Aside from the prohibition against consuming or having pleasure from Chametz on Pesach, the Torah prohibits us from even owning the Chametz during this holiday. In addition, in order to strengthen this prohibition, the Rabbis instituted a law that any Chametz that is owned by a Jew over Pesach may not be enjoyed after Pesach. This opens up a myriad of Halachic concerns to the average Jewish consumer. Are we then not allowed to purchase Chametz items from companies which are Jewish but do not observe the laws of Pesach? How about a publically traded company? Does the ownership of minority shareholders constitute Halachic ownership? If I own stock in Nabisco or General Mills, Must I sell those shares prior to Pesach? How about Ribbis
concerns or the fact that a company is open on Shabbos?
This week's journal will focus on the Halachic status of a corporation and other legal entities.
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