Passover Articles
Kitniyot Ingredients
Why at times can the OU not tell me if something is made from kitnityot? All products are made from ingredients, and ingredients are often made from sub-units. For example, a candy generally contains a flavor, and the flavor may be made from as many as 30 ingredients. Some of the ingredients in the flavor […]
Shopping after Passover
Chametz owned by a Jew during the holiday may not be consumed even after the holiday is over. Consequently, when shopping for chametz products after Passover, one must take measures to avoid chametz products that may have been subject to Jewish ownership during the festival. Because these restrictions are not limited to private individuals, Jewish […]
Prepared Baby Food
First Choice Baby Food: Applesauce, Carrots, Pears and Sweet Potatoes are approved when bearing an OU-P or OU Kosher for Passover symbol.
From Grapes to Kosher Wine
At first blush, one might think that wine, which starts out as natural fruit juice, would be easily deemed kosher. After all, companies have no problem manufacturing beverages such as orange or apple juice according to kosher rules. However, wine due to its ceremonial use in ancient pagan worship, and the unique social familiarity that […]
What Could Be Hiding in My Romaine?
I’m sure you’ve heard or even asked the following question: “Why is there such a preoccupation with the potential of finding bugs in produce these days? I don’t recall observing my grandmother checking fruits and vegetables for signs of infestation.” There are actually a number of contributing factors, including changes in diet, growing climates and […]
What is Matzah?
Matzah is a crisp, flat, unleavened bread, made of flour and water, which must be baked before the dough has had time to rise. It is the only type of “bread” which Jews may eat during Passover, and it must be made specifically for Passover use, under rabbinical supervision. Matzah, at the same time the […]
Baby Food
The custom of disallowing the use of ‘Kitniyot’ (soy or corn, for example) was never applied to both infants or the ill who require kitniyot food. Despite the fact that Kitniyot for infants is permissible, the Mishna Brura states that it is preferable (but not mandatory) to avoid giving infants rice, buckwheat (kasha in Yiddish), […]
Chametz Sheavar Alav haPesach: The Supermarket Controversy
An exciting aspect of Torah study is the application of the age-old principles of halachah to the modern world in which we live. Thus, as an example, there is obviously no Talmudic discussion about the propriety of walking past a motion detector on Shabbat, yet contemporary posekim (halachic decisors) have analyzed this issue and found […]
In Search of a Stress-Free Pesach? Try Calling Your Local Pesach Organizer
Helping Jewish women organize their homes—and their lives. Rivka Slatkin is a woman of ideas. As a professional organizer from Baltimore, she is used to brainstorming “organizing” solutions for clients. But one of her most memorable strategies came when she stayed home for Pesach for the first time in her married life. “Instead of having […]
The Chef’s Table- Healthy Passover Pleasures
Most traditional Pesach recipes are high in calories, carbohydrates and fat, but are low in fiber. Traditions are hard to break and favorite foods are difficult to “pass up,” especially during a holiday. To help you eat well even during Pesach, here are some healthy and delicious recipes that are sure to please the guests […]