Primer: When Passover Starts on Shabbat and is in a Shmitta Year
Primer: When Passover Starts on Shabbat and is in a Shmitta Year

Ridding the House of Chametz

  • Bitul chametz (nullifying chametz with a special prayer) removes the ban of finding and seeing (בל יראה ובל ימצא) chametz on Pesach. We must consider the chametz as if it is nothing and allow anyone to take it if they want.
  • We worry that we might find cake in our homes on Pesach and eat it by mistake, or that we didn't nullify the chametz with the proper intention, so to be safe, we remove chametz from our homes for Pesach.
  • When we do the bedika (search for chametz) we look for big pieces of chametz ("ka'zayit"= the volume of a small matchbox) and not crumbs. Midat chasidut (extra stringency) is also to search for crumbs as well.
  • There is an opinion in the Halakha that bi'ur chametz is done mainly by burning the chametz and not only by nullification (ביטול). That is why we make a beracha (blessing ) on the bedika, but also have the bitul in mind.
  • There is no reason to clean places that chametz is not usually present or places you will probably not enter on Pesach, such as alcoves, underneath heavy furniture and in locked rooms.
  • 3 days should suffice when it comes to cleaning the house from chametz, even if you are being very strict. As it says above, we are not ridding the house of dust, rather we are ridding the house of chametz that is found in accessible places. Obviously, whoever would like to turn this cleaning into "spring cleaning" is welcome to do so.
  • Your car should also be cleaned properly because chametz is usually brought into a car. The same goes for baby carriages/strollers as well as toy boxes.
  • Yards, gardens, open balconies/porches and rooms with open roofs do not need to be checked for chametz, but it should be verified that there is no packaged chametz in those areas. We trust the friendly neighborhood birds to take care of any open food left there.
  • The cleaning of our houses should not come at the expense of our children's emotional well-being. The atmosphere must be pleasant and free from unnecessary stress. It is recommended to include the children in the cleaning process.
  • You should sweep the house before bedikat chametz (mopping is also appropriate), and one should look in the pockets of their children's clothing and in books that are brought to the table and opened when food is present.
  • The minhag (custom) is to sell chametz if burning it will cause a significant financial loss. The chametz can be sold via email, in the moetza datit, or in shul.

Kashering Utensils

  • On Pesach, one should more stringent when it comes to kashrut, even those aren't so careful throughout the rest of the year.
  • This is the rule: 'The way it went in is the way it comes out – כבולעו כך פולטו'  This means that a utensil/dish that is used with fire when it is used for chametz (for example, it is used to cook on the stovetop),  should be kashered with fire/burning to the point of it being 'white hot'.  And a vessel that is used with boiling chametz, (for example, a pot), must be boiled during Hag'ala (dipping into boiling water).
  • The dish shouldn’t be used 24 hours prior to kashering.
  • Central places (such as shuls) have places to do Hag'ala (boiling water) and Libun (burner)
  • Glass vessels – after not being used needs to go through Hag'ala 3 times. Though it is preferred to use separate glass vessels for Pesach. Sefardim can rinse a glass vessel with water and soap.
  • Countertops:: cover with 2 layers of aluminum foil in the places where a pot will rest on Pesach.
  • Sink: Purchase a tub/basin and place it in the sink or cover the sink with aluminum foil.  You can also pour boiling hot water all over the sink but make an effort not to place hot vessels in the sink on Pesach.
  • Oven: Clean the oven very well with water and soap/oven cleaner until you do not see any crumbs. Then turn the oven on for 1 hour on the highest level of heat your oven allows.  You should buy racks that are used exclusively for Pesach instead of using your standard baking racks that you use throughout the year.
  • Dishwasher: Clean it out well, including the filter.  Activate the dishwasher with soap on the full cycle while it is empty.  Wait 24 hours.  Do hag'ala on the trays. 
  • Plastic Vessels/Utensils: Clean. Wait 24 hours.  Do hag'ala.  Those who are machmir should do hag'ala three times and that is considered best.  If there are cracks in the utensil, avoid using it entirely.
  • Baby Bottles: Use new ones. If that’s not an option should be kashered like plastic vessels.
  • Kiddush Cup: Do hag'ala or use a new one.
  • Pots and Pans: Do ‘light’ libun (red hot metal). For sefaradim hag'ala is enough. If it is covered with Teflon, don't use it on Pesach.
  • Dining Room or Kitchen Table: Clean the table and change the tablecloth/table covering.
  • Microwave: Clean well.  Boil 1/2 Cup of water with soap in it in the microwave.  Wait 24 hours.  If there is a glass tray inside, take the tray out and use the microwave without the tray or do hag'ala 3 times after waiting 24 hours.
  • Plata: It is best to purchase one that is used exclusively for Pesach.  However, מעיקר הדין, it is permissible to use it after it has been on maximum heat for an hour and covered with 2 layers of aluminum foil.
  • Ventilating Hood (over the stove-top): It is best to avoid using it entirely.  מעיקר הדין, you may use it after boiling water has been poured on it.
  • Pantries/Cupboards: Clean with a damp cloth.  If it’s very difficult, and you will not be using it on Pesach, close it up and sell it when you sell your chametz.
  • Refrigerator: Do a general cleaning so that there is no chametz in it.  There is no need to go over it with a toothpick or to pour boiling hot water on it.
  • Computer keyboard and Mouse – Many people eat chametz by the computer year round. Therefore, you should shake it out upside down, and preferably wipe it down with a wet cloth as well.
  • The laws governing kashering dishes and the kashrut of food products are very detailed and I will therefore be present at many points during the hag'alat kelim that will be taking place near my shul, B"H.  Check with your local rabbi.

Kosher Food

  • Eggs: are allowed, despite the stamp on the egg.
  • Pills that are to be swallowed: If it is a flavored pill, it needs a hashgacha.  If it is bitter, it can be taken on Pesach. In any case it is best if it is kosher for Pesach.
  • Soap/Shampoo/Perfume/Aftershave/Makeup: These can all be used on Pesach, even without a hashgacha (but it is 'מידת חסידות' to purchase these items without any chametz in them according to the opinion that anointing (סיכה) is comparable to eating).
  • Toothpaste: Must have a "Kosher for Pesach" hashgacha. If there is no other choice than you can use one without a hechser.
  • Baby Food: Must have a "Kosher for Pesach" hashgacha.
  • Food for Animals (Dog, Cat, Bird, Fish, etc.): Needs a "Kosher for Pesach" Hashgacha .  The food that is not "Kosher for Pesach" should be sold when you sell your chametz and should be nullified with the proper intention to nullify it when you do "bitul chametz".
  • Egg Matza: Do not eat it.  Sefaradim can eat it. When it comes to ‘Papushadu’ store bought cookies it is better to be Machmir and not eat them on Pesach.  
  • Milk : there is no need to purchase before Pesach.
  • It is best to be stringent during Pesach and to eat store-bought food for Pesach only after you make sure that there is a good Rabbinate hashgacha and not an unknown supervision or one that you are unfamiliar with.

Legumes/Kitniyot

  • The Aruch HaShulchan says: This prohibition is one which our ancestors took upon themselves as a measure to protect themselves from accidentally eating chametz and it is therefore important to uphold this prohibition.  Those who have doubt and are lenient and choose to disregard the prohibition of eating kitniyot are demonstrating that they do not have Yirat Shamayim and Yirat Chet and that they are not knowledgeable in the ways of the Torah.  All Ashkenaz countries including France, Russia and Poland, established and took upon themselves this stringency which has solid meaning and a basis to it-'  'ופורץ גדר ישכנו נחש.
  • It is therefore prohibited for Ashkenazim to eat kitniyot on Pesach.
  • Most members of Eidot HaMizrach have the custom of eating kitniyot and they, therefore, do not have to refrain from eating them.  Whoever eats at the house of sefaradim should not eat actual kitniyot products but it is permissible to eat products that have been cooked in utensils that have absorbed kitnoyot.
  • We will rule with the opinion that the kitniyot that are not allowed are 1) only the ones that were included in the original ruling (-Rav Feinstein) and 2) do not come into contact with water during their preparation (Rav Kook).  If one of those conditions is not present, it is still permissible to eat them on Pesach.
  • Therefore, Rapeseed/Quinoa/Soy/Peanuts are not considered part of the prohibition of eating kitniyot, because they didn't exist during the time when our ancestors creating the kitniyot ruling.
  • Kitniyot oil that has been dry pressed, Rav Kook allowed it to be eaten on Pesach, as long as it was never in contact with water.  That is why canola oil and the like are permitted.
  • Store-bought food items, that have kitniyot in them (in a case where kitniyot are not the majority in the product) that were made before Pesach, can be eaten according to some opinions where there is a great need. 
  • An ill/sick  person is allowed to have kitniyot
  • It is permissible to give kitniyot to your pet on Pesach.

Erev Pesach, Friday, 14 Nissan

  • Thursday night, after Arvit, check for Chametz by the candlelight with a beracha, as it is written in the Siddur. You shouldn’t start a meal or melacha half an hour before nightfall.
  • You should check all of the places where it is likely to find chametz, including your car (with a flashlight). You shouldn’t talk throughout the bedikah.
  • After the search, you said ביטול חמץ in the nussach that appears in your siddur.  You should understand what it is you are saying and say the bitul in words that are simple and understandable for the person nullifying the chametz.  The nullification is the essence of the mitzvah and therefore you must devote time and intent to what you are saying.
  • On the morning of the following day (Friday), there will be a siyum masechet for the bechorim who are fasting.
  • Burn the chametz – You can burn chametz that has kedushat shevi'it.
  • After burning the chametz you say bitul chametz again, according to the way it is written in your siddurim, with a clear understanding of what you are saying and your purpose for saying it.
  • During the day, do not eat matza.  Egg matza is permitted.
  • You can eat Chametz until 10:36 amBurn your Chametz until 11:39 am. These time are relevant for Gush Etzion. There are earlier times that appear in other timetables and there are those that are machmir accordingly.
  • After chatzot, halakhic noon time, do not do melacha (work) such as laundry being that we are busy with Korban Pesach (when Beit Hamikdash is built). Melacha that is needed for Pesach (לצורך) or in case where refraining from melacha can cause a big financial loss; it is allowed to perform the melacha.
  • It is preferable to daven Mincha early and they say ‘seder Korban Pesach’.
  • Prepare the table for the Seder including the ke'ara, Seder Plate, according to your minhag. You should have shemura matza for seder night. Rest in order to stay up for seder night.
  • Bi'ur ma'asrot (finishing all tithes obligations) needs to be done on Erev Pesach during shemitta. If you have fruit that ma'asrot were not taken from, ma'asrot need to be taken on Erev Pesach. Maa'ser rishon should be given to a Levi, Ma'aser ani to the poor, and ma'aser sheni should be מחולל on a coin which should then be defaced. Bi'ur ma'asrot is not required on fruit that has kedushat shevi'it, since it is exempt from ma'asrot. Note that bi'ur ma'asrot and bi'ur shemitta are separate issues.

Yom Tov Pesach, Shabbat, 15 Nissan

  • Candle lighting – the berchaot are: "להדליק נר של שבת ויום טוב" and "שהחיינו". It is best to have candles that will last throughout the whole Seder.
  • Tefillat (prayers for ) Shabbat and Yom Tov.
  • On the night of the Seder, focus on remembering the slavery and remember the redemption and tell your children about it.  The main point of the holiday is transmitting the message of our transition from slavery to freedom to the next generation.
  • Kiddush for Shabbat and Yom Yov. There are various minhagim for the Seder,Leil Haseder, and you should follow hagadot according to your minhag. All the hagada should be read aloud in a way that will be understood by all participants of the seder.
  • Every single person is required, according to the Torah, to eat at least a כזית of matza. It is our custom to eat 2כזית  portions when first eating the matza, and then a portion during כורך and then a portion during the Afikoman. There are varying minhagim.
  • The size of the כזית portion according to minhagei ashkenaz is the volume of a large modern-day olive, which is approximately the volume of half of a machine matza.  According to the sefaradim, the size of aכזית  is about 30 grams, approximately the size of a whole machine matza (For the second כזית sefaradim can rely on the more lenient opinion and eat the smaller sized כזית, about half a machine matza).
  • One should try to swallow the two כזית portions eating at a regular pace, a bit quickly. If you eat and swallow about 2/3 of a machine matza within 4 minutes, you fulfilled the basic requirement of the mitzvah.
  • One should eat the Matza and drink the cups of wine while leaning.  It is appropriate also for women to lean, but they are not required to do so.
  • Drink 4 cups of wine (If drinking wine is difficult, you can drink grape juice).  A 'רביעית' (reviit, amount required by halakha) should be drunk from each cup.  The volume of a רביעית is about half of a disposable cup. Ideally, it is best to drink a whole רביעית at once.  If not, the רביעית should be drunk within 4 minutes.
  • It is a common custom that the children hide or look for the Afikoman and then receive a prize, in order to make them fond of the mizva.  
  • After eating the Afikoman, you should not eat anything else. It is permissible to drink. The Afikoman should be eaten by midnight – 00:42. It is appropriate to tell the story of יציאת מצרים at length, and there are those who continue to do so until the morning.
  • Shacharit for Shabbat and Yom Tov. Tefilat Tal (prayer for dew).  If you forget Morid Hatal but remember before you reached the end of the Beracha, then return to the beginning of the Beracha.  If not, go back to the beginning of the Tefilla.
  • The vast majority of matzot in Eretz Yisrael do not have kedushat shevi'it.

Chold HaMoed

  • Count Sefirat HaOmer.  If you forgot, count during the following day without a beracha, and continue the rest of the nights with a bracha.  If you also forgot to count during the following day, count all of the following nights without a beracha.
  • Second Day Yom Tova guest visiting from abroad only has to do the Mitzvot of the chag that are from the Torah, דאורייתא, and is allowed to do those from our Sages, מלאכות דרבנן
  • It is our custom not to wear Tefillin on Chol HaMoed. 
  • You should not work on Chol HaMoed.  However, if you will lose your job as a result of not working, you are permitted to work.
  • If you have to to work on Chol HaMoed, you can work in a place that has not been made Kosher for Pesach.  However, you may not sell Chametz to others on Pesach as part of your work.
  • You should not shave or get a haircut during Chol HaMoed.  But, if you shave every day during the year, and if you do not shave on Chol HaMoed you will be bothered by the itchiness or have discomfort, you are permitted to shave on Chol HaMoed.
  • Do not do laundry on Chol HaMoed , unless you run out of clean clothes for babies.

The Seventh Day of Pesach, Friday, 21 Nissan

  • On Thursday afternoon before chag you should make an עירוב תבשילין with matza and an egg (or other cooked food), to enable you to make preparations on Yom Tov for Shabbat. You can find the relevant beracha in your siddur or machzor. If you forgot to do an עירוב תבשילין, you can rely on the עירוב done by the local Rabbi, בדיעבד
  • Candle lighting on erev Yom Tov – the Bracha is להדליק נר של יום טוב.
  • Some have a minhag to say Shirat Hayam with the a large group, Tzibur, especially at a beach.
  • Bi'ur ma'asrot is done during shemitta, therefore after mincha you should read the pesukim of vidui ma'asrot, which appear in דברים כו, יג-טו.

Shabbat parashat Shemini, 22 Nissan

  • You should light Shabbat candles by transferring the flame from fire lit before Yom Tov.
  • According to the basic halacha (מעיקר הדין), chametz that was sold erev Pesach to a non-jew through the רבנות הראשית לישראל can be eaten on Shabbat after you make kiddush (for Shabbat) on motzaei chag.  Even though the chametz is still in the non-jew's possession, he allows us to use the chametz after Pesach is over. There are those that are מחמיר because of מוקצה issues, and because of problems that may arise from תערובת חמץ with Pesach utensils.
  • Ahkenazim say "Av Harachamim" after reading the Torah.
  • Visitors from abroad keep the second day of Yom Tov, and their תפילה is as appears in the machzorim.
  • Those that do not eat chametz on Shabbat – זמן אכילת חמץ is at 19:41.

Counting of the Omer

  • Until the 33rd of the Omer, one should not get married; get a haircut or shave. If you are invited to a wedding, you can attend.
  • During the days of Sefira, refrain from listening to loud, merry music.  During this period we are mourning the death of Rabbi Akiva’s Talmidim. 'Regular' music, with some merriment to it, like the songs played on the radio, is permitted. However, one should refrain from listening to live music.
  • You can get a haircut and shave on erev Yom Ha'atzma'ut (in the afternoon of Yom Hazikaron). On Yom Ha'atzma'ut you can listen to merry music, and even live music.
  • On the morning of the 33rd of the Omer one is allowed to get a haircut and shave. Sefaradim can do so on the morning of the 34th of the Omer.