Preparing for Passover: The Steps and Rituals

How to prepare your home for Passover (Pesach, in Hebrew) involves clearing and cleaning your home of all food and beverages that contain fermented grain products or yeast, and “chametz,” which is five grains (wheat, rye, barley, oats and spelt) that, when mixed with water, cause food to rise, or become “leavened.” Therefore, all grain products such as bread, cereal and other breakfast foods, grain alcohol, grain vinegar and malts are forbidden during Passover. (Because of the history behind Passover, bread is replaced by matzoh, a flat, unleavened bread similar to crackers that is made out of flour and water—but with no additives that will allow it to rise. Matzoh meal is used for baking cakes, etc.).

All other foods, besides utensils and appliances, that have come in contact with these leavened foods and beverages must also be thoroughly cleared and cleaned, and set aside. Dishes, silverware, glassware, and pots and pans—even soap and dish towels—should be replaced by an entirely different set to be used only for Passover.

How thoroughly you clear and clean your home for chametz depends on how religiously observant you are, so besides the basics, I have added extended steps, and rituals, that should be followed if your entire home is to become completely and properly prepared for Passover. At the very end, I have included a section about Moses, and the historic events leading up to the celebration of Passover, besides some fabulous links for more information, including the deadline for “selling” your chametz, a way to sell it online, specific foods that are or aren’t acceptable, and candle lighting times.

Note: The dates of Jewish holidays never change from year to year. They fall on the same date every year because, unlike the Gregorian calendar, which is based on solar years, the Jewish calendar is based on lunar years, with the beginning of each month coinciding with the new moon. Also, all Jewish holidays begin the evening before the date specified, because a Jewish day begins and ends at sunset, rather than at midnight.