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Q & A - WITH RABBI RISKIN
Q. Is quinoa considered to be kitniyot? What is the basis of the prohibition of kitniyot altogether and why does it only affect Ashkenazi Jews?
A. Ashkenazic Jewry of the 16-17th Century added an extra stringency to the prohibition of the five grain products which are considered to be hametz: wheat, rye, oats, barley and spelt. Their addition included rice, peas, beans and other legumes – with various other Ashkenazi communities (in some cases even Sefaradic communities) adding their own extras like hummous (because it sounds like hametz) and even garlic. There was a dispute as to whether the liquids which come from these products (that is the oils) were also initially prohibited, and most Ashkenazi authorities are stringent about this as well
The reason for this Ashkenazi gezeirah remains obscure. Most say that it is because flour can be made out of these products which produce cookies and cakes which look like they are made out of hametz products; others claim it is because these particular vegetables grew alongside of the prohibited grains.
In the 19th Century, when the potato was introduced into Ashkenazi countries, many rabbis felt that potatoes belonged under the category of kitniyot especially because of what can be made from potato flour. The religious women of the time were exceedingly upset because potatoes had become a staple food item for their families. At the end of the day, the Ashkenazi rabbis decided not to include potatoes because their very existence was not known at the time of the gezeirah – and was not in the decree need not be incorporated in the decree.” Since quinoa was certainly not known as a food item in Ashkenazi countries at the time of the decree, I would certainly say that it is permitted. Moreover, quinoa is a leaf; it is not a legume or even a grass, and so it is very far removed from what could be considered kitniyot.
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