Haggadah). Students should also participate
in bedikat and biur chametz in their parents’ homes. If one’s roommate will be on the premises on Thursday night, one should appoint that roommate as their agent (shaliach) to perform the search at the normal time with a beracha. 4. FRIDAY: EATING, BURNING AND SAVING CHAMETZ
Burning chametz - one should burn one’s chametz on Friday by the sixth hour of the day - 11:40am (in Philadelphia). Even though one is technically allowed to own and even eat chametz until Shabbat morning (10:21/10:45 AM here in Philadelphia), we set Friday morning as the deadline for burning such that one will not get confused in later years. This being the case though, one does not recite the regular Kol Chamira that is usually recited after the burning of
the chametz – as one can still eat chametz. Instead, the Kol Chamira will be said later on the real Erev Pesach, namely Shabbat. [If one absolutely cannot burn their chametz before 11:40am (in Philadelphia) it may be burned any time until the onset of Shabbat.] All chametz that one is planning on eating on Friday or Shabbat morning that is not burnt or sold, must be placed in a designated area (preferably in a disposable containor) far away from the pesach food, and upon consumption must be completely disposed of or flushed down the toilet. 5. FRIDAY – SEDER PREPARATIONS
One is not permitted to make preparations for the Seder on Shabbat itself, which means that many of the preparations need to be made before Shabbat (or need to wait until after Shabbat is over (at tzet) and to say baruch hamavdil bein kodesh l’kodesh). Therefore one should make sure to do the following Seder preparations before Shabbat:  Roasting the egg and shank bone [one who forgot to do this can prepare these items after Shabbat, with the intent to eat them sometime the next day]  Check and clean the marror/lettuce for bugs  Grate the horseradish [one who forgot to do this before Shabbat can do it after Shabbat ends with a shinui, via an abnormal way]  Prepare the Charoset (i.e. chop the nuts, mix the ingredients, etc.)  Light a Yahrtzeit candle – to be used on Yom Tov to light candles with. 6. SHABBAT - EATING THREE MEALS & LECHEM MISHNAH
Shabbat meals present the most fascinating dilemma on Shabbat Erev Pesach, as one needs to have bread for lechem mishnah, yet one’s house is cleaned for Pesach. The general practice is 1. All food for the meals on Shabbat should be Pesachdik, namely prepared with one’s pesach dishes, and using only kosher for Passover ingredients. 2. One should use plastic dishes, silverware, and a disposable tablecloth, so that they can all be disposed of at the end of the meal (as one cannot wash chametz dishes in a Pesachdik sink!). 3. For meals on Friday night and Shabbat morning (before 10:21/10:45 AM Philadelphia time) one should use small rolls so that one can fulfill the mitzvah of lechem mishnah. Each person must eat a kezayit (the size of an olive) of bread. Nothing Pesachdik should be on the table at the same time with the rolls. The Challah or rolls should be eaten over tissues so that all crumbs can be wrapped and disposed of by flushing down the toilet (please make sure not to merely throw chametz in the garbage, as the garbage containers are still in your property). The table should then be cleaned and cleared, one should wash his or her hands, and the Pesachdik food can then be served and eaten. [For those who are concerned with eating bread inside one’s Pesach-cleaned house, one may eat outside on the porch or in the backyard (so long as there is an Eiruv or within one’s private property) and sweep the crumbs off the table or porch.] 4. Due to the fact that all chametz must be eaten by the fourth hour of the day - 10:21am
according to the Magen Avraham, or 10:45am according to the Gr”a (Philadelphia time), Shacharit – the morning prayer service, is scheduled earlier than usual so that one can eat the rolls before 10:21/10:45 (Philadelphia time) [Please see the OCP website for minyan details]. This time limit does not mean that one must finish the meal by 10:21/10:45 (Philadelphia time), but rather that one must finish the chametz portion of the meal, and the remainder of the meal may continue as long as you’d like. [One should remember to recite the final
Kol Chamira annulment upon disposing of the left over chametz and crumbs.]
There is an alternative that is suggested by Rav Moshe Feinstein. Although in general, the Sages enacted a prohibition against eating Matzah on Erev Pesach (so that one would be more excited about eating Matzah at the Seder) one may be allowed to eat “egg matzah”, which is matzah that is kneaded with more than just water and flour, namely, fruit juice or eggs, which takes it out of the category of “poor man’s bread” (lechem oni) and places it in the category of “matzah ashira,” which cannot be used to fulfill one’s mitzvah of eating matzah on pesach (unless the person is sick or elderly and cannot chew ordinary matzah). Although many take issue with this allowance, in order for it to work, one would have to eat a significant amount of egg matzah in order to make a ‘hamotzi’ and to recite ‘birkat hamazon.’ This is due to the fact that the normal bracha for egg matzah is a ‘mezonot’ and not a ‘hamotzi’, as it is usually classified as a cake and not bread. This means that one would have to eat an amount equal to approximately 200 grams, or 7 ounces per meal [the weight of each matzah can be ascertained by dividing the net weight appearing on the label by the number of matzot in the box.]. An additional restriction with relying on egg matzah for the Shabbat meals is that one would only be able to eat the egg matzah until the end of the fourth hour just like chametz, which means that one would only be able to eat it until 10:21/10:45 AM (and some rabbis say until midday). This means that this solution will work for the first two meals of Shabbat, but not the third (namely, not for seudah shelishit). SEUDAH SHELISHIT is the final complication that arises. How does one go about fulfilling
the obligation of having a third meal on Shabbat, as one cannot use bread at this late hour? There are four classic solutions that have been offered by the rabbis: 1. Omit bread altogether, eating meat, fish or fruit, relying on the position of Rabbeinu Tam that allows a mini-meal without bread for the third meal. 2. Combine two meals into one. Turn the Shabbat morning meal into two meals, and that way you will have a total of three meals. This means that before 10:21/10:45 AM (Philadelphia time) one will have time to make Kiddush and hamotzi and eat the first half of your meal. Then take a break, go for a walk, etc., and make hamotzi and eat the second half of the meal. [Despite the merits of this option, there are two practical weaknesses. First, it requires one to get up quite early in the morning to finish davening as well as two meals before 10:21/10:45 AM. Second, our general practice is to eat the third meal of shabbat after midday (1:05PM).] 3. Some suggest that one may use an alternate form of matzah, namely cooked matzah, such as matzah balls, or fried matzah and make kneidlech or matza brei. 4. Finally, for those who support eating egg matzah for the first two meals, there are some opinions that suggest eating egg matzah for the third meal as well (until the tenth hour of the day). It should be noted that some try to get around this restriction by adding wine to the egg matzah, which may circumvent the time restriction on eating the matzah, making it permissible to be eaten for the third meal. [Regardless of whichever option one chooses, one should eat food only in moderation after the ninth hour of the day, in order to have an appetite for the Seder.] Pesach Product Information – 5768/2008
INTRODUCTION
The purchase of food items for Pesach is a most important, and every item that one buys must be checked. Items that do not bear special Pesach certification are not permissible, even if they are kosher all-year round, with some exceptions that will be enumerated below. I have tried to include as much information as possible in the following pages, but it still remains a partial list. If you have questions about particular products please look towards the Passover Guides of the OU [www.oupassover.org] CRC [http://www.crcweb.org/Passover%202008/passover_5768%20Home%20Page.htm] and Star-K [http://star-k.org/cons-pesach-flash.htm] if you are of Sephardic origin, please see the list of the If you are looking to know what products are kosher for pesach, all the major kashrut
organizations have lists of their products that are kosher for pesach. These lists can be found most easily on [http://www.kashrut.com/Passover] and include lists from the OU, CRC, Star-K, Kof-K, OK and others. [There is a fantastic two paged color-coded shopping guide published by the CRC which lists what products need or don’t need a special Passover supervision – see: [http://www.crcweb.org/Passover%202008/Shopping%20Guide-Pesach%20Guide_2008.pdf] Please assume that any product not listed here cannot be used without Kosher for Pesach Supervision. Due to the complexity of the food industry, one cannot assume that anything (even spices, beverages, condiments and any sort of processed fruits, vegetable, fish, meat or dairy products) are chametz-free. When specific brands are listed as Kosher for Pesach, it does not necessarily mean that all other brands definitively contain Chametz - simply that other brands cannot be used without further clarification. Of course, you can call me with any additional questions you may have at 201-916-7568 or GENERAL RULES
1. ALL FOOD ITEMS must have a special Passover kashrut hashgacha (=symbol/certificate).
2. The only FOOD PRODUCTS that may be used without any special Passover symbol are
raw vegetables and fruits, pure 100% cocoa, plain regular (unflavored and caffinated) tea, [note: this is not true of coffee] ice, raw meat and chicken, mineral water, olive oil, salt, sugar. Everything else must have a Passover hashgacha, or must be approved by the list below. 3. The following list of common household INEDIBLE ITEMS, that are commonly used in
the kitchen do not require any special Passover hashgacha (despite that such ones do exist in the market) because they either contain no chametz, or have been rendered completely inedible: Air-fresheners, rubbing alcohol, aluminum foil and aluminum foil pans, baby ointments, bags, body wash, house hold cleaners, candles (even scented), cardboard, carpet cleaners, charcoal, coffee filters, contact lenses solution, conditioner, copper and metal cleaners, cork, creams and gels, cups (paper, plastic and Styrofoam), cupcake holders, detergents, drain openers, fabric protectors, furniture polish, glass cleaners, glue, hair gels, sprays and mousse, hair removers and treatments, insecticides, jewelry polish, laundry detergents, napkins (paper), oven bags, oven cleaner, paper towels, petroleum jelly, plastic containers, plates (paper, plastic or Styrofoam), shampoos, silver polish, skin cream, soaps, Styrofoam products, suntan lotion, pure 100% talcum powder, toilet 4. MEDICINES: There are four basic rules you need to know.
a. All pill medication (non-chewable tablets, caplets, capsules) that is swallowed is
permitted on Pesach. Lactaid pills are an exception to this rule and are chametz, see
“lactaid” below for details (as are vitamins – see below). b. Any liquid, chewable medication (or pills coated with flavor) may contain chametz or kitniyot (ex. Corn syrup) and therefore need to be investigated. Therefore, please consult a rabbi if you have a medical situation. c. Liquid or chewable medication that is chametz-free but contains kitniyot, may be consumed by someone who is ill. One must be careful to keep them away from all other Pesach products, utensils, glasses and sinks. d. Any medical creams or lotions are permitted on Pesach. The following is a partial list of commonly used chewable/liquid medicines that are permitted on Passover, any liquid/chewable that does not appear on this list should not be used until it is confirmed that it is acceptable for Passover. Allergy, Cold & Pain Relief: Afrin Nasal Sprays (All); Clarinex, Claritin Syrup &
Tablets; Drixoral all; Motrin Children’s Cold Oral Suspension Dye Free, Children’s Cold
Oral Suspension, Children’s & Jr. Strength Chewable Tablets, Drops for infants;
Nasonex Nasal Spray; Tom’s Bronchial Syrup; Tylenol Allergy Complete, Adult Liquid
Pain Reliever, Children’s Suspension Strawberry, Children’s Tablets & Liquid,
Children’s Cold & Cough Chewables and Suspension, Children’s Plus Cold & Cough
Suspension, Children’s Cold Chew Tabs, Infant Concentrated Drops, Junior Strawberry
Soft Chews, Max Strength Flu Nighttime Liquid, Meltaways Children’s, Jr; Vick’s
Dayquil, Nyquil, Sinex, Vapor Inhaler, Vaposteam, Excedrin sinus, vicks 44, chapstick
cold sore therapy, HCTZ, blistex, Neosporin, Claritin, afrin nasal spray, Singulari
oral/chewable, Zyrtec syrup, Bufferin, Excedrin, Motrin, Baby medication – pedialyte,
pedia-sure, tempra drops. [the following medicines are not approved – Benadryle,
Pediacare, Robtissussin and Triaminic]
Laxitives – many are unacceptable, so check each one. All Metamucil products contain kitniyot (so they can be eaten, but keep them away from all pesach products). Comtrext liquid, Orabase B Gel and Kaopectate products definitely contain chametz]. Antacids & abdonable discomfort: BromoSeltzerAntacid; Mylicon Drops for infants;
Malox, Mylanta (All); Pepcid Chewable; Peptic Relief Chew Tablets, Liquid; Pepto-
Bismol (all forms); Zantac Granules, Tablets, Syrup, Gelsul tablet, Metamucil (kitnityot),
Di-Gel (kitniyot), pepcid, pepto bismol, bicarbonate of soda, zantac. Immodium.
Benefiber, despite being labeled and kosher for pesach, and included in various
kosher lists – is not kosher and has actual chametz inside of it.
Anti-diarrhea:Imodium Chewable, tablets and Liquid.
Miscellaneous: Lotrimin spray, Metamucil is Kitniyot (except for the capsules)
Waffers arechametz, Prozac, No Doz Caplets, Dramamin tablets.
Milk of Magnesia; Pedialite Kitniyot; Pediaflor Drops; Phillips, PediaSure Banana,
Chocolate, Strawberry Kitniyot; Tinactin.Pre-natal vitamins taken as directed by a
doctor should be used without hesitation.
Although the following do not have certification for Passover, they do not contain chametz: Fer-Iron Drops; NataChew;Viactiv Multi Vitamin &, Soft Calcium Chews
(Kitniyot); Vi-Daylin
Vitamins are not the same as pill medicine as they are more like food supplements and
therefore require a hechsher, as they commonly contain yeast, starch, corn dextrose and wheat. If a doctor prescribes a certain medicine one should talk to a rabbi. In addition, Pre-natal vitamins as directed by a doctor should be used. For a listing if kosher l’Pesach vitamins see – www.koshervitamins.com or www.koshervitaminsforless.com ). In addition, Fer-Iron drops, NataChew, Vi-Daylin do not contain chametz. [Please note: before discontinuing use of any medication, please consult with me or with 5. COSMETICS AND TOILETRIES
a. All forms of: blush, body soap, creams, eye shadow, eyeliner, face powder, foot powder, ink, lotions, mascara, nail polish, ointments, pain, shampoo, stick or powdered deodorant are permitted for use on Pesach – as they are inedible and are not put into the mouth. b. The following items should only be used if they are listed as chametz free on a reliable list of approved products: liquid deodorants, colognes, aftershave, perfumes and hairspray as they may contain denatured alcohol. Anything listed as SD, SDA or with a number or letter, for example, SD29C or SD40 means they contain Alcohol, denatured alcohol or c. The following items need to be dealt with especially carefully, as they often contain wheat products – lipstick, mouthwash and toothpaste. Please use only such items that are kosher for pesach, or appear on an approved list of pesach products. The follwing are ingrediants to be on the look out that are problematic for parts b and c; the main one being alcohol, or any form of wheat, or wheat germ oil. Other problematic ingredients are: Amino Peptide Complex, Amp-Isostearoyl Hydrolized Wheat Protein Avena Sativa Flour Avena Sativa Kernel Protein, Barley Extract, Beta Glucan, Disodium Wheatgermido Peg-2 Sulfosuccinate, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Hydrolyzed Wheat Gluten, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein PgPropyl Silanetriol, Hydrolyzed Wheat Starch, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolized Wheat Protein, Oat Beta Glucan, Oat Extract, Oat Flour, Phytosphingosine Extract Prolamine, Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids, Stearyldimonium-hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Triticum Vulgare, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Flour Lipids, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Extract, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Oil, Wheat Amino Acids, Wheat Bran Extract, Wheat Germ Extract, Wheat Germ Glycerides, Wheat Germamid-opropyldimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Wheat Germ Oil, Wheat Protein, Wheat Sphingolipids. Here is a list of major products and brands that may be used
1. Acne Treatment – all creams, lotions and ointments are OK. Oxy Daily Cleaning pads
and Maximum Daily Cleaning pads contains chametz. 2. Blush – all are OK
3. Creams & Lotions – all are OK
4. Contact Lens solutions and cleaners – all are OK.
5. Dental Floss – any unflavored (waxed or unwaxed) does not require supervision.
6. Deodorant – all sticks and gels are OK.
7. Eyeliner & Eyeshadow – all are OK
8. Hairspray: Brylcreem, Clinique (non-aerosol), Neutrogena, Power Hold.
9. Hair Gel, Mousse – all are OK.
10. Lip Products – for a full list see:
[http://www.crcweb.org/Passover%202008/Cosmetics.pdf or see pages 107-109 of the Star-K list: http://star-k.org/kashrus/star-k08_pesach_directory.pdf 11. Makeup: ALL creams, lotions, ointments, blush, mascara, makeup remover, nail polish,
12. Mouthwash – requires reliable Passover hashgacha. The following brands have been
found not to contain chametz even without a hashgacha – Cepacol (mouthwash, throat spray), Crest (pro-health oral rinse, whitening rinse), Fluracare (dual rinse), Scope (all), Tom’s of Maine. [Warning - Flourigard and Prevident Mouthrinse are chametz.] 13. Perfumes/fragrances: (see rule B above) The following have been checked out and are
OK: Chanel (allure, chance, coco, no. 5, voile), Charlie (red cologne spray, white cologne spray), Giorgio Armani, Giorgio Beverly Hill (body moist, vapo), Helmut Lang (parfum), Jean Nate (after bath splash, concentrated cologne spray), MAC (creation), Ralph Lauren, Revlon (fire and ice, forever crystal, enjoli spray, ciara spray), Tommy Hillfinger (all), Tom’s (body spray), Ultima (sheer sent, ultimately U), Viktor & Rolf. 14. Powders – all are OK.
15. Shampoos & Conditioners – all are OK
16. Shaving Lotions – Afta Shave, Aqua Velva, Boss (after shave), Lectric Shave, MAC
(shave cream), Mary Kay (domain aftershave balm), Neutrogena (skin clearing after shave). 17. Soap – all are OK.
18. Sunblock – all are OK
19. Toothpaste – it is best to use reliable Passover hashgacha. The following brands have
been checked out and are OK: Aim (baking soda, cavity, tartar control), Arm & Hammer (dental care, toothpaste), Close (up gel), Colgate (all), Flurocare (foam), Gel-Kam (gel mint, non flavored), Gleem (new tube only), Homeodent (anise & lemon), Mentadent (advanced), Pearl Drops (tooth polish and toothpaste), Prevident (5000 plus, brush on gel, mint), Tom’s of Maine (all), Ultrabrite, Viadent (with fluoride). 6. KITNIYOT: Due to the stringency of not eating chametz on Pesach, Ashkenazic Jews
have developed a custom not to eat Kitniyot (legumes) on Pesach. Kitniyot include: Anise, Ascorbic Acid (may be chametz), Asparatame (Nutrasweet), Beans, Black Eyed Peas, Buckwheat, Canola Oil, Caraway, Citric Acid (may be chametz), Chickpeas, Coriander, Corn, Corn Syrup/Glucose Syrup, Cumin, Dextrose, Fennel, Fenugreek, Flax seeds, Hemp, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Oil, Kasha, Kimmel, Lecithin, Lentils, Licorice, Lucerne, Lupine, Maltodextrins (chametz or kitniyot derived), Millet, MSG, Mustard, Peanuts, Polysorbates (may be chametz), Popcorn, Poppy Seeds, Rice, Saffron, Sesame Seeds, Snow Peas, Sodium Citrate (may be chametz), Sodium Erythorbate (may be chametz), Sorbitol (could be chametz if outside the U.S.), Soy Oil, Corn Oil, Soy, String Beans, Sunflower Seeds, Tofu (from soy),Vetch, Vetching, Wild Rice, Xanthan gum Many Kitniyot products on the market are certified as Kosher, especially from Israel, France and other European countries. These Kitniyot products are often in the form of candy. Many of these products will say "LeOchlay Kitniyot". Joyva products may say
“Kosher for Passover, but are not acceptable for Ashkenazim as they contain
kitniyot. The following Ethnic Delights products distributed by Aron Streit's Co.(product
of Israel), state the following on the lid, Kosher for Passover may contain Kitniyot: Pesto Sauce, Garlic Aioli with Dill, Sundried Tomatoes Morsels, Olive Spread. [Sephardim, who have not developed a custom against eating kitniyot, still need to make sure that such items are additive free, and for a reliable list of kosher products should see the list compiled by the J.S.O.R [www.jsor.org].] BRIEF LIST OF COMMON PRODUCTS ON PESACH
Air Freshener: Does not require Pesach Supervision. Airline Meals – For traveler, there are a number of Kosher for Pesach airline meals. Please do not rely on a guarantee of a travel agent or a steward/ess, one must check both segments of the meal (the hot and cold part) to ensure that there is a seal from a reliable kosher certification for Pesach. It is quite common for airlines to mistakenly serve kosher meals instead of kosher for Pesach meals, and just because our first meal was kosher for Pesach, does not mean that you do not have to check your food when you get your second meal. In addition, one should remember to notify your airline and reconfirm your kosher for Passover food with them at least 24 hours in advance, and perhaps bring a brown bag lunch just in case. Aluminum Foil and Pans: Does not require Pesach Supervision. Ammonia: Does not require Pesach Supervision. Antacids: Require Pesach hashgacha. Tums and Rolaids are NOT acceptable.
Artificial Sweeteners: Requires pesach hashgacha. The following brands may be used: Pure Aspartame (not Equal), Kojel Kosher L’ Pesach Sweet N’ Good, Leiber’s Kosher L’Pesach Sugar Substitute, Sweet N’ Low with OUP, Gefen OUP, V.I.P. Master OUP. Splenda contains
chametz and may not be used.
Baby Foods: Formula – Materna formula, made in Israel is the only Kosher for Pesach formula. Enfamil, Prosobee, Carnation, Isomil, and Similac may be used without special Pesach supervision. However: [1]. They must be used in separate utensils and may not be washed in a Kosher for Pesach sink. [2]. It is preferable to buy all formula before Pesach as it contains traces of ascorbic acid (which may be Chametz). This applies to both powder and liquid varieties. Baby Food: Jars & cereals - Requires Pesach Supervision. Many Healthy Times, and President’s Choice varieties are available with OUP [Beech-Nut varieties are no longer available with OUP]. [Even rice-cereals are to be considered chametz without pesach supervision] Baby oil, lotions and medicated ointments: Do not require Pesach Supervision. Baby Wipes: Do not require Pesach Supervision as long as its ingredients do not include alcohol. Baking Soda: Does not require Pesach Supervision. Balloons: May have a powdered coating on the inside and should not be used on Pesach. Bamba Snacks: May appear this year with an unauthorized OUP. This product is not
Kosher for Passover use.
Bleach: Does not require Pesach Supervision. Bottled Water: Any fresh, unflavored spring water does not require Pesach Supervision. Candy: Bartons candy remains under the OUP. Elite Candies must have an OUP. Not all Elite
products are certified by the OU, such as those that contain gelatin and some contain kitniyot (and are labled – l’ochlei kitniyot b’lvad). Some Elite products sold in Eretz Yisrael are not OU Carrots: Any brand is acceptable without Pesach supervision IF without additives (including Chapstick: May be used on Chol HaMoed only if new and unflavored. Chocolate Chips – require Passover certification. FMV Brand Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
were mistakenly labeled OKP, the are not acceptable for Pesach.
Cocoa: Any 100% pure cocoa (no additives or lecithin) including Hershey’s Pure Cocoa Powder, Coffee: The OU’s policy this year has changed – please note the changes.
All regular ground coffees, unflavored and not decaffeinated are acceptable for
Ground Decaffeinated coffee: Coffee is often decaffeinated by means of ethel acetate,
which is derived from either kitniyos or chometz. Therefore, decaffeinated coffees are not acceptable for Passover unless they have a hechsher. Brim, Maxwell House, Sanka, Maxim and Yuban have special Pesach Supervision. Starbucks Flavorlock bags and Regular Coffee has an OUP, but one may not buy fresh coffee from a Starbucks store on Instant coffees contain maltodextrin, which is derived from either corn (kitniyos) or
wheat (chometz). Therefore, all instant coffees require special Passover certification. The only exceptions are regular Folgers, Taster’s Choice, Key Food and Nescafe Taster’s Choice (regular) which are acceptable even without a special Pesach hechsher. [Even Elite and Gefen coffees – require a special OU-P in order to use them on Pesach.] Flavored coffee - Requires Pesach supervision. Most brands are not kosher for Pesach. Coffee “Singles” - Require Pesach Supervision.
Coffee Filters: Does not require Pesach Supervision. Dates: must bear special pesach supervision. Calvo, Dole, Sunglow, Sunworld are OK even Dental Floss: Any unflavored (waxed or unwaxed) does not require Pesach supervision. Deodorant: See above “cosmetics & toiletries” Dishwashing Detergent: The OU and CRC have ruled this year that all forms of dish detergents may be used without any special certification. [For those who wish to be extra machmir, the following brands had in the past been checked and do not contain any traces cetyl alcohol (not Kosher), or grain alcohol (chametz): Dawn, Ajax, Brillo Pads, Dermassage, Dynamo, Ivory, Joy, Fresh Start, Fab, Murphy] Eggs: Do not require Pesach Supervision, but should be purchased before Pesach. (it is also
customary not to eat eggs laid on pesach) Frozen, Unprocessed, without added water or salt - Does not require special Pesach Supervision. if other ingredients beyond water and salt are added, then it would require a Frozen or Processed (including gefilte Fish)- many brands have an OUP. Fresh/raw - Does not require special Pesach Supervision. Tuna- Bumble Bee Tuna is no longer produced with the OUP. America’s Choice,
Shoprite, Pathmark, Season, Rokeach, Gefen, Finast, Stop & Shop and Festive can be Frozen - whole or sliced, without additives with no syrup - does not require Pesach
Supervision (but should preferably be purchased before pesach). Canned - Require Pesach Supervision even if packed in its own juice. Fresh- Wax on whole, unpeeled produce may contain kitniyot, but is batel and not a problem. Cut-up or peeled produce requires Pesach Supervision as citric acid may be Fruit -Dried - Requires Pesach Supervision (kitniyot oils and chametz flour may be used to prevent sticking). Del Monte and Dole Raisins are OK. Grains: Most are chametz or kitniyot and should be disposed of even if they have not been converted into flour. However, flax, hemp and quinoa are not chametz. (Some consider flax and hemp to be kitniyot, however) One who wants to use these grains should check through the box or bag before Pesach to remove any extraneous matter. Please note that quinoa pasta, while theoretically kosher for Pesach, is not under any Pesach supervision and should not be used. Halvah: May appear with a Kosher for Passover seal, but is not approved for Ashkenazim as it Honey: Must have Pesach Supervision, as corn syrup is added to many brands. Rokeach Festive, Season, Haddar, Western Commerce, Gefen, Streits are OK with KP. Ice: Bags from plain water do not require Pesach Supervision. Insecticides: All insecticide sprays are acceptable. See further ‘roach traps’ Frozen – most brand name 100% pure orange or grapefruit concentrate without sweeteners, additives, enrichments (e.g. Calcium) or Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid), Citric Acid or preservatives does not need Pesach Supervision. All other juices require supervision as enzymes are used in processing. Liquid - requires Pesach Supervision. Lemon/Lime - ReaLemon brand is OK without special Pesach Supervision. (Liquid only - Grape - Welch’s is no longer made with an OUP. Please note that Kedem grape juice sold in the 1.5 liter glass bottles is not mevushal, whereas all other sized grape juice are mevushal Ketchup – requires Passover certification. Lactaid: One must purchase Lactaid milk before Passover, or combine the Lactaid drops with
the milk before pesach. Lactade pills contain chometz, and do not fall into the category of pill
medication AND MAY NOT BE USED. If an individual who is lactage interlant must drink milk or other dairy products over pesach, consult a rabbi. Most soy and rice milks, such as rice dream, contain chometz and should not be used on pesach – see later – “soy milk” Laundry Detergent: Any inedible cleaner is OK. Lemon Juice: must bear Passover certification, except for Realemon and Realime. Liquor: must bear Passover certification, as may have grain alcohol base. Matzot: there are many different forms of matzot and require pesach certification. Egg Matzot - Matzot made with fruit juice or eggs, which include “Kosher for Pesach” Egg Matzot, egg Matzah crackers, etc. may not be eaten on Pesach by healthy Ashkenazim. Even the sick and elderly cannot fulfill their obligation at the Seder with Grape Matzot - sold by Manischewitz, have the same halacha as egg matzot. In
addition, Manischewitz sells Passover Tam Tam crackers that are also made from
egg flour dough and must be treated accordingly. This year, Manischewitz will also
have Tam Tam crackers made from flour and water that can be eaten by all.
Matzah sticks (Kedem) and matzah crackers (Kedem and Manischewitz) are
ordinary matzah products and can be eaten by all.
Spelt- Kosher for Pesach Hand Shemurah now available at Brauner's Bakery in BoroPark, The Butcherie in Brookline. It can also be obtained by calling Rabbi Yidel Gruber at The Oat- Kosher for Passover hand and machine Shemurah are available under the supervision of the Manchester Beis Din. Contact Mrs. Karen Beleck at 410-358-9580 or call (323) 655-8870, (845) 364-7217 or (718) 633-0633. Whether the obligation of eating matzah on the first night of Pesach can be fulfilled with these oat matzahs is very questionable, and anyone who can safely eat wheat or spelt matza should do so. Margarine & mayonnaise: Requires Pesach Supervision. Meat: Fresh or frozen - Does not require special Pesach Supervision (unless processed or coated). Note that Empire Turkey Burgers are not kosher for Pesach without an OUP. [please note that Empire Chicken Breast Nuggets and Breaded Chicken Tenders
were mistakely labeled as being KAJ-KP (Passover) between August 16 and October 2007.
Please be aware that these products contain bread crumbs and cannot be eaten on Passover. Medicine: see above
Milk: Fresh - Does not require Pesach Supervision if purchased before Pesach (just in case the vitamins A an D that are commonly added are from a chametz or kitniyot source). If purchased on Chol HaMoed, should have Pesach Supervision. Flavored milks require Pesach Supervision. Milk - Lactaid – see earlier “lactaid” Milk - Powdered- Powdered milk with an OU-D is OK but should be purchased prior to Mineral water – see ‘water’ below. Mouthwash: All major brands (ex. Scope, Listerine, tom’s of main, arnway, cepacol, crest, flurocare) are OK, with the exception of Flourigard and Prevident Mouthrinse and Arnway Listerine PocketPaks and Pocket mist are not acceptable for Passover use Mustard: Actual mustard is not used because its seed grows like kitniyot. Rokeach produces substitute/imitation mustard with an OUP. Nail Polish Remover: Does not require Pesach Supervision. Nutritional supplements: Ensure Liquid Protein may contain actual chametz and should be
avoided. Other Ensure and Glucerna products (ex. Pudding) contain kitniyot and may be
consumed by the elderly or ill that need them (Ensure with Fiber contains chametz). Those who use these products as an "additional" nutritional supplement should consult a rabbi before using Nuts: Raw nuts must be free of added preservatives and other additives. Note: products coated or sprayed with BHT or BHA should not be used on Pesach. Raw whole, chopped or ground nuts (e.g. walnuts, almonds, etc.) without added preservatives or other additives such as BHT or BHA are approved for Passover. Note: Midget Pecans & Pecan Pieces require a reliable KFP certification, as they are soaked in chametz during processing. Peanuts are kitniyot. Oils: Cottonseed oil, grape seed, peanut and safflower oil may be used with Pesach supervision. Olive oil - Any brand of Extra Virgin Olive Oil, may be used without special Pesach supervision. Olives: must have kosher certification for pesach. Oven Cleaner: Does not require Pesach Supervision. Napkins: Do not require Pesach Supervision. Plastic – does not require Pesach supervision. Styrofoam- Does not require Pesach Supervision. Paper – Any plate can be used for cold food. For hot food, there is a concern that some plates are starched and there is powder between the plates. Therefore, use one of the following brands for hot foods: America’s Choice, Chinet with OKP, Dixie, Finest, FMV, Foodtown, Fred Meyer, Georgia Pacific, Giant, James River, Krasdale, Kroger, Lowes, Pride Made, Ralph’s, Solo, Shopper’s Value, Stop&Shop, Sweetheart, Topco, Big-Y, and Vanity Fair. Paper Towels: May have starch-based glue at beginning and end. (Some say do not use Pet Food: Pets may be fed kitniyot, but not chametz (or mixtures of milk and meat) and many pet foods contain wheat or oats as a primary ingredient for dry pet food. For a listing of acceptable pet food, please see the CRC list [http://www.crcweb.org/Passover%202008/Pet%20Food%20for%20Pesach.pdf] or the Star-K list on pages 65-67 [http://www.crcweb.org/Passover%202008/Pet%20Food%20for%20Pesach.pdf] Perfume: See above - “cosmetics & toiletries” Pickles – require Passover certification. Play Doh: Contains chametz Quinoa Pasta: although it is not chametz or kitniyot, it is most often manufactured in the same machines as regular pasta and thus should not be used. Only Ancient Harvest brand (with the Raisins: Most require Pesach Supervision, as they may be sprayed with kitniyot. Del Monte,
and Dole may be used even without supervision. In addition, American Raisin Packers,
CaliforniaRaisins’ Flame Raisins, Pride, Safari and Zante Currents may be eaten without
special Passover supervision.
Rice: May only be eaten by Sephardim. Carolina, Giant, Emperor, Mahatma, Riviana and
Success are acceptable brands but they should be checked for other grains before using. They
cannot be used - even by Sephardim, if any additives (including vitamins) are included.
Roach Traps: Combat Roach Killing System, d-Con Rat and Mouse baits and Black Flag Roach Ender contain chametz. Raid ant and roach baits are kitniyot and do not have to be put away. Rubber Bands: Orthodontic rubber bands may be coated with powder. If so, they should be Rubber Gloves: OK if not lined with powder. Rubbing Alcohol: Any isopropyl or synthetic (acetyl, lanolin, benzyl and methyl-) may be used. Salads: May be coated with citric acid and should have KP supervision. Dole Pre-Washed
salads bearing a star-K are kosher for Passover without special Pesach certification.
However, Dole Verry Veggie Salad Mix contains peas, which are kitniyot, and should not
be used. Fresh Express requires an OKP and Bodek requires OUP. OU certified peeled
carrots do not need a special OUP, whereas most other peeled carrots do.
Salad Dressing – requires Passover certification. Salt: Does not require special Pesach supervision, only that one must check to make sure that the salt is non-iodized, and check the ingredient panel to make sure there is no added iodine, dextrose, maltodextrin or polysorbates. Any salt with additives requires supervision. No salt Seltzer: Both unflavored and flavored seltzer requires Pesach Supervision. A number of
supermarket brands will have OUP flavored seltzer this year, including America’s Choice
and Shoprite.
Silver Polish: Does not require KP. Soda: Soda is problematic on Pesach because corn syrup is a most common sweetener in soday (which is kitniyot), and the ‘flavoring’ found in soda can also be from chametz sources. Therefore all soda requires a hechsher (even for Sephardim). Coca-Cola: Must have OUP on the yellow cap (or the lid of the can). Coke will be available in 2-Liter bottles and cans this year. This includes Sprite, diet sprite and Seagram’s Ginger Ale. [Sometimes the Coke bottle may continue to list ‘corn syrup’ as an ingredient, so long as you see the yellow cap and the Pesach certification it is fine.] Pepsi Cola: May be used with a KP. Other sodas bottled by Pepsi may also be used with a KP. Please look carefully for the KP and do not rely on the yellow bottle cap alone, as other Pepsi products have yellow caps that are not KP. Sodas certified by the cRc for
Pesach (bearing the cRc symbol and P-04) are acceptable for Ashkenazim despite
whatever kitniyot might be listed in the ingredients.
Soy milk – may contain both chametz and kitniyot. Vitosoy Sansui Original Natural Soymilk and Soy Dream Original unenriched Soy milk are chametz free but contain kitniyot. Only one whose dietary restrictions require them to do so should. Spices: Require Pesach Supervision, as the drying process involves chametz. (Cumin, has again been prohibited from all usage over pesach). Sugar: it is best to buy all sugar before pesach. White - All pure, granulated cane sugar without dextrose - does not require Pesach Brown - Domino Regular (even without OKP) and brownulated with OKP, and Jack Frost are OK, as are C&H Gold, Dark Brown, Dixie Crystals, Wholesome Foods Organic Confectioner’s - Requires Kosher for Passover supervision. [Confectioners Sugar under the Jewel/Albertson’s label is kitniyot, despite the United Mehadrin Kosher-P] Substitute - See Artificial Sweeteners. Tablecloths: Some vinyl tablecloths are coated with powder. They should not be used on Pesach. Unflavored regular caffeinated tea – does not require pesach supervision. Decaffeinated - Requires Pesach Supervision. Most brands are not acceptable. Lipton Decaffeinated is acceptable even without special Pesach supervision, as is Nestea instant Flavored – requires pesach supervision. Wissotzky teas with OUP. Swee-Touch-Nee Herbal Caffeine-free Seren-I-Tea with OUP. Good Earth OUP, G’Day Herbal Teas (Star- Instant- Require special pesach supervision, except Nestea regular and decaffeinated (unflavored and without sweetener) may be used without special Pesach Symbol. Tofu: Kitniyot, and processed tofu may contain chametz. Toiletries: see above “Cosmetics and Toiletries” Toothpaste: see above “Cosmetics and Toiletries” Vanilla - Requires Kosher for Passover supervision. Frozen - Requires Pesach Supervision as the same equipment may be used during the year to make pasta products. Bodek(O/U p), Garden Pure (O/U p), Meitav (O/U), B-Tam Canned or dried -Requires Pesach Supervision. (Shoprite, Pathmark and America’s Fresh uncut: Does not need KP Supervision, but should be rinsed before use. Fresh-cut and packaged - See earlier “salads” Vitamins: See above under “Medicines” Water: bottled water does not require special Passover supervision. Wine: Not all wines are Kosher for Pesach – all wines, liqueurs and grape juice must have reliable Passover certification. Some may contain corn syrup (kitniyot). The most preferable Seder wines are red, not mevushal, and have no added water or sweeteners. However, if non- Jews will be attending your Seder, make sure the wine is mevushal. Yogurt: Needs Pesach Supervision. Note: Dannon with OUP only - not all Dannon is certified 8. The Seder
While it would be impossible to list all of the Halachot of the Seder in this Guide, certain Starting Time
The Sedarim should start as early as possible, but after it has become fully dark. This year, because of Shabbat, one may not make any preparations for the Seder until after it is fully dark. Check here for your local time, follow “Gaonim Tzeit Hakochavim Minimum Size of Wine Cup (Kosot)
For the Arbah Kosot (including Kiddush) the cup must be at least 2.9 fluid ounces in size. This is the size of a Dixiecup (the little disposable ones for mouthwash).
One must drink at least “rov kos”, more than half of the cup of wine and should attempt to finish the entire cup. The same Halacha applies to each of the 4 cups. If you don’t want to drink a lot of wine, get a cup that is only a little bigger than the minimum size or dilute the wine. Minimum Strength of Wine:
1. If health reasons preclude the use of wine or a person’s appreciation of the Seder is significantly diminished by using wine, grape juice may be drunk. 2. One may also dilute the wine with a small amount of grape juice or water. The ratio should not exceed 2/3 cup water to 1/3 cup grape juice/wine. Minimum Amount of Matzah Shmurah
Each one must eat the minimum amount of Matzah Shmurah the following three times during the Seder: 1) After the Bracha Al Achilat Matzah 2) for Korech 3) for the Afikomen. For 1 & 3: After reciting the Bracha, Al Achilat Matzah and for Afikomen - a piece equivalent
in size to 7 inches by 6 3/8 inches. This is about the size of two medium hands, with the
fingers held loosely.
For 2- a piece equivalent in size to 7 inches by 4 inches. This is about the size of one medium
hand, with the fingers held very loosely.
If for health reasons, one cannot eat Matzah, then Matzah Shmurah Meal (upon which one is permitted to recite the Hamotze) may be substituted as follows: 1&3. After reciting the Bracha,
Al Achilat Matzah and Afikomen - an amount of meal that can be compacted into a vessel measuring 1.5 ounces. For Korech - an amount of meal that can be compacted into a vessel
Matza and Maror should both be eaten at a steady pace, without taking major breaks.
However, they should not be gobbled down in an abnormally fast manner. One should give
themselves about four minutes for each eating engagement. Minimum Amount of Maror
Each person must eat a minimum amount of Maror twice during the Seder. Once after the Bracha, Al Achilat Maror, and once for Korech. The use of Romaine Lettuce is preferable for Maror (even though it doesn’t burn). However, one absolutely must check for bugs on this lettuce, before Yom Tov. The lettuce should be soaked rinsed thoroughly and then checked leaf by leaf for bugs in the presence of a strong light. One can also clean one’s lettuce by rubbing each side forcefully with a sponge and soap. The leaves can then be rinsed off and do not need to be checked. Some lettuce is sold pre-checked. Romaine lettuce, whole leaves: Enough leaves to cover an area 8 x 10 inches. This is slightly
less than a sheet of standard paper.
Romaine lettuce, stalks only: Enough stalks to cover an area of 3 x 5 inches. This is the size of
an index card.
1. After reciting the Bracha, Al Achilat Maror, an amount that can be compacted into a vessel measuring 1.1 fluid ounces. This is the size of a disposable shot glass, slightly overfilled.
2. For Korech, an amount that can be compacted into a vessel measuring .7 fluid ounces. This is a shot glass about 2/3 filled.
If you have trouble eating horseradish in these quantities, you can just have a little, then eat lettuce in the quantities described above. See the Printable Guide to Matza and Maror Amounts for a graphical representation of these amounts. [http://people.brandeis.edu/~rafrazer/matzashiurim.shtml] Remember that Shulchan Orech (the meal) is part of the Seder and part of our praise of Hashem. This should be reflected in the tone of the meal and conversation at the meal. One should be sure to leave a little room for the Afikomen so that it not be eaten after one is already stuffed. We do not eat after the Seder in order to allow the taste of the Matza to remain in our mouths. One should also make sure to finish eating the Afikoman by Chatzot. 9. The Omer
The period from Pesach until Shavuot is known as the Omer. Each night, beginning with the second night of Pesach, we count the day of the Omer, starting with 1 and going up to 49. The text is found in siddurim. You only need to say the blessing and the “Hayom ____ LaOmer part,” although some have the custom to add on additional psalms and declarations both before and If you forgot to count one night, you can count the following day without saying the blessing. That makes you still be eligible to count the Omer with a blessing the following nights. If you totally missed a 24 hour period, you can’t count the Omer with a blessing anymore. However, you are still obligated to count the Omer without a Bracha. Ideally, one in this situation should hear the bracha recited by someone else, say Amen, and then count the Omer. For this reason, in synagogues, the rabbi or chazzan recites the bracha out loud every night at Maariv. Rabbi Akiva’s students died out during the Omer, because they were not respectful to one another. We should use the Omer as a time to work on mutual respect, and keep it up even after the Omer is over. In memory of Rabbi Akiva’s students, there are several mourning customs 1) Not getting haircuts (even on Fridays) 2) Men - not shaving (some shave on Fridays in honor of Shabbat) 4) Not going to parties, even without live music Going to movies is obviously not discussed in the Gemara or Shulchan Aruch, but some have the practice of refraining from this as well. This seems appropriate if you consider going to a movie to be a festive activity, which may depend on the person and the specific movie in question. There are two customs about when these restrictions apply: 1) From after Pesach until Lag Ba’omer The restrictions of the Omer (except getting a haircut) are suspended on Pesach, Shabbat, and 10. Chametz She’avar Alav HaPesach
[PLEASE NOTE: The following information MAY change as more information becomes available. Please look for updated information regarding chametz purchase after Pesach. After Pesach, there is a Rabbinical prohibition of eating or deriving benefit from Chametz SheAvar Alav HaPesach, chametz that was in the possession of a Jew on Pesach. Therefore, after Pesach, consumers must ascertain that the chametz they purchase was not in the possession of a Jew on Pesach. Therefore Chametz may be purchased from a store under the following two conditions only: [1] if the store sold its chametz through a local rabbi. [2] if the store is owned by a gentile. If the gentile owns more than half of the store it is considered as if he is the owner. In a corporation, at least 51% of the voting stock must be owned by gentiles. Chametz may be purchased from a Jewish owned store whose owner properly sold the chametz before Pesach. According to the Star-K, products found in major supermarkets have a two-week turnaround time. This means, one may buy chametz gamur (i.e. bread, cookies, pretzels, cereals, etc.) from a Jewish owned store that did not sell its chametz two weeks after Passover has passed, as one may assume the store acquired the product after Pesach, and there is no problem purchasing that Chametz. Products found in smaller shops may have a longer shelf life, and therefore clarification of turnaround time for such a particular store must be made. Obviously, the turnaround time for alcoholic beverages at liquor stores is much longer than that of products in
supermarkets.
Local Stores here in Philadelphia:

Fresh Grocer is owned by non-Jews and one may buy there immediately after Passover ends.
Ben N Jerry’s & Cereality are both owned by Jews and do not sell their chametz. This means
that one must wait until they turn over their entire stock before anyone can eat there. When it
comes to Ben N Jerry’s, one can eat there AFTER “free cone day” on April 29th, as they use up
their entire stock on that time. Regarding Cereality, one will have to investigate their turnover
rate, and I would assume that one could not eat there for at least a month.
National stores:
Here is a short (and incomplete) list of stores which are owned by gentiles:
BJ’s, Costco, CVS, KMart, Rite Aid, Pathmark, Sam’s Club, 7-Eleven, Stop & Shop, Target, Trader Joe’s, Walgreens and Wal-Mart.

Source: http://www.legacy.pennocp.org/docs/JLIC_PESACH_GUIDE_2008.pdf