Category: Jewish holidays

According to Jewish law, the five forbidden grains for Passover are wheat, spelt, barley, oats, and rye. During the holiday, these grains become 'chametz' if they come into contact with water for more than 18 minutes, making them leavened and therefore forbidden. The prohibition extends to anything made from these specific grains, with careful supervision ensuring that even products like matzah are baked quickly to prevent leavening.

In Deuteronomy 8:8, the Torah famously praises the land of Israel as being rich with seven specific agricultural products, including five fruits. These fruits, known as the Seven Species, have held deep historical and spiritual meaning for the Jewish people for millennia, dictating which fruits do Jews eat in special contexts.

The Nine Days, leading up to the fast of Tisha B'Av, are a time of heightened mourning in Judaism, but a common question arises regarding specific dietary rules. A central aspect of this observance is whether you can have chicken on the 9 days, which is generally prohibited due to the laws of mourning.

Traditional wheat-based pasta is strictly forbidden during the holiday of Pesach due to the ban on leavened grain products known as *chametz*. Understanding what kind of pasta is kosher for Passover involves exploring the specific rules surrounding prohibited foods and finding specially certified products to ensure a delicious and compliant celebration.

Did you know that the prohibition of *chametz*—leavened grains—on Passover is a millennia-old tradition? This means traditional wheat pasta is off the menu, leaving many to wonder, **what is a substitute for pasta on Passover?** Fortunately, many flavorful and festive options exist to make your holiday meals complete.

According to Jewish law, cheese must be supervised by a rabbi during its production to be considered kosher. This supervision is even more stringent for Passover, meaning not all year-round kosher mozzarella is acceptable for the holiday. So, can you eat mozzarella cheese on Passover? The short answer is yes, provided it has the specific 'Kosher for Passover' (KFP) certification.

The observance of Passover, which commemorates the Jewish exodus from Egypt, strictly prohibits consuming *chametz*, any leavened food made from five specific grains. This means that for eight days, a wide array of everyday baked goods must be completely avoided, and specialized rules govern all cooking and baking.

According to Jewish law, all leavened grain products, known as *chametz*, are forbidden during the eight days of Passover. While this rule prohibits typical cakes made with wheat flour, it is still possible to enjoy delicious, celebratory cakes for Passover by using specific kosher-for-Passover ingredients.

According to the OU Kosher, traditional pretzels are explicitly categorized as chametz and are therefore forbidden during Passover. The prohibition against leavened grain products like pretzels is one of the most fundamental dietary laws observed during this eight-day festival. Understanding why they are not permitted requires a closer look at the specific ingredients and preparation methods.

In the 13th century, a custom arose among Ashkenazi rabbis to prohibit kitniyot, a list of legumes and seeds, on Passover, adding a layer of dietary complexity beyond the biblical chametz prohibition. Navigating what grains are ok for Passover therefore requires understanding these two separate categories.