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This year, Erev Pesach falls on Shabbat - a rare occurrence that last happened in 2021 and won't happen again until 2045! But it raises unique questions: When do we search for chametz? When do we burn it? How do we eat Shabbat meals? This concise guide will walk you through the timeline in a simple, clear way.
Download or print this guide here
TIMELINE:
THURSDAY, APRIL 10
Taanit Bechorot / Fast of the Firstborns - It is a widespread custom for firstborns to fast on the day before Pesach. This commemorates the miracle which spared the firstborn Jewish sons from the final plague. This year, with Erev Pesach on Shabbat, the fast is observed on Thursday. As is customary, we will host a Siyum (with bagels, lox, and cream cheese) after 7:00 AM Shacharit. This enables the firstborns present to continue to eat for the rest of the day. [Read more about this HERE.]
Bedikat Chametz / The Search for Chametz - After nightfall, i.e. after 8:24 PM, one is required to search their home and domains, including car/s, for all Chametz. [Read more about this HERE.] The blessing and post-search nullification can be found HERE.
Make sure to submit your Chametz Sale Form by Thursday night. The form can be easily submitted online HERE.
EREV SHABBAT - FRIDAY, APRIL 11
Mechirat Chametz / Chametz Sale - The Rabbi will sell your Chametz to a non-Jew at 10:00 AM in his office. This sale will include everything except the Chametz that you will eat on Friday Night and Shabbat morning.
Sof Zman Biur Chametz / Chametz-Owning Chametz: 12:03 PM - Even though we will still eat Chametz (challah) on Shabbat, all chametz found during the search, as well as any leftover Chametz not sold to a non-Jew, should be burned (or otherwise destroyed) before the fifth halachic hour today. You can also burn your Chametz in the Dor Tikvah Parking lot at 11:00 am.
This year, one should leave out challot for the Friday night and Shabbat day meals.
We have scheduled a special garbage collection at Dor Tikvah. Dispose of your remaining Chametz in our big blue dumpster before 11:00 am on Friday. This will help ensure that no unsold Chametz remains on your property after Chametz ownership becomes prohibited at 12:03 pm on Shabbat.
EREV PESACH - SHABBAT, APRIL 12
Sof Zman Achilat Chametz / Chametz-Eating Deadline: 10:46 AM - The absolute deadline for eating chametz is two Halachic hours before midday on Erev Pesach. [Read more about this HERE.]
Like every Shabbat, one must eat three meals, including two during the day. Since we may not eat Matzah on Erev Pesach, we must use challot and finish consuming all Chametz by the deadline. For this reason, communities worldwide schedule Shacharit early to allow the meal/s to be eaten before the Chametz-Eating Deadline.
In practice, most prepare for this Shabbat with kosher-for-Pesach foods, eat on Pesach dishware, and eat the challah over disposable napkins or paper towels to separate it from the Pesach food and dishes.
One should wash for the daytime meal, make Hamotzi on two challot, and eat at least 2.3 oz (65g) of bread before 10:46 am. Those who are scrupulous to have bread for Seuda Shelishit should say Birkat Hamazon, take a break for 20 minutes (some go for a short walk), then wash again and make Hamotzi on two challot for Seuda Shelishit, and again eat 2.3 oz (65g) of bread - all before 10:46 am.
One must wash their hands and mouth thoroughly before 10:46 am (one may use a dry toothbrush designated for Shabbat use).
Sof Zman Biur Chametz / Chametz-Owning Chametz: 12:04 PM - It is strictly forbidden for us to possess any Chametz past this time on Erev Pesach. [Read more about this HERE.]
Therefore, crumbs from the challah, dishes, table, or floor must be swept up and flushed down the toilet before the end of the fifth hour on Shabbat morning. Larger pieces of chametz may be broken into smaller pieces and flushed as well. Alternatively, large pieces of chametz may be placed in outdoor garbage cans but the chametz must be rendered inedible by pouring bleach or ammonia over the entire surface of the chametz. These fluids must be designated for that use before Shabbat. Otherwise, they would be muktzah. Remember to clean the broom of crumbs also.
Seuda Shelishit: From 1:53 PM - Seuda Shelishit should be eaten (at home) from 1/2 half an hour after Halachic midday, with fish, meat, or fruits (this applies even if one ate two bread meals in the morning).
Wishing you a Chag Kosher V'Sameach!
פסח כשר ושמח!