Ask The Rabbi
11 April 1998 
Issue #188 (Pesach)
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This publication is available in HTML format at
http://www.ohr.org.il/ask/ask188.htm
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Don't let your Passover Seder turn into a cliche.
Ohr Somayach has dozens of tips, tricks, and insights waiting for you at:
http://www.ohr.org.il/special/pesach
===========================================================================
This Issue Contains:
1.  High Performance Matzah 
2.  What's the Haggadah 
3.  Pesach In A Box 
4.  Meaning of Leaning 
5.  Spiritual Excision 
6.  Remembrance 
7.  Mommy, Are We There Yet? 
8.  Top (Kosher) Dog 
9.  Pesach Hut 
10. Yiddle Riddle
11. Public Domain
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HIGH PERFORMANCE MATZAH

Kennth Broodo <broke@gardere.com> sent us the following:

Bernie decides to become an aeronautical engineer.  He goes to the best 
schools, studies hard and finally graduates.  Soon he gains a reputation as 
the finest aeronautical engineer in all the land and starts his own 
company.

His company is such a hit that the President of the United States calls 
Bernie into his office.  "Bernie," says the president, "we want to 
commission your company to build an advanced jet fighter for the United 
States Air Force.  Go out and design the best jet fighter ever made."

Bernie is tremendously excited.  The entire resources of his company go 
into building the most advanced jet fighter in history.  But at the first 
test flight, disaster strikes:  The wings can't take the strain and they 
break clean off of the fuselage!  Bernie's company redesigns the jet, but 
again the wings break off.  They try a third time, but the same thing 
happens.

Beside himself with worry, Bernie goes to the synagogue to pray.  The rabbi 
sees Bernie and asks what's the matter.  Bernie pours his heart out to the 
rabbi.

After hearing the problem, the rabbi put his arm on Bernie's shoulder and 
says, "I can solve your problem.  Just drill a row of holes directly above 
and below where the wing meets the fuselage.  If you do this I guarantee 
the wings won't fall off."

Bernie just smiles and thanks the rabbi for his simple advice.  But the 
more he thinks about it, the more he realizes he has nothing to lose.  So, 
Bernie does exactly as the rabbi said.  On the next design of the jet, they 
drill a row of holes directly above and below where the wings meet the 
fuselage.  And the test flight goes perfectly!  The wings don't fall off!

Brimming with joy, Bernie goes to the synagogue to tell the rabbi that his 
advice worked.

"Naturally," says the rabbi.

"But Rabbi, how did you know that drilling the holes would prevent the 
wings from falling off?"

"Bernie," the rabbi says, "I'm an old man.  I've celebrated Passover many, 
many times.  And in all  those years, not once - not once! - has the matzah 
ever broken along the perforation."

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WHAT'S THE HAGGADAH 

Fred from Tennessee <Fred4@centuryinter.net> wrote:

>Dear Rabbi,
>
>What is the Haggadah?

* * * * * * * * * * *

Dear Fred,

The Haggadah is a book that Jews read on the first night of Passover.  It 
tells about our slavery in Egypt and the miracles G-d did for us when 
freeing us.  The word haggadah means "telling," which comes from the 
Biblical command:  "And you shall tell your child on that day, saying: `G-d 
did (miracles) for me when I left Egypt so that I would fulfill the Torah's 
commandment."  (Exodus 13:8 and Rashi)

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PESACH IN A BOX 

Joseph Cohen <jbcohen@webtv.net> wrote:

>Dear Rabbi,
>
>My wife and I are kashering are home for Passover for the first time this 
>year.  We are now purchasing Passover dishes, utensils, etc.  My question 
>is, when we remove the everyday dishes, where do they go?  May we put them 
>in the boxes that held the Passover dishes?  Is it better for the Passover 
>dishes to not come in contact with any surface that was touched by 
>everyday dishes?  Do we change the plastic containers in our kitchen 
>drawers?  Do we cover the inside of the cabinets?

* * * * * * * * * * *

Dear Joseph Cohen,

First of all, congratulations on you first "kosher for Passover" home.  
Many happy returns.

You can store clean everyday utensils in the Passover containers.  After 
Passover, you can put the Passover dishes back into the same containers.  
Just be careful not to get them mixed up.

It is customary to cover cupboards and utensil holders that were used 
during the year and will be used on Passover.  If you can't do this or 
can't obtain new utensil holders, then remove the inserts, clean the 
drawers completely and put the Passover cutlery directly into the drawer.

And by the way, I must warn you about one of the mysteries of Passover:  
The Passover utensils come out of a specific amount of storage space, and 
yet they never seem to all fit back in again!  I have never found a 
rational explanation for this phenomenon!

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MEANING OF LEANING 

Roger Harper from Walsall, United Kingdom <roger.harper@virgin.net> wrote:

>Dear Rabbi,
>
>When and why did the tradition begin of reclining at the Passover meal? 
>In the book of Exodus it seems that the people were instructed for all 
>time to eat the Passover meal with sandals on their feet and staffs in 
>hand as if ready to move on.  So why do we lean, which seems to indicate a 
>lack of readiness to move on?

* * * * * * * * * * *

Dear Roger Harper,

Rather than a tradition, reclining while eating the matzah and drinking the 
four cups of wine is a halacha. Leaning symbolizes freedom and aristocracy.  
It is first recorded in the Mishnah (c. 200 CE), but it dates back much 
farther than that.

Only the Jews in Egypt were commanded to eat in a state of readiness to 
leave; they were indeed getting ready to leave Egypt.  But that command was 
specific for those people and for that year alone.

Sources:

o Tractate Pesachim 99b, 108a

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SPIRITUAL EXCISION 

Name@Withheld wrote:

>Dear Rabbi,
>
>If I marry someone who once ate bread on Pesach, do my children get 
>"karet" (lit. "cut off")?

* * * * * * * * * * *

Dear Name@Withheld,

The Torah says that eating bread on Passover is a serious sin, and carries 
the punishment of karet.

Your question assumes that this punishment of karet affects a person's 
children. Without going into whether this is true of not, it's important to 
point out that karet only applies to someone who intentionally transgresses 
with full knowledge that the act is forbidden by the Torah.  Furthermore, 
sincere repentance atones even for such acts.

So, if the person you intend to marry was not fully aware of the sin of 
eating bread on Passover, or has since repented, you need not worry. 

===========================================================================

REMEMBRANCE 

Jacob <tailer@dc.net> wrote:


>Dear Rabbi,
>
>Why do you think a Yizkor (memorial) service is traditionally held to 
>remember our deceased loved ones even on some joyous holidays such as 
>Passover and Sukkot?

* * * * * * * * * * *

Dear Jacob,

We mention our deceased on the holy days because remembering them and 
pledging charity on their behalf, particularly on these holy days, helps 
elevate their souls.

I would like to suggest that remembering the deceased can actually bring a 
certain sense of joy.  We believe that there will be a resurrection of the 
dead, and we anticipate a time when we will all be celebrating together 
once again.

===========================================================================

MOMMY, ARE WE THERE YET? 

Sharon Kramer Loew <loew@worldnet.att.net> from NY, NY wrote:

>Dear Rabbi,
>
>My brother asks on behalf of his two small sons, age 6 and almost 3, (my 
>darling nephews) is it permissible to begin the Pesach Seder early; that 
>is, before sundown, so that the children will be able to stay up for its 
>entirety?

* * * * * * * * * * *

Dear Sharon Kramer Loew,

Unfortunately for your darling nephews it is not possible to begin the 
Seder before nightfall.  But have everything ready so you can begin right 
at nightfall.  Don't rush the proceedings, but do move through them 
efficiently without wasting time.  I also suggest you give the children a 
nap in the afternoon so that they will be fully awake and able to 
participate!

Source:

? Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 472

===========================================================================

TOP (KOSHER) DOG

Naomi Kolberg <kolberggroup@pikeonline.net> from Milford, Pennsylvania 
wrote:

>Dear Rabbi,
>
>Is there such thing as kosher dog food?

* * * * * * * * * * *

Dear Naomi,

Dogs don't need to "keep kosher."  However, there are kashrut 
considerations when feeding your dog.

For example, it's forbidden to own or derive benefit from chametz during 
Passover.  Therefore, if a dog food contains chametz, it's forbidden to own 
it or give it to your dog during Passover.

Another consideration:  It is forbidden to derive benefit from milk and 
meat that were cooked together.  Therefore, if a dog food contains such a 
mixture, it's forbidden to give it to your dog.

There are brands of dog food certified as Kosher for Passover, not because 
they are kosher for humans, but because they contain no chametz!

===========================================================================

PESACH HUT 

Saul "The Maven" Caplan from beautiful, politically correct, Safety Harbor, 
Florida <maven@IntNet.net> wrote:

>Dear Rabbi,
>
>I deliver pizzas 2-3 evenings a week.  Do I have to take the entire week 
>of Pesach off?

* * * * * * * * * * *

Dear Saul "The Maven" Caplan,

On Pesach, it's forbidden to eat, own or derive any benefit from chametz. I 
asked a renowned halachic authority here in Jerusalem about your case.  He 
said that you are not allowed to deliver pizza during Passover.  Since you 
earn wages by doing so, you are thereby considered to be deriving benefit 
from the chametz.

By the way:  This pizza shop probably puts meat on some of their pizzas.  
If so, you may have to find another job.  You see, milk and meat that is 
cooked together is similar to chametz in that you are not allowed to derive 
benefit from it.  You should consult with the nearest Orthodox Rabbi about 
this issue, or get back to us.

===========================================================================

Yiddle Riddle

One Shabbat, Reuven invites Shimon's family for dinner.  After the meal, 
Reuven and Shimon say birkat hamazon (the blessings after the meal) but 
they do not say exactly the same words when doing so.  The next Shabbat, 
Shimon invites Reuven's family for dinner.  When they say birkat hamazon, 
this time Reuven says exactly the same words that Shimon said last week and 
Shimon says exactly what Reuven said last week.

A few days later, Reuven invites Shimon's family over for another meal.  
This time, birkat hamazon is even more dissimilar between the two of them.  
The next day Shimon invites Reuven's family for a meal, and once again, 
Shimon says the exact words that Reuven said the previous day, and Reuven 
says the exact words that Shimon said.

Levi thinks that this is due to increasing tensions between the families, 
so he gets his wife to invite the two families over for meals the next 
month.  During the first dinner, Reuven and Shimon say birkat hamazon the 
same way.  "Shalom al Yisrael - peace upon Israel," Levi thinks.  But the 
following dinner, they again say birkat hamazon differently!

What is going on here?

Answer:

The first Shabbat, the differences between Reuven and Shimon are as 
follows:  Shimon, the guest, adds the blessing for the host into his birkat 
hamazon, but the host does not.  This procedure is reversed the next 
Shabbat.

A few days later it is the 14th of Adar, which is Purim for everyone except 
those who reside in an ancient walled city like Jerusalem.  Reuven, who 
resides outside Jerusalem, invites Shimon, who resides in Jerusalem, to his 
home for a meal.  Since it is Purim for Reuven but not for Shimon, Reuven 
adds the Purim addition of "al hanisim" to his birkat hamazon while Shimon 
does not.  The next day, the 15th of Adar, Shimon reciprocates.  The 15th 
of Adar is Purim for those in Jerusalem, but not for those outside.  This 
time, Shimon says "al hanisim" while Reuven does not.

The next month is Pesach.  They are invited to Levi's house on the 7th day 
of Pesach, and they say the normal birkat hamazon, including the holiday 
addition of "ya'ale v'yavo."  The next day, however, is the 8th day of 
Pesach for Reuven, who is still a "chutznik" - a person visiting the Land 
of Israel.  Therefore, he says "ya'ale v'yavo."  Shimon,  who resides 
permanently in the Land of Israel, celebrates only 7 days of Pesach, and 
does not say "ya'ale v'yavo."

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THE PUBLIC DOMAIN
Comments, quibbles, and reactions 
concerning previous "Ask-the-Rabbi" features.

Re: Yiddle Riddle:  In what situation could two people in the same place be 
obligated to say kiddush on different nights?  That is, the night the first 
one is obligated, the second one is not, and the night the second one is 
obligated, the first one is not?  (Ask the Rabbi # 183):

My 10 year old son, David Rosen, had a different possible answer.  Could it 
not occur in Israel where there is a visiting non-Israeli 12-year-old who 
is required to keep two days of Yom Tov?  He actually turns bar mitzvah on 
the second day and thus is then obligated for kiddush, whereas he wasn't 
obligated on the first day (when a resident would have been).
                       Martin Rosen, Thornhill, Canada <mrosen@passport.ca>

I once heard a ruling that if one crosses the international time line, he 
continues to count sefirat ha-omer as before and does not go with where he 
is now.  He also will celebrate Shavuos according to his count which will 
be a day off of everyone else there.  Hence, he would be obligated to make 
kiddush on "his" Shavuos while everyone else would be exempt, while the 
next/previous night the reverse would be the case.  (PS I believe most 
poskim don't rule this way.)
                                 Micha Kushner <micha.kushner@telrad.co.il>
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