PESACH 5777

Dear Moriah Family,  

 

Below is some important information about Pesach. There is obviously more to the observance of Pesach than is written here, so please be in touch with any questions you may have as you start your preparations. I wish all of you a Chag Pesach Kasher v'Sameach and look forward to seeing you in shul.

 

Ta'anit Bechorot

The Fast of the Firstborn begins Monday, April 10 at 4:51 am and ends at 8:09 pm. This fast commemorates the fact that God spared all of the firstborn Jews from the last of the ten plagues, during which all of the firstborn Egyptians were killed. This fast is obligatory for all firstborn men, however many authorities also obligate all firstborn women, since there is a tradition that, in this context, firstborn refers to both men and women. It has long been the custom to make a siyyum on the morning of the fast and to then break the fast with a seduat mitzvah. We will hold a siyyum following minyan, which begins as 6:30 am. A seudat mitzvah will follow.

 

Chametz

It is forbidden to eat, benefit from, or possess chametz on Pesach. The latest time to eat chametz on Erev Pesach is 10:07 am. The latest time to possess chametz is 11:22 am. All chametz that was not consumed should be donated or destroyed prior to this time. Items of significant monetary value may be retained as long as they are properly sold prior to Pesach and kept locked away until at least one hour after Pesach ends. The preferred practice is to arrange this sale in person, however you may also arrange it via email by sending me your name and the address of any and all locations where chametz is being kept. Any chametz that is retained but is not sold prior to Pesach is forbidden for consumption and benefit, even after Pesach ends. For information on Bedikat Chametz, the formal act of removing chametz from our home, click here.

 

Kitniyot

Kitniyot is not chametz, however Ashkenazim have the custom not to eat kitniyot during Pesach. Though some have recently permitted Ashkenazim to eat kitniyot on Pesach, I am unable to find any compelling need that would warrant overturning this custom, and, as the rabbis teach us: minhag avoteinu torah hi - a custom of our ancestors is torah.

 

Kashering

For the laws related to kashering for Pesach, click here or here.

 

Maot Chittin

Maot Chittin (literally, Wheat Money) refers to the custom to donate money to help provide people in with food and other necessities for Pesach. This donation is often made when one sells their chametz, but may be made at any time prior to Pesach. If you know of anyone in our community who is in need, please let me know.

 

Travelling During Pesach

If you will be away at the start of Pesach, and you plan on selling your chametz, it must be sold relative to the time where you will be when the prohibition goes into effect, not where your chametz is. This means that you should arrange for the sale with a rabbi who is in the time zone where you will be on Erev Pesach. Please contact me if you need help with this.

 

If you plan on returning during Pesach, you must clean your home of chametz before you leave. If you will be leaving before the normal time for Bedikat Chametz, you must still perform Bedikat Chametz, but without the blessing.

Davening & Candle Lighting