Since we may not possess any leavened food from the morning prior to the first Seder through the entire Pesach holiday, we must give up ownership of this food. Because it is impossible to destroy all of the hametz in one's possession, rabbinic authorities used a legal concept embodying a special sale called m’chirat hametz which is arranged through a rabbi. Since the hametz is sold to a person of a different faith, it does not belong to a Jew during Passover. All material to be sold is isolated from the food and utensils used on Passover.

The sale may be arranged by filling out this form electronically, or physically completing a printed copy of the form and dropping it off at the synagogue no later than 8:45am on Wednesday, April 5th

As we prepare for each of our holidays and Shabbat, we are encouraged to make a contribution of tzedaka in or order to help those who are less fortunate and who may not have the means to afford what is needed to celebrate the holiday. Tradition has it that before Pesach we are to contribute financially for maot chittin (money for wheat) so that even those with very little will be able to afford the purchase of wheat to bake matzah for the holiday. Today, many people will make a donation to a fund or an organization that helps to feed the hungry before the holiday. And very often, when people arrange for the sale of their hametz, they will make a monetary contribution at the same time. Such a contribution is not required for the sale of hametz, but it is welcome.