The Mishna in Pesachim (21a) brings down a machlokes regarding whether biur chametz min hatorah may be done only through sreifa (burning) or if it can also be accomplished through mefarer v'zoreh laruach oh matil layam (crumbling and throwing to the wind or dropping into the sea).
It seems that here in Yerushalayim a fourth method has been invented: zorek lachatulim (throwing to the cats).
Throughout the month of Nisan Yerushalmi felines feast on the discarded chametz of Yerushalmi Jews, enjoying the benefits of our labor. Anyone who has ever lived in the holy city knows that when throwing out trash one must be wary of these small creatures jumping out of the dumpsters as the garbage gets thrown in. However, before Pesach extra caution is necessary, as one bag of trash can cause the hasty retreat of five to six mangy cats. Helping their cause is the minhag in Israel not to sell chametz gamur.
Cats benefit after Pesach as well. There is a kindhearted soul living on my block who takes it upon himself to feed the cats that call it home. In the mornings he puts out cat food, a tin full of milk, and four or five opened yogurts for his little friends to dine on. It must be that this Pesach he miscalculated his matzah consumption and bought too much because this morning, in addition to their regular meal, the cats were given a tin full of crumpled up matzah. Now, I cannot claim to have any knowledge regarding the inner workings of the feline digestive system, but if matzah has the same effect on their stomachs as it does on mine than I think I will be forced to reassess how kindhearted this man really is.
As an aside: If anyone has any idea of the history of the cat epidemic in Israel please enlighten me in the comments section. I have heard that cats were specifically brought in to take care of the mice, but I don't know that for sure.
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I have heard that in the US we spay and neuter stray cats, but in Jerusalem this was prohibited because of the mitzvah of "be fruitful and multiply". Never quite understood how the mitzvah applied to cats, or whether this story was actually true.
I once heard someone say that the cats in Yerushalayim are gilgulim of yeshiva bachrim who were guilty of bittul zman. I don't really believe it but thought I'd pass it on.
As I understand it, during the Mandatory period (1917-1948) the British brought in cats to control the rat problem, as rats bring disease and do pretty well in desert conditions. As a result, the cats became the rats - too many of something few people want. My dog adores matza - she waits all year for pesach and can eat full sheets of matza at one sitting, with no deleterious effects.
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