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		Chabad.org » Jewish Holidays » Passover » How-To » Before Passover » Operation Zero Chametz » Kitniyot

7 Comments

Kitniyot

The medieval Jewish sages placed a ban on eating legumes (kitniyot) on Passover, because they are similar in texture to chametz—even bread can be made out of their flour—so people might assume that if, for example, cornbread can be eaten on Passover, wheat or rye bread can be eaten too. This prohibition includes rice, beans and corn. This injunction was unanimously accepted by Ashkenazic Jews; many Sephardic Jews, however, continue to eat kitniyot on Passover. If you are Sephardic, speak to your rabbi to determine your family and community tradition.

The prohibition is only with regards to consumption of kitniyot; there is no obligation, however, to destroy or sell kitniyot products before Passover.

7 Comments


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Reader Comments
Latest Comments:

Posted: Nov 6, 2011

legumes

Because beans react with g6pd deficiency that is the reason of the ban and they interact destroying your immuno-endocrine system. scientific explanation after 2000 years of ban.
regards from italy

Posted By Dressedinblack

Posted: Apr 25, 2011

Albert

Albert, that was the best explanatiion i have ever read for why we don't eat rice and pasta. It makes sense.

Posted By KK, America, universe

Posted: Apr 14, 2011

Kitniyot

A more extensive discussion of Kitniyot can be read at Chabad.org's excellent 'Know Thy Beans: Kitniyos in the Modern World'

Of special note with regard to kitniyot are two food items; quinoa and flax-seed. Chabad.org has a webpage entitled 'Is Quinoa Kosher for Passover?'
Well-worth reading!

Flax-seed is usually taken for its fiber and omega-3 contents. Unfortunately, I couldn't locate clearcut information on whether flax-seed is considered kitniyot or not, however I believe Chabad simply avoids using flax-seed altogether on Passover based upon its questionable status.

Posted By ace36berkeley, Berkeley, CA
via chabadberkeley.org

Posted: Apr 14, 2011

kitniyos

I really don't understand why we can't eat string beans

Posted By Larry, NYC, NY

Posted: Apr 13, 2011

kitniyot

Kitniyot were never included as hametz. Only the five grains can become hametz. This is precisely why even for Ashkenazim kitniyot can be owned and used like baby powder with corn starch. Kitniyot is a minhag for ashkenazim. In times of distress or hunger or war kitniyot can even be eaten for Ashkenazim. Kitniyot were banned because they are SIMIILAR to the 5 grains and can be ground into flour and baked into bread and people might get confused and actually eat hametz. They grow in close proximity to the grains and often times actual grains may get mixed in. They were sometimes stored together in the old days. Apparently these issues were not prevalent in Sephardic communities and keep in mind rice was a staple and could not easily be banned just like Ashkenazim can't do without potatoes. Rabbi Moshe Feinstein ruled we should not add to the existing kitniyot prohibition and allowed peanuts. By the way does corn swell. It is a vegetable yet it is not permitted.

Posted By Albert, plainview

Posted: Apr 11, 2011

kitniyot

I thought that part of determining hametz was if something swelled when soaked in water, kitniyot were included as hametz because these items swell also. Any comments on this?

Posted By Anonymous, SHOREWOOD, WI
via chabadgn.com

Posted: Apr 15, 2009

KITNIYOT

Most, if not all, Sephardic Jews eat kitniyot. In Ashkenazic communities there was apparently a problem with "mixing" of the grains. They were often stored together with Hametz grains. So there was cause for concern. Also the non hametz are Similar and can be ground into flour and baked into bread. In sephardic communities apparently this problem did not exist and Sephardic rabbis permit kitniyot consumption on Pesach. This is a minhag, a custom accepted by Ashkenazim. It is a rabbinic gezirah. There are some differences in Sephardic communities. Some eat only FRESH legumes but not DRIED. Some will not eat chickpeas (hummus) and there are those that don't eat CORN specifically. Some Moroccan jews don't eat RICE but even then I know many that do, particularly those who marry into a Sephardic family who eat rice. The emphasis must be on HAMETZ. Just a note, today all the pesach products look exactly like Hametz products so one of the reason for the prohibition no longer apply

Posted By Anonymous, plainview, ny

Operation Zero Chametz


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	Getting Rid of Chametz


	Cleaning Checklist


	Preparing the Kitchen


	Koshering Utensils for Passover


	Passover Shopping


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