For any specific questions, please contact any member of the Rabbinic Team directly.
Pesach Products
When buying Pesach products from a supervised or non-supervised establishment, make sure that all items bear a kosher l’Pesach hechsher.
All matzah and matzah meal must bear a special kosher l’Pesach hechsher.
Mechirat Chametz – Sale of Chametz
According to halachah, not only is it forbidden to eat chametz on Pesach but it is also forbidden to own or derive benefit from it. Therefore, all chametz must be disposed of or sold to a non-Jew before Pesach. Although the non-Jew usually sells it back after Pesach, this is an entirely valid and legal sale, both in Jewish and English Law. The chametz to be sold should be securely locked away in a room or cupboard, which will not be used over Pesach.
Please note that failure to sell chametz before Pesach means that the owner may never eat nor benefit from it, even after Pesach has finished. Such chametz must be given away to a non-Jew or destroyed.
Types of chametz to be included in the sale include, but are not limited to:
Bread products, biscuits, flour, cereals, beverages, alcoholic spirits, beer, pasta products, semolina, farfel, canned foods, soft drinks, confectionery, all other foods containing chametz, medicaments, perfumes, cosmetics, aerosols, cleaning materials, any chametz in or adhering to ovens, food mixers or food processors, and any other chametz on any other utensils, shares in companies or business producing, trading or owning chametz.
- All forms must be submitted by Monday 30th March
- Latest time for eating chametz on Wednesday: 10.55am
- Chametz will be sold at approximately 11:59am on Wednesday 1st April
- Chametz will be bought back at approximately 9:30pm on 9th April and should not be accessed before that time
Bedikat Chametz – Search for Chametz
Tuesday 31st March, as soon after dark (8.25pm) as possible, we must perform Bedikat Chametz.
Before we begin the search, we make the brachah “Al biur Chametz”.
The search must be done by candle light or with a torch.
After the search is completed, we make the declaration “Kol Chamira” to nullify the chametz.
A place that chametz was kept regularly (e.g. a food cupboard) that was cleaned and checked thoroughly at least three days before Bedikat Chametz, and it is certain that no chametz was put there afterwards – that place is now presumed to be free of chametz and according to halachah, is exempt from Bedikat Chametz. Therefore, the minhag is to give such places a quick search during Bedikat Chametz.
If someone has a shop or warehouse close to their home (walking distance) then the brachah they said for checking their home includes the second place, and walking there is not considered an interruption or a distraction. But if they have to drive in order to get there, they should say another brachah there.
Biur Chametz – Burning Chametz
Any chametz that was found during Bedikat Chametz must be burned on Wednesday morning by the latest 11.59am.
After the chametz has been burnt, we make the declaration “Kol Chamira”.
Ta’anit Bechorot – Fast of the Firstborn
Wednesday 1st April there will be a Siyum after Shacharit at 7.00am.
Matzah Meal on Erev Pesach
It is prohibited to eat matzah on Erev Pesach until the Seder. This prohibition includes items made with matzah meal such as cakes or biscuits, but items cooked or deep-fried such as kneidlach or fried fish balls are fine.
Eruv Tavshilin
This year, as Yom Tov continues into Shabbat, an Eruv Tavshilin needs to be made before lighting Yom Tov candles (Wednesday 1st April).
What Is Eruv Tavshilin?
To preserve the holiness of Yom Tov, we cannot spend time on Yom Tov preparing for another day – a prohibition known as hachanah – even if that other day is another festive day like Shabbat or second day Yom Tov.
For Yom Tovim that fall on a Thursday or Friday, Chazal instituted the making of Eruv Tavshilin as a way of pre-emptively combining food that has already been prepared for Shabbat before Yom Tov with food that we plan to cook on Yom Tov for Shabbat.
For the Eruv Tavshilin to be valid, the food being cooked on the Friday must be fully prepared well before the onset of Shabbat.
How To Make Eruv Tavshilin
Set aside a piece of baked food at least 30g in weight (such as a matzah) and an item of cooked food at least 15g in weight – the word “tavshilin” means cooked food (such as chicken or meat). Both foods should be food items that will be eaten on Shabbat and set aside accordingly.
Before Yom Tov, make the brachah and the declaration for the Eruv which can be found at the beginning of most Machzorim or in most Siddurim.
It is important to understand what we are saying and so it is permissible to say it in English or another language we understand better than the original Aramaic.
How Does Eruv Tavshilin Work?
By combining food that has been cooked before Yom Tov with food we plan to cook on Friday/Yom Tov, which could theoretically still be eaten on Yom Tov if we wished, we merge them into a single halachic entity (the word “eruv” means to merge), and so, just as the food we prepared on Erev Yom Tov can be eaten on Shabbat, the food that will be prepared on the Friday/Yom Tov can also be eaten on Shabbat.
Candle Lighting from an Existing Flame
Please note that a candle needs to be lit before lighting Yom Tov candles that will last long enough so that the flame from this candle can be used to light candles on second night Yom Tov.
Egg Matzah on Pesach
Ashkenazim do not allow Matzah Ashira – Egg Matzah on Pesach, except for the old and infirm.
Kitniyot
The term kitniyot refers to grains and legumes not consumed on Pesach according to the minhag of Ashkenazi Jews. Examples include beans, corn, peas, lentils, rice, mustard, peanuts, chick peas and other pod vegetables. Since there are many kosher l’Pesach products made for the Sephardi market which do contain kitniyot, it is important for Ashkenazim to check the labels carefully.
Quinoa
Some Kashrut Agencies in the USA allow it on Pesach, although many Israeli authorities consider it kitniyot. The Kashrut Authority of the London Beth Din recommend that quinoa is not used on Pesach unless it is specifically needed for health reasons, in which case it should preferably be bought with a kosher l’Pesach hechsher. There are a number of varieties on sale in kosher shops.
Diet Drinks
Diet drinks are sweetened with aspartame, which is made from kitniyot shenishtanu – kitniyot which has gone through a significant chemical change. Although as a general rule, such a change alone is not relied upon as a reason to permit a non-kosher substance, some Kashrut Authorities are lenient in the case of kitniyot which is only a minhag (albeit a very ancient and important one). That is why the OU in America, as well as the Tel Aviv Rabbinate, give a hechsher to these drinks and do not deem them kitniyot in any way. Other authorities, such as Rav Landau in Israel, rule that we should be strict even in the case of kitniyot. For someone who wants to be machmir – strict, it is preferable to avoid.
Bottled Water
All bottled, still and naturally carbonated water is permitted without a hechsher.
Artificially sparkling water may be carbonated with carbon dioxide from the brewing industry and should only be bought if bearing a kosher l’Pesach hechsher.
Eggs
The ink used to stamp eggs is made from two components: a colouring agent and a solvent. The colouring agent is purely synthetic and therefore does not present a problem. The solvents most commonly employed are isopropanol, which is not a problem for Pesach, or ethanol, which could potentially be derived from wheat and therefore be chametz. However, even if wheat-derived ethanol was used, the solvent completely evaporates within a fraction of a second after applying the stamp and it is no longer part of the ink. In any case, we do not eat the shell.
Fruit and Vegetables
Fresh, raw fruit and vegetables are permissible.
Pre-cut fresh fruit and vegetables are not approved due to the fact that Citric Acid (potentially of chametz origin) is commonly used to prevent discolouration.
Frozen Fruit and Vegetables
Unsupervised frozen fruit and vegetables are not permitted because factories may use ascorbic or citric acid as a processing aid, which is often derived from chametz sources.
Fish
It is always better where possible to purchase food for Pesach, including fish, which has been prepared under rabbinical supervision. However, if that is not possible, then it is permitted to buy frozen or fresh fish, provided some skin is still attached. It is advisable to rinse it thoroughly before use.
Tea and Coffee
Herbal teas and decaffeinated coffee may contain actual chametz. The long-standing custom in the UK and beyond is to buy all manufactured products with a kosher for Pesach label so as not to confuse ordinary tea with Earl Grey, regular coffee with decaffeinated coffee, or other more sophisticated products which are problematic on Pesach.
Baby Milk
Kosher l’Pesach baby formula is available from kosher shops. In cases where this cannot be used, see the KLBD Approved Product list. Separate utensils should be used as most baby milks, including kosher l’Pesach baby formula, contain kitniyot. Since feeding bottles normally come into contact with chametz, it is recommended to purchase new ones for Pesach.
Pets
Since we are not allowed to have chametz in our possession over Pesach, nor to derive benefit from it, we cannot feed pets on Pesach with foods containing chametz, nor can we keep such food in the house.
Many common brands of pet foods contain cereal and are therefore not suitable for Pesach. For general advice on suitable alternatives and to view the list of Pet Foods approved for Pesach by the KLBD, see the useful links below.
Disposables
There is no issue with polystyrene, plastic and Chinet products, aluminium foil or foil containers. As paper plates and lids for foil containers usually contain starch which may be chametz, some people prefer to avoid their use, particularly with hot or wet food.
Detergents and Cosmetics
Cleaning agents such as bleach, laundry detergent and bath soap, as well as cosmetics, can be used as usual on Pesach, since these products are unfit to be eaten. Only supervised toothpaste should be used, as others contain ingredients which may be derived from wheat sources. Any waxed or unwaxed unflavoured dental floss is permitted.
Kashering
The simplest way to prepare work surfaces is to clean them thoroughly and cover them.
Stainless-steel or granite sinks are kashered after thorough cleaning by pouring boiling water on them. Ideally the sink should also be lined or washing up bowls used in it.
A self-cleaning oven must be cleaned of any actual chametz and then put through the self-cleaning cycle to kasher it. Any interior parts made of rubber should be covered with aluminium foil.
A conventional oven must be cleaned of any actual chametz or baked-on grease. The entire oven and its racks should be cleaned with oven cleaner. Every area onto which food may spill must be cleaned. The oven should then be heated on its highest setting for between 45 minutes and one hour. Once this is done, the oven is considered kashered. Ideally a separate set of oven racks should be used.
A microwave oven should be cleaned thoroughly. Afterwards a bowl of water should be placed inside and boiled until steam fills the microwave. If chametz was placed directly on the rotating plate, the plate should either be replaced or covered with something that will separate between it and the Pesach dish being heated.
Fridges and freezers should be cleaned thoroughly. All shelves and bins that are removable should be removed and washed. Some have the custom of lining the shelves with foil. However, since this is not halachically necessary and may inhibit air circulation, many do not require that the shelves be covered. Glass shelves may be covered with plastic covers although this is not halachically required.
A stainless-steel dishwasher has many plastic parts that are inaccessible and cannot be cleaned properly. Therefore, according to some opinions they should not be kashered. However, others are of the opinion that a dishwasher can be kashered if it’s cleaned thoroughly (including the filter) and operated on a cycle with detergent while it is empty. Ideally, separate racks should be used.
An urn needs to be cleaned on the outside (no need to worry about scale), filled up to maximum and water brought up to bubbling boiling. Empty of boiling water, and pour boiling water separately over tap and lid. If you ever warm up food (e.g. challah) on its lid, then also wrap the lid all the way round (underneath also) in silver foil.
A hot plate needs to be cleaned, turned up to its maximum temperature (for about 30 minutes), then covered with aluminium foil. Care should be taken since covering with foil can damage some hot plates and create a fire hazard by reflecting heat back to the elements.
For a standard electric ring or electric metal plate on which the pot rests, clean the hob and turn each ring on to full power for 45 minutes. There is no need to wait 24 hours first.
For electric rings embedded into a ceramic glass stove-top, kashering by heating them up will generally not suffice. It is recommended to use a dedicated Pesach stove, as the other option – covering the stove top with thick silver foil – may crack the glass surface.
However, if you know that you will be able to avoid spillage and the contact between stove top and pot will remain dry, you may make use of the stove after heating it for 45 minutes (as above).
The above is based on the guidance of the Kashrut Authority of the London Beth Din.