Chametz Sale & Matzah Fund
BI’UR CHAMETZ – REMOVAL OF LEAVEN
Part of the required preparation for Pesah is the removal of all Chametz (leaven) from our homes. This may be done in one of two ways:
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The preferred method is to use up all of our Chametz foodstuffs before Passover and/or to give them away to community food drives or soup kitchens – such as our West Hempstead Food Bank, or the Kosher Food Pantry at JCC in Cedarhurst.
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The other option is to sell one’s Chametz to a non-Jew; you may empower Rabbi Yechiel to do this on your behalf. This may be done with the Form for Sale of Chametz, below. All Chametz must be put away, concealed and kept out of reach before Pesach and for the entire duration of Passover.
It is essential as well – after all cleaning, changing or koshering of utensils, and searching and removal of Chametz is finished – to recite the passage in the Hagaddah called “Nullification of Leaven” (Bitul Chametz) on Tuesday evening (March 31) and/or on Wednesday morning (April 1) before noon.
If anyone wishes to receive the Rabbinical Assembly’s published Guide to the special laws of Passover, please contact our office or Rabbi Yechiel, and we’ll see that you get one. It includes an updated list of foods permitted and forbidden on Pesach.
SEARCHING FOR CHAMETZ – After cleaning places where Chametz may have been present, and after removing or putting away all forms of leavened food, it is an ancient practice to conduct a symbolic Search for any leaven that may have been overlooked. This is known as “B’deekaht Chametz”. The Search takes place after sundown in the evening of the day which precedes the day of the first Seder (i.e. after 7:20 PM on Tues. March 31). It is customary to carefully place some leaven around the home before the search. The search is conducted by candlelight or with a flashlight (many smart phones have one). Some people observe the custom of using a feather and wooden spoon for collecting this Chametz; CSS can provide a “Kit” for this purpose, if you wish. Immediately before the search, one recites the blessing “Ahl Biyur Chametz” (for “Disposal of Leaven”) which you may find in most any Haggadah. The following morning (by 11:54 AM) it is proper to burn (or place outside in the trash) this Chametz, along with any other remaining Chametz you may have; this is also called “Biyur Chametz”. The declarations found in the Haggadah (“Nullification of Leaven” or Bitul Chametz) should be recited as well – in the evening following the Search, and/or in the morning, following the final burning or disposal of the Chametz. Hopefully these rituals enable us to welcome and celebrate Passover with a feeling of purity and renewal.
FORM FOR SALE OF CHAMETZ BEFORE PESACH 5786/2026
Whereas, according to Jewish Law, one is not permitted to maintain or possess Chametz during the Passover Holiday, I/we, the undersigned, hereby authorize Rabbi Yechiel of Congregation Shaaray Shalom to sell my/our Chametz, whether it be found in my/our residence(s) indicated below or elsewhere.
This Chametz that I/we wish sold includes every kind of leavened foods and liquids in separate entities and mixed form, as well as dishes and utensils. I/we understand that Rabbi Yechiel will sell this Chametz on my/our behalf to a non-Jew for the entire duration of Pesach and that I/we may derive no benefit, use, or pleasure from it during the eight days of Passover.
SIGNED________________________________________________________
(NAME)________________________________________________________
ADDRESS____________________________________________________
OTHER PREMISES______________________________________________
This form must be received by Tuesday, March 31, 2026 PLEASE return this form to Congregation Shaaray Shalom, 711 Dogwood Avenue, West Hempstead 11552.
Requests for Sale of Chametz may also be sent by Email to Rabbi Yechiel,
In addition, we welcome monetary donations to our Passover Tzedakah Drive. (See Below) If you wish to donate, please make your check out to Congregation Shaaray Shalom, and send it along with this Form.
PASSOVER TZEDAKAH DRIVE
It is an ancient Jewish tradition to make sure that everyone one has food and wine for the Pesach holiday. In every Jewish community throughout our long history a special fund called “Ma’ot Hitin” or “Kimha d’Pascha”, was established before Passover. This is our “MATZAH FUND”- which helps those in need and provides them with the basics for Pesach and the Seder.
At this season, we call upon members of our synagogue family to give generously to Tzedakah, to support people in need in our local community and throughout the metropolitan area. Please send your check, payable to Congregation Shaaray Shalom, 711 Dogwood Avenue, West Hempstead, NY 11552. Funds collected will go both to the Matzah Fund and to the Rabbi’s Discretionary Tzedakah Fund. If you wish to contribute only to the Matzah Fund, please write
”Matzah Fund” in the memo line of your check. And thank you for your generous support.
Dear Synagogue office:
Enclosed is my contribution to the Passover Tzedakah Drive
NAME ____________________________________________________
