Congregation Beth Shalom
5915 Beacon Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15217
Tel: 412-421-2288
Fax: 412-421-5923
info@bethshalompgh.org
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I .Baruch
ata Adonai, Eloheynu meleh ha- olam, asher kid-shanu b'mitzvotav, v'tsivanu
I'hadlik neyr shel Yom Tov.
2. Baruch
ata Adonai, eloheynu meleh ha- olam, she-he-cheh-yanu, v'kiy'manu, v'higi'anu
la'z'man ha'zeh.
3. Baruch
ata Adonai, Eloheynu meleh ha- olam, asher kid-shanu b'mitzvotav, v'tsivanu
I'hadlik neyr shel Shabbat.
Household
Preparation for Pesach 2007 
PESACH GUIDE
This guide was prepared for
the Rabbinical Assembly Committee on Jewish Law and Standards by Rabbi
Mayer Rabinowitz. It was accepted by the Committee on December 12, 1984.
The last paragraph of the introduction, as well as Part A under "Permitted
Food" has been amended to reflect more recent decisions of the Committee
affecting the status of peanuts, peanut oil, and certain cheeses.
What follows is a general guideline.
Rabbi Werbow should be consulted if any doubt arises.
The Torah prohibits the ownership
of chametz (leaven) during Pesach. Therefore, we arrange for the sale
of the chametz to a non-Jew. The transfer, m'chirat chametz, is
accomplished by appointing an agent, usually the rabbi, to handle the
sale. It is a valid and legal transfer of ownership. At the end of the
holiday, the agent arranges for the reversion of ownership of the now
permitted chametz. If ownership of the chametz was not transferred before
the holiday, the use of this chametz is prohibited after the holiday as
well (chametz sheavar alav hapesah).
Since the Torah prohibits the eating
of chametz during- Pesach, and since many common foods contain some admixture
of chametz, guidance is necessary when shopping and preparing for Pesach.
During the eight days of Pesach,
chametz cannot lose its identity in an admixture. Therefore, the minutest
amount of chametz renders the whole admixture chametz and its use on Pesach
is prohibited. However, during the rest of the year, chametz follows the
normal rules of admixture, i.e., it loses its identity in an admixture
of one part chametz and sixty parts of non-chametz (batel beshishim).
This affords us the opportunity to differentiate between the foods purchased
before and during Pesach
Kosher le-Pesach labels that do
not bear the name of a rabbi or one of the recognized symbols of rabbinic
supervision, or which are not integral to the package, should be discouraged.
Prohibited foods include the following: leavened bread, cakes, biscuits,
crackers, cereal, coffee with cereal derivatives, wheat, barley, oats,
spelt, rye, and all liquids containing ingredients or flavors made from
grain alcohol. Most Ashkenazic authorities have
added the following foods to the prohibited list: rice, corn, millet,
legumes (beans and peas); string beans are permitted. The Committee on
Jewish Law and Standards has ruled unanimously that peanuts and peanut
oil are permissible, as peanuts are not actually legumes.
PERMITTED FOODS
(SEE BELOW)
KASHERING UTENSILS/PERMITTED FOODS
TRADITIONS OF
THE SEDER
Like our ancestors, we eat matzah
and taste bitter herbs. The only major differences is we have a Haggadah
to guide us through the Seder, we no longer sacrifice animals, and we
have a glass of wine on the table for Elijah.
Various Jewish communities have added their own customs to the Seder.
Some dress in white to symbolize G-d's justice and mercy. Tunisians eat
meat very quickly while sitting on the floor to reenact the meal the Israelites
ate before leaving Egypt. Persians "whip" each other with scallions
while singing Dayenu. Some Ashkenazis bring canes to the table to eat
"with your staff in your hand." (Ex. 12.1 1)
STEALING THE AFIKOMEN-Families also have traditions. One of the best known
is "stealing" the Afikomen. The children hide it until the end
of the meal. Returning the Afikoman is a happy occasion for the children
frequently are rewarded. (Please don't reward with money. Kids love stuffed
frogs and alef-bet bracelets.)
PLAYING GAMES-Some families hide the Afikomen and let the children try
to find it. One way is to hide cards with letters on them. When the children
have found all the cards, it spells out the hiding place of the Afikomen.
Other families play games during the meal. Pesach Jeopardy is good for
older kids. You'll need several categories (I'll take Plagues for 20)
and dozens of questions. But Wheel of Pesach can be played by the littliiest
one who can say a letter. Just make a spinner with everyone's name on
it. Then compile several phrases and play "hangman."
Singing is always a major part of the seder. Our littliest ones sing about
frogs on Pharaoh's nose and our older ones try to sing each verse of Echad
mi yodeah in one breath. You also might let everyone assume a role for
Chad Gadya. Then, instead of singing with the words for eat and ox and
fire, each person would have to make an appropriate sound.
One way to keep everyone informed about the progress of the Seder is to
make a place mat with each stage of the Seder listed. You could put on
the page number where that part can be found in your Haggadah. This keeps
everyone from worrying that the meal will never come.
DECORATING YOUR TABLE-Some families put frogs made from avocados on their
seder tables. Others put bricks and Prayer over the Fifth Cup of Wine
pyramids on the table. Some decorate with cactus plants and camels to
represent the desert and desert transportation. You also can use shells
to represent crossing the Red Sea.
HAGGADOT- Many who lead the seder use several different books for additional
commentary. Some find books with simple ways, sometimes involving puppets,
to tell very young children about Pesach. As your family changes, so can
your Seder traditions.
FIFTH CUP OF WINE-One of the newer traditions is drinking a fifth cup
of wine for the State of Israel. The drinking of the "Four Cups of
Wine" symbolizes four of the five expressions of redemption promised
in Exodus 6.6-7.
"I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians..."
"I will deliver you from their bondage..."
"I will redeem you with an outstretched arm..."
"I will take you to me for a people..."
Rabbi Menachem M. Kasher, in his Israel Passover Haggadah, reintroduces
the drinking of the Fifth Cup. You can recite the following either before
the Hallel, or after drinking the Fourth Cup of Wine toward the end of
the Seder. As you raise the cup of wine, say:
0, Redeemer of Israel, We lift the Fifth Cup of Wine in thankfulness
as we celebrate with our brethren throughout the world the fulfillment
of Your promise "I will bring you into the land ... and I will
(Give it to you for a possession." When age-old communities were
devastated, their sanctuaries desecrated and their sacred treasures
burned, You did save the scattered remnants of the helpless and the
hopeless, You did bring them forth from the camps of annihilation. You
did defend them and vindicate them with a mighty hand and an outstretched
arm. You gave them courage to meet their foes, to free the land of armed
invaders, and to open the Gates to those seeking refuge. You gave them
courage to unify Jerusalem, the Holy City, the City of David. For all
these blessings and for Your promise of a complete redemption for Israel
and all mankind, we live thanks unto You, 0 Lord, for Your Loving kindness
endures forever. Amen.
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