Mention Pesach shopping to some people and they start to shake. Then casually say the magic word, KITNIYOT, and they go ballistic. KITNIYOT seem to scare Olim from the States and other countries much more than they did "back home". The reason is obvious. Kosher for Passover meant what it sounds like in the States. There was hardly a product (except for Egg Matza - another time) that was Kosher L'Pesach but we (Ashkenazim) couldn't eat it. In Israel, the story is vastly different.

Let's start at the beginning. Rabbi Yosef Karo, author of the Shulchan Aruch, states clearly that only the five grain families can become chametz, and products made with anything else were permitted without a worry. (Oversimplified, but it will do for now.) As an example, grind rice into a flour, mix it with warm water, knead it into a dough, cover it with towels and let it rise. Looks like chametz, smells like chametz, etc. etc. But it is not chametz. Rice cannot become chametz. Neither can corn or beans, etc. On this point, Ashkenazi and S'faradi p'sak agrees. The M'CHABEIR's conclusion is that one may eat such dishes on Pesach. The RAM"A (Rabbi Moshe Isserles, major halachic authority for the Ashkenazi community) disagrees. He says that we may not deviate from the time-honored practice of not eating KITNIYOT. The Mishna B'rura clarifies. The original "strict measure" that shunned KITNIYOT was based on one of two considerations: [1] Resemblance to real chametz was so strong that people might make serious mistakes on Pesach with real chametz; [2] Difficulty in separating out real chametz grain from the Kitniyot in question. So, the M.B. asked, what about regular cooked rice grains or corn on the cob? Doesn't look like chametz, can't be confused with chametz. Why the ban? LO PLOOG. In matters of this sort, no distinction is made between one method of preparation and another. The ban is across the board. Derivatives of Kitniyot, such as oils, are generally included in the ban, but there is discussion on that topic. Important statement in halachic sources: We should not be lax in the issue of Kitniyot. Bottom line: Ashkenazi Jews should not eat kitniyot or products containing them, on Pesach. Kitniyot is NOT chametz. One may possess kitniyot, but we stop eating it from the time that chametz is forbidden.

TACHLIS. It is best to buy products that specifically announce that they are Kosher for Pesach without a suspicion on Kitniyot. Don't be afraid to question store managers for more information about the products whose labeling is unclear on this issue. If you have time, call the companies of products that don't tell us the Kitniyot status and complain. One person can make a diference. Certainly many can.

Don't say about any product - What can be a problem with this? In today's wolrd of complex food manufacturing, anything can be a problem. Look for reliable hashgachot. And don't panic.

Received this article by email, because of Parshat HaChodesh, I wanted to share some of it with you.

...Am Yisrael always excelled among the nations through its astronomical knowledge. "Rabbi Shmuel Bar Nachmeini says in the name of Rabbi Yochanan, How do we know that there is a Mitzva to calculate Tekufot and Mazalot (seasons and constellations)? The verse says (Devarim 4:6), 'For it your wisdom and understanding in the eyes of all the nations.' Rambam in his Tshuvot explains that this calculation refers to astronomy.

R. Elazar the Moda'i says, Avraham Avinu possessed great astronomical wisdom. All of the kings of east and west would travel to see him. (Baba Batra 16b)

The Tanach writes that the descendants of Yissachar were "knowledgeable in the understanding of times." (Divrei Hayamim I 12:32) Yissachar was the tribe that possessed expertise in planetary motions.

Similarly, R. Yehoshua ben Chanina knew of the appearance of a certain star which would appear once in seventy years and would confuse the sailors. (Horiot 10a) The Amora Shmuel said about himself that he the paths of the heavens were clearer to him than the roads of his own city. (Brachot 58b)

Some of the Rishonim were also famous astronomers. Ibn Ezra wrote books on astronomy. Rambam was the first to combine astronomy and Halacha in Hilchot Kiddush Hachodesh 11-19 regarding complicated calculations to determine visibility of the new moon. Ralbag was considered one of the greatest astronomers of his generation because he invented an astronomical viewing device called, "Mateh Yaakov," and calculated in figures which were more accurate than those of his predecessors. R. Avraham Zakut calculated astronomical almanacs which Columbus used in his travels. There is a famous story in which Columbus demanded from natives to provide his crew with food, and threatened the natives that he would take away the moon. He was able to predict an eclipse which occurred on October 1, 1504 based on the almanacs which R. Avraham Zakut had formulated.

R. David Ganz was an assistant to the famous astronomers Brahe and Kepler. R. Yosef Shlomo Rofeh was in contact with Galileo. R. Refael MeHanover, the author of "Luchot Ha'Ibur," was a student of the famous mathematician Leibnitz. In addition, craters on the moon are named after the Ibn Ezra, the Ralbag, and R. Avraham Zakut.

Throughout the generations, there were scholars from Yisrael who were experts in astronomy. Over the last few years, the topic of Kiddush Hachodesh has been increasingly studied, and many new books on the topic have been written.

This year, in the month of Tishrei, we began the Institute for Kiddush Hachodesh and Ibur Shana Studies in Yeshivat Kerem B'yavne. We formulated a program of study which covers halachic, astronomical, agricultural and historical aspects of Kiddush Hachodesh.

This week we will complete the first session of the Institute. Over the course of the session, about 25 people would gather weekly to learn about Kiddush Hachodesh. The institute used a planetarium and three dimensional computer programs to help illustrate planetary motions.

Registration has begun for the second session which will start, B'ezrat Hashem in Iyar and will continue until Elul. Anyone who is interested in learning about these fascinating topics is invited to join. For more information please call Shai Valter at (08) 856 6560. Or email: 3.29.00 Or see the institute's site at: www.kby.org/ikhs

We hope and pray that we will soon merit to perform the Mitzva of Kiddush Hachodesh through observation of the new moon.

It is exciting when Jews actively prepare for the time of Sanhedrin and/or the Mikdash and/or Mashiach. It verifies our beliefs and gives them substance.

"I bought some batteries, but they weren't included, so I had to buy them again." - Steve Wright

EDITORIAL COMMENTS

Last week I mentioned the pope's visit and commented about the Vatican's policy regarding Jerusalem. Two readers expressed their feelings that I did not show enough appreciation to the pope and his remarkable apologies and change of attitude towards Jews and Judaism. Another reader felt I was too kind to the pope in suggesting that official attitudes have changes much in the last 2000 years.

I had tried to leave everything else aside and just comment about the Jerusalem issue. The church's stand against Israeli (Jewish) sovereignty over Jerusalem continues to have a significant effect on many nations in the world, including the U.S. of A. A media and political analyst explained to me that the main obstacle to U.S. recognition of Israeli sovereignty over Jerusalem is not so much the Arabs as it is the Vatican.

The pope's statements regarding Palestinian rights to Statehood, etc. should also "annoy" us, at least some of us. And his statement at Yad Vashem about it being the time that Christians should stop hating Jews and Jews should stop hating Christians is, in my personal opinion, obscene in that it implies an equal kind of responsibility. They forced us to convert, tortured and killed us when we refused, etc. etc. And we... what? What did we do to them? Hate them for killing us? It doesn't sound so even.

As far as the Daylight Savings Time comments, one woman pointed out that it would be nice to have the Seder on Winter Time so that it can start and end earlier for children. Yes, it would be nice, but...

And I received reader feedback on the Purim G'matriya that appeared in last week's issue. Before I comment on the Yossi Sarid - Rav Ovadya Yosef business, let me say this. One disgruntled former reader expressed his disapproval of my sharing my personal opinions in the pages of Torah Tidbits. When I editorialize, it is not because I think my ideas and opinions are so great and important that they need be expressed to the readership. I do it because I think the issue needs to be discussed and thought about. All I try to do is stimulate a conversation at your Shabbat table by bringing up something that's on my mind. I don't know if I explained that well.

Back to the g'matriya. Yes, it was in the Purim spirit. Yes, it probably was in poor taste. If Yossi Sarid should be criticized for things he does - and I believe he should be - it should be done by addressing the issues, not calling him names. Rav Ovadya Yosef, and all other religious leaders should be outspoken in their criticism of that which they perceive as anti-religious or otherwise objectionable as detrimental to Israeli society and/or Torah values. Name calling and cursing make more interesting soundbites but they deflect our attention from the issues involved. And that is, as they say, CHAVAL.

And the STORK?

Modern Hebrew identifies the CHASIDA as the stork. This translation is problematic, since the CHASIDA is identified as a non-kosher bird and the stork is thought to be kosher. Rashi says that the CHASIDA is another name for the DAYA. And why is this bird (whatever it actually is) called a CHASIDA, because it acts with CHESED, kindness, towards its fellow when it comes to feeding.

This definition raises a question on the Ramban who explains the reason why a specific bird is not kosher - because it acts with great cruelty.

This the Chidushei HaRim explains by saying that if the bird's kindness and generosity is extended only to its friends, then it isn't real CHESED, and the bird belongs on the non-kosher birds list.

The same goes - or should go - for humans. The measure of a person's kindness is not how he treats his close friends - it's how he behaves towards those he usually does not care for.

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