Selling chametz to a non-Jew who is married to a Jew

Hi,

One may not sell his chametz before Pesach to a non-Jew who is married to a Jew, such that the Jew has rights to that chametz. This is true even though those rights are assigned by a non-Jewish legal system.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 5:20:11)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Selling chametz and time zone issues

Hi,

One who will travel for Pesach to a part of the world which is in a later time zone than his home is in, and who leaves behind chametz in his home time zone, should arrange for an agent in his home time zone to sell his chametz.

He should also stipulate that the agent buying back the chametz after Pesach is not buying it back for him, but only for that agent himself. Then, when he returns home, he can buy it back from the agent.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 4:94)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Jewish-owned stores which sell chametz on Pesach

Hi,

If a Jewish store-owner sells his chametz to a non-Jew before Pesach, but then keeps his store open during Pesach and markets his chametz there, the pre-Pesach sale is still valid and Jews may buy that chametz from the store after Pesach. The owner lacks halachic authority to cancel the original sale, and we don't take the later actions as an indication that the original sale was less than serious.

However: One may not purchase chametz which the Jewish store-owner purchased during Pesach.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 1:149, Orach Chaim 2:91, Orach Chaim 4:95)

Have a great day,
Mordechai