Pesach

·         It is important to know when cleaning for Pesach what you must do and what is extra.

·         You are obligated to get rid of all Chometz that you have in your possession.

·         This obligation is only if the Chometz is bigger than an olive (K’zayis) or a smaller piece that may be eaten (for example a cheerio).

·         You are not obligated to get rid of small crumbs, they are non-existent (Botul).

·         Many women make a great effort to get rid of even the smallest crumbs and it is praiseworthy. 

·         However, since you don’t have to get rid of small crumbs it is important to make sure that the pressure of cleaning, on top of all your daily housework and family obligations does not become unbearable and overwhelming. 

• The prime focus of Pesach cleaning is the kitchen where you will be preparing the food to eat over Pesach and the cupboards where you will be storing Pesach food.
• Those areas require more attention because we are concerned for even the tiniest particle of Chometz that might fall into the food you are eating during Pesach. Even a small particle of Chometz that falls into food during Pesach renders the food inedible (it is not Botul).
• Therefore, you have to do a very thorough cleaning and remove all tiny particles of Chometz from all exposed surfaces.
• It is customary in most homes (and recommended) that all kitchen and eating surfaces be covered on Pesach.
• You are not obligated to move heavy appliances (fridge, freezer etc..) to clean under them.

Areas of the home where Chometz might have been brought into during the year (even once) but they are not eating areas (Chometz isn’t served there).  

For example,

• living rooms,
• bedrooms,
• family rooms and garages
• Study

These places need to be searched for servable Chometz food (e.g. snacks, packages of food etc…) since it is possible that during the year someone brought Chometz (a snack..) and we are concerned it might be found and eaten on Pesach.

The floors should be vacuumed but the walls, drawers and floors do not need careful scrubbing. It is sufficient to check there is no Chometz in them.

The same Halocho applies to the following places

• Closets
• Hallways
• Bathrooms
• Basement
• Laundry room

Carpets:                                                                                                                                     

·         It is not necessary to wash or shampoo the carpets. A good vacuuming is sufficient.

Wood or tiled floors:

·         A good sweeping and washing is sufficient. You are not required to scrape the floor crevices (e.g. the grout in between the tiles) for crumbs that may have be caught in between

Couches:

·         You should remove all the pillows and cushions and vacuum all the crevices. It is possible that Chometz could have collected there over the year especially with children (e.g. pretzels, cookies…). You should make an effort to vacuum up any crumbs.

               ·         It is not necessary to wash or shampoo the couches. A good brushing and vacuuming is sufficient

5)     Some Poskim hold that this is insufficient and to use the oven on Pesach you have to either use an insert, or cover all the surfaces of the oven with aluminium foil.

6)     It is preferable to cover the racks with aluminium foil so not to place pots/pans directly on the racks.

Self Cleaning Ovens

1)     Before using the self clean cycle, the door, window and the gasket should be cleaned thoroughly because the self clean cycle does not clean these areas.

2)     Turn on the self clean cycle for at least 2 hours for the oven to be cleaned and Kashered simultaneously. You can leave the racks inside during the cleaning cycle although they may get discoloured.

3)     If you do not want them to get discoloured or the manufacturer does not allow the cleaning cycle to work with the racks inside you should clean the racks well (see above). After cleaning you should put them in the oven at the highest setting for 1½ hours.

4)     It is important to remember to either; cover the door with aluminium foil or not place anything on the door during Pesach. It is preferable to cover the door with aluminium foil.

5)     Please note that many ovens today have “Aqualift” or Steam Clean instead of a conventional self-cleaning feature. Neither Aqualift nor Steam Clean get hot enough to kasher the oven. Instead, use the “conventional oven” kashering method as described above.

6)     Caution: There is a potential risk of fire during the self-cleaning process, especially if there is a build-up of grease on the bottom of the oven. It is recommended that one apply Easy Off, made especially for self-clean ovens, to lift and remove the grease. The oven should not be left unattended while in the self-cleaning mode.

Microwave Ovens

It is preferable not to Kasher a Microwave oven for Pesach. If it is necessary to use on Pesach it should be cleaned in the following way.

1)     You should clean it thoroughly and not use it for Chometz for 24 hrs.

2)     Place a bowl with a large quantity of water and turn the Microwave on until the entire oven is full of steam.

3)     Cover the bottom of the oven where the food is placed well, with either plastic or paper (preferably plastic).

4)     When using it on Pesach you should make sure everything is completely wrapped.

5)     Microwave ovens that have a convection or browning feature a Shailo should be asked how and if it can be Kashered.

Gas Stove

1)     The cast iron or metal grates (on which the pots rest) and the burners should be cleaned thoroughly. If you are putting the oven on the self clean cycle you can put the grates and burners inside the oven to be cleaned and Kashered (you should check with the manufacturer, if they will get damaged on the self clean cycle).

2)     The entire surface of the stovetop should be covered with heavy duty aluminium foil (preferably with a double layer of foil) or a Pesach Blech should be used with only the burners exposed. Important to remember; not to cover over the oven vent in order to allow the heat to escape.

3)     Knobs can be kashered by putting them into a pot of boiling water, otherwise they should be covered.

Electric Stove

1)     The burners, chrome rings, drip pans should be cleaned thoroughly. If you are putting the oven on the self clean cycle you can put the drip pans inside the oven  to be cleaned and Kashered (you should check with the manufacturer, if they will get damaged on the self clean cycle).

2)     You should turn the burners on to highest heat setting until they are glowing hot (usually takes a few minutes). A wide pot full of water should be placed on the burners to spread the heat to the chrome rings.

3)     The burners should be left on for 10 minutes.

4)     The entire surface of the stovetop should be covered including the chrome rings and drip pans. It should be covered with heavy duty aluminium foil (preferably with a double layer of foil). Alternatively, a Pesach Blech can be used with only the elements exposed. Important to remember; not to cover over the oven vent  to allow the heat to escape.

5)     Knobs can either; be kashered by putting them into a pot of boiling water, or they should be covered.

Please Note: All ovens ventilate hot steam during cooking. In the past, the hot steam was ventilated through the back of the oven. Today, many ranges no longer ventilate in this manner. The oven steam is ventilated through one of the rear cooktop burners. During oven cooking, if the rear vented burner is turned off and covered by a pot or kettle, the hot steam will condense on the burner and utensils. This could create hot zea (condensate) that can cause serious kashrus problems with the utensil if the food cooked in the oven is a meat product and the pot on the burner is dairy or pareve, or vice versa. Care should be exercised with the vented burner to keep it clear during oven cooking.

Glass or Ceramic Stovetop

1)     The stove top should be cleaned thoroughly.

2)     You should turn the burners on to highest heat setting until they are glowing hot (usually takes a few minutes). The burners should be left on for 45 minutes.

3)     The area between the burners that does not get hot and cannot be Kashered (there is a risk of cracking the glass/ceramic) should be covered with heavy duty aluminium foil (preferably a double layer). Remember; not to cover the burners because it will cause the glass to crack.

4)     You should cover the backsplash etc. see above.

Induction Stove top

1)     The stove top should be cleaned thoroughly.

2)     The stove top can be Kashered by substantially wetting the top and then placing a steel pot with water over it and letting it boil. The pot will heat up and transfer  heat to the glass top also. You can also place a water-full pot and let it boil over and spill on the top. Then lift the pot slightly so the water penetrates the space under it and let it boil.

3)     The area between the burners that does not get hot and cannot be Kashered (there is a risk of cracking the glass/ceramic) should be covered with heavy duty aluminium foil (preferably a double layer).

4)     You should cover the backsplash etc. see above.

For all Stove tops

Any part of the stove or counter near the stove that may come in contact with pots or steam from the cooking (backsplash, hood, or low hanging cupboards) should be cleaned well and covered with heavy duty aluminium foil .

Stainless Steel Sinks

1)     The sink should be thoroughly cleaned and not be used for hot Chometz for 24 hours.

2)     On crevices that cannot be cleaned thoroughly (such as between the sink bottom and the drain) a strong chemical cleaner should be used, (it should be left there for a while).

3)      The sink is now ready to be Kashered.

4)     You can Kasher the sink by either,

• boiling up a few pots with water to be able to fill the sink up with boiling water.
• Heat up a stone on the flame till it gets very hot.
• Put the plug into the sink.
• Place the hot stone in the sink.
• Fill the sink with the boiling water from the pot.

Or you Kasher by,

• pouring boiling hot water from a Pesachkettle/pot over every part of the stainless steel sink.
• Preferably you should Kasher the sides of the sink first and then the bottom.
• It is not sufficient to pour water on one spot and let it run down the sink.
• The poured water must touch every part of the sink, including the drain and the spout of the water faucet (see below how to Kasher the faucet).
• It is likely that the kashering kettle will need to be refilled a few times before kashering can becompleted.
• It is preferable that a preheated stone or hot unplugged iron should be moved around the sink in conjunction with thewater.

5)     After kashering, the sink should be rinsed with cold water. The sink is now Kosher for Pesach, however it is preferable to cover it with heavy duty aluminum foil.

Porcelain, China, Corian or Granite composite sinks

These sinks should not be Kashered. However it is advisable to do the following;

1)     The sink should be thoroughly cleaned and not be used for hot Chometz for 24 hours.

2)     On crevices that cannot be cleaned thoroughly (such as between the sink bottom and the drain) a strong chemical cleaner should be used, (it should be left there for a while).

3)     It is advisable to pour boiling hot water over all surfaces of the sink three times.

4)     The dishes that are to be washed should not be placed directly into the sink. They must be washed in a Pesach dish pan which sits on a Pesach rack (the dish pan  may not touch the bottom of the sink). It is necessary to have separate dish pans and racks for milchig and fleishig dishes. It is preferable to cover the entire sink with aluminium foil.

5)     You should be careful that hot water does not collect in the sink and come in contact with the dish pan.

The following applies to all sinks

1)     The faucets and its knobs or lever should be cleaned thoroughly including all crevices.

2)     To Kasher the faucet, boiling water should be poured over the faucet, the knobs or lever, and the faucet base. Each part of the faucet should come in contact with the direct stream of boiling water. You should turn on the hot water before Kashering the faucet and pour the boiling water over the faucet as the hot water flows  through the faucet. In this way the faucet is being heated both within and without with boiling water. If you have an extendable sprayer faucet (after cleaning) you can extend the faucet and place it in a pot of boiling water for a few seconds (don’t leave it too long because the heat may ruin the plastic parts).

3)     You can also Kasher the sink with a steamer using it over all surfaces.

4)     Preferably the entire faucet should be covered and change the aerator.

5)     The drain stopper should be replaced for Pesach.

6)     Drano (or another drain cleaner) should be put down the drain.

7)     Caution should be taken that the drain does not back up over Pesach.

Dishwashers cannot be Kashered for Pesach

Warming drawers can also not be Kashered for Pesach

Granite, Marble, Stainless Steel, Metal and Wooden (if it is smooth) Countertops

1)     The Countertops should be cleaned thoroughly and not be used for hot Chometz for 24 hours.

2)     After it has cleaned well the countertop can be Kashered by pouring boiling water from a Kettle. It is not sufficient to pour water on one spot and let it run on the counter; the poured water must touch every part of the counter.

3)     The counter is now Kashered for Pesach, however it is preferable to cover the counter with a waterproof covering.

Formica/Plastic, Siltstone, Corian, Porcelain Enamel and Granite Composite Countertops

1)     All the above countertops should not be Kashered for Pesach.

2)     They should be thoroughly cleaned and covered.

They should be covered with a material that is waterproof (such as linoleum or something similar). You should fasten it securely.

1)     They should be cleaned thoroughly. Special attention should be taken to clean all the crevices. All shelves and bins that are removable should be removed and cleaned.

2)     Halachically you are not required to cover shelves, however some people have the custom to cover all surfaces that come in direct contact with food (you should be careful not to inhibit the air circulation).

1)      Cabinets and drawers that are used for Chometz should be thoroughly cleaned and covered.

Normally, for Kashering it is adequate to ensure that both the utensil being Kashered and the Kashering pot are clean and not a Ben-Yomo. However for Pesach it is customary to Kasher the Chometz pot even if it is not a Ben-Yomo (even though you are not Halachically required to) before using it for Kashering. If a Pesach pot is used it is customary to Kasher it afterwards. Kashering has to be done with the kettle or pot itself (you cannot pour the water into a jug and use the jug to Kasher).

1)     Metal utensils (i.e., stainless steel, cast iron, aluminum, etc.) that have been used for cooking, serving or eating hot chometz may be kashered. This may be done by cleaning the utensils thoroughly and waiting 24 hours before immersing them, one by one, into a kosher for Pesach pot of water heated to a rolling boil; a rolling boil should be maintained when the vessel is immersed.

2)     The metal utensil or vessel should be submerged into the boiling water for around 15 seconds. The utensils undergoing the kashering process may not touch one another. In other words, if a set of flatware is being kashered for Pesach, one cannot take all the knives, forks and spoons and put them into the boiling water together. Each of these items should be placed into the boiling water separately.

Kashering Tip: Loosely tie the pieces of silverware to a string, leaving three inches between each piece, and immerse the string of silverware slowly, making sure the water keeps boiling.

3)     The process is finalized by rinsing the kashered items in cold water. If tongs are used to grip the utensil, the utensil will have to be immersed a second time with the tongs in a different position so that the boiling water will touch the initially gripped area. Unlike tevilas keilim, the entire utensil does not have to be immersed in the boiling water at once; it may be immersed in parts.

Extra Bonus: After this kashering process has taken place, the status of these newly kashered utensils may be changed from milchig to fleishig, vice versa, or pareve.

• It is important to clean the car very well especially if you have children. 
• (According to Jewish law, the car is considered a vessel (K’li)).
• Even though usually, crumbs are considered insignificant (Botul), the reason is that each individual crumb is insignificant and Botul, however, if you have in a vessel 100 crumbs that together are a K’zayis the K’li combines them and they are not Botul.
• Since a car is considered a K’li (a vessel), the crumbs are not Botul. 
• You should clean, vacuum all the seats, crevices, between and under the seats. 
• If you have the car professionally cleaned, you still have to check it after it is cleaned. 
• You have to do B’dikas Chometz in the car.

THURSDAY

Taanis Bechorim and Bedikas Chometz

In a regular year, Taanis Bechorim is on Erev Pesach. This year since Erev Pesach is on Shabbos and you can’t fast on Shabbos the fast is moved up to Thursday. Bechorim that are not fasting should attend a Siyum or other Suedas Mitzvah (A Bris Milah or Pidyan H’ben). Participating in a Siyum or Suedas Mitzvah absolves all participants from fasting (this applies only to Taanis Bechorim and no other fast).

Bedikas Chometz:

Thursday night after night one should immediately do Bdikas Chometz. A Brocho is recited as usual. After finishing the Bdika you should say Kol Chamira as said every year.

FRIDAY-EREV SHABBOS

Burning of the Chometz

You should place all the Chometz you need for Friday and Shabbos morning in a secure place. Although you may eat Chometz the entire day the custom is to burn the Chometz the end of the 5^th hour as in a regular year (Toronto time after 10:54am before 12:09pm). The reason why we burn it the same time as in a regular year and not the entire day is so that we don’t get confused in future years, to burn it in the afternoon. Kol Chamirah is not said Friday after burning of the Chometz. Kol Chamirah is said Shabbos morning.

Kashering

Preferably you should Kasher all Keilim before the end of the 5^th hour as in regular years (10:54am). However, if you didn’t you may Kasher till Shabbos.

Preparing for the Seder

The following preparations for the Seder should be done on Friday

• Roast the egg and Z’roah.
• Check and clean the lettuce
• Prepare the Moror (grate the horseradish).
• Prepare the Charoses.
• Making the salt water.
• If possible, you can prepare the Seder table.

Other Preparations

• You should cut dental floss to be able floss your teeth on Shabbos morning after eating Chometz.
• You should lock up all the cupboards.

Food for Shabbos and Yom Tov

You should cook only Kosher L’Pesach food for Shabbos in Kosher L’Pesach pots. You should not make the Cholent with barley.

Friday afternoon

In a regular year you may not have haircut, shave or do laundry Erev Pesach after Chatzos. This year since Friday is not Erev Pesach this does not apply.

FRIDAY NIGHT AND SHABBOS MORNING

Beside for H’Motze you should only eat Pesachdiker food eaten on Pesachdike utensils. The Pesachdike utensils should only be brought to the table after all the Chometz has been removed. It is preferable to use disposable utensils. It is best to get three small rolls the size of an egg (or what you are sure you can eat) for each person (some prefer bagels or pitta that make less crumbs). Fresh rolls make fewer crumbs.

The way to eat the Hamotzi is as follows;

• Put a plastic tablecloth on the table. Don’t bring the plates or cutlery until after you have eaten the Chometz.
• Put the rolls on a napkin or tissue.
• Make sure to eat the rolls over the napkin/tissue so all remaining crumbs will fall onto the napkin/tissue.
• Wrap up the napkins/tissues and flush them down the toilet.
• Make sure there no crumbs on the table.
• Remove the plastic tablecloth and put it in the garbage.
• Rinse your mouth to remove any Chometz remaining in your mouth.
• Continue eating the Kosher L’Pesach meal on disposable dishes.

If one is concerned with eating Chometz indoors one may make Kiddush and eat the Chometz outdoors on the deck or in the backyard. You should sweep the crumbs off the table and deck. Preferably you should eat over a napkin/tissue and wrap up the napkin/tissue and flush it down the toilet. You may continue the meal inside. You should Bentch where you ate the Chometz.

Eating Egg Matzo

If one is concerned to eat Chometz or for children you may use egg Matzo. Preferably you should use egg Matzo made with grape juice. When using egg Matzo you should eat two Matzos (you have to eat 4 Bazim (eggs) to say H’Motze).

Shabbos morning

The custom is to daven early Shabbos to be able to eat the two Shabbos meals before the Suf Achilas Chometz. In Toronto the Suf Zman Achilas Chometz is 10:54 am.

After disposing of the Chometz everyone should say Kol Chamira that we usually say after burning the Chometz.

Shabbos Meals

On Shabbos day we eat two meals one in the morning and one in the afternoon after Mincha.

Since you should preferably wash and eat Challah each meal, on Shabbos Erev Pesach what should we do?

You have a few options

1)      The preferable way is to divide the morning meal into two in the following way;

• Wash, make H’Motze eat part of the meal (e.g. have fish) and Bentch
• After waiting half an hour (or going for walk) wash, make H’Motze and finish eating the Chometz before Suf Zman Achilas Chometz (In Toronto 10:54 am). You may continue eating the Kosher L’Pesach meal after that time and Bentch.

2)     For those that eat Gebrochts one can eat the Chometz for the first meal before the Suf Zman Achilas Chometz (10:54am) and to fulfil the obligation to eat the third meal, eat in the afternoon for Sholosh Suedas foods that are cooked with Matzo meal (only cooked, not baked) for example Kneidelach as well as meat, vegetables etc.. You do not make H’Motze nor Birchas H’Mozon. This meal should be eaten before 4:30pm.

3)     For those that do not eat Gebrochts one should eat fish, fruits, or Shehakol cake. If you eat these foods after 4:30pm (in Toronto) you should not eat too much to be able to have an appetite to eat by the Seder.

If you divide the morning meal into two you should do option 2 or 3 to be Yotze eating Sholosh Suedas in the afternoon.

Preparing for the Seder

You may not prepare for the Seder on Shabbos. You may not set the table etc.. on Shabbos.

When going to sleep on Shabbos, you should not say you are going to sleep to be up for the Seder.

If you didn’t prepare the Z’roah or egg before Shabbos you have to eat the Zroah and egg on the first day and roast another Zroah and egg the second night.

Motze Shabbos

We say Kiddush and Havdolah together (Yaknahaz) by the Seder.

Important Deadlines (All times are for Toronto)

1)      No Chometz may be eaten after 10:54 am Shabbos morning.

2)     All leftover Chometz should be flushed down the toilet by 12:09 pm.

3)     Say Kol Chamirah Shabbos morning after disposing of the Chometz. Make sure to say it before 12:09pm.

4)     Floss your teeth with the floss prepared on Friday. If you designate a toothbrush on Friday you may use it without toothpaste and water. After using it you put it away with the Chometz.

Preparing for the Seder

The following preparations for the Seder should be done on Friday

• Roast the egg and Z’roah.
  ·         Check and clean the lettuce
  ·         Prepare the Moror (grate the horseradish).
  ·         Prepare the Charoses.
  ·         Making the salt water.
  ·         If possible, you can prepare the Seder table.

Other Preparations

• You should cut dental floss to be able floss your teeth on Shabbos morning after eating Chometz.
  ·         You should lock up all the cupboards.
  ·         Cut your nails (you may only cut your nails Chol H’Moed if you cut your nails Erev Shabbos).
  ·         Prepare a 2 or 3 day Yourzeit light to light when lighting the candles to be able to light the candles for both days Yom Tov.
  ·         You may wash laundry the entire day.

·         We don’t say Mashiv H’ruach U’Morid H’Gashem. If you daven Nusach Ashkenaz you don’t say anything (you continue to Mechalkal Chaim…). If you daven Nusach S’fard you say Morid H’tal.

·         We stop saying V’sen Tal Umotar. We say V’sen Brocha.

·         We say half Hallel (like Rosh Chodesh).

·         We count S’fira.

·         We don’t say Mizmor L’sodah.

·         We daven Musaf.

·         In Sh’monei Esra we add Yaaleh V’Yovo, If you forgot to say it if you finish Shmonei Esrah you have to daven over (even if you forgot by Maariv).

·         In Bentching we add Yaaleh V’yovo. If you forgot to say it on Chol H’moed you don’t go back.

·         If you put on T’filin on Chol H’moed you should take them off before Hallel (besides the first day, some leave them on till after Leining). 

• You may make early Shabbos.
• When you light the candles or make Kiddush you do not say Shechayonu (Sheivi Shal Pesach is not a new Yom Tov).
• We say Half Hallel (like on Rosh Chodesh).
• We say Yizkor on Acharon Shal Pesach.
• If you have the Minhag to light a Yahrzeit light for Yizkor it is preferable to light it on Erev Yom Tov (and use a 48 hr Yahrzeit light) then to light it on Yom Tov.
• Before Yom Tov you should check your pockets that there is no Muktza (car keys, money) in them.

• Even if every Shabbos you wait 50 min, 60 min or 72 min after Shkiya (sunset) before doing any Melocho (forbidden work), you may begin setting the table 40 minutes after Shkiya.
• This leniency is only for setting the table where you are not doing an actual Melocho. The Isur (prohibition) of setting the table on Shabbos for Yom Tov is Hachona, (preparing on Shabbos for Yom Tov).
• Melochos (types of work) that are Osur Min H’Torah (Bibically  forbidden), for example cooking, lighting the candles etc., you should wait until the time you keep every Shabbos to do them.
•  If you have non-Jewish help they may wash the dishes on Shabbos for Yom Tov and on the first day for the Second day, they do not need to wait till night to do them.

Important for women to remember “Before doing anything for Yom Tov on Motzai Shabbos you should first say Boruch H’Mavdil Ben Kodesh L’Kodesh”.