The Biblical injunction is that “no leaven shall be seen or found in your possession during Passover.”

Although it was not easy in earlier days for people to rid their entire household and properties of leaven products, it is somewhat more difficult today. We now buy things in bigger packages, can preserve them longer and tend to keep them for longer periods of time.

IN ORDER NOT to be compelled to dispose of all leaven products in our possession, we have legal provisions for the sale of all of our hametz. We invite every member of the congregation to appoint Rabbi Silverstein to represent them for this transaction. The Rabbi will then “sell” everyone’s hametz to a non-Jew for the duration of Passover. After the holiday, the Rabbi will symbolically buy it back.

While many of you will say this is only legal fiction, this is a fiction, which serves a purpose—to demonstrate, as does every symbolic act, the intention of everyone to observe the laws.

Because of the requirement of disposing of all hametz by Wednesday, April 8, at 9 a.m., the ritual transaction on the part of the individual must be completed at that time.

Congregation Agudath Israel members may appoint Rabbi Alan Silverstein as their agent in the following manner:

Fill our the form below with your donation to the “Rabbi’s Fund” for Passover supplies and to the needy. It is traditional that the money be given to the individual who acts as the agent to arrange this sale.