recorded that one of the Chassidim offered to arrange to make spirits for the Tzemach Tzedek for Pesach. Even after he said that he would make the spirits himself, in his own home and using only potatoes, the Tzemach Tzedek still would not agree. He explained that Rabbi Akiva Eiger forbade the use of spirits because of a “hidden reason”. Had Rabbi Akiva Eiger
1. Shulchan Aruch Harav 442:9
2. Shulchan Aruch 442:5, Shulchan Aruch Harav 442:9. It will not be considered
3. Since the grain is present in the ratio of a Kzayis Bichdei Shetiyas Pras, the entire liquid becomes “transformed” to become as though it was all the substance of Chametz itself. This is a Halacha Lemoshe Misinai. Shulchan Aruch Harav 442:9, Mishna Berura 442:24. Even if it is less than this ratio, it is still forbidden to consume or own on Pesach.
4. Shulchan Aruch Harav 442:10, Mishna Berura 442:25
5. Raavan Pesachim 160a, Magen Avraham 442:9
6. Panim Meiros 1:107
7. The Alter Rebbe writes that this opinion may be relied upon if there will be a great loss involved were we to forbid it. The Mishna Berura does not record this opinion at all.
8. Shulchan Aruch 447:2, Shulcha Aruch Harav 447:18. Once Pesach comes in, Bittul will not apply, since Chametz is forbidden to consume even in the tiniest amount.
9. Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah 87:11, Magen Avraham Orach Chaim 442:9, Shulchan Aruch Harav 442:10. This itself is a Rabbinic prohibition.
10. Mishna Berura 442:24
11. See Sdeh Chemed Asifas Dinim Chametz Umatzah 6:4
12. Shulchan Aruch Harav 453:5. This is the general accepted practise. The subject of Kitniyos oil was debated by the Acharonim in the 1800s.
13. Letters of Rabbi Akiva Eiger 132
14. See Sdeh Chemed Asifas Dinim Chametz Umatzah 6:11, 7:6, 7:9. Shoel Umeishiv 3:153,
15. Asifas Dinim Chametz Umatzah 6:11
16. A further reason to be lenient is that perhaps the decree of Rabbi Akiva Eiger was limited to potato spirits and would not apply to spirits made from other sources such as grape or sugar.
17. Teshuvos Orach Chaim 51
18. Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 451:13, 451:3. Shulchan Aruch Harav 451:38
19. This is the opinion of Rashi
20. 451:21
21. Magen Avraham 451:39, Shulchan Aruch Harav 451:62
22. That the Rosh and Rabbeinu Yitzchak would agree with the position of Rashi
23. See Sdeh Chemed Asifas Dinim Chametz Umatzah 7:9
24. Possibly due to the Halachic concerns raised above
25. Teshuvos Rabbi Shlomo Eiger Orach Chaim 18-19
26. Shemuos Vesippurim 3:64 and Likutei Sippurim p92
27. Otzar Minhagei Chabad Nissan p54
28. Shemuos Vesippurim volume 3 p245
Wishing you a חג כשר ושמח, a joyous and Kosher Pesach
