Selling Your Chametz for Passover

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What is Chametz and Why Must It Be Sold?

Passover is a time when Jewish law strictly forbids eating, owning, or benefiting from chametz—any food made from grain (wheat, barley, rye, oats, or spelt) that has risen or fermented. This includes:

• Bread, pasta, cereals, cakes, crackers

• Many alcoholic beverages (such as whiskey, beer, and vodkas)

• Processed foods that contain chametz ingredients

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Even if chametz is put away and not used, it is still forbidden to own during Passover. Any chametz that remains in a Jew’s possession throughout the holiday becomes permanently forbidden, even after Passover ends.

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To avoid this, Jewish law allows for the chametz to be sold to a non-Jew before Passover. This sale must be done in a halachically valid manner, and Chabad facilitates this process free of charge to ensure your home is kosher for Passover. After the holiday, the chametz is repurchased and may be used again.

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What About Pots, Pans, and Utensils?

In addition to food, any kitchenware that has been used for chametz—such as pots, pans, baking trays, cutlery, dishes, and small appliances—should not be used during Passover unless they have been properly kashered (made kosher for Passover).

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Since kashering certain items can be difficult or impossible (such as non-kosherable materials or items with cracks where chametz may be absorbed), many people store their chametz utensils away for the holiday. These items should be put away or marked and included in the sale of chametz.

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By selling your chametz through Chabad, you are also including any chametz utensils that you will not be using for Passover, ensuring that your home is fully prepared for the holiday.

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How to Sell Your Chametz

Selling your chametz is simple:

1. Fill out the form below.

2. Chabad will arrange for your chametz to be sold to a non-Jew before Passover.

3. After Passover, the chametz is right way repurchased and may be used again.

This service is provided at no cost to you.

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Important Passover Times:

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Friday, April 11

• Deadline to sell and burn chametz: 12:02 PM

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Shabbat, April 12

• Final time to eat chametz: 10:56 AM

• Final time to nullify chametz: 12:02 PM

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Passover Ends

• Sunday, April 20 at 8:28 PM – At this time, chametz that was properly sold may be used again.