The Torah prohibits us from owning any chametz (what is chametz?), its mixtures and/or derivatives in one’s possession during the festival of Pesach. In principle a person has the option of consuming all his chametz, giving it away, destroying it or renouncing ownership over it before the morning before Pesach.
In practice it is often not possible to dispose of all the chametz before Pesach, nor can a person be relied upon genuinely to renounce ownership of a significant amount of chametz. Moreover a person may have chametz in his possession of which he is unaware.
The practice of “Selling the chametz” (learn more here) began nearly two thousand years ago during the time of the Mishnah. Originally each Jew would sell their own chametz to a non-Jew. Nowadays, in order to ensure that all the legal requirements of a contract of sale are satisfied, people make the Rabbi their agent for selling chametz to a non-Jew. After Pesach the Rabbi buys back the chametz though this is not made a specific condition of the sale.
It should be noted that chametz which remains in one’s possession during Pesach (and not sold) is prohibited for use afterwards. All sold chametz, as well as all chametz utensils should be stored away. The storage area should be locked or taped shut for the duration of Pesach.
In order to ensure that no chametz remains in your possession over Pesach, please fill in the form below by Wednesday, 5th April 2023. This form will be disabled Wed, 5th April, 3pm.
DELEGATION OF POWER FOR SALE OF CHOMETZ – Please read:
I, the undersigned, fully empower and permit Rabbi Effy Block to act in my place and stead and on my behalf to sell all Chametz possessed by me, knowingly or unknowingly, as defined by the Torah and Rabbinic law (e.g. Chametz, possible Chametz and all kinds of Chametz mixtures). Also Chametz that tends to harden and adhere to inside surfaces of pans, pots or cooking and usable utensils, and all kinds of live animals and pets that have been eating Chametz or mixtures thereof. Rabbi Shmuel Karnowsky is also empowered to lease all places wherein or whereon the Chametz owned by me may be found, particularly in the premises listed below and elsewhere. Rabbi Effy Block has full right to appoint any agent or substitute in his stead and said substitute shall have full right to sell and lease as provided herein. This power is in conformity with all Torah, Rabbinic and Civil laws.