Shabbos-Erev Pesach: Special Rules
When is the Fast of the First Born?
· The Taanit Bechorim (Fast of the First Born) is observed on Thursday, March 25. Services will begin at 7:00 am, followed immediately by the Siyum of Talmudic study.
When do we search for Chometz?
· Bedikas Chometz (search for chometz) should take place on Thursday night, March 25, after 8:30 pm, followed by the customary Kol Chamirah renunciation of ownership of chometz. Pg. 407 Artscroll Siddur
When do we burn the Chometz?
· Biyur Chometz (the burning of Chometz) should take place before 12:40 pm, Friday, March 26. There will be a public burning of Chometz at shul from 9:00 am – 12:30 pm.
· The second nullification proclamation of Kol Chamirah should not be recited until Shabbos morning, March 27, by 12:40 pm.
When is Chometz sold?
· Mechiras Chometz (the selling of the chometz) delegation document, must be in the Rabbi’s possession by Friday, March 26, 10 am.
When is the last time I can kasker utensils?
· All koshering of kitchen areas, appliances and cookware must be completed before Shabbos.
When do I prepare for the Seder?
· The seder plate should be prepared on Friday. Roast the egg and shank bone, check and clean lettuce leaves to be used for maror, chop nuts for charoses, grate horseradish if needed for maror. If at all possible, the seder table should be set before Shabbos to enable an early start for the seder.
How can I do that and still have Shabbos meals?
· Chometz Friday night and Shabbos breakfast may be held in a clearly designated place-way.
All chometz consumption must be completed by 11:38 am on Shabbos morning.
· Food for Shabbos should be prepared “kosher for Passover”. Because matzah may not be eaten on the eve of the holiday, challah should be used as the bread of the Friday night and Shabbos breakfast meals. Care is of the essence in regard to potential left-over bread/challah and crumbs. Fresh rolls or pita that produce few crumbs should be used. Eat all of the rolls and crumbs being careful that the crumbs do not scatter around the house. Then lift the tablecloth, shake the crumbs down the toilet or outside the house. Set the table and enjoy a kosher l’Pesach meal. No Matzah or items with baked matzah meal may be consumed on Shabbos. Cooked matzah meal items such as matzah balls may be served. This procedure should be followed for both meals. The rolls must be finished on Shabbos morning by 11:38 am. Due to the questionable status of its bracha, egg matzah should not be used for HaMotzi. It may be used for children who will not be careful with challah crumbs.
Or
· Come to shul for your Shabbat meals. Each family will sit at a separate table with individual platters. More info coming.
· All chometz left over from the meals should be flushed down a toilet by 12:40 pm on March 27. As the chometz is disposed, the Kol Chamirah proclamation is recited. Pg. 407 Artscroll siddur
What time are services on Shabbos morning?
· Because we need to finish early Shabbos morning services will start at 8:00 am.
What do we do for Shalosh Seudos?
· For the third Shabbos meal (Shalosh Seudos), we may NOT eat bread nor matzah, therefore, there is no HaMotzi. Under these circumstances, this meal should consist of fruit, vegetables (no maror), fish, meat, etc. In order to allow for proper enjoyment of the seder meal, this last Shabbos meal should not take place too late on Shabbos afternoon.
· Shabbos ends at 8:32 pm and Pesach begins. Yom Tov candles may be kindled no earlier than 8:32 pm. Before setting up the Yom Tov candles a woman should say a short havdala “Baruch hamavdil beyn Kodesh l’kodesh” - Blessed is G-d who discerns the distinction between the holiness of Shabbos and the holiness of Yom Tov
What do we do about Havdala?
· Havdala is included in Kiddush. Follow the instructions in your Hagadah.