As every year ahead of Passover, rabbis are inundated with halachic questions related to the holiday. This year, however, the emergency situation amid the war with Iran is also raising unusual questions, such as how to make a home kosher for Passover when a spouse is in reserve duty, or what to do if a siren sounds during one of the stages of the Seder.
Alongside these unique questions, many are also asking the more routine queries that arise in any given year . Here are responses from Rabbi Oren Duvdevani, head of the GOK kashrut organization, and Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon, rabbi of the Gush Etzion Regional Council, to some of the most pressing and common questions.
How should one prepare the home for Passover if the husband is in reserve duty and the family is staying with relatives?
Rabbi Oren Duvdevani: One who leaves home for the entire holiday should perform a basic cleaning to remove chametz residue. This includes areas where chametz is typically eaten and cleaning out ovens (if applicable), as these are not included in the sale of chametz.
Chametz that is sold should be stored in a closed, clearly marked place. When conducting the sale, one should inform the rabbi that the home will be unoccupied throughout the holiday, give a key to a neighbor, and note this in the authorization document. Before leaving, a search for chametz should be conducted in at least one room. On the eve of the holiday, before the deadline for destroying chametz, the nullification declaration should be recited.
Important tip: A woman whose husband is in the military or reserves, and who has young children and cannot manage even basic cleaning, may ask a rabbi for the sale of chametz to take effect as early as the 13th of Nisan.
If a siren sounds during the Maggid section of the Seder, must kiddush be recited again?
Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon: The Talmud states in Tractate Pesachim that “Kiddush must be recited in the place of the meal.” If the safe room is part of the apartment or located in the stairwell, kiddush does not need to be repeated. If the protected space is outside the building, one may still be lenient, provided that at least a revi’it of wine is consumed for kiddush (the first cup; those who are meticulous may drink two revi’it—about 150 ml).
Should the blessing 'Borei Pri HaGafen' be recited again after returning from the protected space?
Rimon: Does leaving for a shelter during Maggid require a new blessing over the second cup? Ashkenazim recite a blessing over each of the four cups in any case. Sephardim, who recite it only over the first and third cups, generally do not repeat the blessing, as this is not considered a significant change of location.
What should be done if a siren sounds after reciting the blessing over eating matzah?
Rimon: One should eat a small amount of matzah and continue in the protected space (at least a kezayit- a measurement representing the minimum volume of food required for certain rituals, while reclining). If one spoke between the blessing and eating, the blessing must be recited again. If one ate a small amount at home, went to the protected space, and then continues eating, another kezayit should be eaten. In areas with frequent sirens, matzah should be prepared in advance in the safe room or shelter.
If there is an interruption between karpas and maror due to a siren, should the blessing 'Borei Pri HaAdama' be recited over the maror?
Rimon: The Talmud states that this blessing is not recited over maror. According to Rashbam, this is because the blessing over karpas covers it; according to Tosafot, because maror is eaten within the meal. If there is an interruption, Rashbam would suggest a new blessing is required. In practice, however, the blessing should not be recited—both due to Tosafot’s view and because this may not constitute a change of place.
What should be done if a siren sounds during the eating of the afikoman?
Rimon: Is it forbidden to eat the afikoman in two places? According to Rashbam, Rambam and Rosh—and as ruled in the Shulchan Aruch and Rema—it is forbidden; according to Tosafot and Baal HaMaor, it is permitted. If one began eating the afikoman and a siren sounded, one should not continue eating it in the protected space but rather resume upon returning. Ideally, one should eat another kezayit, though if this is difficult, one may rely on the view that even a smaller amount suffices.
Ideally, the afikoman should be eaten before midnight, though many authorities are lenient. In the current reality, where sirens are frequent, there is good reason to rely on more lenient opinions.
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Entering a protected space in Ramat Gan - you can eat the Afikoman there
(Photo: Oded Balilty/AP)
Which products may soldiers consume on Passover even without a “Kosher for Passover” label?
Duvdevani: Coffee, tea, cocoa, dark chocolate, sugar, salt, honey, wine, olive oil, canola oil (including for Ashkenazim), soy oil and corn oil (for Sephardim), tahini (for Sephardim), canned carrots, canned corn and peas (for Sephardim), long-life milk, butter, bottled lemon juice, smoked salmon, canned tuna in water or olive oil (for Sephardim, also tuna in other oils), canned mushrooms, frozen vegetables such as cauliflower, broccoli and carrots (for Sephardim, also corn and peas), eggs, fresh and frozen fish, poultry, and fresh and frozen meat (not ground, kebabs, hamburgers or sausages).
For Sephardim: dried legumes, lentils and rice (even without Passover certification, provided they are checked in advance for wheat grains). Meat products, sweets, dairy products and yellow cheese labeled “Kosher for Passover for those who eat legumes” are also permitted for Ashkenazim.
Additionally, soldiers may use the following even without Passover certification: toothpaste, Coca-Cola, Diet Coca-Cola, Pepsi Max and Diet Pepsi Max.
Do medications require Passover certification?
Duvdevani: Strictly speaking, there is no need for patients to investigate whether medications are kosher for Passover. Even those who are stringent may rely on leniency in cases of doubt, as most authorities permit this. In practice, it is very difficult to find actual chametz in medications.
Do toiletries require Passover certification?
Duvdevani: There is no obligation to purchase Passover-certified cosmetics or soap. Even if a product contains alcohol derived from chametz, it is considered inedible and no longer classified as chametz, and is therefore permitted.
Similarly, there is no need for Passover certification on disposable plastic or metal utensils or single-use plastic products.
Is flour considered chametz?
Duvdevani: Regular flour is considered definite chametz, or at least a Torah-level doubt, since wheat grains are moistened during processing.
In practice, unless there is significant financial loss, flour should be disposed of with other chametz before Passover. In cases of significant loss, it may be included in the sale of chametz. If Passover has passed and the flour was not sold, it becomes subject to the prohibition of chametz that remained in Jewish possession. Some authorities are lenient, but others are stringent and prohibit benefit from it.
Do pets require Passover-certified food?
Duvdevani: Since chametz is forbidden for benefit, one may not feed it to pets. Pet food must be checked to ensure it does not contain chametz.
How should a barbecue grill be kashered for Passover?
Duvdevani: If chametz such as pita was not placed directly on the grill, light libun is sufficient—clean thoroughly and heat until the grate can scorch paper. If pita was placed on the grill, a more intense libun is required. For gas grills, clean thoroughly and heat on maximum for half an hour with the lid closed.
Does a coffee machine need to be kashered?
Duvdevani: Generally, a thorough cleaning is sufficient, especially for machines using ground coffee. The same applies to capsule machines, though those who wish to be stringent may run the machine once empty and use only unflavored capsules during Passover.
The milk frother can be kashered by boiling water in it. If oat milk was used during the year, it must be kashered by running boiling water through all components.
How should one deal with a foreign worker during Passover?
Duvdevani: To avoid the need to check the worker’s room for chametz, it can be rented to the worker for the duration of the holiday. It is best to instruct the worker not to bring chametz into the home. If the worker is cleaning the kitchen for Passover, this should ideally be done under Jewish supervision by someone knowledgeable in the laws, particularly regarding kashering utensils.