Chametz laundry starch

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Actual Chametz that has lost its texture; Chametz used for laundering starch/glue:[1]

Was placed on item prior to thirty days before Pesach: Actual Chametz, such as wheat starch or wheat milk [as opposed to merely Taaruvos Chametz], that was placed on laundered clothing thirty days before Pesach, does not need to be scraped off the clothing and destroyed before Pesach even if the Chametz is visible.[2] The same applies towards papers that were glued using dough, and the actual Chametz is visible to the outside, it is nevertheless not required to scrape it off and destroy it. [Nevertheless, it is forbidden to intentionally eat such Chametz.[3] If such Chametz fell into one’s food, it is implied that it requires 60x and majority does not suffice.[4]]

Was placed on item within thirty days before Pesach: If the Chametz starch was used for laundering the clothing or attaching the papers within thirty days before Pesach, then if the actual Chametz is visible and the entire clothing or a single paper all together contains a Kezayis of [visible[5]] Chametz[6], some Poskim[7] rule that one is required to scrape away all the visible Chametz. Practically, one is to suspect for their opinion. If, however, there is no visible Chametz, or it is not the amount of a Kezayis, then according to all opinions there is no obligation to scrape away the Chametz.

Wearing/Placing on table of food:[8] In the event that one starched his clothing or tablecloth with Chametz starch, it is forbidden to place it on the table or wear while one is eating, during Pesach.[9] [Seemingly, this applies even if one starched the clothing prior to thirty days before Pesach.[10]] Likewise, one may not wrap any Pesach foods in this garment, even before Pesach. One may however wear the clothing during Pesach during non-eating times. [If the Chametz starch has been spoiled to the point it is not edible to a dog, then one may use this starch for his clothing, and may wear such clothing on Pesach.[11]]

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[1] Admur 442:25

[2] The reason: As by the time Pesach arrives the Chametz has already hardened and lost its texture. Alternatively, it is permitted as it is no longer edible for a dog and is like mere dust of the earth. [Admur ibid]

[3] Admur 442:26

The reason: Its forbidden to eat just as is the law with all spoiled Chametz. See however next footnote!

[4] Implication of Admur 442:26 who forbids wearing such Chametz near foods; Rav Mordechai Belinuv in Paamei Yaakov 16:27

The reason: Although the flour starch that is on the clothing and other items loses its texture after thirty days and hence is allowed to be owned over Pesach even if the flour is visible and there is a Kezayis of flour on the garment, [Admur 442:25; Michaber 422:3] nevertheless, since the flour is still edible to a dog it therefore contains a complete eating prohibition. For this reason, it is forbidden to place it in proximity to food, as if it falls into food it is not nullified in majority but rather requires 60x. [see Admur 447:18] This is unlike Chametz that has spoiled to the point it is no longer fit for a dog, in which case majority suffices. [Admur 442:33] Accordingly, there are four levels of Chametz: 1) Actual Chametz which may not be owned and is never nullified; 2) Chametz Nuksha which may not be owned and is nullified in 60x; 3) Chametz that has lost its texture which may be owned but requires 60x. 4) Chametz that is spoiled for a dog which may be owned and is nullified in majority. [Paamei Yaakov ibid]

[5] See Kuntrus Achron 442:14 that the area made to stick the

[6] This applies even if the Chametz is scattered throughout the paper, and there is no single Kezayis piece in one areas, nevertheless, the paper joins it all together to form a Kezayis in this regard. [Admur ibid]

[7] 1st opinion in Admur ibid; Rama 442:3

[8] Admur 442:26

[9] The reason: As perhaps some of its Chametz will fly off the table cloth and land into one’s food. Likewise, the women scarves which are customarily starched with flour until they become thick are not to be worn while eating, as it is common for the flour to fly off of it. [Admur ibid]

[10] Implication of Admur ibid who does not mention any differentiation between before and after thirty days, even though in the previous Halacha a differentiation is made; Rav Mordechai Belinuv in Paamei Yaakov 16:27

The reason: Although the flour starch that is on the clothing and other items loses its texture after thirty days and hence is allowed to be owned over Pesach even if the flour is visible and there is a Kezayis of flour on the garment, [Admur 442:25; Michaber 422:3] nevertheless, since the flour is still edible to a dog it therefore contains a complete eating prohibition. For this reason it is forbidden to place it in proximity to food, as if it falls into food it is not nullified in majority but rather requires 60x. [see Admur 447:18] This is unlike Chametz that has spoiled to the point it is no longer fit for a dog, in which case majority suffices. [Admur 442:33] Accordingly, there are four levels of Chametz: 1) Actual Chametz which may not be owned and is never nullified; 2) Chametz Nuksha which may not be owned and is nullified in 60x; 3) Chametz that has lost its texture which may be owned but requires 60x. 4) Chametz that is spoiled for a dog which may be owned and is nullified in majority. [Paamei Yaakov ibid]

[11] Based on Admur 442:33; Paameiy Yaakov ibid

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