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What is Chametz?
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Chametz is any food product made from wheat, barley, rye, oats, spelt, or their derivatives, which has leavened (risen). Our sages have determined that flour from any of these five grains that comes in contact with water or moisture will leaven, unless fully baked within eighteen minutes. As we are commanded by the Torah, if a food contains even a trace of chametz, we don’t eat it, we don’t derive benefit from it, and we make sure not to have any of it in our possession for all the days of Passover.
To be certain that a product is kosher for Passover, it must have rabbinical certification. Otherwise it is possible that it contains chametz ingredients, or traces of chametz if it was processed on the same equipment as chametz products. Thus, unless a product is certified Kosher for Passover, we consider it chametz, and make sure not to have it in our possession on Passover.
Note: Matzah used all year round might be pure chametz, and not for Passover use. Only matzahs baked especially for Passover may be used on Passover.
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Latest Comments:
Corn is generally considered Kitniyot. That means that while it is not Chametz, it is not acceptable for Ashkenazim to use on Passover. However, many Sephardic Jews do eat Kitniyot on Passover. for more on Kitniyot see the article on Kitniyot I linked to before.
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I am Sephardic. Are corn, corn starch and corn syrup (produced from corn starch), Kosher for Passover?
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Most Ashkenazi rabbis consider flax-seed to be Kitniyot, and not acceptable for Ashkenazim to use on Passover. To learn more, see Kitniyot.
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as a diagnosed celiac, I was instructed by a gastroenterologist to totally avoid "wheat, oats, rye, barley, spelt ,etc. " as those foods seemed to be slowly killing me. Now, as a gluten-free ( meaning none of the above, no chametz, specifically) person, am I in a lifelong stat of Passover readiness? Does anyone understand what I am trying 2 say, here ? Can this disease be very spiritual? It has seemed 2 me, all along, that it is spiritual, for me.
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Is linseed / flaxseed considered chametz?
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Both honey (actually fruit nectar) and leavened bread are barred from being used in sacrifices in the same verse.
While there are many explanations for these prohibitions, let us have a look at what Maimonides has to say. He explains that the practice of the ancient idol worshipers was to mix nectar into their yeasty offerings. In order to distance ourselves from their practices, we are commanded to make our sacrifices leaven and nectar free.
Accordingly, this would not apply to Passover when the ban on leaven serves primarily to remind us of our hasty departure from Egypt.
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Lev. 2:11 prohibits honey (as well as leaven) use in burnt offerings on the altar made with fire, why? Should honey (along with leaven) be avoided during Passover? If not, why not?
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While in theory %100 dry grain would be okay, any amount of water mixed with another liquid would cause the grain to rise. For this reason, the moisture of your chicken with the oil would present a problem.
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"Chametz is any food product made from wheat, barley, rye, oats, spelt, or their derivatives, which has leavened (risen) or fermented."
Now, my understanding of this (and that which I have read on all other websites on Chametz) is that it is leavening. This does not however deal with the uncooked, dry grain itself though. Why is the grain, itself, (for example, barley) forbidden as no fermentation would be occuring from drying the grain, to cooking it?
"Our Sages have determined that flour from any of these five grains that comes in contact with water or moisture will leaven unless fully baked within eighteen minutes."
So what about the use of flour in such a manner that it will not be coming in contact with water? What if a piece of chicken is dredged in flour and then fried? Is the moisture of the chicken enough to consider it Chametz? The Torah only speaks of baking, would the act of frying within those 18 minutes be enough to prevent leavening?
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It is easier to keep kosher and not worry about meat when you have a vegan/vegetarian diet. For Pesach, it is difficult. No chicken, no fish. But there are plenty of frozen entrees and instant soups that are vegan-friendly and not too high in sodium so they are pretty healthy. Chag Sameach!
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