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Passover Law (Prohibition of Chametz), 5746-1986

חוק חג המצות (איסורי חמץ), תשמ"ו-1986

Published: 1986-08-13Last amended 2021-10-12✓ Amendment status checked against the Knesset legislation record on 2026-09-05
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Unofficial English translation — for reference only. It may contain errors or omissions and cannot be relied on as a legal text. Only the Hebrew text published in Reshumot is legally binding.More

This English text was translated from the official Hebrew using a range of translation tools, and it undergoes ongoing checks and updates. It is not a certified translation.

Despite these checks, it may contain errors, omissions, or imprecise renderings of legal terminology and cross-references, and it may not yet reflect the latest amendments. It cannot be relied upon as a legal text.

The Hebrew text as published in Reshumot (ספר החוקים) and on the Knesset website is the sole authoritative and legally binding version. In any discrepancy, the Hebrew text prevails.

This translation is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For use in legal proceedings, request a certified Expert Legal Opinion.

Prohibition on displaying chametz§

1.

From noon on the fourteenth of Nisan until twenty minutes after sunset on the twenty-first of Nisan, a business owner shall not publicly display a chametz product for sale or consumption; for this purpose, "chametz product" means—

(1)bread;
(2)a bread roll;
(3)pita;
(4)any other leavened flour products.

Exception to the prohibition§

2.

The provisions of section 1 shall not apply—

(1)within the bounds of a locality in which the majority of the residents or the majority of the members of the local authority council are not Jewish;
(2)within the bounds of any other locality—in those parts thereof in which the majority of the residents are not Jewish or in which the majority of the businesses are not owned by Jews;
(3)within the bounds of a cooperative locality in which the businesses are intended solely for the needs of the residents of that place.

Penalties§

3.

A person who contravenes the provisions of section 1 is liable to a fine.

Inspectors§

4.
(a)The Minister of the Interior shall appoint inspectors for the purposes of this Law from among State employees and from among those lawfully appointed as inspector or superintendent by virtue of a legislative provision, as well as from a list of inspectors and superintendents submitted to him by local authorities.
(b)An inspector as aforesaid shall have the power to conduct investigations into offences under this Law; in exercising that power—
(1)the inspector shall have the powers of a police officer under section 2 of the Criminal Procedure Ordinance (Arrest and Search) [New Version], 5729-1969;
(2)the inspector shall be entitled to exercise all the powers vested in a police officer of the rank of inspector under section 2 of the Criminal Procedure Ordinance (Testimony), and section 3 of that Ordinance shall apply to a statement recorded by him by virtue of that power.

Amendment of Courts Law T.T. 5747-1987§

5.

In the Third Schedule to the Courts Law [Consolidated Version], 5744-1984, at the end thereof the following shall be inserted:

"23a. Festival of Matzot Law (Prohibition of Chametz), 5746-1986".

Implementation and regulations§

6.
(a)The Minister of the Interior is charged with the implementation of this Law and may, with the approval of the Interior and Environmental Quality Committee of the Knesset, make Regulations for its implementation.
(b)The Minister of the Interior may determine the boundaries of those parts of localities to which section 1 does not apply by virtue of the provisions of section 2(2).

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LawReligion & State

חוק חג המצות (איסורי חמץ), תשמ"ו-1986

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Chametz Law

Prohibition of Chametz

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