Emily Johnson
The consumption of mushrooms during Passover is a topic of debate among Jews, particularly those of Ashkenazi descent. While mushrooms are not considered kitniyot, which refers to legumes and certain other foodstuffs, the way mushrooms are grown can be a cause for concern. Many mushrooms are grown on rye and wheat, which are prohibited during Passover, leading to uncertainty about whether mushrooms are permissible. Some Jews opt for mushrooms grown on logs, like shi-take mushrooms, while others seek out mushrooms with special Pesach supervision to ensure they comply with dietary restrictions. This highlights the complexities of adhering to religious dietary laws and the importance of understanding the nuances of food production to make informed choices.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Are mushrooms considered kitniyot? | No, mushrooms are not considered kitniyot. |
| The Bracha on mushrooms | Shehakol, not Adama, because they feed off the air and not the ground. |
| Can mushrooms be consumed during Pesach? | Yes, as long as they are not dried or grown off rye and wheat. |
| Communities that consume kitniyot on Passover | Sephardi communities. |
| Communities that don't consume kitniyot on Passover | Ashkenazi Jews. |
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What You'll Learn
Mushrooms are not Kitniyot
The consumption of kitniyot is a highly divisive topic among Jews, especially during Passover. Kitniyot, which means "legumes", refers to a range of foodstuffs such as peas, sunflower seeds, rice, and corn. While Sephardi communities have never really adopted the prohibition against kitniyot, it is an ironclad fixture in Ashkenazi Jewry.
However, mushrooms are not considered kitniyot. This is because mushrooms feed off the air and not the ground, and therefore, they cannot be feeding off chametz. For example, shiitake mushrooms are grown on logs and are safe for consumption as long as they are not dried.
That being said, many mushrooms are grown off rye and wheat and thus may not be eaten unless they are under special Pesach supervision. For instance, in the past, many Jews thought potatoes were like mushrooms and therefore avoided them during Passover.
As such, it is important to be cautious and consult with a rabbi or a trusted kosher certification agency if you are unsure about consuming mushrooms during Passover or if you follow the custom of not eating kitniyot.
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The Bracha on mushrooms is Shehakol
Mushrooms are not considered Kitniyot, although many mushrooms are grown off rye and wheat and, therefore, may not be eaten unless under special Pesach supervision. The word Kitniyot means "legumes" but has expanded to cover a wide range of foods such as peas, sunflower seeds, rice, and corn. While the prohibition against Kitniyot never really took hold in Sephardi communities, it is a longstanding prohibition among Ashkenazi Jews.
The custom is to be stringent in the matter of Kitniyot, but some seeds and grains that have never been marketed before may be eaten on Pesach, as they do not have a tradition to prohibit. For instance, pumpkin is not Kitniyot, and neither are its seeds, but they should be consumed only if properly supervised for Pesach.
Some people avoid mushrooms during Passover due to the restrictions on eating chametz, which refers to foods made from five grains—rye, wheat, oats, barley, and spelt—that have become leavened by mixing with water and being left to rise. However, the Bracha on mushrooms is Shehakol because they do not feed off the ground and, therefore, cannot be feeding off Chametz.
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Mushrooms grown on rye and wheat may not be eaten at Pesach
Mushrooms are not inherently prohibited on Pesach, as they are not from the five grains, nor are they considered kitniyot. However, it is important to note that mushrooms are often grown on beds of rye and chometz, which presents an issue during Pesach.
Shiitake mushrooms, for example, are typically grown on logs, and as long as they are not dried, they are generally permissible. In contrast, canned mushrooms must be processed on Kosher for Passover machinery to be considered suitable for consumption during Pesach.
The concern with mushrooms grown on rye or wheat lies in the potential presence of gluten. While mushrooms themselves are gluten-free, the growth medium can leave trace amounts of gluten in the mushrooms. For individuals with gluten sensitivities or allergies, such as those with celiac disease, even small amounts of gluten can trigger adverse reactions. Therefore, it is essential to consider the growth medium of mushrooms to ensure their suitability for consumption during Pesach.
To address this concern, individuals can take several precautions. One option is to purchase mushrooms with a reliable kosher certification indicating their suitability for Passover. Alternatively, growing mushrooms at home allows for maximum control over the growth medium, ensuring gluten-free and kosher mushrooms. Various mushroom types, such as oyster mushrooms, can be easily grown at home using kits or by purchasing spores and following online instructions.
In conclusion, while mushrooms themselves are not prohibited during Pesach, those grown on rye or wheat may not be suitable. To ensure kosher consumption during Pesach, individuals should opt for mushrooms with kosher certification, choose varieties grown on alternative mediums like logs, or consider growing their own mushrooms using gluten-free substrates.
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Ashkenazim consume Kitniyot on Passover in Israel
Kitniyot is a Hebrew word meaning legumes. During Passover, the word kitniyot takes on a broader meaning to include grains and seeds such as rice, corn, sunflower seeds, and sesame seeds, in addition to legumes such as beans, peas, and lentils. The Torah prohibits Jews from consuming chametz during Passover. Chametz is defined as leaven made from the "five species of grain" (wheat, barley, and three similar grains). Food made from any other species is not considered chametz. However, among Ashkenazi and some Sephardic customs, the custom during Passover is to refrain from not only products of the five grains but also other grains and legumes, known as kitniyot, even though they are not chametz.
Traditions of what is considered kitniyot vary from community to community but generally include maize (American corn), as well as rice, peas, lentils, and beans. While many Conservative Jews observe the tradition of avoiding kitniyot during Passover, the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards, an authoritative body in Conservative Judaism, issued two responsa in December 2015 that said it was now permissible to eat these previously prohibited foods throughout the world. These responsa were based on a 1989 responsa by the Responsa Committee of the Israeli Conservative Movement that permitted Conservative Jews in Israel to eat kitniyot.
While eating kitniyot has become more common in Israel, due in part to the influence of Sephardic Jewish food customs, it is unclear if Conservative Jews outside of Israel will embrace the new rulings or continue to refrain from kitniyot. Some rabbis, such as Orthodox Rabbi David Bar-Hayim and Conservative Rabbi David Golinkin, argue that the prohibition of kitniyot, while appropriate in Eastern Europe where the Ashkenazi tradition began, should not apply to the United States or Israel.
In Israel, there is no longer any geographic separation between Ashkenazic and Sephardic communities. Ashkenazim today shop in supermarkets filled with products that are "Kosher for Passover—for those who eat kitniyot" and see observant and pious friends and neighbors consuming corn and rice products during the holiday. Sephardim have no trouble distinguishing kitniyot from chametz, thus undermining the rationale for the kitniyot prohibition. Thus, many people conclude that there was never any real concern for accidental chametz consumption, only Ashkenazic neurosis and a propensity for wild stringency.
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Kitniyot means 'legumes'
Kitniyot is a Hebrew word that means legumes. It is a class of foods, including but not limited to legumes, that have been forbidden for consumption by Ashkenazi Jews on Passover. The word "kitniyot" or "kitniyos" in Ashkenazi dialects and pronunciation, respectively, takes on a broader meaning during Passover, including grains and seeds such as rice, corn, sunflower seeds, and sesame seeds. These are not considered Biblically forbidden foods, as with chametz (leavened grain), but are forbidden by "tradition" on top of the already prohibited chametz.
The origins of this tradition are somewhat mysterious, with the earliest mentions coming from medieval Ashkenaz, the border region between western Germany (the Rhineland) and northeastern France (Alsace, Lorraine, and Champagne). Even in the early days of the kitniyot prohibition, some poskim opposed it, with Rabbenu Yerucham (14th century) calling it a "foolish custom", Jacob ben Asher (14th century) calling it "an unnecessary stringency", and Samuel ben Solomon of Falaise (13th century) calling it "mistaken".
The Mishnah Berurah cites three reasons for the minhag, or custom: (a) kitniyot is harvested and processed in the same manner as chametz, (b) it is ground into flour and baked just like chametz, so people may mistakenly believe that if they can eat kitniyot, they can also eat chametz, and (c) it may have chametz grains mixed into it, so people who eat kitniyot may inadvertently be eating chametz. The grains that form chametz are commonly found mixed into kitniyot, so someone who cooks kitniyot may unintentionally consume chametz. This would make kitniyot a case of marit ayin, or something that appears forbidden but is not.
In addition to legumes, kitniyot includes rice, corn, buckwheat, and other ingredients. Examples of legumes considered kitniyot are beans, peas, lentils, and peanuts.
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Frequently asked questions
No, mushrooms are not considered kitniyot. However, many mushrooms are grown off rye and wheat and thus may not be eaten unless under special Pesach supervision.
Kitniyot are legumes. The term has expanded to cover a wide range of foodstuffs such as peas, sunflower seeds, rice, and corn.
Examples of foods that are considered kitniyot include sunflower seeds, peas, corn, and rice.
The custom of not eating kitniyot is followed by Ashkenazi Jews. While the prohibition against kitniyot never really took hold in Sephardi communities, it flourished among Ashkenazi Jews and remains an ironclad fixture in Ashkenazi Jewry.
