Q. My partner and I own a catering service. Until now we used to rent the wedding and Bar Mitzva halls necessary. Recently we built one of our own. We disagree on what is better to do now. Should we start before Pesach with a few Semachot and then Kasher the hall and kitchens for Pesach, thus complying with a number of mitzvot when searching, cleaning and destroying the chametz. Or is it better to continue using the rented hall until Pesach and then start Pesach with an uncontaminated by chametz new hall . What is better?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s opinion is that it depend on a number of variable factors, such as who is going to do the cleaning and kashering if the place is used before Pesach etc. The safest option would be to start just for Pesach. However, the place should be searched and cleaned from the possible chametz left by the construction workers.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a