Ask Our Rabbis – April 2nd, 2022

Question: Can you please explain the concept of Maos Chitim? I have heard this mentioned a few times in reference to the upcoming holiday of Pesach.

Answer: Maos Chitim, which literally means “Wheat Money”, refers to the collections made to ensure that Jews in need have food for Pesach. The Jerusalem Talmud (Bava Basra 1:4) is one of the earlier Torah sources to this specific collection. Originally, the collection was limited to wheat so that (the) poor individuals would be able to grind the wheat into flour to knead their own Matzos, thereby being enabled to fulfill the Mitzvah of Eating Matzah on Pesach night. Over the years, Maos Chitim has been expanded to include the many other needs for Pesach. We should donate generously to the Maos Chitim campaign being run by the St. Louis Vaad Hoeir so that our Jewish neighbors can enjoy the holiday of Pesach as much as we ourselves would like to do so. For donations to the Maos Chitim campaign, please visit https://www.stlmaoschitim.com