Pesach Halachic Digest 5786
An Overview Of The Laws of Pesach
Pesach Halachic Digest - פסח ה'תשפ”ו
Compiled by Rabbi Yoseph Y. Vigler & Rabbi Mendel Zirkind. With Editing by Rabbi Y. Zirkind z”l
(All times are for Brooklyn NY)
לע"נ הרב יצחק בן הרב אליעזר צירקינד ע"ה - ח"י אדר תשע"ב
SECTION I - PREPARATIONS FOR PESACH
The first preparation for Pesach is to ensure that all Jews have all they need for Yom Tov, which is more important than taking care of ourselves. Although the traditional Ma'os Chitin fund was originally to pay for matzah only, it was expanded in later generations to include all Yom Tov needs.
If you would like to donate Maos Chitin - MayanYisroel.net/Donate or myef.org/donate
Please don't forget your Jewish co-workers, clients and other business contacts. Ensure they have Shmurah Matzah to fulfill the mitzvah properly. The Jew you know is YOUR responsibility and privilege. You may be their only link to authentic Judaism. Order the MitzvahShare Matzah kit shipped - MitzvahShare.org or MitzvahShare@MayanYisroel.net
It is a mitzvah d'oraisa to make one's wife and children joyous on Yom Tov by buying her an outfit or jewelry; and for the kids something exciting too.
The Arizal states, "One who is scrupulous regarding even the minutest quantity of chametz on Pesach is guaranteed not to sin the entire year." He possibly refers to immunity from inadvertent sins; there is no doubt that every individual retains freedom of choice.
Kashering Dishes Through Hagalah
Many people kasher even brand new dishes because they are often manufactured with non-kosher fats. It is only a chumra, because those fats impart a blemished taste.
If you do not have dedicated utensils for Pesach and cannot obtain disposables, you may kasher your (metal) utensils for Pesach.
Only chometz absorbed in the walls of the dish may be kashered through hagalah. Utensils must be thoroughly cleaned. If they were used for hot chometz in the twenty-four hours prior to kashering they may not be kashered through hagalah.
If food particles remain, hagalah may not be performed. Libun with a blowtorch can be done on them.
The pot for kashering may be a chometz pot, as long as it is:
Not used for chometz in the past 24 hours
Not enamel-coated nor earthenware
Fill the pot with water, bring it to a boil to a bubble. Let it overflow, e.g. by dropping a hot stone in it (not a cold stone, as it may cool the water down).
Pour out the water and rinse the pot in cold water
Fill the pot again and bring the water to a boil
Utensils can now be immersed in the boiling water
Items should only be placed into the pot when the water is boiling, and removed with special gloves or a metal strainer when it is boiling
If the water ceases to boil, wait until it begins again
The pot should be large enough to allow all surfaces of the utensil to be reached by the water; each object should be dropped into the pot in such a way that it will not touch the sides of the pot
After immersion, rinse in cold water
When kashering utensils in a pot, do not dip too many utensils at once, to ensure that there is enough room for the bubbling water to cover each utensil
Kashering should not be done after the zman that chometz is forbidden on Erev Pesach.
Countertops should either be kashered or covered for Pesach. If covering, make sure to use a material that will not easily tear.
If kashering, first scrub the countertop thoroughly. Then leave it for 24 hours without anything hot being placed on it.
If food particles are trapped in grooves, the countertop cannot be kashered and should instead be covered.
Kashering is done by pouring boiling water on the countertop.
Either use a Pesach pot or a chometz pot that was not used for 24 hours. Boil the water and empty the pot before using
Pour the boiling water over the entire surface of the counter and make sure there is a continuous flow of water from the pot to the surface
A large counter may be kashered in stages. First pour the boiling water on one section of the counter and then repeat the process for the next section
It is also preferable to use a hot stone. Heat the stone over a fire until it is hot. As you pour the boiling water onto the surface, take the stone and use it to bring the water back to a boil upon contact
Make sure that the stone is used over the entire area of the counter
If you are covering the countertop and not kashering, take care to clean it thoroughly and not place hot pots on Pesach lest it rip.
Sink faucets should be kashered and covered or changed.
Any grooves should be scraped from chometz particles.
Stainless steel sinks can be kashered. Boil water in a pot as above and pour it on the sink. Move around the perimeter of the sink with a heated stone as above, so that the water sizzles as it lands. The stone will need to be reheated as it cools down.
Porcelain / enamel sinks cannot be kashered. They must be cleaned thoroughly and lined. Some are machmir to leave the sink unused 24 hours, then pour boiling water over the porcelain / enamel sink 3 times. Then line it. Or use a sink insert.
Note - if you are lining it you may not pour hot water in it since it may tear.
Bleach should be poured down the sink drain.
Kashering the Rest of the Kitchen
Garbage bins should be thoroughly cleaned with bleach.
Tables must be cleaned: table leaves should be opened, and the supports and leaves carefully cleaned. Then cover the table.
High chairs must be cleaned well and the tray fully covered - or dedicate a Pesach tray.
Refrigerators must be thoroughly cleaned and the shelves lined.
Cookbooks, bentchers, etc. should be put away with the chometz.
Vacuum cleaners, mops and brooms must be cleaned. The old vacuum bag should be discarded.
Computers, home phones and cell phones should be cleaned thoroughly. Any grooves must be cleaned with a cloth with cleansing agent so that any actual chometz is rendered useless. Even so, one should be careful not to place the cell phone next to any food during Pesach, and not to use the phone while eating.
Microwaves should not be kashered.
Gas Cooktop With Grates: The easiest way is to put the grates in a self-cleaning oven and run the self-clean cycle. If your oven is not self-cleaning, cover the stovetop with a new blech and turn on the burners on high for 15 minutes; this will create enough heat for kashering. Note - having all 4 burners on at once when using aluminum foil can cause damage, and even break the oven.
Electric Cooktop With Coils: The electric coils get red-hot and are self-kashering each time they are turned on.
The flat part in between the grates should be kashered by pouring boiling water over it. It should then be covered because food could fall there.
Glass cooktops are best avoided on Pesach. Rather, purchase a portable electric stovetop for Pesach. Alternatively, use a stovetop cover. Some place coins on the cooktop under the pot so that the pot does not rest directly on the surface when cooking. This suffices, but if liquid spills under the pot, this is problematic.
Self-cleaning ovens are the best form of kashering, by running a self-cleaning cycle.
In a conventional oven, whether gas or electric, remove baked-on grease with oven cleaner. Check hidden areas including corners, door edges, the area behind the flame burners, and the grooves of the rack shelves. If stubborn spots remain after using a caustic oven cleaner, the remaining spots may be disregarded. Once the oven and racks have been cleaned, they may be kashered by turning the oven to broil, or the highest setting, for 40 minutes. This is libun kal. In a gas oven, the broil setting will allow the flame to burn continuously. In a conventional electric oven, the highest setting (550°F) kashers the oven. Only libun kal is required for the oven racks, since it is usual to cook food in a pan and not directly on the racks themselves.
SECTION II - THE DAYS LEADING UP TO PESACH
Tachnun is omitted the entire month.
During the first 12 days we recite the Nassi each day, and the finale on 13 Nissan.
One should learn the halachos of Pesach thoroughly even if one has learned them previously.
Birkas Ilanos (Bracha on Trees)
When you see blossoming fruit trees for the first time during the month of Nissan, you bentch: ...שֶׁלֹּא חִסֵּר בְּעוֹלָמוֹ כְּלוּם וּבָרָא בוֹ בְּרִיּוֹת טוֹבוֹת וְאִילָנוֹת טוֹבוֹת לֵהָנוֹת בָּהֶם בְּנֵי אָדָם. (Who has made nothing lacking in His world, and created in it goodly creatures and goodly trees to give mankind pleasure).
The bracha is said just once a year - the first time you see it. Some Poskim, including Eliyah Rabbah, maintain that if one did not say the bracha the first time, it can still be said the second time. Shulchan Aruch HaRav says that if one missed the opportunity the first time he saw it, he cannot say the bracha again during that year.
The bracha ought to be said specifically during the month of Nissan. However, there are poskim who permit making the bracha after Nissan too.
The bracha may be recited on Shabbos and Yom Tov too.
The bracha should be said by both men and women.
Preferably, the bracha should be recited when seeing two trees at one time. But even if there is only one tree, you should still say the bracha.
The bracha should not be said on trees that grow fruits grafted from two species.
In the southern hemisphere, where seasons are opposite and trees blossom during Elul and Tishrei, the bracha can be said at that time.
The Shabbos before Pesach is called the Great Shabbos because of the miracles that transpired when the Yidden were in Mitzrayim, when a civil war broke out amongst the Egyptians. It is a mitzvah to relate these miracles on this Shabbos. The miracle actually took place on the 10th of Nissan when the Jews tied the lamb to their beds four days before the Seder, but because it also coincides with the day Miriam passed away, it was decided to mark the day of the week, Shabbos HaGadol, rather than the day of the month. This year, Shabbos HaGadol is on the 10th of Nissan itself.
The minhag is for the Rov to give a Shabbos HaGadol drasha of halachos and agados for Pesach.
At Mincha time we recite the Hagadah from עבדים היינו until לכפר על כל עוונותינו, as this is when the Geulah began.
Vihi No'am and V'atah Kadosh are omitted on Motzei Shabbos HaGadol since we don't have a full six-day work week.
Tuesday Night - Bedikas Chometz
It is preferable to search and burn the chometz yourself, but if necessary you may appoint an agent to search for your chometz.
The correct time for bedika is immediately at tzeis, 7:48pm. Since Chazal established a time for bedikas chometz, one should fulfill the obligation right away.
If you are davening Maariv on your own, daven first, and immediately begin the search.
From tzeis till after the bedika, you may not eat or drink at all.
From half an hour before tzeis you may not eat more than a kebaitza of mezonos or hamotzi, but you may eat fruits and drink. In extenuating circumstances, appoint a shliach who will do the bedika, freeing you to eat and drink. (Still, it is recommended you leave at least one room to partake in the bedika yourself too).
A shliach appointed to check someone else's chometz or chometz in shul, even if he has done his own bedika, should if possible not eat till after all his bedikos.
Any room or area chometz may have been brought to must be thoroughly cleaned and searched.
Practically, it is nearly impossible to check every necessary place on the night of Bedikas Chometz, especially in the kitchen, which is often already Pesachdik. One solution is to check with a candle or flashlight before lining shelves and cabinets, even if it is before the night of Bedikas Chometz. You can do this in closets, under heavy furniture, etc.
Note - any bedika done before the night of Bedikas Chometz is without ten pieces and no bracha.
There is no need to check areas that you will include in the sale to the goy; they must be closed up or covered with tape.
Set aside any chometz you still need before Pesach in a safe place before Bedikas Chometz.
Any crack in the wall or floor into which a hand cannot fit need not be checked, even if you know there is chometz there. Nullifying the chometz (bitul) after the search is sufficient.
Your car must also be searched for chometz (using a flashlight).
Once the bracha is recited, do not talk at all until the bedika begins, as this is a hefsek.
It is proper not to speak anything unrelated to the bedika until you complete the entire bedika and the bitul after. However, you may say אשר יצר if you go to the bathroom, and you may answer Amen and ברוך הוא וברוך שמו if someone else makes a bracha.
It is proper to annul the chometz (bitul) yourself.
The Ten Pieces of Chometz
Before the search, hide ten pieces of hard chometz, wrapped in paper, around the house. Wrapping in aluminum foil is impractical because it won't burn the next morning at biur chometz.
Remember where you put the pieces - if you don't find all ten you'll have to search until you do. It is advisable for someone to write down the hiding places as a back-up.
The minhag is to use a beeswax candle, a feather (to sweep small crumbs into the bag), a spoon and a paper bag for Bedikas Chometz.
All ten pieces together should total more than a kezayis, since you are supposed to burn at least a kezayis according to some Poskim.
However, each of the ten pieces of chometz should individually be less than a kezayis, in case you end up not finding one piece. This way, at least it would not be forbidden d'oraisa.
(Though you are supposed to get rid of all chometz, even less than a kezayis, some say the verbal bitul would suffice bedieved, even if you didn't physically burn it).
If you don't have any chometz pieces to hide, you still do the bedika with a bracha.
You need to check any place under your ownership, including your office or business. A shliach may be appointed if necessary.
If you will not be in your workplace on Pesach, you may sell it with your chometz.
The minhag is to recite only one bracha even for two locations, e.g. your home and office.
However, if you or your shliach checking your workplace is not making a bedika on your own chometz, then you should make a bracha on the bedika at the office.
If you find it easier, you may do bedika in some of your locations (e.g. your office) on one of the nights before the 14th, with a candle (assuming you are not selling that office with the chometz). Take care that no chometz is brought in after the bedika.
After the search, extinguish the candle. Put the spoon, candle and feather into the bag with the chometz. The handle of the spoon should stick out of the bag. Make sure the bag is tightly closed and put away till the burning in the morning.
Nullify verbally all chometz you may not have found. This bitul should not be treated as a "prayer" - you should say it in English if you don't understand the Aramaic original.
Bedikas Chometz When Going Away
Even if you're going away for Pesach before the night of the bedika Erev Pesach, you still need to do bedika, albeit without a bracha. The burning of the chometz may be done right after.
You may sell the entire house to the goy. But note, it is not right to avoid bedika entirely.
If you will be away the entire Pesach, you may either sell the whole house except one room, and there you do the bedika. Or, do your bedika, if applicable, at the place where you will be on Pesach.
If you arrive at a hotel before the night of the bedika, the chiyuv of bedika is yours (on the night of Erev Pesach).
If you are staying in someone else's home, the obligation is theirs. If you still wish to do the bedika, you may pay the host to officially "rent" your room. You could then hide the ten pieces of chometz in your room and do the bedika.
However, since it remains a shaila if you really own it, you should not make a bracha, but rather listen and be יוצא with the baal habayis's bracha. Then go check for yourself immediately.
If you arrive at your hotel on Erev Pesach, you should verify if the hotel management did the bedika the night before. In a frum hotel, even if there's no way of finding out, you may rely on a chazaka. Otherwise you must do bedika by day with a bracha.
Needless to say, if the zman of issur has already begun, you may not hide ten pieces of chometz.
If you check into any hotel room in the middle of Pesach and they have not done a bedika, you must do a bedika (even on the days of Yom Tov, with the exception of Shabbos, on Pesach itself).
