Finding Chametz on Pesach

What should someone do on Chol Hamoed Pesach if they find chametz in their house or see chametz lying in the middle of a street or sidewalk where it can be crushed, and thus be disrespectful to the food.

The Shulchan Aruch says in Siman 446 that if a person finds chametz in their house on Chol Hamoed they should immediately get rid of it. The Mishnah Berurah in Siman 445 says that the best way to get rid of it is to burn it, but since we already recited the bracha of Be'ur Chametz before Pesach, we should not recite it again and just burn it without a bracha.

HaRav Frank points out that there is an issue that since we already sold our chametz to a non-Jew before Pesach, all chametz in our possession belongs to them, and we cannot burn something that isn't ours. Therefore, he says that we should place the chametz with the rest of the chametz that was sold to the non-Jew. 

However, many poskim argue that we must burn the chametz since the non-Jew doesn't care about it. They only paid a token sum for the chametz. All the poskim agree that if something became chametz on Pesach itself, that was not included in the sale, and should be burned.

However, what happens if we find a piece of chametz on Yom Tov and not Chol Hamoed? Then, one should cover the chametz from view because we don't want you seeing it and perhaps eat it. Once covered, you should wait until nightfall after Yom Tov, and burn it. 

You can also ask a non-Jew to dispose of the chametz for you by flushing it down the toilet. The Mishnah Berurah says that the custom is to covering it and wait until nightfall for Chol Moed. This is because we don't necessarily trust the non-Jew to dispose of it properly and the non-Jew might decide to eat it rather than destroying it.

The Magen Avram says in Baba Metzia 23 that when you see chametz on the floor, you can't leave it there. You must pick it up because you are not allowed to leave food lying on the floor because it's a disrespectful way to treat food. 

The Magen Avram says that if you see chametz lying in the middle of a street or sidewalk where it might be crushed, you are not allowed to pick it up because by picking it up, you are acquiring the chametz on Pesach. However, you can use your foot to move it to the side of the road or sidewalk. This way, you can deal with the situation without acquiring the chametz. Another option is to hold the chametz lower than 3 tefachim (about 10 inches) from the ground when you carry it, but many poskim argue with this approach. They say that you can only carry the chametz in order to burn it. 

Therefore, you should not touch the chametz, even with your feet, even if that chametz is lying in the middle of a street or sidewalk where it can be crushed because you don't have the obligation to stop the disrespect of the chametz because on Pesach chametz is like dust to you.

Passover Guides Galore

Passover is coming, and we’ve loaded our webpage with all the various guides you need for Pesach. We have guides from the OU, the Jersey Shore, Orthodox Rabbinate, Rabbi Borosan’s Sephardi Pesach List and Guide, Star-K’s Petfood list, and even a guide to Kosher for Passover Trader Joe’s Food.

Go to our page at https://www.etzahaim.org/pesach-guides and download your Pesach guides now.

Also don’t forget to sell your chametz at https://www.etzahaim.org/chametz or order your Sephardic Mehadrin Shmera Matza at https://www.etzahaim.org/matzah.

A Purim Letter from Rabbi Tal

Dear Etz Ahaim Members and Friends,

משנכנס אדר מרבין בשמחה

As we approach Purim, I would like to extend my heartfelt blessing that the joy and happiness of this holiday remain with us throughout the year, Amen. 

I’d like to share a few important points with the community:

Zecher L’Machatzit Hashekel

This year, the amount given in remembrance of the half-shekel is $11. As in previous years, a basket will be placed in the main sanctuary for contributions, which can be made before or after Mincha on Ta’anit Esther.

The Purim Meal – This Year on Friday

Since Purim falls on Friday this year, halachic authorities mention two different timings for performing the Purim meal:

Some begin the meal in the morning, after Shacharit, to ensure it does not interfere with the Shabbat meal on Friday night.

Others hold that the meal should be in the afternoon and continue until Shabbat begins. Those choosing this option should first pray Mincha and then start the meal approximately three seasonal hours before Shkia (sunset). Bediavad, one may begin anytime before Shkia.

When the time arrives to light Shabbat candles (6:45 PM), women should light them as usual. 

One should make sure to stop the meal before Shkiah without saying Birkat HaMazon Before. Then, one should recite the Mizmorim and Kabbalat Shabbat. Arvit may be prayed at this point or after the meal (If attending Arvit at the Beit Knesset, the women should remain at the Seudah so that Hamotzi does not need to be repeated). The bread should then be covered, and Kiddush is recited. If he drank wine at the Purim Seudah, he should not say HaGefen during Kiddush, and rather only say the Vayichulu and the Birkat HaShabbat blessing. Then he should cut from the two whole loaves of bread (Lechem Mishneh) without washing his hands and without blessing HaMotzi since he had already done so in the beginning of the Purim meal. At the end of the meal he should say Birkat HaMazon with Retzeh VeHachalitzenu and he should still say Al HaNissim. 

Purim Minyanim at Etz Ahaim

To accommodate these two opinions and to give the option to decide, we will hold two Mincha and Arvit minyanim on Purim:

  • 1:30pm

  • 6:50pm

Following the 6:50pm Mincha, there will be a general Arvit at the Beit Knesset. Additionally, I will host another Arvit at my home between the Purim meal and the Shabbat meal.

Please feel free to call me for any questions or clarifications in regards to Purim and especially the Purim meal.

Wishing you a joyous and meaningful Purim!

Best regards,

Rabbi Eliyahu TalDear Etz Ahaim Members and Friends,

Mehadrin Sephardi Matzot

We are excited to offer Mehadrin Sephardi Matzah under the strict supervision of Rabbi Eliyahu Tal of Congregation Etz Ahaim.

This matzah is now only $30 per pound this year. A savings of 25% off last year’s price. We are also including a pamphlet of the Halachot of Pesach from Yeshivat Mital HaShamayim in every box.

If you are not Sephardi, please consult with your Rabbi about eating soft matzah on Pesach.