 |
| my kitchen in Passover mode |
 |
| this is chametz |
Chametz is any food product made from wheat, barley, rye, oats or spelt that has come into contact with water and been allowed to ferment and "rise.”And a lot of products that proudly and sometimes more expensively display "Kosher for Passover" labels and certification have absolutely nothing to do with chametz at all, no matter how and where it's produced. I'm happy to have found this list, NON-FOOD ITEMS – 2016, OU Kosher Staff:
In practice, just about anything made from these grains—other than Passover matzah, which is carefully controlled to avoid leavening—is to be considered chametz. This includes flour (even before it is mixed with water1), cake, cookies, pasta, breads and items that have chametz as an ingredient, like malt. (Chabad)
The consensus of the OU’s poskim (rabbinic authorities) is that the following may be used on Passover without certification:
And to tell the truth, since I've never allowed eating in bedrooms, meaning no breakfast in bed, and my kids (and their friends) even at the youngest ages did not wander the house eating cookies, crackers, etc. there never is any actual chametz in the bedrooms. I clean what I can, but my real focus is on the kitchen. And as I wrote on my blog, A Jewish Grandmother, Tolerance, Acceptance, Pesach Can Be Complicated.Aluminum foilAluminum foil baking pansBaby ointmentsBags (paper or plastic)Body washBowl and tub cleanersCandlesCardboardCarpet cleanersCharcoalConditionersCopper and metal cleanersCorkCosmetics (except possibly lipsticks, see below)Cupcake holdersCups (paper, plastic or styrofoam)DeodorantsDetergentsDishwashing DetergentsDrain openersFabric protectorsFurniture polishGlass cleanersHair gels, sprays and mousseHair removers and treatmentsInsecticidesIsopropyl alcoholJewelry polishLaundry detergentsLotionsNapkins (paper)Oven cleanersPaper towelsPerfumesPlastic containersPlates (paper, plastic or styrofoam)Scouring pads and powdersShampoosShaving cream and gelShaving lotionSilver polishSkin creamSoapsSuntan lotionTalcum powder (100% talc)Toilet bowl cleanerWater filters
I pray for good health and good humor. Let's not go crazy and make ourselves sick and forget that Passover is a holiday which shouldn't be tortuous.
Chag Pesach Kasher v'Sameach!
Have a Happy and Kosher Passover!
3 comments:
I agree the kitchen is the most difficult. I think my counter top is less than yours. I use the kitchen table, a bookcase, one small over cabinet, and a rolling cart to hold foods and all the things I pull out from a dedicated Pesach Closet on the porch: small oven, pots, pans, plastic containers, processor, blender, 2 burner elec., and the glass dishes are in part of a bookcase. BUT once it is all out and finds a place I begin to cook and then start to really feel Pesach. Already made some apple sauce, and the gefilte fish is next. A woman's work is NEVER done.
Sounds like you're doing great. I plan on starting to cook Thursday and doing the kitchen flip/change tomorrow, Wednesday. Today is the rest of the house.
Gd willing in good health.
The problem is that it has become a badge of pride to make getting ready for Pesach as miserable an experience as possible. At the same time there's a mitzvah d'Oraysa to celebrate the holiday but who's in the mood by the time it hits?
Post a Comment