Kicking the Kitniyot Habit?

For the congregant who told me that her husband ABSOLUTELY refuses to believe that legumes might be kosher l'Pesach--and any others who may choose to begin this culinary debate with their beloved while kashering their utensils--, here is the story:

The debate about the status of legumes is an old one.  Orthodox rabbi Michael Taubes of Teaneck NJ provides a rather detailed summary of the rabbinic debate here.

The Masorti Movement in Israel [Conservative] decreed that legumes ought to be allowed during Pesach, even for Jews of Ashkenazi origin, in order to add joy and pleasure to Pesach.  See the English summary of the relevant responsum here.  More recently, the CCAR [Reform Rabbis] published a responsum on this question, stating that legumes are allowed...though many Reform Jews may choose not to eat them, given the long-standing Ashkenazi custom.

With all this said, what to do?  Personally, I recommend marrying a Jew of Mizrachi origin [for whom there is no debate whatsoever], but if that doesn't work for you:   make the more stringent member of your household responsible for all Pesach cooking and enjoy your peanut-less holiday in peace. 

Comments

[Helen Goldlist]

My family's tradition has always included peanuts. New question: If the 5 acceptable grains are wheat, spelt, barley, rye & oats, does that mean oatmeal is OK for Pesach?

[LA]

Thank you Rabbi!