Kitniyot: Difference between revisions
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Kitniyot are a category of foods which Ashkenazi Jews refrain from eating during [[Pesach]].<ref> | Kitniyot are a category of foods which Ashkenazi Jews refrain from eating during [[Pesach]].<ref> | ||
* Background: The Gemara Pesachim (35a) writes that Chametz includes foods made with the five grains. See the [[Wheat and Grain Products]] page about the precise definition of the five grains. The says that orez and dochen (Tosfot [[Brachot]] 37a translates rice and millet) are not chametz since when used to produce bread doesn't ferment. The Rambam (Chametz UMatzah 5:1) rules that there's no issue of chametz with grains other than the five grains, such as rice, millet, or beans. Furthermore, says the Rambam, even if one were to mix those grains with hot water and make dough that rises, it is permitted since that's considered rotting and not positive fermentation. | * Background: The Gemara Pesachim (35a) writes that Chametz includes foods made with the five grains. See the [[Wheat and Grain Products]] page about the precise definition of the five grains. The says that orez and dochen (Tosfot [[Brachot]] 37a translates rice and millet) are not chametz since when used to produce bread doesn't ferment. The Rambam (Chametz UMatzah 5:1) rules that there's no issue of chametz with grains other than the five grains, such as rice, millet, or beans. Furthermore, says the Rambam, even if one were to mix those grains with hot water and make dough that rises, it is permitted since that's considered rotting and not positive fermentation. | ||
* The Tur 453:1 writes that the minhag of his location was not to eat kitniyot on [[Pesach]]. The Rabbenu Yerucham (cited by the Beit Yosef 453:1), Rabbenu Yechiel (cited by Beit Yosef 453:1), and Shulchan Aruch 453:1 agree. | * The Tur 453:1 writes that the minhag of his location was not to eat kitniyot on [[Pesach]]. The Rabbenu Yerucham (cited by the Beit Yosef 453:1), Rabbenu Yechiel (cited by Beit Yosef 453:1), and Shulchan Aruch O.C. 453:1 agree. | ||
* The Smak (cited by the Beit Yosef 453:1) explains that the minhag not to eat kitniyot on [[Pesach]] is concerned that perhaps a person will be confused between a bread or cooked dish made from kitniyot and one made from the five grains. Additionally, kitniyot flour sometimes has flour of the five grains mixed in. The Darkei Moshe 453:1, codified in the Rama 453:1, writes that the Ashkenazic minhag is to not to eat kitniyot on [[Pesach]] and one shouldn't deviate from the minhag.</ref> | * The Smak (cited by the Beit Yosef 453:1) explains that the minhag not to eat kitniyot on [[Pesach]] is concerned that perhaps a person will be confused between a bread or cooked dish made from kitniyot and one made from the five grains. Additionally, kitniyot flour sometimes has flour of the five grains mixed in. The Darkei Moshe 453:1, codified in the Rama 453:1, writes that the Ashkenazic minhag is to not to eat kitniyot on [[Pesach]] and one shouldn't deviate from the minhag.</ref> | ||
== Definition == | == Definition == | ||
# The Ashkenazic minhag is to avoid eating Kitniyot on [[Pesach]], however, even Ashkenazim hold that one does not have to burn or sell one's Kitniyot.<ref>The Shulchan Aruch 453:1 writes that it is permitted to eat a cooked dish made out of Kitniyot. The Rama 453:1 writes that the minhag Ashkenaz was to forbid and one shouldn't change this minhag. This is quoted by ashkenazic poskim including Darchei Moshe 453:2, Levush 453:1, Chayei Adam 127:1, Aruch Hashulchan 453:4, Elya Rabba 453:3, Prisha 453:3, Kitzur S | # The Ashkenazic minhag is to avoid eating Kitniyot on [[Pesach]], however, even Ashkenazim hold that one does not have to burn or sell one's Kitniyot.<ref>The Shulchan Aruch 453:1 writes that it is permitted to eat a cooked dish made out of Kitniyot. The Rama 453:1 writes that the minhag Ashkenaz was to forbid and one shouldn't change this minhag. This is quoted by ashkenazic poskim including Darchei Moshe 453:2, Levush 453:1, Chayei Adam 127:1, Aruch Hashulchan 453:4, Elya Rabba 453:3, Prisha 453:3, Kitzur S"A, Daat Torah page 119. See also Yechave Daat 1:9 and 5:32 as well as Kaf Hachaim 453:11. Aruch Hashulchan 453:4 says that being lenient in this minhag is testimony that one does not fear Hashem or fear sin, and does not understand the ways of torah. | ||
* This minhag is found in several rishonim with several different reasons. | * This minhag is found in several rishonim with several different reasons. | ||
* Firstly, there are some rishonim who thought that there was insufficient reason to follow this minhag of not eating kitniyot. Rabbenu Yerucham 5:3 and Tur 453:1 think that this minhag is overly stringent and difficult to understand. | * Firstly, there are some rishonim who thought that there was insufficient reason to follow this minhag of not eating kitniyot. Rabbenu Yerucham 5:3 and Tur 453:1 think that this minhag is overly stringent and difficult to understand. | ||
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== Reason for prohibition == | == Reason for prohibition == | ||
*From the Torah, only the five grains can become chametz and not legumes or rice.<ref>The Gemara (Pesachim 35a) states that one may only fulfill one's obligation of [[matza]] on [[Pesach]] with [[matza]] made from the five grains. The gemara explains that since the Torah contrasts [[Matza]] and chametz, anything which could ferment and become chametz may be used for [[matza]], which is only the five grains and not rice or millet. See Pesachim 114b for a proof that the Amoraim ate rice on [[Pesach]]. The Rambam (Chametz UMatza 5:1) and Shulchan Aruch 453:1 codify this gemara. See Bet Yosef 453:1 for more background of this issue.</ref> | *From the Torah, only the five grains can become chametz and not legumes or rice.<ref>The Gemara (Pesachim 35a) states that one may only fulfill one's obligation of [[matza]] on [[Pesach]] with [[matza]] made from the five grains. The gemara explains that since the Torah contrasts [[Matza]] and chametz, anything which could ferment and become chametz may be used for [[matza]], which is only the five grains and not rice or millet. See Pesachim 114b for a proof that the Amoraim ate rice on [[Pesach]]. The Rambam (Chametz UMatza 5:1) and Shulchan Aruch O.C. 453:1 codify this gemara. See Bet Yosef 453:1 for more background of this issue. | ||
*The Smak (Rabbi Yitzchak of Korbol) explains that products of kitniyot appear like chametz products. | * It is interesting to note the opinion of some rishonim was that kitniyot were in fact actually chametz. Ritva Pesachim 35a s.v. hani quotes some who explain that rice and millet can become chametz on a rabbinic level. He says that in Spain the Jews were lenient based on the geonim but some chasidim were stringent. Migdal Oz Chametz Umatzah 5:1 seems to understand the Raavad as holding that kitniyot are indeed chametz and personally followed that opinion.</ref> | ||
*The Smak (Rabbi Yitzchak of Korbol) explains that products of kitniyot appear like chametz products and can be confused.<ref>Biur Hagra 453:3 writes that a source for the minhag of kitniyot is Tosfot Pesachim 40b s.v. Rava who understands that kitniyot aren't chametz but can be confused with chametz and for those who are unlearned should be avoided. Rosh 2:28 agrees with Tosfot.</ref> Also, it can be hard to distinguish between rice flour (kitniyot) and wheat flour (chametz). Therefore, to prevent confusion, all kitniyot was prohibited. | |||
*The Beit Yosef (Rabbi Yosef Karo, 16th century, Israel) notes that since regular grains may become mixed together with kitniyot (apparently due to changes in crop cycles), one may inadvertently come to eat actual chametz. | *The Beit Yosef (Rabbi Yosef Karo, 16th century, Israel) notes that since regular grains may become mixed together with kitniyot (apparently due to changes in crop cycles), one may inadvertently come to eat actual chametz. | ||
*The origins of this practice are not clear, though two common theories are that these items are often made into products resembling chametz (e.g. cornbread), or that these items were normally stored in the same sacks as the five grains and people worried that they might become contaminated with chametz. It was also possible that crop rotations would result in the forbidden chametz grains growing in the same fields, and being mixed in with the kitniyot. Those authorities concerned with these three issues suggested that by avoiding eating kitniyot, people would be better able to avoid chametz. The Vilna Gaon (Hagaos HaGra, 453) indeed actually cites a novel source for this custom. The Gemorrah in Pesachim (40b) notes that Rava objected to the workers of the Raish Gelusa (the Exilarch) [[cooking]] a food called chasisi on [[Pesach]], since it was wont to be confused with chametz. The Tosefos explain that, according to the Aruch, chasisi are lentils, and thus, argues the Gra, establishes the basis for the concern of kitniyot. | *The origins of this practice are not clear, though two common theories are that these items are often made into products resembling chametz (e.g. cornbread), or that these items were normally stored in the same sacks as the five grains and people worried that they might become contaminated with chametz. It was also possible that crop rotations would result in the forbidden chametz grains growing in the same fields, and being mixed in with the kitniyot. Those authorities concerned with these three issues suggested that by avoiding eating kitniyot, people would be better able to avoid chametz. The Vilna Gaon (Hagaos HaGra, 453) indeed actually cites a novel source for this custom. The Gemorrah in Pesachim (40b) notes that Rava objected to the workers of the Raish Gelusa (the Exilarch) [[cooking]] a food called chasisi on [[Pesach]], since it was wont to be confused with chametz. The Tosefos explain that, according to the Aruch, chasisi are lentils, and thus, argues the Gra, establishes the basis for the concern of kitniyot. | ||
