Dear Shir Chadash community,

I am being asked how to manage the fact that the first Seder this year is on Saturday night. 

On any other day, we would search for hametz the night before and burn it the morning of Seder night. But clearly if that morning is Shabbat, we have a problem! And what about our Shabbat challah? And furthermore, we are not supposed to eat matzah until the Seder itself.

Here's what to do:

On Thursday night, search for hametz as usual.

On Friday morning, sell your hametz and either:

a) Before 11.52 am, dispose of the hametz (burn it, flush it away, give it to the dog), recite the prayer for nullifying hametz and carry on as usual for Pesach. Eat only egg matzah from a box you open on Friday night with your Shabbat meals. You should say "hamotzi" over 2 full sheets of the egg matzah. 

b) Double wrap any challah you want for Shabbat and if possible put it outside your home (eg. in the garage). You may eat it very carefully - outside, paper plates - on Shabbat evening and up to 10.38am Shabbat morning. Then trash any leftovers (no burning, it's Shabbat) and recite the nullifying prayer.

And...don't forget to light a long-burning candle on Friday before Shabbat comes in so that you have a flame to transfer on Saturday night!

Wishing us all a happy, kosher Pesach,

Rabbi Silver