Dearest friends and community members,
As the Yashan season comes to a close, Rabbi Yoseph Herman of the "Guide to Chodosh", has informed us that Chadash products will be reaching the shelves much sooner than we thought. The cutoff date this year is August 3rd for most places in the United States.
Even though Pesach fell out late on the solar calendar this year, most of the three crops of interest were still planted after Pesach, rendering them Chadash. The early harvest this year is due to weather conditions in the growing areas.
FREE: Scroll down for a FREE chapter on Yashan from Rabbi Yonatan's book "Yehi Shalom"!
What is Yashan?
In simple terms, Jews are only allowed to eat products of the five grains (wheat, barley, spelt, rye and oat) if they have been harvested, or at the very least planted, before the previous year’s Pesach (Passover). This means that all grain must have been in the earth before Pesach in order for it to be Kosher, or "Yashan" (literally: old [grain]) for the following year. All grains which have been planted after Pesach, are not Kosher, or "Chadash" (literally: new [grain]) until next year’s Pesach has passed.
Halachah or Custom?
It is important to note that these Halachot are not a Minhag (custom), not Rabbinic in nature, nor a minority opinion. These rules follow original Jewish teachings of the Torah, Talmud, Rambam and Maran HaShulchan Aruch. Sepharadic (and some Ashkenazi) communities throughout the ages have strictly observed these laws of Kosher, and we at Kehillat Shaar HaShamayim are proud to uphold these traditions today.
Kosher Guidelines
We therefore ask of all our friends and members: please be considerate of these Kosher guidelines when cooking, baking or purchasing food for the community. All grains and flour you purchase by August 3rd are still Yashan, so there is still time to stock up! Also, Ralph's in La Jolla, as well as the groceries in Los Angeles, provide a variety of Yashan products throughout this period until Pesach.
Simple Formula
Yashan = Acceptable = All grain products (cookies, cakes, bread, flour, etc) purchased by August 3rd; or purchased after August 3rd with special Yashan certification.
Chadash = Not acceptable = All grain products (cookies, cakes, bread, flour, etc) purchased after August 3rd without special Yashan certification.
Help With Yashan
The Rabbanit and I are stocking up on Yashan ingredients for the coming year (until Pesach). We also have flour for our personal and communal use which can be borrowed in case of need.
If you bake often for Kiddush or Bet Knesset events, please stock up on flour from Costco and the we will be able to reimburse you for a reasonable amount of flour.
If you have any questions regarding this matter, I am available like last year for your every need. Please call or text (858) 752-1025.
Wishing you a beautiful summer in the merit of this precious Mitzvah!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Yonatan Halevy
