Pesach Prep 5785
The following Halachot are meant as a guide to preparations for Pesach. 
 A longer guide, detailing how to handle specific cleaning situations and other items, will also be available via the website.
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CLEANING
All property and possessions must be cleaned and checked to make sure that they are free of Chometz, except in the following cases:
  1. If Chometz is not brought into the place during the year, it does not have to be cleaned or checked.
  2. ​​​​​​​Chometz that is rendered inedible by being completely soaked in foul-tasting liquid such as detergent, bleach or ammonia is no longer considered Chometz because it is unfit to be eaten by an animal.
  3. The obligation to check for and destroy crumbs does not apply if the crumbs are smaller than a cheerio and are dirty enough to prevent someone from eating them.
  4. IF YOU ARE GOING AWAY FOR PESACH, and you are selling all of the Chometz in your house, you need not clean or check for Chometz.  The sale will take place this year on Friday, April 11th.
  5. Those who are leaving should still check (without saying a blessing) one room of the house before leaving and to say the text for the nullification of Chometz only for that room after you finish the search.  This way one can still fulfill the positive commandment to search for and destroy any Chometz in your possession.      
  6. If you are going away to a hotel, then you must check for Chometz (and say a blessing before you check) in your quarters in the hotel or AirBnB.  If you are going to a private home and you will have your own quarters (with your own key), then you must check your quarters. 
  7. For those who own multiple properties, it is important to note that the tenant and not the owner is responsible for checking.  But a tenant-less property would still have to be checked by the owner.  If one has a beach house, for example, checking would have to be done either by the owner or an agent.  If the check could take place on the night of the 13th of Nissan, that would be best.

 
SELLING CHOMETZ
There is an online form for those who want to use it but the normal in-person meeting of past years is again an option. 

 
 
HAG'ALA - (Kashering Metal utensils for Pesach)
One easy way to make sure there are plenty of utensils (pots, pans, cutlery) for Pesach, is to use old ones which have been newly Kashered for Pesach.  This is accomplished by "purging" them of their ingrained Chometz by placing them in boiling water.  All utensils must be unused with hot items for 24 hours before taking them to be "purged."  They must also be completely clean of any substance.  In anyone has any further questions, they should not hesitate to turn to R’ Stewart. 

 
 
MAOT CHITIM
As Pesach approaches, the intense preparations shouldn't divert our attention completely from those Jews in need of assistance for the holidays.  The Westwood Kehilla has traditionally taken contributions and distributed them to Jews who are in need.  Please send in contributions marked Maot Chitim or drop them off at the Minyan.

 
IMMERSING NEW UTENSILS IN THE MIKVE
New metal or glass utensils made by a non-Jew or bought from a non-Jew must be dipped in a Mikve.  The Mikve at Anshe Emes is open (it is chlorinated).

 
 
Fast of the First Born
The Fast for the First Born will be Thursday, April 10th.  There will be a Siyum, a celebration of the completion of a Talmudic tractate, that morning following Shacharit.  That will allow the first-born who would be fasting to join in and to eat.

Bedikat Chometz
The search for Chometz, takes place on the night of the 13th of Nissan.  This means it will be Thursday night, April 10th, [after 8:00pm].  One recites a blessing, as in other years, and says the declaration of nullification for Chometz afterward.