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==Institution of Selling Chametz==
==Institution of Selling Chametz==
# Some authorities question the sale of complete Chametz, however, most authorities allow it and such is the minhag. <Ref> The institution of Mechirat Chametz is based on a Tosefta (Pesachim 2:6) that says that a Jew on a boat with a non-Jew may sell his Chametz to the non-Jew and then buy it back after Pesach. This is codified by the Rambam (Pesach 4:6) and S”A 448:3. The Beit Yosef 448:3 writes that selling it before Pesach and buying it back is Ha’arama (a scheme to avoid a prohibition) and yet it is permitted.
 
* Gemara Shabbat 139b says that a certain Rabbi slept on a non-Jew’s boat on Shabbat claiming that he intended to sleep, even though he knew the non-Jew would sail the boat across the river. The Gemara says that his claim was HaAramah, but is permitted since it’s only an isser derabbanan and he was a talmid chacham. Bechor Shor (Pesachim 21a) learns from here that Ha’aramah is permitted only if the issue is derabbanan. He writes that after Bitul, the issue of owning Chametz is only derabbanan and Ha’aramah is acceptable. Bet Efraim 1:33 and Minchat Bikkurim (Tosefta 2:7) agree.
#Some authorities question the sale of complete Chametz, however, most authorities allow it and such is the minhag. <ref>The institution of [[Mechirat Chametz]] is based on a Tosefta (Pesachim 2:6) that says that a Jew on a boat with a non-Jew may sell his Chametz to the non-Jew and then buy it back after [[Pesach]]. This is codified by the Rambam ([[Pesach]] 4:6) and Shulchan Aruch 448:3. The Beit Yosef 448:3 writes that selling it before [[Pesach]] and buying it back is Ha’arama (a scheme to avoid a prohibition) and yet it is permitted. The Talmid Haritva printed at the end of the Chiddushei Haritva on Pesachim limits this permission to an incidental sale of the Chametz but doesn't allow the sale in an institutionalized manner.
* Mekor Chaim 448:11 rejects the Bechor Shor and explains that in Gemara Shabbat HaAramah was only permitted on an isser derabbanan because the Rabbi was actually violating an isser, however, by selling Chametz, one circumvents the issue altogether.  
 
* Rav Solovietchik (quoted by Rav Schachter in Nefesh HaRav p. 177) held that one shouldn’t sell Chametz BeEyn. [Halachos of Pesach (pg 32) defines Chametz BeEyn as mixtures which have a majority or equal amount of Chametz in comparison to the non-Chametz ingredients.] This opinion is based on the idea that Ha’aramah shouldn’t be performed except for Derabbanan issues. According to this, one may rely on Rabbeinu Tam (Pesachim 42a D”H VeElu), who holds that mixtures of Chametz are only a derabbanan issue of Bal Yeira’eh.
*Gemara [[Shabbat]] 139b says that a certain Rabbi slept on a non-Jew’s boat on [[Shabbat]] claiming that he intended to sleep, even though he knew the non-Jew would sail the boat across the river. The Gemara says that his claim was HaAramah, but is permitted since it’s only an isser derabbanan and he was a talmid chacham. Bechor Shor (Pesachim 21a) learns from here that Ha’aramah is permitted only if the issue is derabbanan. He writes that after Bitul, the issue of owning Chametz is only derabbanan and Ha’aramah is acceptable. Bet Efraim 1:33 and Minchat Bikkurim (Tosefta 2:7) agree.
* Rav Schachter in BeIkvei HaTzon (siman 15) writes to defend the minhag that Ha’aramah is acceptable to avoid an isser, but not to exempt one from a mitzvah because at the end of the day, one didn’t fulfill the mitzvah. Therefore, selling one’s Chametz only avoids the isser, and one may still fulfill the mitzvah of Tashbitu with burning the last unsold kezayit.
*Mekor Chaim 448:11 rejects the Bechor Shor and explains that in Gemara [[Shabbat]] HaAramah was only permitted on an isser derabbanan because the Rabbi was actually violating an isser, however, by selling Chametz, one circumvents the issue altogether.
* Halachos of Pesach (p. 123) records the practice of Rav Aharon Kotler not to sell Chametz BeEyn. However, Halachos of Pesach quoting Rav Moshe Feinstein, Tzitz Eliezer 20:51(2), and Yalkut Yosef 448:3(1) permit selling all forms of Chametz. Halachos of Pesach (p. 123) writes that most poskim allow the sale and that such is the minhag. See, however, Haggadah of the Roshei Yeshiva (pg 13) which writes that Rav Moshe's minhag was not to sell actual chametz but he did sell alcoholic beverages. </ref>  
*Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik (quoted by Rav Hershel Schachter in Nefesh HaRav p. 177) held that one shouldn’t sell Chametz BeEyn. [Halachos of [[Pesach]] (pg 32) defines Chametz BeEyn as mixtures which have a majority or equal amount of Chametz in comparison to the non-Chametz ingredients.] This opinion is based on the idea that Ha’aramah shouldn’t be performed except for Derabbanan issues. According to this, one may rely on Rabbeinu Tam (Pesachim 42a s.v. VeElu), who holds that mixtures of Chametz are only a derabbanan issue of Bal Yeira’eh.
*Rav Schachter in BeIkvei HaTzon (siman 15) writes to defend the minhag that Ha’aramah is acceptable to avoid an isser, but not to exempt one from a mitzvah because at the end of the day, one didn’t fulfill the mitzvah. Therefore, selling one’s Chametz only avoids the isser, and one may still fulfill the mitzvah of Tashbitu with burning the last unsold [[kezayit]].
*Halachos of [[Pesach]] (p. 123) records the practice of Rav Aharon Kotler not to sell Chametz BeEyn. However, Halachos of [[Pesach]] quoting Rav Moshe Feinstein, Tzitz Eliezer 20:51(2), and Yalkut Yosef 448:3(1) permit selling all forms of Chametz. Halachos of [[Pesach]] (p. 123) writes that most poskim allow the sale and that such is the minhag. See, however, Haggadah of the Roshei Yeshiva (pg 13) which writes that Rav Moshe's minhag was not to sell actual chametz but he did sell alcoholic beverages.</ref>
#A store shouldn't buy non-perishable chametz before Pesach, then sell them to a non-Jew, so that he can have them immediately after Pesach and sell them.<ref>Yalkut Yosef 448:3:9 writes that even though the minhag is to use the sale of Chametz a store shouldn't initially buy chametz in order to sell it.</ref>
 
===Those who don't sell real Chametz===
===Those who don't sell real Chametz===
# Even if one wants to observe this stringency, it is advisable to perform Mechirat Chametz for mixtures of Chametz. <Ref> Halachos of Pesach (p. 123) writes that sometimes those who desired not to sell Chametz unknowingly retained Chametz items. He adds that a student in a dorm should not assume that his Chametz was sold for him; rather, he should specifically request his father (or another individual) to be his representative to sell his Chametz. http://www.torah.org/advanced/weekly-halacha/5757/metzorah.html also says that one should sell his chametz even if he doesn't think he has any because there may be denatured ethyl alcohol in deodorant, shaving cream, or cologne. </ref>
 
# If one doesn’t sell real Chametz such as cake, bread, or noodles, one still sell ketchup, mayonnaise or any mixture of a minority of chametz. <Ref> Rav Schachter on [http://www.ou.org/torah/article/oukosher_pre-pesach_webcast_5771 OU Pre-Pesach Webcast 5771] between minutes 26 and 27 </ref>
#Even if one wants to observe this stringency, it is advisable to perform [[Mechirat Chametz]] for mixtures of Chametz. <ref>Halachos of [[Pesach]] (p. 123) writes that sometimes those who desired not to sell Chametz unknowingly retained Chametz items. He adds that a student in a dorm should not assume that his Chametz was sold for him; rather, he should specifically request his father (or another individual) to be his representative to sell his Chametz. http://www.torah.org/advanced/weekly-halacha/5757/metzorah.html also says that one should sell his chametz even if he doesn't think he has any because there may be denatured ethyl alcohol in deodorant, [[shaving]] cream, or cologne. </ref>
# If one doesn’t sell real Chametz such as cake, bread, or noodles, one still sell flour commonly found in the market which is Chametz since in the processing the grain is washed and comes into contact with water. <Ref> Rav Yisrael Belsky on [http://www.ou.org/torah/article/oukosher_pre-pesach_webcast_5771 OU Pre-Pesach Webcast 5771] between minutes 79 and 80 </ref>
#If one doesn’t sell real Chametz such as cake, bread, or noodles, one still sell ketchup, mayonnaise or any mixture of a minority of chametz. <ref>Rav Schachter on [http://www.ou.org/torah/article/oukosher_pre-pesach_webcast_5771 OU Pre-Pesach Webcast 5771] between minutes 26 and 27 </ref>
#If one doesn’t sell real Chametz such as cake, bread, or noodles, one still sell flour commonly found in the market which is Chametz since in the processing the grain is washed and comes into contact with water. <ref>Rav Yisrael Belsky on [http://www.ou.org/torah/article/oukosher_pre-pesach_webcast_5771 OU Pre-Pesach Webcast 5771] between minutes 79 and 80 </ref>


==Procedure of Selling Chametz==
==Procedure of Selling Chametz==
# When selling Chametz one should write down one’s address, and provide access to get in by leaving the keys by the Rabbi, neighbors, or security guard. If one feels uncomfortable doing that one should at least write down one’s cell phone number at which one would be reachable over Pesach. <Ref> Rabbi Sobolofsky at [http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/759810/Rabbi_Zvi_Sobolofsky/Pesach_Issues_in_the_Workplace yutorah.org] between minutes 4 and 6 </ref>
 
# One should make sure to sell one's chametz completely and not with a gift with a condition that it must be returned after Pesach. <ref>S"A 448:3 writes that one may not do a Matana Al Menat LeHachzir. Mishna Brurah 448:21 explains that even though usually a Matana Al Menat Lehachzir works to completely acquire something (such as S"A 558:4), by chametz because of the chumra of chametz one may not do a Matana Al Menat LeHachzir. </ref>
#When selling Chametz one should write down one’s address, and provide access to get in by leaving the keys by the Rabbi, neighbors, or security guard. If one feels uncomfortable doing that one should at least write down one’s cell phone number at which one would be reachable over [[Pesach]]. <ref>Rabbi Sobolofsky at [http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/759810/Rabbi_Zvi_Sobolofsky/Pesach_Issues_in_the_Workplace yutorah.org] between minutes 4 and 6 </ref>
#One should make sure to sell one's chametz completely and not with a gift with a condition that it must be returned after [[Pesach]]. <ref>Shulchan Aruch 448:3 writes that one may not do a Matana Al Menat LeHachzir. Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 114:6 agrees. Mishna Brurah 448:21 explains that even though usually a Matana Al Menat Lehachzir works to completely acquire something (such as Shulchan Aruch 558:4), by chametz because of the chumra of chametz one may not do a Matana Al Menat LeHachzir. </ref>However, one may assure the non-Jew that one will buy it back after [[Pesach]] and make it profitable for the non-Jew.<ref>Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 114:6, Mishna Brurah 448:23</ref>
#One may not sell one's chametz to a Jew who "converted" to another religion.<ref>Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 114:7</ref>


==Stocks of companies which own Chametz==
==Stocks of companies which own Chametz==
# Some authorities hold that there's is no prohibition of owning Chametz to a shareholder of a company which owns Chametz on Pesach who has no say in the actions of the company, while others hold that one should sell the shares together with one's other Mechirat Chametz through the Rabbi. <ref> Piskei Teshuvot 440:1 and http://www.vbm-torah.org/pesach/stocks.htm quote the dispute. Rabbi Yisrael Belsky based on Rav Moshe and many others at the [http://www.ou.org/torah/article/oukosher_pre-pesach_webcast_5770 OU Pre-Pesach Webcast] between minutes 29:30 and 32:00 permits someone who owns shares but doesn't have any say in the company, however if someone has 30% (or so) of the company it's considered as if one is a partner and it'd be forbidden. Minchat Yitzchak 3:1 and Moadim Uzmanim 3:269 say that one should sell these stocks along with the rest of the chametz and not trade them during chol hamoed. </ref>
 
#Some authorities hold that there's is no prohibition of owning Chametz to a shareholder of a company which owns Chametz on [[Pesach]] who has no say in the actions of the company, while others hold that one should sell the shares together with one's other [[Mechirat Chametz]] through the Rabbi. <ref>Piskei Teshuvot 440:1 and http://www.vbm-torah.org/pesach/stocks.htm quote the dispute. Rabbi Yisrael Belsky based on Rav Moshe and many others at the [http://www.ou.org/torah/article/oukosher_pre-pesach_webcast_5770 OU Pre-Pesach Webcast (5770 min 29-32)] permits someone who owns shares but doesn't have any say in the company, however if someone has 30% (or so) of the company it's considered as if one is a partner and it'd be forbidden. This is implied by Igrot Moshe EH 1:7. Rav Dovid Feinstein (cited by Journal of Halacha and Contemporary Society v. 24 p. 85) agreed that it is permitted to own stocks of a chametz company if one doesn't have any involvement in the voting or management of the company. Haelef Lecha Shlomo OC 238 agrees. Minchat Yitzchak 3:1 and Moadim Uzmanim 3:269 say that one should sell these stocks along with the rest of the chametz and not trade them during [[chol hamoed]]. </ref>


==Storing the Chametz==
==Storing the Chametz==
# Chametz which one sells to a non-Jew for Pesach should be put away in a closet or another partition of 10 [[Tefachim]] and not opened on Pesach. Similarly one shouldn’t leave sold Chametz out in the refrigerator but rather it should be partitioned off with a wall of ten [[Tefachim]]. <Ref> Rabbi Sobolofsky at [http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/759810/Rabbi_Zvi_Sobolofsky/Pesach_Issues_in_the_Workplace yutorah.org] between minutes 6 and 8 </ref>
# One shouldn’t store sold Chametz on the shelves of the door of the refrigator but rather should be put in the back of the refrigerator and sealed off. <Ref> Rav Yisrael Belsky on [http://www.ou.org/torah/article/oukosher_pre-pesach_webcast_5771 OU Pre-Pesach Webcast 5771] between minutes 27:00 and 28:30 </ref>


==References==
#Chametz which one sells to a non-Jew for [[Pesach]] should be put away in a closet or another partition of 10 [[Tefachim]] and not opened on [[Pesach]]. Similarly one shouldn’t leave sold Chametz out in the refrigerator but rather it should be partitioned off with a wall of ten [[Tefachim]]. <ref>Rabbi Sobolofsky at [http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/759810/Rabbi_Zvi_Sobolofsky/Pesach_Issues_in_the_Workplace yutorah.org] between minutes 6 and 8 </ref>
<references/>
#One shouldn’t store sold Chametz on the shelves of the door of the refrigator but rather should be put in the back of the refrigerator and sealed off. <ref>Rav Yisrael Belsky on [http://www.ou.org/torah/article/oukosher_pre-pesach_webcast_5771 OU Pre-Pesach Webcast 5771] between minutes 27:00 and 28:30 </ref>
 
==Seventh Day on a Friday==
#If the seventh day of Pesach falls out on a Friday in Israel, some poskim say that that an Israeli can eat Chametz on that Shabbat and the Chametz isn't considered muktzeh because of the previous day. <ref>Yechave Daat 2:64, Yalkut Yosef 448:5 citing Yabia Omer 9:46 </ref> Others are strict. <ref>Or Litzion 3:9:4 </ref>
 
==Links==
 
*[http://www.hebrewbooks.org/54541 Yalkut Yosef Hilchot Pesach vol. 1 (Hebrew, 5775)]
*[http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/718382/Rabbi_Mordechai_I_Willig/Mechirat_Chametz Mechirat Chametz] by Rabbi Mordechai Willig
*Article on [http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/714420/Rabbi_Josh_Flug/Mechirat_Chametz:_Theory_and_Practice Mechirat Chametz: Theory and Practice] by Rabbi Josh Flug
 
==Sources==
<references />
[[Category:Pesach]]
[[Category:Holidays]]

Revision as of 13:40, 28 April 2019

Institution of Selling Chametz

  1. Some authorities question the sale of complete Chametz, however, most authorities allow it and such is the minhag. [1]
  2. A store shouldn't buy non-perishable chametz before Pesach, then sell them to a non-Jew, so that he can have them immediately after Pesach and sell them.[2]

Those who don't sell real Chametz

  1. Even if one wants to observe this stringency, it is advisable to perform Mechirat Chametz for mixtures of Chametz. [3]
  2. If one doesn’t sell real Chametz such as cake, bread, or noodles, one still sell ketchup, mayonnaise or any mixture of a minority of chametz. [4]
  3. If one doesn’t sell real Chametz such as cake, bread, or noodles, one still sell flour commonly found in the market which is Chametz since in the processing the grain is washed and comes into contact with water. [5]

Procedure of Selling Chametz

  1. When selling Chametz one should write down one’s address, and provide access to get in by leaving the keys by the Rabbi, neighbors, or security guard. If one feels uncomfortable doing that one should at least write down one’s cell phone number at which one would be reachable over Pesach. [6]
  2. One should make sure to sell one's chametz completely and not with a gift with a condition that it must be returned after Pesach. [7]However, one may assure the non-Jew that one will buy it back after Pesach and make it profitable for the non-Jew.[8]
  3. One may not sell one's chametz to a Jew who "converted" to another religion.[9]

Stocks of companies which own Chametz

  1. Some authorities hold that there's is no prohibition of owning Chametz to a shareholder of a company which owns Chametz on Pesach who has no say in the actions of the company, while others hold that one should sell the shares together with one's other Mechirat Chametz through the Rabbi. [10]

Storing the Chametz

  1. Chametz which one sells to a non-Jew for Pesach should be put away in a closet or another partition of 10 Tefachim and not opened on Pesach. Similarly one shouldn’t leave sold Chametz out in the refrigerator but rather it should be partitioned off with a wall of ten Tefachim. [11]
  2. One shouldn’t store sold Chametz on the shelves of the door of the refrigator but rather should be put in the back of the refrigerator and sealed off. [12]

Seventh Day on a Friday

  1. If the seventh day of Pesach falls out on a Friday in Israel, some poskim say that that an Israeli can eat Chametz on that Shabbat and the Chametz isn't considered muktzeh because of the previous day. [13] Others are strict. [14]

Links

Sources

  1. The institution of Mechirat Chametz is based on a Tosefta (Pesachim 2:6) that says that a Jew on a boat with a non-Jew may sell his Chametz to the non-Jew and then buy it back after Pesach. This is codified by the Rambam (Pesach 4:6) and Shulchan Aruch 448:3. The Beit Yosef 448:3 writes that selling it before Pesach and buying it back is Ha’arama (a scheme to avoid a prohibition) and yet it is permitted. The Talmid Haritva printed at the end of the Chiddushei Haritva on Pesachim limits this permission to an incidental sale of the Chametz but doesn't allow the sale in an institutionalized manner.
    • Gemara Shabbat 139b says that a certain Rabbi slept on a non-Jew’s boat on Shabbat claiming that he intended to sleep, even though he knew the non-Jew would sail the boat across the river. The Gemara says that his claim was HaAramah, but is permitted since it’s only an isser derabbanan and he was a talmid chacham. Bechor Shor (Pesachim 21a) learns from here that Ha’aramah is permitted only if the issue is derabbanan. He writes that after Bitul, the issue of owning Chametz is only derabbanan and Ha’aramah is acceptable. Bet Efraim 1:33 and Minchat Bikkurim (Tosefta 2:7) agree.
    • Mekor Chaim 448:11 rejects the Bechor Shor and explains that in Gemara Shabbat HaAramah was only permitted on an isser derabbanan because the Rabbi was actually violating an isser, however, by selling Chametz, one circumvents the issue altogether.
    • Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik (quoted by Rav Hershel Schachter in Nefesh HaRav p. 177) held that one shouldn’t sell Chametz BeEyn. [Halachos of Pesach (pg 32) defines Chametz BeEyn as mixtures which have a majority or equal amount of Chametz in comparison to the non-Chametz ingredients.] This opinion is based on the idea that Ha’aramah shouldn’t be performed except for Derabbanan issues. According to this, one may rely on Rabbeinu Tam (Pesachim 42a s.v. VeElu), who holds that mixtures of Chametz are only a derabbanan issue of Bal Yeira’eh.
    • Rav Schachter in BeIkvei HaTzon (siman 15) writes to defend the minhag that Ha’aramah is acceptable to avoid an isser, but not to exempt one from a mitzvah because at the end of the day, one didn’t fulfill the mitzvah. Therefore, selling one’s Chametz only avoids the isser, and one may still fulfill the mitzvah of Tashbitu with burning the last unsold kezayit.
    • Halachos of Pesach (p. 123) records the practice of Rav Aharon Kotler not to sell Chametz BeEyn. However, Halachos of Pesach quoting Rav Moshe Feinstein, Tzitz Eliezer 20:51(2), and Yalkut Yosef 448:3(1) permit selling all forms of Chametz. Halachos of Pesach (p. 123) writes that most poskim allow the sale and that such is the minhag. See, however, Haggadah of the Roshei Yeshiva (pg 13) which writes that Rav Moshe's minhag was not to sell actual chametz but he did sell alcoholic beverages.
  2. Yalkut Yosef 448:3:9 writes that even though the minhag is to use the sale of Chametz a store shouldn't initially buy chametz in order to sell it.
  3. Halachos of Pesach (p. 123) writes that sometimes those who desired not to sell Chametz unknowingly retained Chametz items. He adds that a student in a dorm should not assume that his Chametz was sold for him; rather, he should specifically request his father (or another individual) to be his representative to sell his Chametz. http://www.torah.org/advanced/weekly-halacha/5757/metzorah.html also says that one should sell his chametz even if he doesn't think he has any because there may be denatured ethyl alcohol in deodorant, shaving cream, or cologne.
  4. Rav Schachter on OU Pre-Pesach Webcast 5771 between minutes 26 and 27
  5. Rav Yisrael Belsky on OU Pre-Pesach Webcast 5771 between minutes 79 and 80
  6. Rabbi Sobolofsky at yutorah.org between minutes 4 and 6
  7. Shulchan Aruch 448:3 writes that one may not do a Matana Al Menat LeHachzir. Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 114:6 agrees. Mishna Brurah 448:21 explains that even though usually a Matana Al Menat Lehachzir works to completely acquire something (such as Shulchan Aruch 558:4), by chametz because of the chumra of chametz one may not do a Matana Al Menat LeHachzir.
  8. Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 114:6, Mishna Brurah 448:23
  9. Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 114:7
  10. Piskei Teshuvot 440:1 and http://www.vbm-torah.org/pesach/stocks.htm quote the dispute. Rabbi Yisrael Belsky based on Rav Moshe and many others at the OU Pre-Pesach Webcast (5770 min 29-32) permits someone who owns shares but doesn't have any say in the company, however if someone has 30% (or so) of the company it's considered as if one is a partner and it'd be forbidden. This is implied by Igrot Moshe EH 1:7. Rav Dovid Feinstein (cited by Journal of Halacha and Contemporary Society v. 24 p. 85) agreed that it is permitted to own stocks of a chametz company if one doesn't have any involvement in the voting or management of the company. Haelef Lecha Shlomo OC 238 agrees. Minchat Yitzchak 3:1 and Moadim Uzmanim 3:269 say that one should sell these stocks along with the rest of the chametz and not trade them during chol hamoed.
  11. Rabbi Sobolofsky at yutorah.org between minutes 6 and 8
  12. Rav Yisrael Belsky on OU Pre-Pesach Webcast 5771 between minutes 27:00 and 28:30
  13. Yechave Daat 2:64, Yalkut Yosef 448:5 citing Yabia Omer 9:46
  14. Or Litzion 3:9:4