Mechirat Chametz 5783

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On Pesach, in addition to the prohibition against eating Chametz (any leavened product), there is also a prohibition against owning Chametz and deriving benefit from it. The Torah therefore mandates that one get rid of all their Chametz before Pesach. The prohibition against owning Chametz is so severe that there is a Rabbinic penalty that any Chametz that was in a Jew’s possession during Pesach cannot be used after the holiday has passed. Whatever one is not able to consume or give away to a non-Jew before Pesach must be destroyed on Erev Pesach by burning it.
Recognizing the significant financial loss that the requirement to get rid of and destroy all of one’s Chametz may impose on Jewish families, the Rabbis came up with a way that the Chametz need not be destroyed. The Chametz that someone owns may be sold to a non-Jew before the holiday begins. Since the Chametz no longer belongs to the Jew, he/she does not transgress any violations if it remains in their home. They are simply storing the Chametz for the non-Jewish owner. After Pesach the non-Jew may sell the Chametz back to the Jewish owner, at which point the Jew may eat and derive all benefit from the Chametz.
The prohibition against owning and deriving benefit from Chametz applies to anything that contains even trace amounts of Chametz. Even non-food items such as medicines and cosmetics may contain Chametz in them.
Pots, pans and utensils that are forbidden for use on Pesach because they have absorbed the taste of Chametz need not be sold. Nor do kitnyot (“legumes”) – food products that Ashkenazi Jews do not eat on Pesach because they may be confused with Chametz, but are not in fact Chametz. Examples of kitnyot include rice, beans, peanuts, etc.
The sale of Chametz is a real, legally binding sale. The non-Jew to whom the Rabbi sells the Chametz is the full owner of the Chametz and must be able to access, and eat the Chametz if he or she so desires. If you will be out of town during Pesach, there must be reasonable accommodations made to allow access to the Chametz if the non-Jewish owner so desires.

Authorization for Sale

I, the undersigned, fully empower and permit Rabbi Elliot D. Kaplowitz to act in my place and stead and on my behalf to sell all Chametz possessed by me knowingly or unknowingly, as defined by Torah and Rabbinic Law, and to lease all places in which Chametz owned by me may be found, especially in the premises indicated below, and elsewhere.

Rabbi Elliot D. Kaplowitz has the full right to sell and to lease by transactions as he deems fit and proper, and for such time which he believes necessary, in accordance with all terms detailed in the general authorization contract which is in the possession of Rabbi Elliot D. Kaplowitz authorizing him to sell Chametz on behalf of others. I hereby give the said Rabbi Elliot D. Kaplowitz full power and authority to appoint a substitute in his stead with full power to sell and lease as provided herein. The above given power is in conformity with all Torah, Rabbinical regulations and laws, and also in accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland and of the United States.

Name *

Email Address *

Phone *

Home Address *

City, State, Zip *

Additional Addresses

Please list any additional locations where Chametz is located (office, dorm rooms, vacation home)

Additional Addresses

Time Zone

Chametz must be sold according to the time zone in which you find yourself at the start and finish of the time period during which the ownership and eating of Chametz is proscribed. Please indicate where you will be at the beginning and conclusion of Passover.

PLEASE NOTE: Accommodations will be made for the sale of Chametz at the beginning of the holiday to take effect based on your location at the time.

At the conclusion of Pesach, those located EAST of Baltimore must wait until one hour after the holiday ends in Baltimore before the chametz is bought back and can be used again.

Where will you be on Wedesday April 5, 2023 (14th of Nissan)? *

In the greater Baltimore area or elsewhere in the Eastern Time Zone

EAST of the United States (Europe, Israel, etc.)

WEST of the Eastern Time Zone (Chicago, Los Angelese, etc.)

Where will you be on the eighth day of Pesach (Thursday April 13, 2023)? *

In the greater Baltimore area or elsewhere in the Eastern Time Zone

EAST of the United States (Europe, Israel, etc.) PLEASE NOTE THAT THOSE EAST OF THE US MAY NOT PARTAKE OF CHAMETZ THAT WAS SOLD UNTIL ONE HOUR AFTER YOM TOV BALTIMORE TIME

WEST of the Eastern Time Zone (Chicago, Los Angeles, etc.)

Itemization *

For the sale process, every seller represented is attributed an assigned sale price for the Chametz. If the seller can provide a general itemization and attribute an approximate sale value, we can utizilize this information for providing a more accurate sale price. Please be as specific or as general as desired.

Check for all a general designation of all Chametz, wherever it may be in your residences

Check for specific itemization (Please specify items below)

Required

Specific Itemization-- list items, where they are located and approximate value (if you prefer not to make a general designation)

List items, where they are located and approximate value (if you prefer not to make a general designation).

Specific authorization for those who will be away all of Pesach

In order to make certain the sale is legally bonafide, it is important that access to your home by the lessee is theoretically possible. Toward this legal end, please make sure someone local has access to the place of residence

Acknowledgement for those who will be away

I specifically authorize Rabbi Elliot Kaplowitz to sell all Chametz located anywhere in my home and to lease my entire home.

Access to Chametz for those who will be away

Please provide the name and contact information for someone who will access to your home while you are away

Electronic Signature *

By printing my name, I acknowledge that electronic signatures have the full legal effect as manual signatures and that I fully accept the terms of this contract.

Confirmation

After submitting the form you will receive an email confirmation from Rabbi Kaplowitz confirming that it as been received. If you do not receive confirmation within a reasonable time, please contact Rabbi Kaplowitz (rabbikap@netivotshalom.net or (781)636-8945) to make sure your form was received.

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