Question

Thanks for writing and it is a good question. The bottom line is that according to Torah and subsequently Rabbinic interpretation and application, the only foods that can be prohibited as "hametz" are those made from the "five species", specifically wheat, barley, rye, oats and spelt. Of course, this also explains the questions and confusion over adding American corn to the list as it was unknown until the discovery of the New World.

Hence, if a substance can cause something to rise or expand and is not hametz or derived from hametz, then it is kosher. In Israel you'll find both of these products regularly sold before and during Pesah. The only question it seems to me is whether or not it causes one to violate the "spirit" of hametz and leavening.

Historically, one could use seltzer as well to make matzah balls to rise, but one needed a hechshar for the seltzer as according to some opinions certain brands used carbon dioxide derived from factories making beer, hence derived from hametz. Today, I believe that carbon dioxide is made chemically if only for purposes of efficiency and cost.

But, in my own home we follow the tradition and have a hechshar on virtually everything except fresh fruits and vegetables to be certain that everyone can feel comfortable in our home and rely upon our kashrut, even though as a Conservative Rabbi I know that one can be more lenient than we practice ourselves.

In that venue we also do not use kitniyot - rice, legumes - that are not used according to Ashkenazi custom, and are technically not a violvation of Torah and Rabbinic law. Witness that Sefardim and Mizrahim do use kitniyot. In 1986 Rabbi Ben Zion Bergman wrote a teshuvah permitting peanuts which was accepted by the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards although technically peanuts are legumes. In Israel, Rabbi David Golinkin of the Masorti Vaad Halacha wrote a teshuva permitting and even encouraging the use of kitniyot on Pesah.

BTW, check out my website at www.Jewishfreeware.org for materials that can be downloaded for Pesah - more than 75,000 copies were downloaded last year in less than 5 weeks. Enjoy. There will be much more this year!

A zissen Pesah - a little in advance.