Got Chametz?
Your Passover 2009 Guide
to Getting Rid of Chametz
What is Chametz?
Chametz is anything made with the
flour of the five species of grain (wheat, spelt, oats, barley, and rye), which is mixed with water and allowed to ferment before being baked.
Matzo Is
Unleavened Bread
Unique to Passover is the eating of matzo or unleavened bread, and the stringent prohibition of eating or possessing chometz.Chometz is a general term for all food and drink made from wheat, barley, rye, oats, spelt or their derivatives, which is forbidden on Passover because it is leavened. Even a food that contains only a trace of chometz is prohibited and must be removed from our homes.
Passover Matzoh
* Note: Matzoh used all year round is not for Passover use.
Only matzah baked especially for Passover may be used on Passover.
Getting Rid of Chametz
Obvious chometz -- both food and utensils used throughout the year (and not kosher for Passover) -- should be stored in closets or rooms that are not easily accessible (locked or taped shut). This chometz should be sold to a non-Jew, as will be explained.Clean the entire house thoroughly to remove all crumbs and small pieces of food. Show special attention to making the kitchen and dining room kosher for Passover. Also check for chometz in the car and office (desks and drawers, etc.), clothes, pockets (especially the children's), pocketbooks and computer cases. Vacuum cleaner bags should be discarded or cleaned.
Before the Passover Festival
Sell Your Chametz
If you haven't already done so, sell your chometz. Your local Chabad rabbi can help.
Search for Chometz
Tuesday
April 7 or 14 Nissan
Search for the Chametz after dark on Tuesday. Recite the blessing prior to the search, and the nullification of the Chametz (Kol Chamira) following the search.
Burn Your Chametz
Wednesday
April 8 or 14 Nissan
The Day Before PassoverLaws & Customs: Fast of the Firstborn. To be exempt from fasting, one must participate in a meal marking the fulfillment of a mitzvah; such a meal is generally held in a synagogue after morning prayers on this day. This morning we do the Birkat Hachamah ("Blessing on the Sun")--a once in 28 years mitzvah! For more on this special ceremony, see our comprehensive Birkat Hachamah section. Have you sold your Chametz? Final call! Your local qualified halachic authority can help. Stop eating Chametz before the end of the fourth seasonal hour Burn your remaining (unsold) Chametz before the fifth seasonal hour. Since Shabbat occurs immediately following the festival, an "eruv tavshilin" is prepared prior to the festival, so that it should be permitted to prepare food for Shabbat during the festival.
What is the Jewish Passover festival?
When is Passover 2009?
What is the Passover story?
How do you make your house kosher for Passover?
Chametz! What is it and how do you get rid of it?
What is matzoh and what is the spiritual significance of matzah?
What do you do at a Passover seder?
Are you looking for a good Passover recipe?
You'll find delicious, interesting, vintage, kosher for Passover recipes here - and what would a Passover meal be without yummy, sweet macaroons and other lovely kosher for Passover dessert recipes?
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