Passover is approaching; our most widely celebrated holiday. This week I will discuss an interesting conundrum facing Jews on Passover. There is always a debate as to what to eat. Jews discuss their diets all the time; why should Passover be any different? (Ma Nishtana etc.) On Passover one is not to eat chametz. As defined by the Rabbis chametz are those grains which matzvah can be baked: wheat, barley, oats, rye and spelt. NO other food stuffs was regarded as chametz. The Ashkenazim, that is those Jews from Europe, expanded the prohibited foods.
The expansion found its roots in France in the thirteenth century and then spread through Europe. There is no explanation at the time for the expansion of the prohibited foods. I was taught that Ashkenazim do not eat peanut butter, rice, corn and legumes because when they are either soaked or popped they expand, giving the impression of rising. So as not to go against the law we are to take things to a greater level so that the fulfilling of the mitzvote is assured. The Sephardim, Spanish Jews do not in this instance adhere to the terms of the Ashkenazim. Oftentimes in these kinds of situations people eat what they are used to. There is no absolute in this instance, eat what you like just don’t have the obvious chametz, bread, pasta, pizza and the like. What is most important is that I wish you all a ziessen pesach, a sweet Passover.
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