Re: Kosher L'Pesach wines

polonla@la.seyfarth.com
Wed, 28 Aug 1996 14:55:36 -0400

Hillel Markowitz writes:
>Chametz is not because of the yeast, even though that causes fermentation.
>The prohibition of Chametz applies only to the five types of grains. Yeast
>would be forbidden only if it were produced using chametz. Non-grain yeast
is
>completely permitted on Pesach (as long as it is not used to ferment grain).

I recently learned in Sefer HaChinuch the Mitzvah of not seeing chametz in
one's r'shus (Parshas Bo). The Chinuch quite clearly says the issur
includes grain that has turned to chametz as well as leavening ("s'or").
I assume that yeast is prominent among leavening agents and at least,
according to the Chinuch, should be treated like Chametz on Pesach.

I'm not offering Psak Halacha here; only think the question needs a little
more looking into.

Moshe Polon