Laws of Kitniyot

We studied the (binding) custom of kitniyot (legumes) today and learned the following:

• why the ban was introduced
• what food items are subject to the ban, and why
• why certain items should be subject to the ban but aren't
• limitations of the ban (extenuating circumstances, exemptions)

The students took a "sight test" to internalize the issue. Two plates were presented - one with corn meal (kitniyot) and the other bread flakes (chametz). Even though some students guessed the identity of each one, no one felt certain that they could easily discern the difference between the two - precisely the reason why the ban was introduced in the first place!