Drinking Alcoholic Spirits on Pesach
Pesach is a time of stringencies. Many families and communities will have foods that they will not eat during Pesach. Most of these customs originated due to concerns of Chametz being used in making these foods.
Yet, even when there was no longer a concern of Chametz, many communities and families retained their custom of avoiding these foods, based on the verse ועל תטש תורת אמך, “do not uproot the Torah of your mother.”[1] Some of the customs have no known basis or reason at all.
In the previous article, we looked at the custom to refrain from drinking spirits on Pesach, even if it they are certified as being completely Kosher for Pesach. In this article we will look more briefly at some other foods that were customarily avoided by different communities on Pesach.
Radish: It is recorded in the name of the Rebbe Rashab, that the Tzemach Tzedek of Lubavitch forbade the eating of radish on Pesach, without specifying any reason[2]. The Pri Megadim[3] and Chayei Adam[4] write that they do not know of any reason for not eating radish. Most communities follow the lenient opinion.
Spices: The Ram”o[5] writes that the custom in Ashkenaz is to not eat Saffron or onycha during Pesach. There was a concern of Chametz as they would mix flour with water and sprinkle it on the saffron while drying it. They would soak the onycha in barley water before drying it[6]. Others write that they would use flour or yeast to enhance the colour of the spices[7].
The Acharonim[8] write that even if one grew theses spices in their own garden and prepared them withour any trace of Chametz, they should not be used. This is because of Maris Ayn, that others may think that they can use theses types of spices without any concern.
This custom presents a problem when making Charoses. Charoses should be made to resemble the mortar that was used by the Jewish people in Egypt to fashion bricks. To do this, they would mix in straw. Therefore, the Halacha is that one should put spices that make straw-like pieces when crushed, into the Charoses. In the Rebbe’s Haggadah, the Rebbe notes that it has been our Minhag for many years that we do not use cinnamon or Kidah because of a concern of Chametz being mixed in. There are other communities who have the same custom[9].
Garlic: The Pri Megadim[10] writes that even though he does not know the reason for not eating garlic on Pesach, one should not be lenient, because this is the Minhag. The Chayei Adam[11] writes that there is no reason to forbid the use of garlic and that one may use it on Pesach. This is also the position of the Maharsham.
Fish: In the times of the Gemara, fish would be eaten on Pesach. Fish is even given as one of the examples of a cooked food that can be used for the Seder Kaarah.
The Pri Megadim[12] writes that one should avoid eating fish because they would rub the fish with alcohol in order to prevent them from spoiling. Some communities continue to avoid eating fish, even where this concern no longer applies[13]. The Siddur Yaavetz records that one should only by live fish for Pesach, where there is no concern. Others are also concerned that the fish may have consumed Chametz. Based on this some will eat deep-sea fish where this concern does not apply.
The Shulchan Aruch also raises concerns about salt that was not checked for Chametz crumbs, that would be used for preserving or pickling foods, including fish such as herring[14].
Dried fruits: The Ram”o[15] writes that the custom in Ashkenaz is not to eat dried fruits, unless one is sure that they were dried in a manner that there is no concern of Chametz. The reason for concern was because the producers may have sprinkled the fruit with flour while drying them[16]. This ruling is brought by the Alter Rebbe[17] who brings an additional concern that the fruits may have been dried in an oven that was used for baking bread.
Many have the custom to avoid eating these foods even if they have a Hechsher to certify that there is no concern of Chametz. One may be lenient for those who are sick[18].
Honey: The Ram”o[19] writes that there are those who are stringent and that the custom in Ashkenaz is to not eat honey unless it is brought in the large barrels directly from the hives. The Alter Rebbe quotes the Bach that there are those who are still strict in this case. The concern was that flour was mixed into the honey. However, this concern would not apply while the honey is still mixed within the honeycomb wax.
The Alter Rebbe[20] qualifies that in places where it is certain that they do not mix flour into the honey, one may eat honey even if it was separated from the honeycomb.
Sugar: The Ram”o[21] writes that we do not eat sugar on Pesach due to a concern of Chametz and that one may not even keep sugar over Pesach[22]. This ruling is brought by the Alter Rebbe[23]. In the homes of the Chabad Rebbes they would not use sugar on Pesach[24].
Many have the custom of boiling the sugar with water before Pesach and straining the syrup through a fine cloth. Boiling the sugar before Pesach means that even if there was any concern or traces of flour or pieces of Chametz, they could be removed and their flavour would become Batel[25].
Peeling Fruits and Vegetables:
Many communities have the custom of peeling all fruits and vegetables that they eat or cook on Pesach and will only buy fruits and vegetables that can be peeled[26].
Not Eating out over Pesach: On Pesach, many have the custom of only eating food prepared in their own homes. Hayom Yom[27] records how the Alter Rebbe taught that on Pesach one should not offer a guest food or drink, but the visitor may partake on their own.
[1] Mishlei 1:8
[2] Shemuos Vesippurim
[3] Eshel Avraham 464:1
[4] Klal 127:7
[5] 467:8, quoting Mahari”l
[6] Darkei Moshe. Shulchan Aruch Harav 467:21
[7] Mishna Berura 467:32
[8] Levush 467:8, Shulchan Aruch Harav 467:21 and Mishna Berura 467:32
[9] See Sdeh Chemed Asifas Dinim chametz Umatzah 6:8
[10] Eshel Avraham Siman 464
[11] Klal 127:7
[12] Eshel Avraham 447
[13] Darkei Chaim Veshalom 606. Maharam Shik would not eat fish on Pesach
[14] See Shulchan Aruch Harav 447:26-36. Since salted herrings would be washed thoroughly before use, they could be eaten if they were soaked three times and washed thoroughly.
[15] Orach Chaim 467:8 ועל תטוש תורת
[16] Mishna Berura
[17] 467:17
[18] Chasam Sofer 79
[19] Orach Chaim 467:8
[20] 467:16
[21] 467:8
[22] Terumas Hadeshen 114
[23] 467:20
[24] Kerem Chabad records that this was not a Horaah Lerabim
[25] Since there is not definitely Chametz present, especially with our sugar nowadays, this is not considered as intentionally nullifying something forbidden. The Alter Rebbe writes that even if the sugar from their times became mixed into food on Pesach it would be permitted in a case of great loss due to a number of doubts involved.
[26] See Chayei Adam 127:2
[27] Nissan 20
Yet, even when there was no longer a concern of Chametz, many communities and families retained their custom of avoiding these foods, based on the verse ועל תטש תורת אמך, “do not uproot the Torah of your mother.”[1] Some of the customs have no known basis or reason at all.
In the previous article, we looked at the custom to refrain from drinking spirits on Pesach, even if it they are certified as being completely Kosher for Pesach. In this article we will look more briefly at some other foods that were customarily avoided by different communities on Pesach.
Radish: It is recorded in the name of the Rebbe Rashab, that the Tzemach Tzedek of Lubavitch forbade the eating of radish on Pesach, without specifying any reason[2]. The Pri Megadim[3] and Chayei Adam[4] write that they do not know of any reason for not eating radish. Most communities follow the lenient opinion.
Spices: The Ram”o[5] writes that the custom in Ashkenaz is to not eat Saffron or onycha during Pesach. There was a concern of Chametz as they would mix flour with water and sprinkle it on the saffron while drying it. They would soak the onycha in barley water before drying it[6]. Others write that they would use flour or yeast to enhance the colour of the spices[7].
The Acharonim[8] write that even if one grew theses spices in their own garden and prepared them withour any trace of Chametz, they should not be used. This is because of Maris Ayn, that others may think that they can use theses types of spices without any concern.
This custom presents a problem when making Charoses. Charoses should be made to resemble the mortar that was used by the Jewish people in Egypt to fashion bricks. To do this, they would mix in straw. Therefore, the Halacha is that one should put spices that make straw-like pieces when crushed, into the Charoses. In the Rebbe’s Haggadah, the Rebbe notes that it has been our Minhag for many years that we do not use cinnamon or Kidah because of a concern of Chametz being mixed in. There are other communities who have the same custom[9].
Garlic: The Pri Megadim[10] writes that even though he does not know the reason for not eating garlic on Pesach, one should not be lenient, because this is the Minhag. The Chayei Adam[11] writes that there is no reason to forbid the use of garlic and that one may use it on Pesach. This is also the position of the Maharsham.
Fish: In the times of the Gemara, fish would be eaten on Pesach. Fish is even given as one of the examples of a cooked food that can be used for the Seder Kaarah.
The Pri Megadim[12] writes that one should avoid eating fish because they would rub the fish with alcohol in order to prevent them from spoiling. Some communities continue to avoid eating fish, even where this concern no longer applies[13]. The Siddur Yaavetz records that one should only by live fish for Pesach, where there is no concern. Others are also concerned that the fish may have consumed Chametz. Based on this some will eat deep-sea fish where this concern does not apply.
The Shulchan Aruch also raises concerns about salt that was not checked for Chametz crumbs, that would be used for preserving or pickling foods, including fish such as herring[14].
Dried fruits: The Ram”o[15] writes that the custom in Ashkenaz is not to eat dried fruits, unless one is sure that they were dried in a manner that there is no concern of Chametz. The reason for concern was because the producers may have sprinkled the fruit with flour while drying them[16]. This ruling is brought by the Alter Rebbe[17] who brings an additional concern that the fruits may have been dried in an oven that was used for baking bread.
Many have the custom to avoid eating these foods even if they have a Hechsher to certify that there is no concern of Chametz. One may be lenient for those who are sick[18].
Honey: The Ram”o[19] writes that there are those who are stringent and that the custom in Ashkenaz is to not eat honey unless it is brought in the large barrels directly from the hives. The Alter Rebbe quotes the Bach that there are those who are still strict in this case. The concern was that flour was mixed into the honey. However, this concern would not apply while the honey is still mixed within the honeycomb wax.
The Alter Rebbe[20] qualifies that in places where it is certain that they do not mix flour into the honey, one may eat honey even if it was separated from the honeycomb.
Sugar: The Ram”o[21] writes that we do not eat sugar on Pesach due to a concern of Chametz and that one may not even keep sugar over Pesach[22]. This ruling is brought by the Alter Rebbe[23]. In the homes of the Chabad Rebbes they would not use sugar on Pesach[24].
Many have the custom of boiling the sugar with water before Pesach and straining the syrup through a fine cloth. Boiling the sugar before Pesach means that even if there was any concern or traces of flour or pieces of Chametz, they could be removed and their flavour would become Batel[25].
Peeling Fruits and Vegetables:
Many communities have the custom of peeling all fruits and vegetables that they eat or cook on Pesach and will only buy fruits and vegetables that can be peeled[26].
Not Eating out over Pesach: On Pesach, many have the custom of only eating food prepared in their own homes. Hayom Yom[27] records how the Alter Rebbe taught that on Pesach one should not offer a guest food or drink, but the visitor may partake on their own.
[1] Mishlei 1:8
[2] Shemuos Vesippurim
[3] Eshel Avraham 464:1
[4] Klal 127:7
[5] 467:8, quoting Mahari”l
[6] Darkei Moshe. Shulchan Aruch Harav 467:21
[7] Mishna Berura 467:32
[8] Levush 467:8, Shulchan Aruch Harav 467:21 and Mishna Berura 467:32
[9] See Sdeh Chemed Asifas Dinim chametz Umatzah 6:8
[10] Eshel Avraham Siman 464
[11] Klal 127:7
[12] Eshel Avraham 447
[13] Darkei Chaim Veshalom 606. Maharam Shik would not eat fish on Pesach
[14] See Shulchan Aruch Harav 447:26-36. Since salted herrings would be washed thoroughly before use, they could be eaten if they were soaked three times and washed thoroughly.
[15] Orach Chaim 467:8 ועל תטוש תורת
[16] Mishna Berura
[17] 467:17
[18] Chasam Sofer 79
[19] Orach Chaim 467:8
[20] 467:16
[21] 467:8
[22] Terumas Hadeshen 114
[23] 467:20
[24] Kerem Chabad records that this was not a Horaah Lerabim
[25] Since there is not definitely Chametz present, especially with our sugar nowadays, this is not considered as intentionally nullifying something forbidden. The Alter Rebbe writes that even if the sugar from their times became mixed into food on Pesach it would be permitted in a case of great loss due to a number of doubts involved.
[26] See Chayei Adam 127:2
[27] Nissan 20