Rabbi Rules Hogwarts Elves Ineligible To Perform Pre-Passover Cleaning

If an elf were to convert to Judaism, the creature’s status would be unclear.

Hogsmeade, March 8 – Jewish students at the world’s most prestigious wizarding school voiced disappointment today upon receiving word that they could not rely on the services of house-elves to discharge the obligation of ensuring the possession of no leavened food products in advance of Passover.

Rabbi Sirius Schwartz of Congregation M’khashefah Lo T’hayeh in Hogsmeade, the local Jewish religious authority for Hogwarts students, reminded the handful of Jews at the school that they are expected to perform the task of removing all “hametz” from their possession by themselves, or at the hand of fellow Jew, and may not rely on the actions of a person not subject to the obligation.

“The operative principle here is that only one who is under obligation may be considered as having fulfilled that obligation,” wrote Rabbi Schwartz, who has served in his Hogsmeade post for twelve years. “Elves, who were not liberated from Egyptian bondage by divine intervention as were our ancestors, may be relied on for other purposes, but the fulfillment of a commandment incumbent upon a Jew can only be accomplished by a Jew with the appropriate level of obligation.”

If an elf were to convert to Judaism, the creature’s status would be unclear, the Rabbi added. “The sources are silent on whether the definition of ‘human’ for these purposes extends to races such as elves,” he wrote in response to a specific inquiry. “Therefore, even if any of the Hogwarts elves have undergone conversion – and I am unaware of any competent Rabbi who would perform or accept such conversions – the use of such an elf to clean for Pesach must be avoided, in keeping with the rule that in matters of Biblical commandments, such as the prohibition of possessing hametz on Pesach, we assume the stringent position.”

Students grumbled about the ruling. “I’ve still got loads of History of Magic homework to complete,” lamented Netanel Wolf, a Gryffindor fourth-year. “Professor Binns couldn’t care less that I’ve got to do my Pesach cleaning, and I’m way behind on my transfiguration homework as it is. With final exams coming up, this is not the additional burden I need.”

“I hope it’s ok to perform the check for hametz the night before the holiday with a revealing spell,” worried Levana Ahav-Tuv, a Ravenclaw third-year. “Or maybe a summoning charm, but I’m not so good at those.”

Yaakov Kesselman, a Gryffindor fifth-year, asked Ms. Ahav-Tuv if she had ordered her matzot. “Oh, no,” replied the Ravenclaw. “Don’t you know it’s made with the blood of muggles? I read it in the Quibbler.”

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