1) We are very particular with gebrokts, i.e. not to wet the Matzah during Pesach, apart from the 8th day. This is primarily due to the possibility that some particles of flour were not properly mixed in the dough when it was kneaded, and upon becoming wet now they will ferment and become Chometz.1
2) For this reason we do not wet above the lips at Mayim Acharonim.2
3) In the earlier years the Rebbe advised that it is acceptable to be lenient for children regarding chumros such as gebrokts, but not to give them machine-Matzos. In later years the Rebbe encouraged us to train children to be careful with gebrokts too.3
4) The general minhag is to eat Matzah alone without any other food. Some people feel a need to soften the Matzah and eat it with fruit such as banana or avocado.4 If doing so then it is recommended to use disposable cutlery, thus not causing gebrokts in the washing-up bowl.
5) On the first night(s) of Yom Tov we are obliged to eat Matzah. ThroughoutPesach, by contrast, there is no such obligation; if you wish you may subsist on a diet of potatoes! There is, however a virtue in eating Shemurah Matzah throughout the Yom Tov.5
6) Kitniyos: The Ashkenazi communities refrain from eating on Pesach any pulses, legumes and the like.
7) This prohibition also applies to oils extracted from the above. The Poskim differ as to oils extracted from non-edible pulses — in London we follow the ruling of the late Rav H. Padwa ז"ל, not to use such oils on Pesach.6
8) We refrain from Kitniyos foods on Erev Pesach too.7
9) Many of Anash do not use any oil on Pesach (see below #15 {— re. manufactured goods}). Instead they use chicken fat. If doing so, check carefully for any presence of grain (see below #12).
10) If a baby must be fed formula, it is preferable to use Kitniyos [e.g. soya] than to use non-supervised milk. When washing the bottles etc. do so in a separate bowl, not where one washes the regular Pesach dishes.
11) The Chumrah of Kitniyos applies Erev Pesach too.8
12) When preparing chickens for cooking, check carefully for any grains. If you discover anything suspicious — ask a Shaaloh immediately.9 It is advantageous to clean the chickens before the onset of Yom Tov.
13) It is preferable to buy live fish and to clean them oneself.
14) When visitors come over during Pesach, we do not pressure them to eat at our home — they are entitled to their own Pesach-chumros! Instead, food may be placed at the table, and the visitors can choose to help themselves.10
15) Where possible, we avoid using manufactured foods on Pesach.
16) Considering the above two points [in addition to other issues], going to a hotel for Pesach is advisable only in a case of necessity.
17) Some paper goods are manufactured using starch, which may be from grain or kitniyos. This creates concern when the use of these products brings them in contact with wet or hot food.11 [One can test for starch presence by putting a few drops of iodine tincture into a small bowl of water, turning the water light brown. Dip some of the product in question into the solution — if there is a presence of starch the paper will turn blue.]
18) Even when one has established that the paper is free of starch, the first and last sheets of rolls of tissue should not be used directly with food for Pesach. This is because of the glue used there which may be of Chometz origin.
19) In earlier generations sugar was not used at all on Pesach. Nowadays we follow the custom of boiling and dissolving the sugar, then straining it. This may be done even on the afternoon of Erev Pesach, until sunset.12
20) After boiling the sugar it is customary to then Kasher the pot.13 Others have a special pot used only for boiling the sugar.
21) When preparing food before Pesach, e.g. ice-cream, one need not use boiled sugar.
22) We only use fruit and vegetables that can be peeled.14 [An exception is made for the lettuce used on the Seder night].
23) One should avoid mixing in unpeeled pieces of strawberry in ice-cream even when preparing it before Pesach.
24) It is customary to have separate knives, to be used only for peeling fruit and vegetables.15 Also, not to place peels in the regular Pesach crockery.
25) Contemporary Poskim differ whether one may use a potato-peeler to peel apples on Shabbos, since the peel of the apple is edible.16 All agree, however, that this may be used on Yom Tov.17 An apple-corer, by contrast, should definitely not be used on Shabbos.18
26) It is customary not to use colored or painted crockery on Pesach.19
27) We follow the custom that cutlery or crockery that fell on the floor during Pesach is put aside until after Yom Tov.20
28) The late Rav Yaakov Landa ע"ה is quoted as stating that it is not our Minhag to refrain from the use of garlic during Pesach.21 Many of Anash, however, do not use garlic on Pesach (see following point).
29) A general note on Chumros: If you have hitherto followed a certain view and refrained from something, and you now wish to follow a view that permits the same, you must follow the procedures of Hataras Nedarim(Absolving Vows).22
30) The Tzemach Tzedek ruled not to use radishes on Pesach “without any given reason”.23
31) There is a discussion in Poskim regarding milk from cows that are fed Chometz on Pesach.24 In general, Kosher milk sold during Pesach will have been milked before Pesach.
32) Common practice is not to use Besamim at Havdalah on Motzaei Shabbos Chol HaMoed Pesach.25
33) Some Poskim rule to avoid using the hot water supply in a multi-tenant building, where the hot water is heated centrally and supplied to all apartments, if it is shared by people who will use Chometz on Pesach.26
34) Many tie a cloth over the spout of the taps so as to strain the water for any undesirable particles. Once, when visiting the Yeshivah dining hall, the Rebbe observed that this filter should be checked during Pesach.27
35) Some Pesach Hechsherim state ‘Kosher al Pesach’, not ‘LePesach’. This is to dispel any notion that this food was consecrated for the Korban Pesach.28
