Passover Sanity

The following policy statement (PDF) from the Chicago Rabbinical Council confirms what I have been whispering to people for years. Even in my family, which contains a close student of a descendant (whom The Jewish Press editorial page refuses to name) of a famous rabbi, these policies are only whispered. Goodbye, Rabbi Blumenkrantz.

POLICY ON MEDICINES, COSMETICS AND TOILETRIES FOR PESACH

Medicines

• All pill medication (with or without chometz) that one swallows is permitted without special hashgocha.


• All chewable pills that have kitniyos are permitted. If the chewable pills have chometz and no substitute is available, one should call one's local Rabbi.


• All liquid medications that have chometz should not be used. If it is just a question of kitniyos, it is permissible. Before discontinuing liquid or chewable medicine, you must consult with your Rabbi and Doctor.

Cosmetics and Toiletries

• All varieties of body soaps, shampoos and stick deodorants are permitted for use on Pesach regardless of its ingredients.


• All types of ointments, creams, nail polish, hand lotion, eye shadow, eyeliner, mascara, blush, foot and face powders, and ink and paint may be used regardless of its ingredients.


• Colognes, perfumes, hairspray, shaving lotions and deodorants that have restorable denatured alcohol should not be used. This only applies to products in a pure liquid state.


• Lipstick that contains chometz should not be used

Rabbi Gedalia Schwartz
Av Beis Din of cRc

Rabbi Shmuel Fuerst
Dayan of Agudas Yisroel of Illinois

Rabbi Chaim T. Goldzweig
Cong. Tifereth Moshe

Rabbi Dovid Zucker
Rosh Kollel, Lakewood Kollel

As always, ask your rabbi before acting on anything you read on the web.

UPDATE: I'll add that my rabbi thinks that there is no problem with any kind of paper towels.