Q&A: Permitting Kitniyot
Permitting Kitniyot
Question
Hello, Rabbi,
I am half Moroccan on my father’s side (and half Persian), and we eat kitniyot except for rice and chickpeas. I married an Ashkenazi atheist husband, who eats leavened food on Passover; at the same time, we agreed that our children would be raised with an observant education.
My questions are:
1. Can I do a release from the custom regarding kitniyot for myself (including rice and chickpeas)?
2. Would that also apply to my children?
3. How does one do such a release, if so?
I should note that my husband’s parents are also atheists, so in practice the prohibition of kitniyot was never observed in his home.
Thank you
I forgot to mention that I am vegetarian, so eating kitniyot and rice is very important for me.
Answer
I think no release is needed, for two reasons: 1. In my opinion, the custom itself no longer has binding force today (see my column 2 here, where I explain that this is a concern, not a binding custom). 2. Even if it did have binding force for Ashkenazim, when you accepted it upon yourself you did so because you thought that this is what Jewish law required of you (to follow your husband’s customs). But that is not necessarily correct, and when a custom was accepted in error there is no need for a release. Why is it an error? First, it is not entirely agreed that a woman adopts her husband’s customs. Second, when the husband is not observant and the custom was not observed in his home, there is strong logic in remaining with your own family custom.
Therefore, in my opinion there is no impediment to eating kitniyot without any release, for you or for your children. Bon appétit, and have a kosher and happy holiday.