Furthermore, since most Jews in North America are Ashkenazic, there is little basis for an argument that maintaining the custom divides the Jewish community. This year, the Passover menus of many American Jews may feature rice and beans or even sushi for the first time, thanks to new rules taking them off the list of foods forbidden during the elaborate meals prepared for the long holiday, which begins on Friday. In the 14th century, R. Jacob b. Asher, the author of the Arbaah Turim, suggested that grain might be mixed up with kitniyot during storage. Kitniyot is the designated hitter of Jewish life: a rule change accepted by the Sephardic League and rejected by the Ashkenazi League. It removes all restrictions on kitniyot for Conservative Jews restrictions that Orthodox Ashkenazi Jews will continue to follow. It includes beans, corn, rice, millet, peas, soybeans, peanuts, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, mustard, and sometimes garlic. But she wont insist her congregants adapt so quickly. The opinion, written by Rabbi Avram Israel Reisner of Baltimore and Rabbi Amy Levin of Bridgeport, Conn., was approved by the Conservative Rabbinical Assembly by a vote of 19-1. 4y. People might wrongly assume that what is permitted for rice or beans might also be permitted for the five grains. On its own, this rule requires fairly extensive effort to observe, but it is, at least, quite clear. Under the theory that you cant be too careful, their rabbis also forbid corn, rice, beans and lentils, foodstuffs that sometimes mimic the qualities of the other forbidden foods. Yes, I know this sounds bad. The practice has continued, essentially, for the sake of tradition. Refraining from eating kitniyot has no basis in law and is founded on a presumption that no longer holds for us, he said. These were foods that were known as kitniyota term poorly translated as legumeswhich Ashkenazic Jews largely refrained from . Kitniyot is not law. He said, Thats fine, but again lets be educated consumers. In other words, just know that youre following a foolish custom. One of the earliest sages to mention the practice, the 13th-century Samuel b. Solomon of Falaise, considered it a mistaken custom, and others called it a superfluous stricture or even a stupid custom.. But that only led to more angst. If we continue to eliminate traditions there may not be any traditions left to speak about or pass down from generation to generation., Phil Freidenreich, who lives in Yardley and attends Congregation Beth El there, is also opposed to the ruling. Having grown up in a vegetarian but also traditional Ashkenazi household, he remembers when Passover food was no fun. Another way in which the customary prohibition has expanded has been to limit the use of derivatives of kitniyot, including derivatives that could not be confused with grain or flour, like soybean oil and peanut oil. Its argument centers around three key points: First, that the custom of Ashkenazi Jews to not eat kitniyot on Passover is lacking in strong rational justification. Kitniyot cannot become chametz, the teshuvah says. The positive mitzvah of joy on the holiday will not be well expressed on the depleted table of those who do not eat fish or meat, or even cheese and eggs, responsa authors Reisner and Levin write, adding that the halachic aphorism that the Torah wants to protect the Jewish peoples money is relevant in increasing access to relatively inexpensive foods, like beans and rice, and thereby alleviating the financial pressures many Jews feel when shopping for expensive Passover products. History In that way the CJLS distances Conservative Judaism from denominations that do not embrace change. Afew weeks ago, I shared with you that my computer needed a new battery. What makes this Passover different from all other Passovers? A 700-year-old custom, however, should not be lightly abandoned. - Exploring Judaism What are Kitniyot and when can I eat it? But with choice comes responsibility: After all these decades, is the family ready for corn chowder at the seder? The Reform movement has never prohibited kitniyot. Conservative Judaism is one of three major branches in the United States, falling between the Orthodox and Reform branches. In Los Angeles, some kosher grocers, such as Glatt Mart, Elat Market and Cambridge Farms, sell kitniyot products on Passover, while others, such as Western Kosher, do not. Now, he said, Im excited about it. Not only will his family eat rice with sauted veggies during the week theyre going to eat popcorn as a snack. The result among Ashkenazim is a paralyzing case of kitniyot envy. Kosher for Passover: Changing Rules in Modern Times So regardless of his own opinion, he wont be serving kitniyot in his home this year. Kitniyot is less about Jewish law and more about Jewish identity. Rabbinic authorities also were concerned that Jews might confuse chametz with kitniyot, as they share some resemblance. Once they became known, they werent prohibited because there were early authorities that considered the kitniyot prohibition a foolish custom. On this basis, Rav Feinstein permitted peanuts; he also permitted peanut oil with the additional reason that it was a derivative. Frankel's beliefs centered upon the idea that Jewish beliefs come from . Religious leaders of all faiths have long noted that there are at least two kinds of religious traditions: those that come down from above and those that percolate up from below. Passover, which starts on Friday with a holiday meal known as a seder and ends on April 30, commemorates the flight of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery. About 700 years ago, rabbis in France began referring to a custom of some Jewish communities to avoid kitniyot, a label derived from the word katan (little), which includes rice, millet and legumes broadly, and beans, corn, peas, lentils and soybeans, more specifically. By Barbara Goldberg The Passover debate surrounding rice, millet, corn and legumes. 2002-2023 My Jewish Learning. Traditional Jewish law forbids eating, owning, or deriving benefit from these five grains in any amount and in any form throughout the holiday (other than when they are baked into matzah). All Rights Reserved. With the crazy political nature of the kosher certification world, Im actually cautious about expressing my own opinion on the kitniyot debate as it would have significant ramifications for the kosher certification agency I founded eightyears ago. The technicalities of the new ruling can be a bit confusing, but theyre laid out by the Conservative movements Committee on Jewish Law and Standards (CJLS) in a legal document titled A Teshuvah Permitting Ashkenazim to Eat Kitniyot on Pesach published in November. Premium Powerups . Her acceptance of the change may have something to do with the fact that my husband is half-Sephardi [or] the fact that great halachic authoritiespermitted the eating of kitniyot on Pesach. Either way, she said, she agrees with those who see it as a foolish custom., If her Babi Gina, her grandmother and spiritual inspiration, were still alive, she would have been horrified at the thought of rice, corn, or beans in her home on Passover, said Malik. Now, one rule instituted as a COVID provision by the Conservative movement is becoming permanent: Before Passover begins, Jews may buy certified kosher products that have kosher-for-Passover. Passover Menu Expands, Conservative Movement Approves 'Kitniyot' The rules are complicated, but essentially during the weeklong holiday you cant eat any leavened bread or even products, like certain kinds of grains, that could rise on their own. In Jewish law, there is one important distinction between chametz and kitniyot. It was delicious, he said. In an interview with the Journal on April 11, Peltz said he thinks the economic benefits of allowing kitniyot are limited, as they wont replace the most expensive Passover food items and because many kitniyot products still require a special kosher-for-Passover certification. The less the merrier. Pronounced: KOH-sher, Origin: Hebrew, adhering to kashrut, the traditional Jewish dietary laws. No one likes being excluded. Kosher-for-Passover-certified kitniyot products have become increasingly available in the United States over the past few years, particularly since the Orthodox Union announced in early 2013 that it would certify products with kitniyot that are kosher for Passover. In fact, on April 3, he taught a class called, For Gods Sake, Eat Legumes on Pesach! There, he said, his mantra was Kitniyot are not hametz. Hes been eating kitniyot himself on Passover for two years. Conservative Judaism, one of the religions three major branches, observes Jewish law but not as strictly as Orthodox Judaism or as loosely as Reform Judaism. This preceding brief prologue is by way of introducing you to a change, a really big change in the ritual practice of Conservative Judaism: the decision to permit the eating of rice, beans, corn, etc., during Pesah. And when I say many Ashkenazi Jews, I mean the minority who a) observe Passover, b) follow the rules and c) talk to me at kiddush. Additionally, derivatives of kitniyot such as rice oil remain fully acceptable for Ashkenazim who continue to hold by the custom. Were happy to make this story available to republish for free, unless it originated with JTA, Haaretz or another publication (as indicated on the article) and as long as you follow our guidelines. Kitniyot? : conservativejudaism - Reddit It also lays out its philosophy regarding change, as it relates to this decision. While one is prohibited to own, use, or benefit from hametz, Ashkenazic tradition for kitniyot only applies to consumption. It is supposed to be different a week that makes you to stop and ask questions. These arent culinary questions but essential questions about faith and tradition itself. Is this South American "superfood" a grain? Pronounced: moe-SHEH, Origin: Hebrew, Moses, whom God chooses to lead the Jews out of Egypt. So regardless of his own opinion, he wont be servingkitniyotin his home this year. He called the ruling a reinterpretation of the laws with our modern education and modern knowledge. He said that as a scientist, that makes sense. In order to convert, someone would take an extended course of study with the rabbi, immerse in the mikveh (ritual bath). These are wheat, barley, spelt (also known as farro), oats, and rye. Return America to its roots its Jewish roots! Rather than hear my colleagues state dismissively, Well, weve been doing it that way because thats what our ancestors did and so well just continue to do it that way, Id much rather hear theactive statement of,Where there is a rabbinic will, there is a halachic (Jewish legal) way., I freely admit that it would be difficult for North American Jews to fully adopt a Passover diet that includes kitniyot this year because it is currently challenging to find many food items in the kitniyot category that are labeled as kosher for Passover outside of Israel or heavily Sephardic areas in the Diaspora. In justifying its ruling, the Conservative responsa begins by casting doubt on the possibility of mixing chametz with kitniyot in the present age when we purchase our flours, rice and beans in discrete packages, well-marked as to their content, under governmental supervision. A footnote, though, does caution against buying in bulk on Passover from any grocers that dispense food from bins, such as in some natural food stores. Pronounced: seh-FAR-dik, Origin: Hebrew, describing Jews descending from the Jews of Spain. The teshuvah guides the reader through the historical rabbinic debate on the topic, highlighting those who believed in the custom, those who thought it stringent but nevertheless thought it should remain, and those who thought it was a mistake. Kitniyot and Kishkes | Park Avenue Synagogue But it turns out the Ashkenazi kitniyot lobby was stronger than you might think. Kitniyos - Conservative Judaism versus Traditional Ashkenazic Judaism . Im curious to know who of you do or don`t eat kitniyot at Passover and what lead you to your decision. It was based on a misunderstanding and lack of information, so to my fellow kitniyot consumers, welcome to a Pesach no less kosher and much more nourishing, Wolpe said. We are supposed to enjoy the holiday.. Did any of y'all who didn't eat Kitniyot before start eating Kitniyot after? Full of beans; kitniyot OK for Conservatives - New Jersey Jewish News In addition to what has already been mentioned, items that have been considered prohibited by some community or other include peas, caraway, fennel seed, mustard, garlic, corn, soybeans, and peanuts. A question for Conservative Jews : Judaism - Reddit Everyone agrees that chametz leaven derived from wheat, oats, spelt, rye and barley is strictly prohibited on Passover. This year, Conservative Jews around the world can eat, Get New Jersey Jewish News's Newsletter by email and never miss our top stories, Curious about Kitniyot?, which appeared in the March 4, 2015, issue of the Orthodox Union magazine. In the 1930s, Maxwell House coffee hired the Joseph Jacobs advertising firm to market to a Jewish demographic. Kitniyot or not? As Jewish traditions merge in Israel, a Passover Think of that matzah as Prousts madeleine, if madeleine were French for this tastes like matzah.. The new opinions, which state that Ashkenazi Jews may now incorporate kitniyot. Kitniyot: Cultural Appropriation or Cultural Appreciation? Surely, technology will soon yield Pesachdik sliced bread! Thats kitniyot. A lentil side dish? . Laura Cohen of Cranford, a member of Temple Beth-El Mekor Chayim there, recalls a time years ago when someone brought a pot of soup full of split peas and corn to the family seder. However, in December, the Conservative movements Committee on Jewish Law and Standards, its halachic body, issued a ruling allowing the consumption of kitniyot during Pesach. Accidents will happen, its not an if its a when. However, in the early medieval period, it became customary for Ashkenazi Jews to not eat a category of foods called kitniyot. In 2015, the Conservative movement's rabbinic authorities lifted the ban on kitniyot for non-Sephardim. He called the ruling a reinterpretation of the laws with our modern education and modern knowledge. He said that as a scientist, that makes sense. Ever since I was a little girl, I loved dogs. What is Kitniyot? - Kosher for Passover But if kitniyot do find a place on her holiday table, it wont be strange for her immediate family. Why is it okay to say something bad about an establishment owned by a non-Jew? They took matters into their own hands about 10 years ago. But Sephardic Jews, whatever their denominations, do not follow this custom and enjoy the full range of kitniyot products throughout Passover, making Passovers shopping experience and diet easier and more enjoyable. Have you ever bought something, for either yourself or someone else, that turns out to be a total disaster? Safflower oil, which had also been considered acceptable, is also hard to find. As far as Cantor Larry Brandspiegel of Beth El Synagogue in East Windsor is concerned, tradition is a good enough reason to continue the prohibition. What makes this Passover different from all other Passovers? The recentteshuvah (responsum) approved by the Conservative Movements Committee on Jewish Law and Standards really isnt as monumentalas it sounds, because in 1989 Conservative Rabbi David Golinkin, in Israel, essentially overturned the ban on kitniyot with his own teshuvah. Conservative Judaism: Beliefs & History | Study.com One issue the teshuvah touches on, and which Dorff mentioned in the context of eating at other peoples homes on Passover, is that even under halachah, there is no issue with using kosher-for-Passover utensils that have come in contact with kitniyot, which is not true of Passover-kosher utensils that have come in contact with chametz. (In recent years, the discovery of the New World food quinoa, which most Jews now consider kosher for Passover, has eased the kitniyot burden somewhat.). Pronounced: MISH-nuh, Origin: Hebrew, code of Jewish law compiled in the first centuries of the Common Era. And if that werent enough, Ashkenazi Jews (those with roots in Eastern and Western Europe) add another level of stringency. These are also the only grains that can be made into matzah. And third, for the increasing number of people who maintain vegan or gluten-free diets, rice, beans and other grains are important sources of nutrition. Pronounced: huh-LAKH-ic, Origin: Hebrew, according to Jewish law, complying with Jewish law. Rest assured, I will not be force-feeding rice and popcorn to my congregants on Passover.. Conservative Judaism - Wikipedia Pronounced: TALL-mud, Origin: Hebrew, the set of teachings and commentaries on the Torah that form the basis for Jewish law. This November, the Conservative movement in the United States followed a 1989 decision of the Israeli Conservative movement and ruled that kitniyot are now considered kosher for Passover. Therefore, people should be aware that someone who does not eat kitniyot may still eat from the dishes of someone who does eat kitniyot. So is his wife, Rachel, who, he said, sent me the teshuva with a message on top: PLEEEEEASE is this something we can do?. I heard they do great things with rice, beans and corn in Mexico. And, having observed the prohibition since childhood, he said, Its not that difficult to be withoutkitniyotfor those days. Free Sign Up. On the other hand, the custom has been widely criticized. According to this line of thinking, items that were traditionally prohibited could continue to be prohibited, but there was no basis for expanding upon the list of prohibited items (Igrot Moshe, Orah Hayyim 3.63). Comprised of the Mishnah and the Gemara, it contains the opinions of thousands of rabbis from different periods in Jewish history. These are collectively known as kitniyot, from the Hebrew word katan (little). 453, Rema 453:1 & 464:1 and Mishnah Berurah 453:4, 7 & 11) and it is generally accepted that corn (see below), green beans, snow peas, sugar-snap peas, chickpeas . At first, he said, I think its going to be like, Oh my God, were having popcorn on Pesach; it just doesnt feel right! The Conservative movement in Israel has permitted eating kitniyot since 1989. My frustration is that so many of my rabbinic colleagues are passively resting on the easy argumentof The Tradition, when they should know that our Judaism isnt always trumped by the past, but it is fluid and must also change to stay relevant and meaningful. By However, entrepreneurial rabbis should be saying, "Now that there is a consenting ruling that kitniyot consumption is acceptable on Passover, let's work to ensure there will be kosher for Passover offerings for those who choose to eat kitniyot." (Know that the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards of Conservative Judaism isn't forcing . (David Silverman/Getty Images). Change in Passover restriction has some Jews happy, others resistant They explain that Jews uphold the custom anyway because it reflects the values that are dear to the Jewish people, because a minhag [custom] is our link to Jewish history, and because a family that abandons its traditions severs its connections to the past., The CJLS ruling takes a different approach. It is tradition, and I think thats something thats very powerful for people, and I think by throwing off the tradition for everyone en masse, by making that statement, I think it does more harm than good, Peltz said. (The custom was not adopted by most Sephardi Jews.). Rabbi Ari Saks of Congregation Beth Mordecai in Perth Amboy is looking forward to eating popcorn on Pesach this year. Rabbis Without Borders is a dynamic forum for exploring contemporary issues in the Jewish world and beyond. Locally, even Conservative rabbis who tend to be more skeptical about jettisoning tradition have embraced this move. Advertisement Coins. Maybe it was given fully, maybe the divine impetus was given and unfolded organically. Conservative Judaism - 18Doors The move comes partly in response to the growing popularity of gluten-free and vegan diets, said Rabbi Elliot Dorff, chair of the Conservative movements Committee on Jewish Law and Standards. As a practical matter, cooking and serving kitniyot does not compromise the kosher-for-Passover status of one's kitchenware and dishes. Rabbeinu Peretz, for example, wrote in the 13th century that theres no doubt kitniyot is not chametz, but added, Were we to permit kitniyot, [people] might come to substitute and permit [grain-based] porridge. And while Peretz noted the Talmud allows rice on Passover, This was specifically in their day, when all were fluent in the laws of prohibition and permission., But Jacob Emden, an 18th-century German-Jewish scholar known as Yaavetz, wrote that his father, Tzvi Hirsch Ashkenazi, would rant against the custom of avoiding kitniyot, largely on the basis that they are available cheaply and easily, and that their exclusion forces Ashkenazi Jews to bake and consume more and more matzo, increasing the chance that theyll inadvertently consume chametz. Its decision to allow the consumption of kitniyot rests on several key ideas: in addition to finding that the issue of mixing hametz and kitniyot is no longer applicable, it also mentions bringing down the cost of making Pesach, supporting those who follow a vegetarian diet, and presenting a more accessible Judaism unencumbered by unneeded prohibitions.. Abandoning Passover tradition? Lifting the ban on some foods gets mixed Ill make lentil soup in the pots I bought myself, Levin said. Rice with the brisket? For them, what is permissible on Passover is much more restrictive than it is for the rest of us. The Talmudic Discussion of Kitniyot. A later Talmudic discussion mentions that the amoras (rabbis of the third to sixth centuries) R. Huna and Rava used to put rice on the seder plate, from which behavior, Rav Ashi concludes, We do not pay attention to the opinion of R. Johanan b. Nuri (Bavli Pesachim 114b). We must continue to hold onto certain ideas that we have [been] entrusted [with from] prior generations. Observing Pesach should not be a burden, but a joy, and if that involves a delicious dish of beans and rice, so be it.. The Rabbinical Assembly (RA), the international association of Conservative rabbis, issued two responsa explaining that it is kosher for Conservative Jews to enjoy kitniyot, from beans to sunflower seeds, for all eight days of Passover. 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Written by rabbis of different denominations, viewpoints, and parts of the country, Rabbis Without Borders is a project of Clal The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership.