{"id":5577,"date":"2011-03-04T08:03:53","date_gmt":"2011-03-04T06:03:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ph.yhb.org.il\/en\/?p=5577"},"modified":"2021-03-21T10:25:06","modified_gmt":"2021-03-21T08:25:06","slug":"04-08-03","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ph.yhb.org.il\/en\/04-08-03\/","title":{"rendered":"03.\u00a0Sephardic and Ashkenazic Approaches to Keeping Kosher on Pesa\u1e25"},"content":{"rendered":"
In general, there are two fundamental approaches to the laws of kashrut <\/strong>on Pesa\u1e25. According to most poskim<\/strong>, the laws of \u1e25ametz<\/strong> on Pesa\u1e25 are no different than the laws of all other forbidden foods, with one exception: all other forbidden foods are batel be-shishim <\/strong>(rendered insignificant when constituting less than one sixtieth of the volume of a mixture), whereas \u1e25ametz<\/strong> is not. However, all other laws of mixtures apply to \u1e25ametz<\/strong> on Pesa\u1e25. Therefore, when there is no halakhic reason to suspect that a food mixture has absorbed the taste of \u1e25ametz<\/strong>, it is kosher for Pesa\u1e25. Likewise, where an individual posek<\/strong> is stringent and the great majority of poskim<\/strong> are lenient, halakha<\/strong> follows the lenient opinion.<\/p>\n However, Ashkenazim are customarily very strict about \u1e25ametz<\/strong>, often showing concern for a stringent opinion even against the lenient majority and practicing caution where general halakhic principles indicate no reason to do so. Nevertheless, Ashkenazic custom also places a limit to its stringencies, and care is taken not to pile restrictions upon existing restrictions. The general tendency, though, is to show concern for every uncertainty. The basis for this approach is the Sages\u2019 ruling that even a drop of \u1e25ametz<\/strong> is forbidden; thus, if a mere crumb of \u1e25ametz<\/strong> renders its entire mixture forbidden, so too individual halakhic opinions should be taken into account.<\/p>\n This is the root of the consistent difference between the rulings of Shul\u1e25an Arukh<\/strong>, which follow general halakhic principles, and those of Rema, which account, le-khat\u1e25ila<\/strong>, for the stringent opinions. Nonetheless, in cases of pressing need Rema adopts the lenient approach, since halakha <\/strong>fundamentally accords with most poskim<\/strong>.[3]<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n In general, Sephardim follow Shul\u1e25an Arukh <\/strong>and Ashkenazim follow Rema. However, some Sephardic poskim<\/strong> tend to be stringent, and their rulings are accepted in some Sephardic communities.[4]<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n