Chabad sell chametz

Selling Chametz – What is it all about?

According to Jewish law, a Jew must not own chametz during Passover, the Torah commands us to find and burn the chametz before the holiday begins, as is written in the Torah – “no leavened bread shall be seen with you”.
He who leaves chametz in his home, even though he may not eat it, is committing two violations – no leavened bread “shall be seen with you” and “shall be found with you”.

The severity of the prohibition of Chametz

Chametz is one of the strictest prohibitions in the Torah,
The severity is expressed in the fact that the Torah forbade it for eating, enjoyment, and even the act of keeping chametz in the house, even out of sight, is forbidden.
It can be said that most Israelis, secular and religious alike, try to observe Passover.

The solution found in Jewish law for the prohibition on chametz being seen or found

In order to overcome the prohibition on keeping chametz during the 7 days of Passover and preventing a substantial loss –

We sell the chametz to a gentile before the holiday begins.
Although the chametz remains in our home, we do not own it, but rather the gentile does, and the Torah’s prohibition “shall not be seen or found” is not violated.
The Torah states “no leavened bread shall be seen with you” – our Sages have learned that while your own chametz cannot be seen, Chametz of others can be seen.

The manner of selling

An authorization form is signed and the rabbi is appointed to carry out the selling of chametz to a gentile.
The name and contact details are written in the sales form, including the home address and locations of chametz.

The day of the sale

The rabbi meets the gentile, gives him the details of all the chametz sold, the gentile signs the chametz purchase agreement for a fair sum he commits to pay for the purchase.

Thus, through the sale, the prohibition of chametz on Passover is not violated.
After the holiday, instead of paying the remainder of the debt for the sale, he transfers ownership of chametz back to the Jew.

Until what point can the Chametz be sold?

It is possible to hold the sale as long as the chametz is allowed, that is, one hour before midday on the day of Passover eve.
The reason for this is that after the prohibition comes into effect, the chametz is not allowed to be used, which means that one no longer has ownership of the chametz, since the Torah forbids it.
A rule in Jewish law states that one cannot conduct a transaction involving something he does not fully own.

What is included in the sale?

> According to Chabad custom, one can also sell actual chametz since the sale is genuine and valid according to the torah, unlike various customs that avoid it.
> The dishes that have chametz residue are also included in the sale.

Things that are not required to be included in the sale

> Things that may be tainted with chametz but which are not fit for human consumption, such as medicine and the like, can be included in the sale although it is not obligatory.
> While Ashkenazim avoid eating legumes in Passover, there is no prohibition on them being seen and found and so there is no need to sell them.

Marking the locations in the house

All location of the chametz being sold to the gentile should be marked in a note, and those locations should be sealed during Passover so we remember that we do not own the chametz.
The level of detail in the sales form
The home address and locations of chametz must be specified. The locations of chametz inside cupboards can also be specified.
The cupboards should be labeled as having been sold to the gentile.

Chametz at your workplace

It is important to remember to also sell the chametz found at your workplace, such as in an office, store etc. Also, institution directors should sell the chametz found in the institution they manage.

What is the difference between the way that Chabad sells chametz and other customs?

The Admor HaZaken, Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, the Ba’al HaTanya and author of Shulchan Aruch instituted a law regarding the selling of chametz called “Arev Kablan” (a Jewish guarantor of the contract).
Its meaning: In order for the selling of chametz to be genuine, it requires true and complete action.

The problematic nature of the usual way of selling chametz

There are those who claim that it is problematic if it is known that the gentile doesn’t have enough money to purchase all of the Jews’ chametz.
Although the gentile gives an advance payment and the rest of the sum is considered to be a debt, since the seller must charge the gentile and it is not certain that the gentile would be able to pay, then the sale is not valid.
As the Talmud put it “the down payment serves to effect acquisition”.

The solution

In order to solve the problem, The Admor HaZaken Ba’al HaTanya and author of Shulchan Aruch made an amendment and added an additional Jew who acts as guarantor.

The difference between a regular guarantor and a guarantor of the contract

Not just a guarantor, but a guarantor of the contract, means that the guarantor Jew takes it upon himself to pay all of the money for the gentile’s purchase and makes himself responsible for the purchaser.

From that point onwards, the Rabbi who receives the appointment to sell the chametz for all Jews, must charge the guarantor and there is no longer need to charge the gentile.

Summary

In other words, when the gentile purchases the chametz before Passover, it is as though the compensation was paid in full, by providing a guarantee to the Jews selling their chametz and the sale is indisputably valid.

chabad sell chametz

The above method is disputed, but the Admor HaZaken instituted this practice and in Chabad, we adhere to the requirement of a guarantor at the same of the sale to a gentile, and as we said, there are those who do not take care to use a guarantor, and of course, they have someone they can rely on.

Selling online through the website

Here in Chabad’s website for selling chametz – hametz.co.il – we made it our goal to make the selling of chametz online more accessible in accordance with Chabad custom, in a friendly and convenient website, and to make sure that the sale takes places in the best and most observant way.

Does selling chametz through hametz.co.il involve payment?

The sale does not involve payment, but it is customary and right to give a donation when selling the chametz.

The website also includes the option of making a donation for work regarding spreading Judaism and charity by Beit Chabad.

You can also make a Kimpcha D’pischa (charity for Passover) donation on the website.

Donating through chametz.co.il is tax deductible in Israel according to Section 46.

To – selling chametz in the Hebrew language