Rabbinical Changes to 800 year old Passover Law

Last night was the start of the eight day Passover holiday.  

In the weeks leading up to the holiday, there was some interesting chattering the Internet and in the papers.  http://www.cjnews.com/news/international/conservative-ashkenazis-can-finally-eat-rice-legumes-during-passover

After 800 years or so, Rabbinic law has changed a pretty major dietary rule for Passover.

If you are Ashkenazic descent and Conservative (and thereby by extension, Reform), you are now allowed to eat Kitnyot, as the Sephardic have done for generations.

For those who don't observe Passover, you're probably wondering, "First, what the heck ilsa Kitnyot? And second, why couldn't you eat it before?"

A Brief History of Passover

Thousands of years ago, the Israelites (Jews), were slaves of Pharoh in Egypt.  After much ... Shall we say 'persuasion'... Pharoh let the enslaved Israelites leave Egypt. But the had to go fast before Pharoh changed his mind. So the Israelites left without time for the bread they were preparing, to rise.  

Blah blah blah, 40 years in the desert and manna from heaven, the Israelites arrived in what is now modern day Israel.

So we commemorate the exodus by holding Seders and eating matzah for eight days.

So Where Does Kitnyot Come In?

For Ashkenazic Jews, that is Jews who trace their heritage back to Europe, Kitnyot was a no no during the holiday. This category of food includes: corn, millet, beans, peas, legumes, and seeds, such as rice.  That pretty much left us eating matzah with butter (because peanuts are a legume and even oils derived from Kitnyot were off limits, so no peanut butter), fish, poultry, beef, some vegetables and eggs and potatoes. Not a very exciting selection for eight straight days.

But this year, the Committee on Jewish Life & Standards affirmed the use of Kitnyot for Ashkenazic Jews. 

What does this mean?  

Well, that now depends on how you manage your diabetes.

I, for one, avoid carbs, so I won't be eating rice and matzah anyway.  But since I do indulge in sushi as a treat, should the opportunity arise, I won't feel guilty about it. Although, I don't actually see it being a problem...

Another plus is that I can eat peanut butter. Which was always off-limits at Passover. As well, my kids  can also eat it. 

How will the new laws affect you?  Tell me in the comments, or shoot me off an email.