BITTUL HAMETZ (Nullifying the Hametz) — A formula renouncing any hametz that we may have inadvertently missed is said thus cancelling our responsibility for it. The formula for Bittul Hametz is recited this year on Sunday night, March 28.

BIUR HAMETZ (Burning the Hametz) — On the morning before Passover we burn the hametz that has been found during the search of the night before. This ceremony should take place by noon, Sunday night, March 28.

MECHIRAT HAMETZ (Sale of the Hametz) — We are not always able to destroy or get rid of all the hametz. So the Rabbis ordained that a symbolic sale is made of all the hametz to a non-Jew in the community who then sells it back to us after Pesach. The hametz is then no longer in our possession. You may designate Rabbi Caplan as your agent by calling him at the Synagogue Office (305/238-2601) or by filling out the authorization form printed in this Bulletin by returning it no later than Monday, March 29 before 12:00 Noon.

SIYYUM B'CHORIM (Fast of the First Born Males) — On the eve of Passover the first born of our people fast to commemorate their being spared the fate of the first born Egyptians. But one may eat if he or she is participating in a Seudat Mitzvah, the festive repast which accompanies the performance of certain mitzvot. One such mitzvah is study. Thus, when someone completes a significant section of material (e.g. a tractate of Rabbinic Literature), it is customary for all present to join in a Siyyum, a ceremony of completion followed by a meal. Any first born who participates in the ceremony may eat. This is known as the Siyyum B'chorim. Because the first night of Passover occurs right after Shabbat, the Siyyum this year will be held at the morning Minyan on
Monday, March 29 at 7:30 am in the Robert Tendrich Chapel. Rabbi Caplan will conduct the Siyyum.

DISHES and UTENSILS

Can any dishes and utensils used during the year be used on Passover?
It is preferable to have dishes and utensils specifically reserved for Passover and stored away during the rest of the year. However, since this is not always possible, the Rabbis ordained that certain types of utensils may be kashered i.e., specifically prepared for Passover. However, earthenware, enamelware or porcelain utensils, if used during the year, may not be used during Pesach.

How may utensils be kashered for Passover?
a. Silverware, knives, forks, spoons made wholly of metal (i.e., no wooden or plastic handles), if used during the year, may be kashered by scouring thoroughly and then immersing in boiling water. Kashering is done in the following way: fill a large pot with water and heat to boiling. Take the utensil, tie a string to it and immerse completely in the boiling water. For small items, a cord netting can be used to dip several at one. This process renders the utensils Pesachdig and parve.
b. All table glassware is permitted after thoroughly scouring. There is also a practice of soaking glassware for 72 hours before Passover, changing the water every 24 hours. Follow the custom used in your family.
c. Fine translucent chinaware, if not used during the previous year, is permitted.
d. Metal pots and pans used for cooking purposes only (but not for baking), if made wholly of metal, may be used during Passover if first thoroughly scoured and immersed in boiling water.

How may the stove be kashered? The stove is prepared by thoroughly scrubbing and cleaning all parts and turning on full flame or the clean cycle in the oven and all the grates.

How may a microwave be kashered? Microwave ovens present a special case, since the inside surfaces do not become hot. There is a difference of opinion as to whether, or how, one can be kashered. We recommend thorough cleaning and then placing a dish of water into the oven and allowing it to boil as a symbolic kashering. However, microwave ovens that have a browning element cannot be kashered for Passover.

How may a dishwasher be kashered? A dishwasher may be used for Passover by running a full wash cycle, with detergent, after not using the machine for 24 hours.

How may a refrigerator be kashered? Remove all hametz food and opened packages. Clean thoroughly with boiling water and scour the racks. In a freezer, frozen hametz foods should be put in a special closed-off section and should be sold with other hametz.

Corningware and Pyrex are considered glass and are kashered in the same way as glassware.

FOODS DURING PESACH

Prohibited Foods
The following foods are considered hametz and may not be used during Passover: leavened bread, cakes, biscuits, crackers, cereals, coffees with cereal derivatives in them, wheat, barley, oats, spelt, rye, corn millet, rice, peas, corn syrup, beans and liquids which contain ingredients made from grain alcohol. Baking powder is prohibited due to the cornstarch in it.

Permitted Foods
a) Those foods requiring no "Kosher L'Pesach" label if purchased before (but not during) Pesach are: unopened packages or containers of natural coffee (with no cereal additives; N.B. coffees produced by General Foods are not kosher for Passover unless marked KP), sugar, pure tea, salt (not iodized), pepper, natural spices, fruit juices with no additives (frozen, canned or bottled; N.B. canned and bottled juices are often clarified or stabilized with kitniyot, which are not listed on ingredients, thus a hechsher would be required unless one knows that there are no such agents), frozen (uncooked) fruits and vegetables (except legumes: i.e. peas, beans and corn) milk, butter, cottage cheese, cream cheese, ripened cheeses, and baking soda.
b) Those foods requiring no "Kosher L'Pesach" label if purchased before or during Pesach are: fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs, fresh fish and fresh meat.
c) Those foods requiring a "Kosher L'Pesach" label if purchased before or during Pesach are: all baked products (matzah, cakes, farfel, etc.), wine, vinegar, liquor, oils, dried fruits, candies, chocolate flavored milk, ice cream, yogurt and soda.
d) Those requiring a "Kosher L'Pesach" label if purchased during Pesach are: processed foods, i.e., canned, frozen, or bottled: milk, butter, juices, vegetables, fruit, milk products, spices, coffee, tea, and fish.

A Kosher L'Pesach label or tag without product name and Rabbinic signature is of no value. This applies to products made in America, Europe or Israel.

Baking Soda may be used, provided it is from a new, unused box and is used only with special kosher for Passover flour.
Cheeses — Cottage cheese, cream cheese, and ripened cheese (e.g. cheddar, muenster, camembert), if purchased before Pesach begins, may be used without a specific hechsher. However, processed cheese (e.g. American) and cheese foods are not permitted.
Tuna does not require a hechsher if it is packed exclusively in water with no additional ingredients or additives and if it is purchased prior to Pesach. Extreme caution is urged, however, because even tuna in water may contain hydrolyzed protein or vegetable broth which may be hametz or kitniyot. String beans are permitted.

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION
Sinks — A metal sink can be kashered by a thorough cleaning and by pouring boiling water over it. A porcelain sink should be cleaned and a sink rack used. If dishes will be soaked in a porcelain sink, a dish basin must be used.
Tables, closets and counters should be thoroughly cleaned and covered.
Teflon cookware may be kashered after 24 hours of non-use by careful cleaning and immersion in boiling water. Teflon coated baking pans may not be kashered.
Detergents, if permitted during the year, powdered and liquid detergents do not require a "Kosher L'Pesach" label.
Medicine — If required for life sustaining therapy, may be used for Pesach. Capsules are preferred to tablets since the binding agent in tablets is usually hametz.

If you have any questions about the correct procedures, or any other questions relating to Pesach, please don't hesitate to call Rabbi Caplan.

SYMBOLS OF THE SEDER
Three whole matzot should be set on the Seder table. Custom has been that these are contained in a special three-section matzot cover. Why three? The top and bottom matzot correspond to the two challot which tradition ordains for Shabbat. The third piece represents the matzot, which Jewish Law specifically ordains for Pesach. Over the centuries, the three matzot have acquired special symbolic associations. Some say they represent the three patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Others associate the matzot with the three categories of Jews in ancient times — Kohen, Levite, and Israelite.
Afikoman, or dessert — The middle matzah, which is broken in half. One half is hidden away and is the object of a search by our children at the end of the Seder. The Afikoman is the last food eaten at the Seder meal, and is often referred to as “dessert.”
Four cups of wine — symbolic of freedom and happiness. They refer to the four promises God made to the Jewish people in Egypt: “I will bring you out,” “I will deliver you,” “I will redeem you,” and “I will take you to me for a people.” (Exodus 6:6-7).

The Seder plate, placed before the leader, contains the various symbolic foods referred to in the Seder itself:
A roasted shank bone — symbolic of the paschal offering brought to the Temple in Jerusalem in ancient times. This also represents the special Passover sacrifice in the eve of the Exodus from Egypt. Many Jews also see the shank bone as a symbol of God’s “outstretched arm,” helping the Jewish people in times of trouble.
Maror or bitter herbs — usually a horseradish root or romaine lettuce, symbolic of the bitterness our ancestors experienced as slaves in Egypt.
Karpas — a vegetable, usually parsley, symbolic of spring and its spirit of hope, as well as the Jew’s undying faith in the future. Any green vegetable is permitted, and many Jews use lettuce or celery instead of parsley.
A roasted egg — traditionally symbolizes the continuing cycle of life. In addition, there are those who see the egg as a symbol of Jewish people’s will to survive. Just as an egg becomes harder the longer it cooks, so the Jewish people have emerged as a strong and living people.
Charoset — usually a combination of apple, wine, nuts and cinnamon, which symbolizes the mortar that our ancestors used to make bricks in Egypt when building the “Treasure Cities of Pharaoh.”
Salt water — symbolic of the tears our ancestors shed in Egypt. We dip Karpas in it.
Elijah’s cup — set in the center of the table and filled at the end of the meal. After the cup is filled, we go to the door to greet the Prophet Elijah, after telling the inspiring story of our ancestors’ deliverance from Egypt.