Pesach Energy-Sapper of the Day: “Every Corner of my House has to Be Spotless”

Pesach Energy-Sapper of the Day: “Every Corner of my House has to Be Spotless”

In this year’s pre-Pesach class, my teacher Rabbi Aryeh Nivin (www.newchabura.com) responded to complaints he has heard from women over the years regarding Passover. I could relate to quite a few of the complaints, and I found Rabbi Nivin’s responses to them really helpful. So, I decided to post a Pesach energy-sapper for your reading pleasure every single day until Passover, followed by an answer based on Rabbi Nivin’s response. ENJOY!

Pesach Energy Sapper #4: “I MUST CLEAN MY HOUSE UNTIL IT’S SPOTLESS! I MUST WASH THE WALLS, TOOTHPICK THE FLOORS, PAINT THE CEILING, OR I’M NOT RELIGIOUS ENOUGH.”

Rabbi Nivin’s Response: This is not true. You need to learn the halachos.

There have been nice pamphlets put out by Rabbi Chaim Pinchas Scheinberg zts”l and Rabbi Yitzchak Berkowitz SHLIT”A about how women can and should clean less strenuously for Passover.

According these rabbis, as well as many others, in the outer rooms of the house: the bedrooms, study, bathrooms etc. we are only searching for a kezayis (olive)-sized piece of chametz. In the kitchen and dining areas, we need to go all out and get rid of every single trace of chametz.

But doing more than these basic requirements–washing the walls, toothpicking the floors, painting the ceiling etc.– is not necessary, and doesn’t mean you are more religious.

Once you learn the halachos, you will be able to prepare for Pesach in a whole different way.

Chag kasher v’Sameach!

One comment

  1. thank you! Very helpful and stress reducing.

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