{"id":80735,"date":"2026-02-25T14:48:09","date_gmt":"2026-02-25T14:48:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oukosher.org\/passover\/?p=80735"},"modified":"2026-02-25T14:48:09","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T14:48:09","slug":"ou-koshers-pesach-primer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oukosher.org\/passover\/articles\/ou-koshers-pesach-primer\/","title":{"rendered":"OU Kosher\u2019s Pesach Primer"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"It's<\/a>A timely refresher on the mitzvot and customs of Pesach<\/em><\/p>\n

From kashering kitchens and cleaning to searching for chametz and setting the Seder table, every mitzvah and custom helps us experience Zman Cheiruteinu<\/em> in our own homes and lives. Following is a helpful review of these mitzvot<\/em> and customs. As always, questions about practical observance should be directed to an Orthodox rabbi.<\/p>\n

When is Pesach this year, and when is the latest I can eat chametz?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pesach takes place from the 15th through the 22nd of the Hebrew month of Nisan. This year, Pesach 2026 falls at sundown on Wednesday, April 1, through nightfall on Thursday, April 9.<\/p>\n

It is forbidden to eat chametz<\/em> as of Wednesday morning, April 1.<\/p>\n

See corresponding zmanim (times)<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What exactly is chametz?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chametz<\/em>, often referred to as \u201cleaven\u201d, is any food created by allowing grain (specifically wheat, oat, spelt, rye or barley) and water to ferment and rise. Common examples of chametz include bread, crackers, cookies, pretzels and pasta.<\/p>\n

Even foods with minute amounts of chametz<\/em> ingredients, or foods processed with utensils or machinery that are used for chametz<\/em>, are not permissible for Pesach use. Practically speaking, any processed food not certified as kosher for Pesach may include chametz<\/em> ingredients and should not be eaten on Pesach. For a list of items that are acceptable despite being processed and not having a kosher for Pesach certification, see listing here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Is my home kosher for Pesach?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Keeping a year-round kosher home is not the same as a \u201ckosher for Pesach\u201d home. On Pesach, eating chametz<\/em>, or having chametz<\/em> in your possession, is forbidden. This mitzvah takes up the bulk of our Pesach preparations, as we clean and search our homes, cars and offices to remove all remnants of edible chametz<\/em>.<\/p>\n

What does this look like in practice<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Maot Chitim \u2014 money for the poor<\/strong><\/p>\n

Before Pesach, it is customary to give Maot Chitim (literally, money for wheat) to the needy to help them to purchase matzot<\/em> and other food for Pesach. OU\u2019s Maot Chitim campaign efforts enable families affected by poverty to celebrate the holiday with dignity. Visit ou.org\/hunger<\/a> to participate in this meaningful mitzvah.<\/p>\n

Cleaning<\/strong><\/p>\n

One\u2019s entire home and car (and office, if you do not sell your chametz<\/em> there) must be cleaned of all edible chametz<\/em>. Check and clean out any place that may have come into contact with chametz<\/em> during the year. (If you have kids at home, this might mean under beds and in closets, and in knapsacks.) Either clean all toys or set aside designated clean toys.<\/p>\n

Selling<\/strong><\/p>\n

Rather than disposing of all of one\u2019s chametz<\/em>, it is customary to sell it to a non-Jew. Place chametz<\/em> in a specially marked and sealed place, e.g.: a room or closet. That storage space can then be leased to a non-Jew for the duration of the holiday. Ask your Orthodox rabbi to help you arrange this. For guidelines on what can and should be sold, as well as tips for those whose custom is to not sell chametz<\/em>, see chart<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Different Utensils<\/strong><\/p>\n

Year-round cooking and eating utensils should not be used, and separate utensils should be purchased exclusively for Pesach use. (In some cases, year-round utensils may be kashered<\/em> for Pesach, in consultation with a rabbi.) For more details, check out our \u201cKashering Primer<\/a>“.<\/p>\n

The busy days before Pesach \u2014 special mitzvot and customs<\/h3>\n

Have you combed through every inch of your home for chametz<\/em>, covered every inch of your kitchen with aluminum foil or other material, and searched every corner? You\u2019re ready for the next step:<\/p>\n

Ta\u2019anit Bechorot – The Fast of the Firstborns<\/strong><\/p>\n

This year, Wednesday, April 1, is a fast day for firstborn males. During the tenth plague, all the firstborns in Egypt were killed. Died. G-d passed over the homes of the Jews and spared their firstborns. To commemorate this, firstborns fast on Erev Pesach.<\/p>\n

Many congregations conduct a siyum<\/em>. (The conclusion of a portion of Torah learning is a celebratory occasion that allows for a seudat mitzvah<\/em>, a ritual feast). A siyum<\/em> exempts firstborn males from fasting altogether.<\/p>\n

Bedikat Chametz \u2013 the search for chametz<\/strong><\/p>\n

Using a candle or flashlight, we inspect our homes for any chametz that we might have overlooked. This year, Bedikat Chametz<\/em> will take place on Tuesday evening, March 31, after dark. Kol Chamirah<\/em> should be recited. Any chametz<\/em> found should be set aside to be burned the next morning.<\/p>\n

Biur Chametz – burning the chametz<\/strong><\/p>\n

Biur Chametz<\/em> takes place on the morning of Erev Pesach, Wednesday, April 1. Kol Chamirah<\/em> should once again be recited at this time. See page 4 for the latest time to burn your chametz<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Eruv Tavshilin \u2013 preparing for Shabbat<\/strong><\/p>\n

This year, the first two days of Pesach go straight into Shabbat. Normally, cooking on Yom Tov is only permitted for that day itself, not for another day. An eruv tavshilin<\/em> creates a symbolic \u201cbridge\u201d permitting preparation for Shabbat. (It does not allow you to cook on one day of the holiday for the following day).<\/p>\n

This year, an eruv tavshilin<\/em> (see page 52) must be performed before sundown on Wednesday, April 1:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Place a piece of matzah and a hard-boiled egg, on a plate.<\/li>\n
  2. Lift the plate and recite the blessing \u201cAl mitzvat eruv<\/em>\u201d. This act marks the start of Shabbat meal prep, making any Yom Tov cooking an extension of it.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    The food set aside should be eaten on Shabbat, preferably at the Shabbat meal.<\/p>\n

    You\u2019ve made it to the Seder!<\/h3>\n

    The Mitzvot of the Seder:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    There are two Torah obligations and five rabbinical obligations to perform during the Seder.<\/p>\n

    Torah-based Mitzvot<\/strong><\/p>\n