How to Keep Kosher During Passover

During Passover Jewish people are not allowed to come in contact with, eat, or derive any benefit from prohibited food. This food is called chametz, and should be banned from all Jewish possessions during the Passover. The process of staying kosher during Passover can be complicated and tricky.

• Determine what constitutes as chametz. Chametz is usually any food that contains wheat, oats, barley, rye or spelt that comes in contact with water for more than 18 minutes. This includes things like pet food, people food, bathroom soaps and cosmetics.


• Clean out all possessions. Go through everything you own and gather up all items considered chametz. Be sure to go through your vacation home, automobile, office, boat and any other place where you might keep chametz.


• Sell chametz to a non-Jewish friend to keep until after the Passover. These items do not necessarily need to go into the possession of the buyer, but should be kept in a sealed off area where they cannot be accessed during the Passover.


• Clean and wash thoroughly, or kasher, any utensils that may have come in contact with chametz. There are very specific instructions that detail how kashering should be done on utensils.


• Buy food products that are labeled "kosher for Passover." This will ensure that you are not buying food that includes chametz.


• Check Jewish websites before Passover for lists of approved foods. These lists change from year to year and should be checked each year. They are usually made available in the weeks before Passover.