• Celebration Times
• Candle Lighting Blessings
• Household Preparation for Pesach 2005
  • M'chirat Chametz
• Pesach Guide
  • Permitted Foods
  • Kashering Utensils
• Traditions of the Seder

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• FESTIVAL OF PASSOVER - 5768 Celebration Times

I .Baruch ata Adonai, Eloheynu meleh ha- olam, asher kid-shanu b'mitzvotav, v'tsivanu I'hadlik neyr shel Yom Tov.

2. Baruch ata Adonai, eloheynu meleh ha- olam, she-he-cheh-yanu, v'kiy'manu, v'higi'anu la'z'man ha'zeh.3. Baruch ata Adonai, Eloheynu meleh ha- olam, asher kid-shanu b'mitzvotav, v'tsivanu I'hadlik neyr shel Shabbat.

Household Preparation for Pesach 2007

MAOT HITIN - PASSOVER CHARITY FUND

From the beginning of the month of Nisan, we are especially sensitive to the needs of fellow Jews who may need our special help and support toward fulfilling all the mitzvot of the Pesach season.

BEDIKAT CHAMETZ - THURSDAY NIGHT, APRIL 17, 2008

The traditional search for chametz on the night before Pesach falls this year on Thursday night immediately after sunset. The blessing for bedikat chametz, found at the beginning of your Haggada, is recited and the kol hamira formula nullifying unseen chametz may be recited. Hold for ritual burning tomorrow morning.

SIYYUM BECHORIM - THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2008

All first borns should fast on the day before Pesach in commemoration of the deliverance from Egypt. The Rabbi offers a siyyum (public completion of study of the Talmud) which is followed by a festive meal at which all present may eat, and once having eaten, a first born need not fast that day.   Because Pesach falls on Sunday the fast of the first born is moved to Thursday.  This happens because we do not fast on Shabbat or on Friday, Erev Shabbat.  The siyyum and the se’udat mitzvah are held this year on Thursday morning in the Helfant Chapel at 8:00 a.m., following the 7:30 a.m. morning minyan. This Special Siyyum Breakfast is sponsored in loving memory of beloved parents and grandparents Bess & Aaron Maharam by their family.

BIUR CHAMETZ - FRIDAY MORNING APRIL 18, 2008

The ritual burning of last night’s search should be completed by 11:00 a.m. The stove should be fully koshered and all cooking now proceeds in Pesach pots with Pesach utensils only. Traditionally no matzah or chametz is eaten after this time.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS DUE TO PESACH IMEDIATELY FOLLOWING SHABBAT

Most years Bedikat Chametz, the search for chametz, is held the night before Pesach and Biur Chametz, the burning of chametz is done the morning before the 1st seder. 

Due to the 1st night of Pesach and the first seder falling immediately after Shabbat there are special procedures which need to be taken. 

• Search for chametz on Thursday evening after sundown.
• Sell chametz and burn chametz before 11:00 a.m. on Friday.
• This Shabbat we will have fully Pesach meals on Pesach plates, thus avoiding the usual chaos of last minute cleaning.  One may use kosher for Passover enriched matzah (that is to say, egg matzah) for the Shabbat ha-motzi on both Friday evening and Sabbath lunch.  It is tradition not to eat regular matzah the day before Pesach to heighten its special appearance at the seder.  The benefit of the Shabbat-Pesach occurrence is a bonus day of true Shabbat relaxation before the Seder on Saturday night!  You’ve added an “extra” day to Pesach and heightened the specialness of Shabbat as corridor to the Festival. You, your children, your guests and Jewish tradition are all strengthened by this game plan!  Everyone wins!  And it doesn’t happen often!

SALE OF CHAMETZ - NO LATER THAN FRIDAY MORNING APRIL 18 at 11:00 A.M.

As you are aware, one of the central commandments of Pesach is that we rid ourselves of all forbidden chametz in our possession. The family that fully observes Pesach does its best to eliminate chametz as far as possible and then traditionally resorts to the tradition of “selling” any chametz which may have been packed away or missed.

PESACH GUIDE

This guide was prepared for the Rabbinical Assembly Committee on Jewish Law and Standards by Rabbi Mayer Rabinowitz. It was accepted by the Committee on December 12, 1984. The last paragraph of the introduction, as well as Part A under "Permitted Food" has been amended to reflect more recent decisions of the Committee affecting the status of peanuts, peanut oil, and certain cheeses.

What follows is a general guideline. Rabbi Steindel should be consulted if any doubt arises.

The Torah prohibits the ownership of chametz (leaven) during Pesach. Therefore, we arrange for the sale of the chametz to a non-Jew. The transfer, m'chirat chametz, is accomplished by appointing an agent, usually the rabbi, to handle the sale. It is a valid and legal transfer of ownership. At the end of the holiday, the agent arranges for the reversion of ownership of the now permitted chametz. If ownership of the chametz was not transferred before the holiday, the use of this chametz is prohibited after the holiday as well (chametz sheavar alav hapesah).

Since the Torah prohibits the eating of chametz during- Pesach, and since many common foods contain some admixture of chametz, guidance is necessary when shopping and preparing for Pesach.

During the eight days of Pesach, chametz cannot lose its identity in an admixture. Therefore, the minutest amount of chametz renders the whole admixture chametz and its use on Pesach is prohibited. However, during the rest of the year, chametz follows the normal rules of admixture, i.e., it loses its identity in an admixture of one part chametz and sixty parts of non-chametz (batel beshishim). This affords us the opportunity to differentiate between the foods purchased before and during Pesach

Kosher le-Pesach labels that do not bear the name of a rabbi or one of the recognized symbols of rabbinic supervision, or which are not integral to the package, should be discouraged. Prohibited foods include the following: leavened bread, cakes, biscuits, crackers, cereal, coffee with cereal derivatives, wheat, barley, oats, spelt, rye, and all liquids containing ingredients or flavors made from grain alcohol. Most Ashkenazic authorities have added the following foods to the prohibited list: rice, corn, millet, legumes (beans and peas); string beans are permitted. The Committee on Jewish Law and Standards has ruled unanimously that peanuts and peanut oil are permissible, as peanuts are not actually legumes.

PERMITTED FOODS

A. The following foods require no kosher le-Pesach label if purchased prior to Pesach: unopened packages of natural coffee (without cereal additive), sugar, pure tea, (not herbal tea)salt (not iodized), pepper, natural spices, frozen fruit juices with no additives, frozen (uncooked) vegetables, milk, butter, cottage cheese, cream cheese, ripened cheeses, such as cheddar (hard), muenster (semi-soft) and camembert (soft), frozen (uncooked) fruit (with no additives), baking soda.

B. The following foods require no kosher le-Pesach label if purchased before or during Pesach: Fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs, fish and kosher fresh meat.

C. The following foods require a kosher le-Pesach label if purchased before or during Pesach: All baked products (matzah, cakes, matzah flour, farfel, matzah meal and any products containing matzah), wine, vinegar, liquor, oils, dried fruits, candy, chocolate flavored milk, ice cream, yogurt and soda, canned or bottled fruit juices.

D. The following foods require a kosher le-Pesach label if purchased during Pesach: Processed foods (canned, frozen or bottled): milk, butter, juices, milk products, spices, coffee, tea, and fishes as well as all food listed in Category C. Detergents: If permitted during the year, powdered and liquid detergents do not require a kosher le-Pesach label. Medicine: Since chametz binders are used in many pills, capsules are the preferred form. If the medicine is required for life sustaining therapy, any form may be used on Pesach.

KASHERING UTENSILS

The process of koshering utensils depends on how the utensils are used. According to halachah, leaven can be purged from a utensil by the same process in which it was absorbed in the utensil. Therefore, utensils used in cooking are koshered by boiling, those used in broiling are koshered by fire and heat, and those used for only cold food are koshered by rinsing in cold water.
A. Earthenware (china, pottery, etc.) may not be koshered. However, fine translucent chinaware which has not been used for over one year may be used if scoured and cleaned in hot water.
B. Metal (wholly made of metal) used in fire (spit or broiler) must first be scrubbed and cleansed and then made as hot as possible. Those used for cooking or eating (silverware, pots) must be thoroughly cleaned and completely immersed in boiling water. Pots should have water boiled in them which will overflow the rim.
The utensils should not be used for a period of at least 24 hours between the cleaning and immersion in boiling water. Metal baking utensils cannot be kashered.
C. Oven and Ranges - Every part that comes in contact with food must be thoroughly scrubbed and cleaned. Then, the oven and range should be heated as hot as possible for a half hour. If there is a broil setting, use it. Self-cleaning ovens should be scrubbed and cleaned and then put through the self-cleaning cycle. Continuous-cleaning ovens must be kashered in the same manner as regular ovens. A microwave oven, which does not cook the food by means of heat, should be cleaned and then a cup of water should be placed in it. Then the oven should be turned on until the water "boils." A microwave oven that has a browning element cannot be kashered for Pesach.
D. Glassware - One opinion requires soaking in water for 3 days, changing the water every 24 hours. The other opinion requires only a thorough scrubbing before Pesach, or putting it through the dishwasher. The same holds true for glass cookware but not glass bakeware.
E. Dishwasher - After not using the dishwasher for a period of 24 hours, a full cycle with detergent should be run. It may then be used for Pesach.
F. Electrical Appliances - If the parts that come in contact with chametz are removable, they can be kashered in the appropriate way (if metal, follow the rules for metal utensils). If the parts are not removable, the appliance cannot be kashered. (All exposed parts should be thoroughly cleaned).
G. Tables, closets, counters - If used for chametz, they should be thoroughly cleaned and covered and then may be used. H. Kitchen Sink - A metal sink can be kashered by a thorough cleaning and by pouring boiling water over it. A porcelain sink should be cleaned and a sink rack used. If, however, dishes are to be soaked in a porcelain sink, a dish basin must be used.
I. Chametz and non-Passover utensils - Non-Passover dishes, pots and chametz, whose ownership has been transferred, should be separated, locked up or covered, and marked so as to prevent accidental use.On this Night We Conduct a Seder; Why Is this Night Different?

The seder is a unique home service - as old as the Jewish people itself. It is a religious service in which every member of the family participates, the smallest standing guard over the Afikoman, school-age children asking the Four Questions (and others of their own); adults discussing the age-old struggle for human freedom and dignity. It brings together all members of the family and reminds us how good it is to celebrate a Festival at home.

The Seder reminds us of the eternal nature of the Jewish people. The first Pesach marked the birth of a unique nation, and as long as we keep our mission of showing the world a people that lives by the Torah, we will remain on the slate of history.

Tradition does not imply standing still; it expresses the continuity of history. This assurance and every year we retell the story and repeat the pledge of Pesach.

The Pharaoh of the Pesach story was not just a cruel king who happened to live at a certain time, in a certain country. To our ancestors, Pharaoh was more than one man. He was for them every tyrant, every cruel and heartless ruler who ever enslaved the men, women and children of his country.

The first emancipation was thus only a foreshadowing of all the emancipations that were to follow and which will yet follow. The victory over the first Pharaoh reminds us that the time will come when all Pharaohs of the world will be vanquished and when right will conquer might, when G-d alone will rule over all.

Moses is mentioned only once in the Haggadah, and then incidentally. There are two bits of distinctively Jewish logic behind this:

I .We emphasize the directness of the intervention by G-d, "Who took us out of Egypt, not through an angel, and not though a messenger, but the Holy One, Blessed Be He, in His Glory and in Person."
2. We seek to rule out any suggestion of hero-worship or idolization of an individual.

TRADITIONS OF THE SEDER

Like our ancestors, we eat matzah and taste bitter herbs. The only major differences is we have a Haggadah to guide us through the Seder, we no longer sacrifice animals, and we have a glass of wine on the table for Elijah.

Various Jewish communities have added their own customs to the Seder. Some dress in white to symbolize G-d's justice and mercy. Tunisians eat meat very quickly while sitting on the floor to reenact the meal the Israelites ate before leaving Egypt. Persians "whip" each other with scallions while singing Dayenu. Some Ashkenazis bring canes to the table to eat "with your staff in your hand." (Ex. 12.1 1)

STEALING THE AFIKOMEN-Families also have traditions. One of the best known is "stealing" the Afikomen. The children hide it until the end of the meal. Returning the Afikoman is a happy occasion for the children frequently are rewarded. (Please don't reward with money. Kids love stuffed frogs and alef-bet bracelets.)

PLAYING GAMES-Some families hide the Afikomen and let the children try to find it. One way is to hide cards with letters on them. When the children have found all the cards, it spells out the hiding place of the Afikomen. Other families play games during the meal. Pesach Jeopardy is good for older kids. You'll need several categories (I'll take Plagues for 20) and dozens of questions. But Wheel of Pesach can be played by the littliiest one who can say a letter. Just make a spinner with everyone's name on it. Then compile several phrases and play "hangman."

Singing is always a major part of the seder. Our littliest ones sing about frogs on Pharaoh's nose and our older ones try to sing each verse of Echad mi yodeah in one breath. You also might let everyone assume a role for Chad Gadya. Then, instead of singing with the words for eat and ox and fire, each person would have to make an appropriate sound.
One way to keep everyone informed about the progress of the Seder is to make a place mat with each stage of the Seder listed. You could put on the page number where that part can be found in your Haggadah. This keeps everyone from worrying that the meal will never come.

DECORATING YOUR TABLE-Some families put frogs made from avocados on their seder tables. Others put bricks and Prayer over the Fifth Cup of Wine pyramids on the table. Some decorate with cactus plants and camels to represent the desert and desert transportation. You also can use shells to represent crossing the Red Sea.

HAGGADOT- Many who lead the seder use several different books for additional commentary. Some find books with simple ways, sometimes involving puppets, to tell very young children about Pesach. As your family changes, so can your Seder traditions.

FIFTH CUP OF WINE-One of the newer traditions is drinking a fifth cup of wine for the State of Israel. The drinking of the "Four Cups of Wine" symbolizes four of the five expressions of redemption promised in Exodus 6.6-7.
"I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians..."
"I will deliver you from their bondage..."
"I will redeem you with an outstretched arm..."
"I will take you to me for a people..."

Rabbi Menachem M. Kasher, in his Israel Passover Haggadah, reintroduces the drinking of the Fifth Cup. You can recite the following either before the Hallel, or after drinking the Fourth Cup of Wine toward the end of the Seder. As you raise the cup of wine, say:

0, Redeemer of Israel, We lift the Fifth Cup of Wine in thankfulness as we celebrate with our brethren throughout the world the fulfillment of Your promise "I will bring you into the land ... and I will (Give it to you for a possession." When age-old communities were devastated, their sanctuaries desecrated and their sacred treasures burned, You did save the scattered remnants of the helpless and the hopeless, You did bring them forth from the camps of annihilation. You did defend them and vindicate them with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. You gave them courage to meet their foes, to free the land of armed invaders, and to open the Gates to those seeking refuge. You gave them courage to unify Jerusalem, the Holy City, the City of David. For all these blessings and for Your promise of a complete redemption for Israel and all mankind, we live thanks unto You, 0 Lord, for Your Loving kindness endures forever. Amen.