What is חמץ/Chametz? It is anything made from certain grains that have risen. The definition becomes more expansive when we include the different cooking equipment and dinnerware used with those items. But at the core, Chametz is the stuff that we as Jews are forbidden to eat during the holiday of Passover. The prohibition is not only about eating. Rather it’s all about deriving benefit from it and from owning it. In fact, we are not even allowed to see Chametz during the holiday.
In our tradition, we understand Chametz to be more than just food. We see it as a part of our personality… namely the wicked side of who we are. That wickedness is called the יצר הרע, the evil inclination. It is linked because of the tendency that our evil inclination has to “rise.” Thus, every year on Passover, we need to do everything we can to sell and get rid of our wickedness that’s part of our Chametz.
The selling of Chametz is a way Jews have found to be able to live in the modern world. Today we all own lots of stuff. That’s a technical word: stuff. We own pots and pans and lots of groceries. Many of us buy in bulk and as such it’s impossible to get rid of all of our “stuff” that is Chametz before Passover without losing money. For that reason, we are obligated to sell our Chametz to somebody allowed to own it, a non-Jew, for the duration of the holiday. This sale is not symbolic. We sign a contract with the person who’s purchasing our Chametz and it is binding throughout the holiday.
This year, when you sign your sale form to authorize me to sell your Chametz for you, spend some time reflecting on the metaphorical Chametz you are offloading as well. Think about the “Chametz” that still rises in you even though you wish it didn’t. Think about the ways you can rid yourself of that Chametz because selling it will not suffice. And then close your eyes and let it all go away. Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Hearshen
Deadline Tomorrow!
Kosher for Passover Takeout!
Click herefor details and to place your order for Shabbat Dinner, Seder Meal and Keftes Dinner! Seder Plate with all ritual items is also available for purchase. All food will be prepared in the OVS Passover kitchen with Passover utensils.
BIRTHDAYS Sunday Elliott Penso Raymond Schinazi Russell Kropp
Tuesday Michelle Akbashev Roman Badalbayev
Wednesday Sara Grosswald
Friday Raina Sara Grosswald Sidney Levine
ANNIVERSARIES Monday Marvin and Marilyn Bernstein
Tuesday Alex and Zoya Ilyabayeva Steven and Simone Feldman
Wednesday Guy and Tamar Harari
Thursday Chaim A. and Penny Avneri Ian and Michelle Stribling
Meldados
Shabbat Betty Roistacher for Mother Louise Barocas Dodik Badalbayev for Mother Valentina Sadikova Ernie Dreyer for Daughter Karen Dreyer Friedman
Monday Dan D. Maslia for Brother Albert D. Maslia Darryl Maslia for Father Albert D. Maslia Elise Meyer for Father Albert D. Maslia Lucy Maslia for Husband Albert D. Maslia Stephanie Ladden for Father Albert D. Maslia
Tuesday Elaine Levine for Mother Lena Leah Bearman Georgette Cohen for Brother-in-law Henry Francis Laurette Hanein for Brother-in-law Henry Francis Lyudmila Pinkhasova for Husband Boris Pinkhasov Manuela Bornstein for Mother-in-law Edith Bornstein Mark Pinkhasov for Father Boris Pinkhasov Maurice Cohen for Brother-in-law Henry Francis
Wednesday Isabelle Maslia for Sister Claire Renov Raya Aronova for Sister Sara Aronova
Thursday Ilya Yakubov for Grandmother Frida Isakova Sam Shlimak for Father Boris Shlimak
Friday Georgette Cohen for Father-in-law Sion Cohen Laurette Hanein for Father Sion Cohen Leah Franco for Aunt Diana Amato Habib Maurice Cohen for Father Sion Cohen Phyllis M. Cohen for Father-in-law Sion Cohen Rochelle Notrica for Brother Nace David Varon
