“Mekhirat Hametz” - Selling Hametz At Adat Shalom
Hametz is defined as food containing any amount of leavened product derived from 5 types of specific grain including wheat, barley oats and rye. “Leavened” refers to the process of fermentation which results when flour is mixed with water and allowed to sit 18 minutes or longer.
The Torah forbids eating or owning hametz during Pesach. Prohibited foods include: leavened bread, cakes, crackers, cereal, coffees from cereal derivatives, wheat, barley oats, spelt rye and all liquids containing ingredients made from grain alcohol.
Since we are forbidden to own hametz during Pesach we arrange for the sale of the hametz to a non-Jew. The transfer, mekhirat hametz, is accomplished by appointing an agent, usually one’s rabbi, to handle the sale. It is a valid and legal transfer of ownership. At the end of the holiday, the agent arranges to repurchase the items on behalf of the owner, since the hametz is again permitted. If ownership of the hametz was not transferred before the holiday, the use of any such hametz remains prohibited after the holiday (hametz sheavar ha-Pesah).
Of course, first try to remove as much as possible from your home. Mindful of the financial loss, some hametz is boxed and put aside, or kept in a closed area during the holiday.
I, the rabbi, will act as your agent and transfer legal ownership to a member of our larger community who is not Jewish.
Rabbi Kevin Lefkowitz has full power to sell the hametz and lease the places wherein hametz may be found, for the duration of Passover, where upon the ownership of the hametz shall revert to its original owner.
Mekhirat Hametz (Selling of Hametz) Contract
Submissions due to Adat Shalom office by: 3:00 PM, Tuesday, April 4, 2023.
I do hereby appoint and authorize Rabbi Kevin Lefkowitz to sell all hametz owned and possessed by me (knowingly or unknowingly) as defined by the tradition of our people and the regulations of our rabbis in my residence at:
