Finchley Synagogue. Pesach House and Kitchen Preparations 1

Finchley Synagogue Pesach House and Kitchen Preparations 1 If you have Pesach related questions, please contact any of our rabbinic team in the first instance. You may also find that the Guide to Pesach published by the US Living & Learning Department, has useful information in it. The Guide to Pesach includes articles about Pesach preparations, prayers, history and the Haggadah amongst other topics - http://youandus.theus.org.uk/living-and-learning/jewish-learning/guide-to-pesachbooklet/. What is Chametz? Chametz is not dust or dirt! Chametz is Chametz and is prohibited on Pesach. Anything which is inedible is not Chametz and therefore not prohibited on Pesach. So, cleaning materials, which make Chametz inedible are even more useful for Pesach that you may originally have thought! Only Chametz which is more than a Kezayit (see below for explanation of this term) in one bundle needs to be destroyed. Therefore, for example, dirty crumbs in the bottom of the hoover do not have to be destroyed. There is a positive Mitzva from the Torah to enjoy Yom Tov. It is important to tailor your Pesach preparations accordingly so that you do not spend time on extraneous matters that will stop you from enjoying Yom Tov or fulfilling the Mitzvot of Yom Tov, especially those of the Seder. So where should I clean? 1. You only need to clean places where Chametz has been. So, for example, if you do not eat or store Chametz in your airing cupboard, then you do not need to clean there! 1 See www.theus.org.uk/you&us and www.kosher.org.uk for more Pesach information. I also thank Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, Rabbi Dr David Fink and Dayan Gershon Lopian for their advice and the information they have contributed to this guide. laitners@kinloss.org.uk Page 1 of 14 Rabbi Michael Laitner

2. Therefore, the main area that requires attention is the kitchen. Other areas of the house only require attention as is necessary. This normally involves vacuuming, cleaning sofa etc. ie a regular household clean. What should I do to my kitchen? 1. You need designated cutlery, crockery and kitchen utensils for Pesach. They can only be used for Pesach. Some metal utensils may be kashered for Pesach. These utensils are made of one piece (some kinds of handles may be ok), clean and unused for 24 hours before kashering. Do not attempt kashering at home as it can be complex and messy! Instead, go to a special pre-pesach kashering session at a shul. 2. Fridge clean it out thoroughly using fridge cleaner. If there are parts of the fridge that you cannot clean properly, then cover those parts, making tiny holes for ventilation. 3. Freezer clean out thoroughly, following manufacturers instructions. Defrost if necessary. 4. Food Shelves. Clean thoroughly and cover. 5. Stainless Steel sink and counters clean the whole apparatus, take out the sink filter (if you have a detachable one) and do not use with anything hot for 24 hours. Pour bleach down the plughole and clean the gasket etc around the plughole with bleach. Then pour boiling water straight from a kettle, ideally with a burning hot metal rod such as a hanger in the sink to maintain a piping hot temperature, all over the taps and all over the sink, starting from the top. Year-round strainers and plastic/rubber plugs should not be used on Pesach. Get washing up bowls for Pesach, even if you have separate milk and meat sinks. If you have only one sink, you will need separate meat and milk washing up bowls for Pesach and might find it convenient to use such bowls anyway even if you have two separate sinks that you have kashered for Pesach. 6. Whatever your sink arrangement, get new washing up gear for Pesach, i.e. sponges, gloves, washing up liquid. laitners@kinloss.org.uk Page 2 of 14 Rabbi Michael Laitner

7. Enamel or porcelain sinks these cannot be koshered for Pesach. Clean the sinks, plughole and drain. Use Pesach washing up bowls and gear etc, as in the point directly above. 8. Non granite counter tops these should be thoroughly cleaned and covered with a durable material, such as off cuts of lino which are often cheap, effective and environmentally friendly. 9. Granite counter tops. These should be thoroughly cleaned. Good practice is to cover them, but it is not strictly necessary to do so. 10. Non Self-Cleaning ovens ideally leave unused for 24. Clean thoroughly with oven cleaner, including the racks. Once the oven is clean, turn it onto the highest temperature. Once the oven has reached that temperature, leave it on for an hour. Then your oven is ready for Pesach. 11. Self-Cleaning Ovens remove any food from the oven. Clean the racks and if possible do not use them for 24 hours after they have been cleaned. Replace the racks and put the oven through one complete self-cleaning cycle. Microwaves There are halachic views which state that a microwave cannot be koshered for Pesach. If you have received halachic advice to kasher your microwave for Pesach, go for the following procedure. Clean the microwave thoroughly. Either get a Pesach microwave plate or double cover your existing plate with appropriate cling film. If your microwave instructions allow you to do so, having cleaned your microwave, put a Chametz glass (clean and unused for 24 hours) of boiling water into the microwave for 6 minutes. Once this time is up, remove the glass and the Chametz plate and now your microwave is ready for Pesach. Otherwise, use your Pesach plate/double wrapped plate and double wrap anything that you put into your microwave. 12. Fabrics i.e. dishcloths: Just wash them in the washing machine and make sure they are clean. 13. Electric Hob clean thoroughly, then turn up to highest setting. Once the highest setting is reached, leave the hob on for 15 minutes. It is good laitners@kinloss.org.uk Page 3 of 14 Rabbi Michael Laitner

practice to avoid putting Pesach saucepans in the areas between the heating circles. 14. Gas Hob clean thoroughly. Get a new set of grates and various gas hob covers for Pesach. This is the recommended practice. Alternatively, clean the racks and whole hob thoroughly. Place a bleich on the hob. Turn the gas up to the highest level and leave on for 30 minutes. Once the hob has cooled down, cover the racks with silver foil. This can be tricky so it is not the easiest way to proceed. The bleich helps to spread heat to all areas of the racks but great care must be taken when using this bleich method as it can potentially be hazardous or cause damage to buttons which regulate the gas flow. Another way to kasher these racks is to hold the racks with pliers whilst passing a blow torch over the racks, so that the whole rack is burnt out. If using this method, make sure to cover the whole of the rack with the blow torch, as you make your way around the rack. 15. Another option is to buy a Pesach cooking ring, which is very useful on Yom Tov itself (see below). If you do not use your hob on Pesach, make sure that you cover it so that nothing is put on the hob on Pesach, even when the hob is off. 16. Dishwasher There are three halachic views as to kashering a dishwasher for Pesach: 1. A dishwasher many not be kashered; 2. A dishwasher can be koshered as long as the dishwasher, especially the filter, is cleaned thoroughly and you have special Pesach racks; 3. A dishwasher once cleaned properly can be used for Pesach with its usual racks as long as they are undamaged. The procedure for points 2 and 3 is as follows: Leave the dishwasher unused for 24 hours. Clean the dishwasher thoroughly with detergent, especially the filter and rubber around the doors. [If following point 2 above, check that the racks are clean and undamaged (if they are dirty, they must be cleaned whilst if they are damaged you will need to get new racks)]. [Take out Chametz racks if following point 2]. Run a cleaning cycle. The dishwasher is now ready for Pesach [insert new racks if following laitners@kinloss.org.uk Page 4 of 14 Rabbi Michael Laitner

point 2]. Only stainless steel dishwashers can be kashered, either at Pesach or throughout the year. 17. Hotplates clean thoroughly, turn on until at the highest temperature. Leave on for 1 hour. After the hotplate has cooled, cover with silver foil. 18. Many Ashkenazim do not kasher glass for Pesach (another case of dispute after applying the law to the facts). If you do wish to follow the halachic view that permits kashering glass for Pesach, do the following: Make sure your glass is clean and has been unused for 24 hours. Fill a large, clean container with cold water. Soak the glass in water for 72 hours in total, changing the water every 24 hours. Please note that glasses that have been used for whisky or similar chametz alcoholic drinks cannot be kashered for Pesach. 19. Disposable cutlery and crockery is permitted for Pesach (see the Pesach pages www.kosher.org.uk for more details about this. 20. Cosmetics are permitted for Pesach. 21. One should buy detergents with a hechsher since these are available. For further details, check the Pesach pages at http://www.kosher.org.uk. 22. Get a new toothbrush for Pesach and check the Pesach pages of the KLBD website noted above to ascertain which toothpaste, mouthwash and dental floss are Kosher for Pesach. 23. If your doctor has prescribed pills which contain chametz to be taken over Pesach, please consult one of our rabbis. Do not change any medication without consulting your doctor first. See the Pesach pages at www.kosher.org.uk for additional advice about medication on Pesach. Particular Pesach advice!!!!! 1. Cook as much as you can before Pesach. 2. Get timeswitches and use cooking rings to heat food up on Yom Tov (but not on Shabbat). See the section below. laitners@kinloss.org.uk Page 5 of 14 Rabbi Michael Laitner

Melacha 2 on Pesach On Yom Tov (but not Shabbat), you can heat up any food, be it liquid or solid, as long as the heating implement is already on or controlled by a timer. Therefore, get a hotplate and/or an electric ring and set them on time switches accordingly. Borer, separating, is permitted on Yom Tov, but not on Shabbat. The reason for certain melachot (plural of melacha) being permitted on Yom Tov is derived from the Torah s differentiation between Shabbat and Yom Tov 3, with Yom Tov having a specific designation of simcha, as one example of that difference. Mitzvot of the Seder Torah Mitzvot 1. Eating Matza. 2. Sipur Yetziat Mitzrayim 4 other than the berachot, read and discuss in English if they allows people to participate better. If one person leads the Seder, others should ideally read along with her/him. Rabbinic Mitzvot (Rabbinic: see footnote 1 on the list of Pesach Mitzvot sheet) a. 4 cups of wine al haseder (in the structure of the Seder). b. Maror (today a Rabbinic level obligation in the absence of the Beit Hamikdash) c. Afikoman. d. Reciting Hallel at the Seder. 2 Creative labour, prohibited on Shabbat and Yom Tov, with some exceptions on Yom Tov. 3 See Shemot / Exodus 12:16, TB Beitza 28b, Megila 7b and SA OC 495, for example. 4 See Shemot /Exodus 13:8 vehigadta levincha, and you shall tell your child. laitners@kinloss.org.uk Page 6 of 14 Rabbi Michael Laitner

e. Hasayba (leaning) to your left whilst eating matza and drinking wine. Only men are obligated to do Hasayba but women may choose to do so if they wish. The table below provides further details about the performance of the above mentioned Mitzvot. Mitzva Amount Hasayba to the left Notes 1 Kezayit 5 or if possible 2 Kezayitim 6 (plural). Matza shel Mitzva A Kezayit, measured as half of a beitza, is 28.6-33 cm cubed eaten within 5 minutes. See next side for practical application. Korech Kezayit within 5 minutes. Afikoman Kezayit within 5 minutes. Arba Kosot (four cups, including Kiddush although see note below for Kiddush) Rov Revi it (majority of a Revi it). A Revi it is 86.4 grams 7, or 86cm cubed should be drunk within a minute. See next page for practical applic. Yes, either leaning to your left side on the table, or slouching with your left arm over the back of your chair. Basically, lean! Yes, as above Yes, as above Yes, as above Shemura Matza is required unless absolutely not possible. See SA OC 453:4. Bear in mind that you are eating the food which accompanied us on the Exodus! Shemura Matza as above. Shemura Matza as above. Wine or grape juice ( g.j ). Wine is preferred unless you feel that you will perform the Seder better by using grape juice. Empty any remaining wine/g.j after each cup as you need entirely new wine/g.j for each 5 See below for explanation. 6 Ie, one kezayit for matza and one for hamotzi (see SA, OC: 475:1) to fulfil all opinions, if this is comfortable for you to do. See below for explanation. 7 According to Rabbi Avraham Chaim Na eh, Rabbi of the Shechunat Bucharin in Jerusalem, d. 1954, whose shiurim, quantity measurements, for a Kezayit are widely followed. laitners@kinloss.org.uk Page 7 of 14 Rabbi Michael Laitner

cup. (SA OC 472:9) Maror Kezayit within 5 minutes. Sipur Yetziat Mitzrayim The more you do, the more you are praised! No No Go for Romaine Lettuce Let your pedagogic skills come out! What is a Kezayit and how much practically do I need to eat? A Kezayit means like the size of an olive. This is the minimum amount of food that constitutes eating for mitzvot that require eating. Given the different sizes of olives and the different ways of measuring the size of an olive, such as weight, size or volume, there are different approaches in the Posekim (Rabbinic decisors) as to the size and definition of a Kezayit for practical purposes. (See SA, OC 485:1 and Mishna Berura ad loc.) There are also different ways of applying the measurements as appropriate for different kinds of foods. For example, a matza, which is flat, is measured differently than horseradish, as described below. Whichever of the measurements for eating Matza that you follow listed below, a normally healthy person who can eat Matza should do so within 5-9 minutes of starting it, as this fulfils another part of the Halachic definition of eating for this purpose. Example 1: How much of a Rakusen s Shemura Matza is a Kezayit 8? a) Using volume Last year (2011/5771), a Rakusen s Shemura Matza weighed 21 grams according to the wording on the box. 8 Enormous thanks to our mathematical friends for their help with this! laitners@kinloss.org.uk Page 8 of 14 Rabbi Michael Laitner

Specific gravity would make give a Rakusens s Matza a volume of 42 grams. Therefore, just over ¾ (79%) of a Rakusen s Shemura Matza is a Kezayit, according to Rabbi Avraham Chaim Naeh maximally and 68% minimally. b) Using size A minimum Kezayit measurement of 4 x 3 ½ inches (10.2 x 8.6cm). What if it is very difficult for you to eat Matza? Please ask one of our rabbinic team for specific advice. Do I need to eat the same amount of Matza for each Matza eating? Since eating Matza shel Mitzva is a Torah commandment, you should try to concentrate your matza eating capacity for this Matza eating and eat at least the recommended measurements ((a) and (b) above) unless you are unable to do so. Some people eat 2 kezaytim (plural of kezayit) for Matza shel Mitzva one for Matza and one for Hamotzi. Whilst this is good practice, it is not required (see footnote 3 above). For the other matza eating (ie Korech and Afikoman) which is mandated by Rabbinic law, you should minimally also use measurements (a) and (b) above, as there is no requirement to eat 2 kezaytim for Korech and Afikoman. Make sure though that you have room for the Afikoman as you should eat it whilst appreciating it, rather than just because you have to! The Matza shel Mitzva is the most important Matza eating so if you have limited Matza eating capacity, concentrate your maximal matza eating on that. Example 2: Wine/grape juice - How much of a standard size plastic cup constitures a Revi it? (Revi it = 86ml) A standard plastic cup holds approximately 200ml of water. laitners@kinloss.org.uk Page 9 of 14 Rabbi Michael Laitner

What should I do? Make sure that you pour approximately half a plastic cup s worth of grape juice or wine for each of the 4 cups and that you drink at least half of this amount for each cup. You should refill for each of the four cups, emptying out any undrunk wine/grape juice used for one of the previous 4 cups. Make sure to drink each cup within 1 minute of starting it. If this is hard for you, please ask one of our rabbinic team for advice. Example 3: How much Maror should I eat? This can depend on whether you use Romaine lettuce (or other similarly bitter lettuce like endives), or whether you are made of strong stuff and use horseradish! If you use lettuce, make sure that you have washed the lettuce appropriately before Pesach starts (or before Shabbat starts when Erev Pesach or first day Pesach is on Shabbat). If you use horseradish, then eat at least 0.7 fluid ounces / 20grams/ml. If you use Romaine lettuce, eat an amount which is 8 x 10 inches / 20.3 x 25cm. If you eat Endive lettuce, eat two large leaves approx. 11.2 x 3.2 inches / 28cm x 8 cm. Complete eating the Maror within 5 minutes of starting to eat it. If this is hard for you, please ask one of our rabbinic team for advice. laitners@kinloss.org.uk Page 10 of 14 Rabbi Michael Laitner

Pesach and Chodesh Nisan (Month of Nisan (Mitzvot) A combined list of general Yom Tov and Pesach Mitzvot from the Torah, which apply today, according to the counts of the Sefer Hachinuch 9 and Rambam 10. Those mitzvot which are specifically for the Seder are in bold: 1. Getting rid of Chametz; 2. Eating the minimum amount of (shemura) Matza at the Seder night at night; 3. That Chametz should not be found in your possession on Pesach; 4. To get rid of Chametz on 14 Nisan (Rambam) and neither to eat nor benefit from Chametz after the end of the 6 th hour of that day. (See footnote 3); 5. Not to eat anything on Pesach that contains Chametz; 6. Not to eat Chametz on Pesach; 7. Sipur Yetziat Mitzrayim Recounting (?) the Exodus from Egypt; 8. Not to perform Melacha 11 on the first (and second) day of Pesach; 9. Resting on the Seventh (and eight) day of Pesach; 10. Not to perform Melacha on the seventh (and eighth day) of Pesach; 11. Not to eat Chametz on Erev Pesach after chatzot; 12. To say whole Hallel on the first day of Pesach; 13. Lismoach, to rejoice on Pesach, minimally through eating and drinking; List of Pesach, Seder and chodesh Nisan (month of Nisan) Mitzvot which are rabbinically mandated 12 : a. Ma ot Chitin Pesach charity; b. Beracha on fruit trees in blossom; c. Bedikat Chametz (searching for Chametz), Biyur Chametz (getting rid of Chametz), Bitul Chametz (disavowal of Chametz). Mechirat Chametz (sale of 9 A 13 th century work which discusses meaning in Mitzvot (Torah commandments). 10 Acronym for Rabbi Moses ben Maimon, (d, 1204), a great scholar and philosopher. 11 Creative labour forbidden on Shabbat and Yom Tov (some specific Melachot (pl.) are ok on Yom Tov, as described above). 12 Jewish law, in general, has a 3 tier structure 1. Torah law (including the Oral Torah) 2. Rabbinic law (the Torah gives Rabbinic authorities a mandate to legislate to protect and maintain Torah law) 3. Custom (minhag) which is often using in the application of Rabbinic law, since in many circumstances the Rabbis gave a broad scope to their laws allowing for divergent applications within the framework of their laws. In a similar vein to clashes of legal principle in English law, the Rabbis in this case work on how to decide between conflicting principles of law. laitners@kinloss.org.uk Page 11 of 14 Rabbi Michael Laitner

Chametz), if this is necessary in your circumstances. It usually is, so speak to your rabbi for details of what you need to do; d. Not to eat Matza on Erev Pesach (some have the custom not to eat Matza for a month before Pesach) to have a taste for the Matza shel Mitzva at the Seder; e. Not to eat Chametz on Erev Pesach after the start of the 5 th hour of the day; 13 f. Preparing for the Seder; g. Four cups of wine al haseder (in the designated order), including Kiddush; h. Conducting the Seder after nightfall (may be understood as a Torah mitzva); i. Hasaiba (recling), mandatory only for men and optional for women; j. Eating Maror; k. Reciting Hallel. Other Mitzvot Related to Pesach and Chodesh Nisan (the month of Nisan): 1. Ta anit Bechorim, Fast of the Firstborn; 2. Chol Ham oaid, the middle days of Pesach; 3. Sefirat HaOmer, counting the Omer. Some ideas to help with making Pesach as a family, whether they are coming to you or you are going to them. You ll probably know at least some of them already but we re taking a belts and braces approach! 1. Involve as many people as possible in the preparations before Pesach. This can help to build bonds, especially for people sharing Seder nights together and makes it easier for the hosts. Show appreciation for that help in a way that people will like, be it a new book, flowers, or booking a restaurant table or take away in good time for the night before Pesach. 2. If you enjoy shopping, go shopping together for Pesach. Marvel at the range of products available and then remember that you can eat fruit, vegetables, fish and meat rather than Pesach bagels or whatever this year s invention 13 For such purposes, the Jewish clock runs according to the hours of sunlight each day as calculated from sunrise to sunset. See www.myzmanim.com for more on this topic. laitners@kinloss.org.uk Page 12 of 14 Rabbi Michael Laitner

is! Look at http://www.kosher.org.uk/passover.htm for details of which products are kosher for Pesach. 3. Find classes, shiurim, books or internet material that will help to provide greater meaning about Pesach, especially in your local shul. 4. If you have any Kashrut questions or concerns about where you are eating on Pesach, ask our rabbinic team. Consider ordering in food if you can afford to, or cook as much as possible before Pesach. Do consult with our rabbinic team and make sure to tread the careful line between observing Pesach and observing harmonious family relations. 5. Use environmentally friendly disposables if that makes life easier, especially if you are having a lot of people. 6. Pesach is a time of celebration, a Yom Tov, so find ways to enjoy it as much as you can. Countdown to the Seder The night before... The hunt for Chametz. The morning before... Disposal of Chametz. The afternoon before... Finalise preparation of the Seder table, the Seder plate and the various foods for the Seder. Running a Seder 1. Use fun Haggadot! 2. Consider holding the Seder on comfy chairs, only going to the table for eating Matza, Maror, Korech and having dinner. 3. If you are at home, share the leadership of the Seder between you. Involve other family members and help them to feel at home by describing some of their own customs and singing their own tunes. laitners@kinloss.org.uk Page 13 of 14 Rabbi Michael Laitner

4. It is preferable to read the Haggadah in its original. However, other than the berachot (blessings) and Kiddush, you can read the Haggadah in English as it is a text to be studied, discussed and understood. It is not a text of prayer per se. 5. The key sections of the Hagaddah are those up to the fourth cup. Of those sections, the longest is Maggid. The key sections of Maggid are from the start up to Tza U lmad ; the 10 plagues; Dayeinu ; Rabban Gamliel haya omer... until the meal. 6. Read aloud the article by Rabbi Arye Forta in the US Guide to Pesach, also available via http://youandus.theus.org.uk/living-and-learning/jewishlearning/guide-to-pesach-booklet/ on the historical background to Pesach to give context to the Seder. 7. Go round the table reading a paragraph each of the above mentioned sections in English. Having different translations can be part of the fun and experience! 8. Ask participants to tell stories of Seder nights past as a way for more people around the table to be involved. 9. Sing! 10. If children will be present, try to give them a separate table, or at least end of the table, with pictures, lego and a Seder project to keep them occupied. This could be building lego models connected to the Seder or presenting descriptions of Pesach pictures (hat tip to Rabbi David Lister of Edgware United Synagogue for these suggestions). 11. Enjoy a Seder quiz. 12. Even though the Rabbis of the Talmud praised those on Seder night who discuss the Exodus at length, keep an eye on time, so that you can enjoy both the Seder and the meal. Chag Sameach! Have an enjoyable Pesach! laitners@kinloss.org.uk Page 14 of 14 Rabbi Michael Laitner