Is it Kosher for Passover?

Every year at this time, we receive a number of questions about observing the dietary laws for Pesach (Passover). Here is a basic overview that may help.

1. The Torah says that we shouldn’t eat “chametz” (leavened bread) during Pesach (Exodus 12:15-20).

2. It is a positive, religious obligation to eat matzah (unleavened bread) during the seder. However, eating matzah is optional during the rest of Pesach.

3. According to later rabbinic tradition, chametz includes any food that is made from one of five grains (wheat, barley, oats, spelt and rye) that has been permitted to leaven.

4. Note that foods containing these five grains can be eaten during Pesach. However, the preparation of the food must have been supervised to avoid any possibility of leavening.

5. Ashkenazic authorities add: rice, millet, corn and legumes¹ to these five grains.

6. According to Jewish law, if any amount of chametz is an ingredient of a food product, the product is considered chametz and cannot be eaten. Many products that are considered not kosher for Passover fall into this category (e.g., they contain corn syrup).

7. Some foods cannot be leavened and, therefore, are always considered kosher for Pesach (as long as they haven’t come into contact with any chametz). For example, most fish, fruits, vegetables and, of course, eggs, fall into this category.

8. For those who observe Jewish law, commercially prepared food that could be chametz should have packaging that says: “Kosher for Passover.” Alternatively, the Orthodox Union and other kashrut authorities will often place a “P” indicating ‘Kosher for Passover’ next to their hechsher (symbol of kosher certification):
   
    

9. Of course, all the other rules of kashrut (e.g., not eating pork or shellfish, not mixing dairy and meat during the same meal) continue to apply during Pesach.

10. As with all areas of Jewish religious life, liberal Jews make a variety of choices about their level of kashrut observance during Pesach. Like observing kashrut, in general, making intentional choices about what you eat during Pesach can be a very meaningful, Jewish spiritual practice and a powerful mode of Jewish identification. However, if you find yourself obsessing about what you eat during Passover with no connection to your Jewish spiritual life or identity, it may be time to reexamine your practice.