Chametz Purchasing Office

So what happens to all of those wheat and leavened products over Pesach? Some people clean house and have none leftover. Our ulpan buddy, Helen, tells us this makes for some really odd meals at her house in the days leading up to Pesach as they try to use it all up. Pasta and red beans, anyone?

Another option is to seal all the chametz up, lock it away, and sell it symbolically to a non-Jew for the week. All the big grocery chains each have a trusty non-Jew who does this for them every year. The chametz never moves from the warehouse, but the sale and the contract is real and so the position of non-Jewish chametz buyer is not a toy position.

Adiel tells me that individuals can also find someone to buy their remaining household chametz so they don't have to throw it out. And thus, since it is almost Pesach, I decided to put up a little sign on my office door today. I am glad I can provide a service! Each time someone noticed it, there was a round of giggles.