AboutRabbi Barry Dov Lerner Expertise Write to me with questions about Jewish customs and law, history,
philosophy and tradition for answers from a Conservative perspective or conversion. I am a graduate of The Jewish Theological Seminary and a member of the Conservative Rabbinical Assembly. Having served in congregational pulpits since 1970, I now am President of the Foundation For Family Education, Inc. a non-profit educational endeavor. I established it to create new formats of hands-on programs and provide free educational downloads at www.jewishfreeware.org. In addition to general informational questions I welcome your questions about programs for social action, outreach to dual-faith families, inter-faith clergy projects, healing services, education for conversion, adult education for the congregation and the community. If you have questions about Informal and Formal Education I am ready to share my extensive experience with Youth Activities, Camping and Religious School/Hebrew High School on a congregational, community and national/international level.
Experience I have served on the National Youth Commission for more than 25 years and serve on the Boards of the Conservative Zionist movement MERCAZ and the World Council of Synagogues. I have always dual-families and taught candidates for conversion with a great sense of fulfillment. I am very proud of 25 years on the Jewish camping staff of Camps Ramah. My greatest source of pride is my family! Ask me about them, please!:-)
Question I am Jewish, always attended a conservative synagogue. I do not keep a kosher home, but my wife and I get much more observant about dietary laws on Passover. I.E. we clean carefully, rid the kitchen of Chametz, although we don't change dishes. However, I raise ducks as pets, not as food, and they should be fed during Passover. I feel quite certain that the feed contains various grains not appropriate for Passover. historically, we keep it in the garage. The ducks obviously are outside. Is it ok to handle the feed on passover, and if not how did Jews who were chicken farmers handle this historically? We don't really have any close neighbors to take over this task.
My second question is: I seem to recall in my Jewish education, that it was deemed improper even to "gaze upon" chametz during Passover. Is there any truth to this from a conservative Jewish position, and if so, how could this "gazing" be avoided if one moves about the community during Pesach? Thank you.
Answer Dear Russell,
Thanks for writing and BTW you are welcome to check out my website for Passover haggadot, songbook, readings, etc.:
First of all, you should be commended for your efforts to live a Jewish life, and your congregation and community are fortunate for your family's presence.
Secondly, animals need to be fed. If the ducks or any other animals require a feed that would violate Passover, just keep the feed apart from anywhere near your home as in the garage. I'd also urge you to wash carefully after feeding them. And, of course, perhaps stipulate in your "sale" of chametz to your Rabbi that the ducks will be fed from feed that technically is not yours but shouldn't be considered theft from the "purchaser." Your Rabbi can handle this for you.
Thirdly, I have no memory of ever being told not to "gaze" at chametz. I recall going to a moving during the Passover vacation, taking with us the special Pesah cookies from home-made and clearly there was chamaetz all around us. Walking down the street one sees restaurants, fast-food, and working environments people bring meals from home.
I suspect that whoever taught you this was trying to emphasize that you should "remove chametz" in every way possible from your life during Pesah - and since you are definitely concerned about it, it would appear that you are certainly making that full effort. If you want to be certain ask your Rabbi
