A Practical Halakhic Note from Herzfeld and Maharat Friedman on the guidelines for Shabbat on the eve of Pesach, 5781.

This year the eve of Passover coincides with Shabbat (March 27). The following procedures should therefore be followed:

Taanit Bechorot/Fast of the First Born This fast is observed on Thursday, March 25th beginning at 5:43 AM until 7:57 PM. Rabbi Herzfeld and the daf yomi group will make a siyum on Masechet Pesachim after shacharit which will exempt one from fasting by participating.

Bedikat Chametz We perform bedikat chametz on the evening of Thursday, March 25th with a bracha after 8:07 PM. After the search the normal nullification (b ittul) is recited. (See Artscroll , p. 654.)

Bi’ur Chametz/Burning of the Chametz ,”כל חמיר א“ We can burn the chametz on Friday, March 26th until 12:10 PM. We do NOT recite or the final nullification of the chametz, because we can continue to eat chametz on Shabbat. (The reason for this custom is so that in future years one does not confused about the proper time to burn chametz.)

Selling Chametz On Friday, March 26th, before 12:11 PM we will sell any chametz that will not be used on Shabbat to our neighbors, Michel and Billy Martin.

Kashering Dishes One may continue to kasher dishes for Pesach all day Friday.

Shabbat Food If one is cooking for Shabbat then the food should be kosher for Pesach and prepared on kosher for Pesach dishes.

Hamotzi Because we do not eat matzah on the day leading into Pesach, we may not use matzah for hamotzi on Shabbat. Therefore, we must use either challah or egg matzah for hamotzi for Shabbat meals. While Ashkenazim do not customarily eat egg matzah on Pesach, it is acceptable to use on Shabbat Erev Pesach. The benefit to using egg matzah is that it is not considered chametz and will not cause unneeded stress if it creates crumbs. Both egg matzah and challah may only be consumed until 11:10 AM on Shabbat day. If you are using challah, the leftovers must be disposed of by 12:10 PM, either by flushing it down the toilet or throwing it into a public garbage. The final nullification is recited at this time. (See Artscroll siddur, p. 654.) We strongly recommend eating the challah in an area of your home (or outdoors) that is separate from where you will be having your Pesach meals. I n order to facilitate hamotzi and Seudat Shelishit on Shabbat, shacharit will be at 7:30 AM.

Egg matzah does not require disposal because it is not chametz. Seudah shlishit There are many different approaches to the question of how to eat Seudah Shelishit this Shabbat. Since one can expect to be home from shul by 9:15 AM, one can make kiddush/hamotzi, eat a very light meal, then bentch, and do something to signify that the meal has ended (e.g. walk around the block). Then one can make hamotzi again before 11:10 AM and thereby fulfill Seudah shelishit. An alternative approach is to fulfill one’s obligation of Seudah Shelishit on this unique day through the most nourishing food possible--the spiritual food of study. Seder Preparations One may not begin to prepare for seder until Shabbat ends, at 8:09 PM. It is recommended that you perform as many preparations as possible on Friday before Shabbat starts.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact Rabbi Herzfeld [email protected] or Maharat Friedman M [email protected]

We wish you a happy and healthy Pesach!

Pesach Zmanim Table Bedikat Bi’ur Chametz Latest Time to Candlelighting Havdalah Chametz (burning) eat chametz (searching)

Thursday, March 25 After 8:07pm ------

Friday, March 26 -- Before 12:11pm -- 7:07pm --

Saturday, March 27 Flush crumbs -- 11:10am 8:09pm -- before 12:10pm

Sunday, March 28 ------8:10pm --

Monday, March 29 ------8:11pm