Pesach Faqs

Q. If ethanol may be made from chametz and one is not allowed to own or benefit from chametz, does that mean that I shouldn't use ethanol to fuel my car on Pesach?

A. You may use ethanol to fuel your car on Pesach because: (1) In the United States, the overwhelming majority of that type of ethanol is produced from corn, which is kitnios (and one is permitted to own and benefit from kitnios on Pesach). (2) In the United States, ethanol is rarely used as a fuel in a pure state. Rather, it is mixed with 15-90% gasoline, and the gasoline mixed in renders the fuel completely inedible (nifsal mei'achilas kelev) such that it is permissible to own and benefit from it on Pesach.