Chametz

What is Chametz?

If one of five grains (wheat, oats, rye, barley or spelt) comes into contact with water (after the grains have been harvested) a natural process of fermentation begins. If the fermentation continues for 18 minutes or more, the grains are regarded as Chametz.

Matzah is made without Chametz: leavening. Our rabbis point to the philological similarity between the two Hebrew words Chametz and Matzah. They question its implications. It takes only moments for unleaven to become leaven, and it takes less time for good intentions to become subverted. Philo of Alexandria suggested that just as leaven is forbidden during Pesach because it is "inflated," so, as we spend our time during Pesach examining what we do to encourage redemption in our own day, we must guard ourselves against self-righteousness which can puff us up with pride.

What is the rule about Chametz on Pesach?

According to the Torah (Exodus 12:15): "Seven days you shall eat matzot... for whoever eats Chametz from the first day to the seventh day that person shall be cut off from Israel."

Does the prohibition against Chametz apply only to eating?

No. Torah also states that Chametz should not be found in our homes (Exodus 12:19) and should not be seen within our borders (Exodus 13:17). We are thus commanded to rid our homes of Chametz.

There are three primary means of eliminating our physical Chametz.

A. Dispose of it. This was originally done by burning the Chametz. After all, there was no refuse collection that regularly came by the homes of our ancestors to pick up their garbage and take it to the dump.

B. Give it away. Any Chametz that you have at home can be given to a local food pantry. This may include opened as well as unopened packages. Think of it, what we cannot use can be real food to others who are in need.

C. Symbolically sell it. Because in Early Rabbinic times it was thought that eliminating all our Chametz (including all canned goods, processed foods, candies, wines, liquor, etc.) might be financially ruinous, our rabbis devised a symbolic sale of the Chametz to a non-Jew who then sells it back to us following Pesach. Some rabbis can be commissioned to sell your Chametz. Following the sale, the Chametz is no longer regarded as in your possession. If you wish to sell your Chametz, please check with your rabbi.