Let's say that you own a liquor store. Or that you just bought a three-month supply of breakfast cereal on special. Or you live in a 40-room mansion and don't want to clean the whole thing this year. Is there some way of avoiding the ownership of chametz on Passover without getting rid of your chametz forever?
There is. Since the commandment to rid one's domain of chametz is binding only on a Jew, you can sell your chametz to a non-Jew, and then buy it back from him after Passover. The area where the chametz is held is leased to the non-Jew for the duration of the festival. This sale is not symbolic but a 100% legally binding transaction, and must therefore be conducted by a competent rabbi.
Designate the areas where you'll be placing the chametz you're selling. These can be cupboards, closets, rooms, or an entire house. Remember that you will not be able to use or enter these areas for the duration of the festival. Your local rabbi can transact the sale for you, after obtaining power-of-attorney from you to sell your chametz. Sell your chametz online here.
As a non Jew, I am not familiar with the word/term Chametz. Can you please enlighten me? Thank you.
Hi David
The word Chametz literally means food or liquids that is are not acceptable to be consumed during the 8 days of Passover. It is not a tradition, but it is a law. It is one of the "613" laws that every Jewish person (male or female) observes.
The food that is allowed must be inspected under the direct supervision of a Jewish Food Inspector for any bread, yeast or it's derivatives. Even the Matzah must be prepared by only these Jewish Inspectors, no one else.
For us who are cautious in buying these food items are looking for certain symbols that allows 'us' to consume "Kosher for (Pesach) Passover" foods.
These symbols are COR, OK, or "Congress of Orthodox Rabbis". If these are not seen or noted, 'we' just won't buy to consume during the Passover (8-day) Holyday.
Sorry for my long dissertation. I'm hoping that you now understand how important buying the foods is to 'us'. Gerry Lewy. Thornhill, Ontario
David, you may email me for other questions