SALE OF PRODUCTS CONTAINING LEAVENING

The main three mitzvot of Passover related to hametz – leavened bread and foods that contain it – are: 1) Don’t eat it. 2) Don’t see it. 3) Don’t own it. This may be difficult for people who have an abundance of hametz stored for the future, such as a bakery owner, a whiskey distiller, or someone who runs a food pantry for those in need, for example. What if completely getting rid of all your hametz would cause a significant hardship to you or the people you care for?

The Sages of our tradition began a custom among the Jewish people to save people from this hardship: Mekhirat Hametz, the temporary sale of hametz to someone who isn’t bound by the commandments. It works this way: Hametz you can’t get rid of before Passover should be stored someplace out of sight for the week, and its ownership should be transferred to someone who isn’t Jewish. That person agrees to “sell” it back to you at the conclusion of Passover for the same price, so no money or hametz needs to be physically exchanged in the process.

As a convenience for our members who wish to honor Passover in this way, PJTC will handle this sale on your household’s behalf; all you need to do is complete this form before Passover begins.

I HEREBY AUTHORIZE THE PASADENA JEWISH TEMPLE AND CENTER TO SELL ANY HAMETZ THAT IS IN MY POSSESSION AS OF 10:00 AM, 14 Nisan 5784, April 22nd, 2024. Hametz covered by this sale has been collected and secured in a designated location at the address listed below.

For arranging the transaction, donation of at least eighteen dollars ($18.00) to the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center Mitzvah Fund is suggested. Please refrain from eating the hametz you sold before the conclusion of Passover (8:08 PM on Tuesday, April 30, 2024)…wait until it belongs to you again!