Passover Guide

Passover Candle
Monday, April 22nd at 7:57 pm
Tuesday, April 23rd at 8:58 pm
Monday, April 29th at 8:03 pm
Tuesday, April 30th at 9:05 pm

New Passover - Gluten-Free
One way to find acceptable foods without a specific Kosher for Passover (Pesach) designation during pre-Passover shopping is to buy certified Gluten-free (and oat free) products. Products that are certified gluten-free, by definition, cannot include any glutinous wheat, spelt, barley, or rye (4 of the 5 grains that can be turned into chametz). The only chametz derived grain that can be present are oats, so one must check for oats by reading the ingredients. Gluten-free products, therefore, may be consumed on Passover IF:

1. The item is kosher or vegetarian, AND gluten-free.

2. Make sure that there are no oats or oat products in the ingredients or on the allergens list.

3. The following ingredients are ambiguous and should be investigated before buying a product, since they may be derived from grains or grain alcohol: Vinegar, Acetic Acid, Starch, Yeast, Monosodium glutamate (MSG), Alcohol (including vanilla extract and other alcohol extracts).

Please speak to Rabbi Skoff for a list of specific brand names of Gluten-free items.

Prohibited foods
Leavened bread, cakes, biscuits, crackers, cereal, coffees containing cereal derivatives, wheat, barley, oats, spelt, rye, and all liquids containing ingredients or flavors made from grain alcohol.

Most Ashkenazic authorities have added the following foods to the above list: rice, corn, millet, legumes (beans and peas; however, string beans are permitted.) Peanuts and peanut oil are permissible as peanuts are not actually legumes. Some Ashkenazic authorities permit, while others forbid, the use of legumes in a form other than their natural state, for example, corn sweeteners, corn oil, soy oil. Sephardic authorities permit the use of all of the above. Consult Rabbi Skoff or Gadi Galili for guidance in the use of these products.

Kashering of Utensils
The process of kashering utensils depends on how the utensils are used. According to halakhah, leaven can be purged from a utensil by the same process in which it was absorbed in the utensil. Therefore, utensils used in cooking are kashered by boiling, those used in broiling are kashered by fire and heat, and those used only for cold food are kashered by rinsing.

Earthenware (china, pottery, etc.) may not be kashered. However, fine translucent chinaware which has not been used for over a year may be used if scoured and cleaned in hot water.

Metal Utensils Used in Fire (spit, broiler) must first be thoroughly scrubbed and cleansed and then made as hot as possible. Those used for cooking or eating (silverware, pots) must be thoroughly scrubbed and cleaned and completely immersed in boiling water. Pots should have water boiled in them which will overflow the rim. The utensils should not be used for a period of at least 24 hours between the cleaning and the immersion in boiling water. Metal baking utensils cannot be kashered.

Ovens and Ranges
Every part that comes in contact with food must be thoroughly scrubbed and cleaned. Then, the oven and range should be heated as hot as possible for a half hour. If there is a broil setting, use it. Self-cleaning ovens should be scrubbed and cleaned and then put through the self-cleaning cycle. Continuous-cleaning ovens must be kashered in the same manner as regular ovens.

Chametz and Non-Passover Utensils
Non-Passover dishes, pots and chametz whose ownership has been transferred, should be separated, locked up or covered, and marked in order to prevent accidental use.

Kashering of Utensils –Tevilat Keilim
Interested in kashering for Passover in the traditional manner? Only utensils constructed of metal (no wood, plastic or teflon parts) may be kashered. Items must be thoroughly scrubbed and cleaned 24 hours prior to the immersion. For more information, contact Natalie at (216) 371-2244, ext. 155.

Permitted Foods
The following foods require no kosher l'Pesach label if purchased prior to Pesach: unopened packages or containers of natural coffee without cereal additives (However, be aware that coffees produced by General Foods are not kosher for Passover unless marked KP); sugar, pure tea (not herbal tea); salt (not iodized); pepper; natural spices; frozen fruit juices with no additives; frozen (uncooked) vegetables (for legumes see above); milk; butter; cottage cheese; cream cheese; ripened cheeses such as cheddar (hard), muenster (semi-soft) and Camembert (soft); frozen (uncooked) fruit (with no additives); baking soda.

The following foods require no kosher l'Pesach label if purchased before or during Passover: Fresh fruits and vegetables (for legumes see above), eggs, fresh fish and fresh meat.

The following foods require a kosher l'Pesach label if purchased before or during Passover: All baked products (matzah, cakes, matzah flour, farfel, matzah meal, and any products containing matzah); canned or bottled fruit juices (these juices are often clarified with kitniyot which are not listed among the ingredients. However, if one knows there are not such agents, the juice may be purchased prior to Passover without a kosher l'Pesach label); canned tuna (since tuna, even when packed in water, has often been processed in vegetable broth and/or hydrolyzed protein – however, if it is known that the tuna is packed exclusively in water, without any additional ingredients or additives, it may be purchased without a kosher l'Pesach label); wine; vinegar; liquor; oils; dried fruits; candy; chocolate flavored milk; ice cream, yogurt and soda

The followed processed foods (canned, bottled, or frozen), require a kosher l'Pesach label if purchased during Passover: milk, butter, juices, vegetables, fruit, milk products, spices, coffee, tea, and fish, as well as all foods listed in the paragraph above.

Microwave Ovens
Microwaves should be cleaned and then a cup of water should be placed inside. Then the oven should be turned on until the water disappears. A microwave oven that has a browning element cannot be kashered for Pesach.

Glassware
Authorities disagree as to the method of kashering drinking utensils. One opinion requires soaking in water for three days, changing the water every 24 hours The other opinion requires putting them through a dishwasher.

Dishwasher
After not using the machine for a period of 24 hours, a full cycle with detergent should be run.

Electrical Appliances
If the parts that come into contact with chametz are not removable, the appliance cannot be kashered. (All exposed parts should be thoroughly cleaned.)

Tables, Pantries, Cupboards and Counters
If used with chametz, they should be thoroughly cleaned and covered, and then they may be used.

Kitchen Sink
A metal sink can be kashered by thoroughly cleaning and then pouring boiling water over it. A porcelain sink should be cleaned and a sink rack used. If, however, dishes are to be soaked in a porcelain sink, a dish basin must be used.