Q&A: Question about leavened food
Question about leavened food
Question
Rabbi Michael, have a good week.
A question came up for us regarding leavened food. I make natural soaps, and some of them contain oats that are visible to the eye. Although they are not fit even for a dog to eat, with leavened food there is also a prohibition on deriving benefit, and the soaps are made for anointing/use on the body, so there is benefit from them. But on the other hand, we saw that something unfit for eating no longer has the status of leavened food. The question is: what is their status? Do they need to be sold to a non-Jew? Is this a leavened mixture that does not need to be sold and should not be used?
Thank you, and have a kosher and joyful Passover.
Answer
If it is unfit for eating, there is no need to sell it. It is advisable to put them away and label them so there will be no concern that you will use them. Even regarding actual use, there is room to be lenient.
See here: http://ph.yhb.org.il/04-08-09/