PassoverYour Guide

“In every generation a person is obligated to regard himself as if he had come out of Egypt.” — Introduction Before Passover: the Festival of Freedom. Passover The holiday commemorating our Any and all leavened items that is, foods or ancient ancestors' supernatural products containing wheat, barley, oats, rye, escape from the Egyptian Empire. spelt or their derivatives— But Passover is more than a are : Passover-prohib- ited. So a few weeks before Biblical legend or historical anec- Passover, begin cleaning your entire home and business–every room, nook and cranny where food dote-it's a celebration brimming may have been brought. Search for any chametz products with personal meaning, spiritual and isolate them in a designated "chametz closet." Empty your clothes pockets, throw out vacuum cleaner bags and sweep symbolism and rich, enduring every floor totally crumb free. Check ingredients in every- thing–even pet food is potential chametz. You'll be using a moral lessons. Read on, and separate set of dishes for Passover, so put your year-round discover a new and relevant side dishes in that chametz closet. And stock up on kosher-for- Passover items! For good leads on what's Passover-kosher, call of Passover. Chabad or check out www.ok.org. Before You You Passover Before

Text and images provided courtesy of the Farbrengen magazine Search for Chametz Burning of the Chametz Conduct the formal search of your house for chametz on The morning* after your chametz the night before Passover, after nightfall*. We traditionally search, retrieve the bag, take it out- use a candle, wooden spoon and feather: with all lights out, side, put it on your grill and light up. the candle lights the way; any chametz found is swept by However you destroy your chametz, the feather onto the wooden spoon and dumped into a recite this annulment as you do: paper bag. Begin searching with this blessing: All leaven or anything leavened which Boruch Atoh Ado-noi Elo-hei-nu Melech Ha-olam Asher is in my possession, whether I have Ki-de-sha-nu Be-mitz-vo-sov Vi-tzi-vanu Al Bi-ur Chametz. seen it or not, whether I have observed After searching, put the bag-containing the feather and it or not, whether I have removed it or spoon-in a place you won't overlook, and recite this dis- Fast of the not, shall be considered naught and claimer: When G-d slew the firstborn ownerless as the dust of the earth All leaven or anything leavened which is in my possession, of Egypt, He spared the first- which I have neither seen nor removed, and about which I born sons of Israel. Out of am unaware, shall be considered naught and ownerless as gratitude all firstborn sons the dust of the earth. fast on this day. To avoid fast- ing, simply participate in a , the formal completion of a Talmudic tractate, the morning of the fast—the intellectual achievement and ensuing celebration are cause enough to void the fast.

*See precise dates/times on enclosed calendar The Seder Tools The Seder Plate The Seder table contains an ZEROAH (Shankbone) The Pascal Lamb is eclectic mix of items each represented by the Zeroah. Mystical tradition alluding to myriads of mys- replaces the shankbone with a chicken neck tical meanings.The Seder's that is not eaten, as a reminder that although revelations unfold in the we approach freedom during the Seder, same order as the events our ultimate freedom is soon to come which led to redemption. In The Three Matzot with the final redemption. fact, the very word Seder The bread of Faith. Our ancestors BETZAH (Egg) The egg symbolizes means order. displayed the deepest levels of faith the Festival Offering made on when they followed G-d into the Passover in the ancient Holy Seder Time desert with such haste that there Temple. wasn't even time for the bread they (Bitter Herbs/Horseradish) had baked to rise.The three Matzot The bitterness of Egypt is brought represent the entire Jewish people- to the table with Maror. Cohen, Levi and Israel. In keeping with Passover's leaven prohibition, (Vegetable) Egypt crushed use Shmurah (isolated) Matzah. our ancestors' spirits with endless, sense- Shmurah Matzah flour is carefully less, back-breaking drudgery. A raw veg- isolated from any contact with water etable, usually an onion, parsley or potato, is from harvest through grinding and dipped in saltwater and eaten so we may kneading at controlled facilities, taste their anguish-and in it realize the poten- making it kosher for Passover. tial to rise above our own. (fruit nut The Four Sons paste) As slaves we used The Four Four sons, four perceptions, forever found mortar - symbolized by Cups of in us.The Wise Son, brilliant, yet still asking Charoset - to make bricks Wine. the same questions each year.The Wicked that formed structures Son's cynicism is driven by his need to fit which were erected only The cups represent things into his down-to-earth world. to be destroyed. the four progressive stages towards freedom. Knowing the price for everything, he values nothing. Out there in a world of silent CHAZERET First Cup—Physical removal from the Land of amazement, the Simple Son is a transpar- (Romaine Egypt ("I will release you"); ent channel for the Infinite. If only he could Lettuce) The Second Cup—Liberation from intellectual and tell us about it.The Son Who Doesn't Know initial stages spiritual slavery ("I will save you"); How to Question probably thinks he is the of exile were Third Cup—Creation of a people forever wise son. When you know it all, there's pleasant, yet immune to permanent slavery ("I will liberate nothing left to ask. And in modern times, soon the you"); the most important son has appeared: the injustices of Fifth Son. While the classic Four are at the slavery became Fourth Cup—G-d's acceptance as His chosen Seder table each year, the Fifth Son has yet overwhelming. people and the granting of the at Sinai. to experience the freedom of Passover. So too is the first ("I will take you onto me as a nation"). taste of Chazeret mild, A Fifth special Cup of wine, the Cup of Elijah,is but soon its bitter root filled after the Seder's Grace (Step 13). The becomes dominant. soul of the spiritually immortal Elijah the Prophet visits every Jewish home on Seder night, and this one's symbolically for him. Your 15-Step “Soulful Seder” Companion The first step of the Seder is to forget the noise and karpas yachatz stresses of the world and leave it all behind.Tonight we 3 4 enter a timeless space, where we experience The appetizer Breaking the matzah together with Moses and all our ancestors. We now dip a vegetable Take the middle matzah from (potato, onion or parsley) your Seder Plate and break it into saltwater. Say the bless- into two. Put the smaller piece ing for eating vegetables, back between the two com- and munch good; you're not plete matzahs.This piece is the kadesh urchatz going to eat for a while.The "poor man's bread" over which 1 saltwater represents the we will recount the story of 2 tears of our people, begin- our Exodus.The larger piece A toast to freedom Washing hands ning with our slavery in becomes the (see Fill your cup with wine (or Fill a cup with water. Pour Egypt.We taste harshness step 12); put it in a bag and set grape juice). That's the first of some water over your right again in order to give us the aside until the Seder's end four cups you'll enjoy at hand three times, then over humility necessary for free- tonight's Seder. Make sure it your left hand three times. dom. holds at least 3-1/2 ounces. (When we wash our hands Everyone stands and recites again before eating matzah, Kiddush together. Now get we'll recite a blessing. But ready for some serious relax- not now.) ing- remember to recline to your left side while you drink. maggid5 rachtzah6 matzah8 maror9 Retelling Washing hands Bless the Bitter herbs The Seder Plate is moved aside and We now prepare ourselves to eat matzah by matzah Maror is the bitter the second cup of wine is filled.The again washing our hands. Pour some water Recite the blessing on taste of our slavery story of our Exodus is now retold. over your right hand three times, then over the top and (broken) in Egypt. Dip bitter Children ask the Four Questions, your left hand three times. Say the appropri- middle matzah: ". . . herbs (horseradish, found in the Haggadah. No children at ate blessing and dry your hands. Who commanded us romaine lettuce or your Seder? Have an adult ask. Alone? concerning eating both) in charoset, You be the child and G-d, the Father. matzah." which recalls the The Exodus from Egypt was much Break off a piece from mortar of our more than just an historical event. motzie each of these two enslavement, and Rather it is a dynamic process that matzahs for yourself then shake off the occurs daily as we emancipate our- and for each of those charoset. Say the 7 blessing: ". . .Who selves from our own limitations and sitting at your table. Thanking G-d for bread commanded us strive to grasp the divine.To retell Raise the three matzahs together-the top Everyone eats at least the story is to express our essential two ounces (about two concerning eating one, the broken middle one and the bot- bitter herbs." this self; to come face to face with who tom one-and say the blessing thirds of a matzah). we really are. Lean to the left while time we don't ". . .Who brings forth bread out of the you munch. recline At the end of this reading, say the earth." Then return the bottom matzah blessing over the second cup. to the Seder Plate. korech10 shulchan orech11 Sandwich Festive meal Take two pieces of matzah, totaling at least an ounce (using the bottom It is the custom of some to begin the meal with eating the egg matzah). Take an ounce of maror, dip it in charoset, then shake off the on the Seder Plate, dipped in saltwater.The egg symbolizes the charoset. Place the maror between the matzah pieces and say: "So did cycle of life and is also a sign of mourning. At every festive occa- Hillel in the time of the Holy Temple . . ." Lean to the left while eating. sion, we mourn the destruction of Jerusalem. Now you can eat. tzafun12 bairach13 hallel14 Out of hiding Grace after meal Praise At the conclusion of the Passover meal, the The third cup is now filled.We say the grace after "Songs of Praise" are now offered. Afikoman (which had been set aside) is the meal and then the appropriate blessing for Sing them to your heart's con- returned. Everyone eats two-thirds of a wine, drink this cup while leaning to your left. tent. At the end, say a blessing matzah, after which nothing else is con- Now fill a special cup of wine, the Cup of Elijah, and drink the fourth and final cup sumed tonight, except for the two remain- and set it in the middle of the table. Open the while leaning to the left. ing cups of wine. front door of your home to welcome Elijah and recite the prayer, "Pour out Your wrath . . ." Get Counted! nirtzah On the second night we begin to count the Omer, which lasts for 49 15 days. In the Holy Temple the Omer Acceptance was a barley offering taken from the The steps of the Seder have been integrated into our conscious- first grain of the new crop. We count ness and accepted. Now we pause, take a deep breath, and seven weeks, from the bringing of the reflect on our experience:We examined our personal challenges first Omer offering (Passover) until the through the slavery of our ancestors, and we achieved a personal day we received the Torah (the freedom by reliving the Exodus.We completed our part in good Festival of ). These 49 days faith; the rest is up to you-know-Who. represent the 49 steps of mystical The last song of the Seder echoes our hope and that of our self-purification and preparation our ancestors that G-d heals our broken world, and that His promise people achieved between leaving for a world of peace and wisdom become a reality. "Nation shall Egypt (Passover) and receiving the not lift up sword against nation, nor study war anymore," and the Torah (Shavuot). entire world will dwell "in a city built where all are united as one." Next Year In Jerusalem!! Four Intermediates Only Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi did not include the passage Between the first two and last two days of "The order of Pesach is concluded" in his Haggadah, for indeed, Passover, go ahead and function relatively nor- the Seder never concludes. Its message endures throughout the mally. However you shouldn't work too hard. year. A Jew leaves Egypt every day by transcending his limita- Keep the wine flowing; it's a custom to drink a tions, reaching ever-higher levels of holiness. glass of wine every day of Passover. And don't forget the matzah! It's what Passover is all about. Just So You Know You Just So Last But Not Least Yizkor memorial prayers are recit- ed during services. Following the custom of the Ba'al Shem Tov, Passover concludes with a "Feast of Moshiach"-a festive meal com- plete with Matza and four cups And On The Seventh Day of wine. It begins before sunset We stay up all night studying Torah to commem- and is designed to greet orate the Miracle of the Splitting of the Sea and Moshiach. Nightfall marks the our total liberation from Egypt official conclusion of Passover. P:2 (The Sequel) The "Second Passover," is observed simply by eating a piece of matzah.When the fled The Finals Egypt, some of them were unable The final day of to participate in the Paschal offer- Passover, emphasizes ing because they were ritually an even higher level impure.They prayed to G-d for a of freedom and is second chance. G-d agreed, allow- dedicated to our ing them to enjoy a "Second imminent and Final Passover." Redemption. Dates & Times Delegation Of Power For Sale Of Chametz Sunday,April 4 Formal search for Chametz After nightfall Since it is even prohibited to "own" Chametz during Passover,it is customary to Monday,April 5 Stop eating Chometz Before 10:30 am secure your "Chametz" in a designated space and sell its contents to a non-Jew. Burn Chametz Before 11:30 am Fill-out this "Mechirat Chometz" form and simply fax it to (123) 456-7890 (all Light Passover candles Say Blessings 1 & 2 At 6:30 pm forms must be received by April 4,2004 5:00 p.m.). Tuesday,April 6* Light Passover candles* Say Blessings1 & 2 After 7:30pm Friday,April 9** Light candles Say Blessing 3 At 6:35 pm Shabbat,April 10 Shabbat ends At 7:30 pm I,______fully empower Sunday,April 11 Light Passover candles Say Blessing 1 At 6:40 pm and permit Rabbi ______to Monday,April 12* Light Passover candles* Say Blessing 1 After 7:40 pm act onmy behalf to sell all Chometz/mixtures of Chometz owned by me,as Tuesday,April 13 Yizkor At 10:30 am defined by the Torah and Rabbinic Law,particularly at the address/es listed Passover ends At 7:40 pm below,and elsewhere.This power is in conformity with all Torah,Rabbinic Wednesday,May 5 P2 – and Civil laws. * Light only from a pre-existing flame. ** Do not light after time indicated. Residence Address Apt.

City/State/Zip Blessings Boruch Atoh Ado-noi Elo-hei-nu Melech Ha-olam Asher Ki-de-sha-nu Be- Business Address Suite mitz-vo-sov Vi-tzi-vanu Le-had-lik Ner Shel Yom Tov.

City/State/Zip Boruch Atoh Ado-noi Elo-hei-nu Melech Ha-olam She-heh-che-yoh-nu Vi- kiye-mo-nu Ve-he-ge-ah-nu Liz-man Ha-zeh. Signature Date Boruch Atoh Ado-noi Elo-hei-nu Melech Ha-olam Asher Ki-de-sha-nu Be- mitz-vo-sov Vi-tzi-vanu Le-had-lik Ner Shel Shabbat Kodesh. Join Chabad of for an enchanting Sanfransisico MACHON MENACHEM NON PROFIT ORG. U.S.POSTAGE Chabad of the Valley PAID 18181 Burbank Boulevard Thousand Oaks,CA Tarzana, California 91356 Enjoy an in-depth Hebrew/English Passover experience, with Permit No.988 plenty of translation and an abundance of commentary.

First Seder Night: Second Seder Night: Monday April 5th at 7:30 pm Tuesday April 6th at 7:30 pm Explore the Kabalistic insight on the number Explore the Kabalistic insight on the number four: Four cups of wine,four suns,four ques- four: Four cups of wine,four suns,four ques- tions and four types of freedom tions and four types of freedom Suggested donation:Adults $36 - Child $10 For more information and reservation please call Chabad at: 987-654-3210 E-mail:[email protected] Please RSVP by April 1st