Holidays

Hi, Rabbi, Happy Passover! Question: What are “Intermediate Days” of Passover that I see on the calendar all about? Thanks.

BRAND PRODUCT TYPE SYM-BOL STATUS Lipton Teabags-(Decaffeinated) Pareve OU Symbol required. Kosher for Passover without special certification.   EXCERPT from OU Kosher Passover list. Am I correct that the symbol required means OU symbol? If I understand the above excerpt correctly, I may use Lipton Decaf Tea Bags on Passover even though they do NOT have OU-P symbol. They only have OU. Am I correct? Thanks.

What's the idea of eating Matzah on Passover?

Dear Rabbi, I heard that there’s a special charity fund for Passover. I assume it’s to help some people with the extra cost usually involved in buying matzah, wine and other special “Kosher for Passover” foods. Would you mind telling more about this practice? Thanks and Happy Passover!

I just purchased OSEM Passover Matzahs. I found the following words on the package, which I had never heard before. Regular Matzah MEHUDAR It appears Mehudar means "halachically superior", "above and beyond what is strictly required". That sounds good. Is it correct? YASHAN Flour "Yashan means that the flour used in this baked item came from wheat that took root in the ground before the PREVIOUS 17th of Nissan." Yashan also means "OLD", because the flour is one year old. "The matzah you purchased is probably perfectly fresh." That does not sound so good. How is this flour kept fresh for one year? Is it really safe to eat? Happy Passover in advance.