Tuesday, April 29, 2008

The Laws of the Omer - Hilchos Sefiras Ha’Omer

The Laws of the Omer - Hilchos Sefiras Ha’Omer

The Mitzvah of Counting
1. The Torah (Lev. 23:15-16) required all Jews to bring an Omer offering (consisting of an ‘omer’s’ measure of barley flour beginning on the 2nd day of Passover, for seven full weeks, until the holiday of Shavuos, and to count these 49 days.
2. Today, even though we can’t bring the Omer offering, we are still required to keep count of these 49 days (the procedure and blessing can be found in the Artscroll siddur, pg. 284 or in the table of contents in any average Siddur)
3. While standing, the blessing should be said first, followed by the actual counting (some have the custom to recite certain sentences or psalms after the counting of the Omer)
4. Each person should count the Omer for him/herself; however, if necessary, one can fulfill their obligation by hearing the counting from someone else (this is especially helpful where the person is in doubt if he should say the blessing)
5. One may count in any language that they understand

When to Count
1. The counting of the Omer begins on the 2nd night of Passover, and continues each night until the holiday of Shavuos.
2. Ideally, the Omer should be counted as soon after nightfall as possible. However, if one is unable to count the Omer at the beginning of the night, he/she may count the Omer at any point throughout the night.
3. The earliest possible time for counting the Omer is sunset. However, if at all possible, one should wait until nightfall before counting the Omer.
From sunset one should be careful not to tell someone that “Today’s is day such-and-such day of the Omer, since this would qualify as a valid counting of the Omer, and one could not recite it with the proper blessing later on.

Whoops! Made a Mistake?
1. If one forgot to count the Omer for the entire night, one should count the Omer during the following day, but without saying the blessing over the counting. For all following nights, the Omer should continue to be counted with a blessing.
2. If one went an entire day without counting the Omer (or counted one day incorrectly), the rest of the days of the Omer should be counted in their proper time, but without reciting a blessing (one should hear the blessing from someone else)
3. If one is genuinely unsure as to whether he/she counted the Omer for the previous day, the Omer should be counted on all subsequent nights with a blessing.
4. If one counted only the days and not the weeks, he should recount properly without a blessing (if one forgot to recount, they can still count the remaining days with a blessing

The Laws of the Mourning of the Omer
1. The Talmud (Yevamos 62b) records that for a period of 33 days during the Omer, Twenty-Four thousand students of the great Rabbi Akiva died. There was established, therefore, a time of mourning during this period every year.
2. There are differing customs as to when the 33 days of mourning take effect:
- 2nd day of Passover until the 33rd day of the Omer
- new month of ‘Iyar’ until the holiday of Shavuos
- some even mourn for the entire period
One should consult your Rabbi in determining which custom to follow (even if one needs to change their custom too)
3. It is prohibited for a Jew to get married, but getting engaged and having a party is allowed, provided there’s no music
4. Dancing, even for a significant occasion or celebration, is prohibited.
5. Haircuts and shaving are prohibited during this period. However, many authorities permit shaving if necessary for professional purposes. Consult your Rabbi to determine the applicability of this restriction. (women may shave their legs)
6. One should not listen to instrumental music – live or recorded. Singing without instruments is allowed.
7. One is allowed to buy new garments or new fruits and recite a Shehechiyanu blessing during the Omer period.

Exceptions
1. When the new month of ‘Iyar’ falls ON Shabbos, one may cut their hair and/or get married on the eve of Shabbos.
2. If the thirty-third day of the Omer (“Lag B’Omer”) falls on a Sunday, one may cut their hair and/or shave on the preceding Friday (i.e. the thirty-first day of the Omer).
3. One may cut their hair/shave on the day of/or preceding the circumcision (‘Bris Milah’) of a son, or if they are performing the circumcision itself, or if they are acting as ‘Sandek’ (the one that holds the baby while the bris is done)
4. A single girl of marriageable age may be allowed to cut her hair – contact your rabbi.

Thursday, April 17, 2008

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The "Crash Course" Seder

Ideally, one should go slowly through the entire Haggadah, stopping at important points to teach valuable insights. However, there are invariably many unique situations (such as leading a seder for the uninitiated or wanting to involve young children) that will require the sensitivity of the leader to efficiently move through the Seder. Sometimes the best option is to do a Seder as usual and allow guests to come and leave as they please. Therefore, before one decides to use these leniencies, one should discuss the situation with your local rabbi. Below is a listing of the minimum amount that one must say from the Haggadah and still fulfill all the biblical and rabbinic requirements of the Seder.

NOTE: Page numbers are taken from the “Artscroll Family Haggadah.”

1. Pg. 19 Sing “Kadesh Urchatz” – the 15 steps of Seder

2. Pg. 20-21 Kiddush – the 1st cup of wine

3. Pg. 22-23 Urchatz, Karpas

4. Pg. 24-25 Yachatz / “Ha Lachma Anya” / “Ma Nishtana”

5. Pg. 26-27 Sing “Avadim Hayinu”

6. Pg. 30-31 Sing “Vehi SheAmda”

7. Pg. 32-33 Bold Lines of “Arami Oveid Avi” & “Vayarai’u”

8. Pg. 34-35 Bold Lines of “Vanitzak” & “Vayotzianu”

9. Pg. 36-37 Bold Line of “Dam VaAish”

10. Pg. 37-38 Bold Lines of Ten Plaques & “D’tzach Adash B’Achav”

11. Pg. 40-43 Sing a few Stanzas from the beginning and end of “Dayeinu”

If you are really pressed for time, you may skip steps # 6-11

12. Pg. 42-45 This is the most important: Read the section “Raban Gamliel” and the following 3 Paragraphs of Pesach, Matza, and Maror

13. Pg. 46-49 Read the 3 Paragraphs of “Halleluya”, “BeTzeis”, & the blessings (including the 2nd cup of wine)

14. Pg. 48-51 Rachtza, Motzi Matza, Maror, Korech

Eat the Meal & Afikoman

15. Pg. 54-64 Birchas Hamazon, 3rd Cup of Wine, and “Shfosh Chamoscha”

16. Sing any of the Selections From the Hallel such as:

Pg. 64-64 “Hashem Zecharanu”

Pg. 66-67 “Hodu LaHashem” / “Min Hameitzar”

Pg. 68-69 “Pisvh Li” / Ana Hashem” / “Ay-li Ata”

Pg. 70-71 Selected lines from “Hodu LaHashem”

Pg. 74-75 “Yishtabach”

17. Pg. 76-79 4th Cup of Wine, Sing “Chasal Siddur Pesach” & “Leshana Haba’ah”

18. Pg. 90-91 Sing “Chad Gadya”

The Laws of the Pesach Seder

The Laws of the Pesach Seder

Preparations for the Seder
The Seder Plate
1. The Seder plate should be placed to the right of the leader of the Seder (with the salt water to its right)
2. The items on the Seder Plate must be placed in a specific order, based on the principle that one should never “pass over” any mitzvah. The placement is therefore arranged to follow the order of the Haggadah.
3. Although there are several customs, the most widespread way to arrange the Seder plate is according to the Arizal:

4. The Z’ro’ah is preferably a shank bone or poultry wing or neck, but should not be eaten – to differentiate from the actual sacrifice.
5. The Baitzah is roasted or boiled egg (sometimes both)
6. The Maror is usually Romaine Lettuce, endives or Horseradish root (GREAT care must be taken to make sure the lettuce is free of bugs!!!)
7. Chazeres is the other portion of bitter herbs needed for Koreich (can be the same as Maror or different)
8. Charoses is a mixture of nuts, wine, cinnamon and apples
9. Karpas is any vegetable (usually celery, onion or potatoes) that has the blessing “borei pri ha’odomah.”
10. Only the head of the household requires a Seder plate.

The Three Matzos
1. Three Matzos (must be “shmurah matzos”) should also be placed in between the leader of the Seder and the Seder Plate(matzos should be separated from each other – usually by a specially made matzah cover or simple napkins).
2. The Matzos can be hand-made or machine-made (some have customs/concepts that favor one over the other)
3. There must be enough Matzah for everyone to eat the required amount (ie. a kezayis – relying on the strict opinion for the Torah Commandment (roughly ½ of a hand-made Matzah, 2/3 of a machine-made) and the lenient for the Rabbinic Commandment (roughly 1/4 of a hand-made Matzah, less than 1/3 of a machine-made)
4. The Matzos should be covered for Kiddush (and uncovered any other time that wine is not held)

Focus on the Children
1. In the Seder falls on Shabbos, the father should bless the children just like he does the rest of the year.
2. Due to the usually LATE starting time, it’s imperative that all preparations are done and the seder starts on time.
3. Children from the ages of 5-6 should be trained to fulfill the Mitzvos of the Seder.

The Laws of the Heseba (aristocracy)
1. To clearly show that we are no longer slaves, we are commanded to eat like the aristocracy of old, called “heseba.”
2. Heseba is performed by leaning to the left (even for lefties), preferably leaning on a pillow or cushion. (although women are obligated in all the mitzvos of the Seder, the Ashkenazic custom is for women not to recline)
3. If one drank the 2nd cup or ate the Matzah without hesebah, one must drink/eat again.

Other Mitzvos
1. There are 7 mitzvos that are performed at the Seder. Two from the Torah (telling the Exodus story & eating matzah), and the other mitzvot are rabbinic (eating Marror, the Afikomen, saying Hallel, drinking 4 Cups of wine and hesebah)
2. There are many customs regarding the Kittel. It’s usually worn by married men, but not during 1st year of marriage.

The Four Cups of Wine
1. Everyone must drink 4 cups of wine corresponding to the 4 expressions of freedom mentioned in the Torah (Ex. 6:6-7).
2. Since we are free people, we don’t fill our own cup (some have the custom that only the leader’s cup is so filled)
3. It’s preferable to use expensive, red wine. If there is a white wine of a better quality, one may use it; but it is preferable to mix it with a little red wine to give it a red color. (pour the white wine into the red wine when mixing on Yom Tov)
4. If one can not tolerate even weak wine (ie. low-alcohol or wine mixed with water/juice), one may use grape juice.
5. The Kiddush cup must be able to contain at least 3.3 oz. On a Friday night, the 1st cup must contain at least 4.42 oz.
6. It is preferable to drink the entire cup of wine each time, but one should at least drink a majority of the cup. (It’s better to use a small cup containing the minimum amount that can be finished, than a large cup that can’t be)
7. “Drinking” is defined as two swallows without pausing or pausing once (at the least, finish the cup within 4 minutes)
8. One should avoid drinking other wine between the 4-cups, due to a fear of intoxication.
(after the second cup, though, there is no such fear in that one is about to begin the meal)

The Seder
Kadesh – Reciting the Kiddush:

1. Kiddush should be made as soon as it is nightfall. All preliminary activities may begin earlier (ie. singing, etc.)
2. There are different customs as to who recites the Kiddush:
• The leader of the Seder recites the Kiddush and the others listen.
• Each head of the household recites the Kiddush and their family members listen.
• Everyone recites the Kiddush together, including the women and children.
3. All participants should have their own cup of wine and hold it during Kiddush, whether the’re listening or reciting it.
4. When reciting Kiddush, one should have in mind to fulfill two Mitzvos: The Mitzvah of Kiddush and the Mitzvah of drinking the first of the four cups of wine.
5. When saying “Shehechiyanu” one should have in mind that it applies to the Holiday and all the Mitzvos of the Seder.
6. When the Seder falls on Saturday night, one should also make the Havdallah blessings, using the Yom Tov candles.
7. Remember to lean to the left and to drink most (preferably all) of the cup.
8. One is permitted to drink non-alcoholic beverages between the first and second cups.

Urchatz – Washing the Hands:
1. All the participants should wash their hands (as if for bread), but no blessing is made. (We do this because any food that has become wet with certain liquids (water, wine, blood, dew, milk, olive oil, and date honey) makes the food susceptible to spiritual uncleanliness and requires washing of hands if the food will be eaten with the hands.
2. Some have the custom that the leader of the Seder has his hands washed at his seat, while others have a custom to eat with a fork and only the leader washes his hands.
3. One should not speak after the washing until the Karpas is eaten, unless the talking is related to the Mitzvah.

Karpas – Eating the Vegetable:
1. Karpas is a vegetable, preferably one that’s eaten raw. Lettuce should not be used, since one may not use a vegetable that qualifies as Maror. (make sure to inspect for insects before Yom Tov)
2. Each person at the Seder is given a piece less than a Kezayis (15 grams), to avoid having to say an after-blessing.
3. The Karpas is dipped in salt water and each person recites the blessing “Borei P’ri Hoadama.” (one should have in mind that this blessing should include the Maror and it will be included in the Birkas Hamazon)
4. The custom is to eat without reclining, but one may do so if he wishes. (the salt water may be removed)
5. if you ate more than a kezayis, you need not say an after blessing

Yachatz – Breaking the Middle Matzah:
1. The middle Matzah is broken into two uneven pieces (the smaller piece is returned to the Matzah cover and the larger one is wrapped in a cloth and put aside to be used as the Afikoman)
2. It s a custom for the children to take the Afikoman and hide it when the leader of the Seder is not watching.

Maggid – Telling the Story of the Exodus:
1. Before beginning the narrative of the Exodus, one should have in mind to fulfill the obligation of telling the Exodus story (the Mitzvah is not fulfilled if the words are not understood.; It is better to read the Haggadah in a language that you understand than to read it in Hebrew and not understand it at all)
2. The leader must ensure that everyone understands at least the most important sections of the narrative: the 10 plagues and from the section that begins “Rabbi Gamliel used to say” until the second cup is drunk.
3. Everyone can either recite the Haggadah or listen to the leader read it, as long as one understands what is being said. Most people follow the custom to recite the Haggadah if they are fluent in Hebrew.
4. The leader of the Seder should hold up the broken (smaller piece) middle Matzah while saying “Ha Lachma Anya.” Then the Seder Plate is removed from the table and the second cup is filled.
6. The custom is for the youngest child capable of asking to sing the “Ma Nishtana.” If the child is hesitant, his father or mother may assist him. If there are no children present, the wife or any of the participants should ask the four questions.
7. The Seder plate is then brought back and left uncovered during the narrative until “l’fikach.” (one should not recline during the narrative – one should sit upright with awe and respect)
8. A total of 16 drops of wine are spilled out for each of the ten plaques and other places in the Haggadah. (one should use the index or small (“pinky”) finger to spill out the drop. Some have a custom not to lick their fingers clean)
9. The cups should be “topped up” before saying “Rabbi Gamliel etc.”
10. When reading “v’hee sh’amda” and “L’fikach” the Matzos should be covered and the cup of wine raised.
11. The leader should raise the broken middle Matzah when saying “This Matzah…” & the Maror when saying “This Maror…”
12. The leader should not hold up the shank bone when saying “This Korban Pesach etc.” The custom is to look at it.
13. You drink the second cup of wine (while reclining) at the conclusion of the Maggid. If a man forgot to recline he should immediately drink another cup without a blessing.

Rochtza – Washing the Hands:
1. All participants wash their hands in the normal way and this time we DO recite the blessing (“Al Netilas Yodayim.”)
2. The leader of the Seder should make announcements so that everyone knows not to speak until after “Korech,” (unless it concerns the Mitzvos) plus he should inform everyone about the next few steps of the Seder, the relevant laws, etc.
3. Each person should be given a piece of Matzah weighing at least 25 grams (or 7 inches x 61/4 inches) in preparation for the Mitzvah of eating Matzah (roughly ½ of a hand-made Matzah, 3/4 of a machine-made) Kids are given 10 grams each.
5. The steps “Rochtza, Motzi-Matzah” should be announced.
6. Some have the custom that the leader of the Seder has his hands washed at his seat by one of the children.

Motzi-Matzah – Two Blessings Are Recited on the Matzah:
1. The leader of the Seder should have in mind to include everyone else with his blessings.
2. Everyone else should have in mind a) to fulfill his obligation by listening to the blessings, b) to fulfill the Mitzvah of eating Matzah on the first night of Pesach, c) that it also applies to the Korech and Afikoman d) to recline.
3. All three Matzos should be held for the first blessing, after which the lowest Matzah is released. The remaining two Matzos are held for the second blessing. (The Matzos should be covered while the blessing of “Hamotzei” is recited)
4. Ideally, the two Matzos should be broken simultaneously after the blessing.
5. The leader of the Seder (and only the leader) should take for himself 15 grams (a quarter of a hand-made matzah) from the top matzah and 15 grams from the middle one. Both pieces should be eaten together.
6. Everyone else should be given a small piece from the top matzah in addition to the prepared piece of 25 grams that was distributed before washing. Both pieces should be eaten together (hand-made = 50-80 grams; machine-made = 30 grams)
7. The custom is not to dip the Matzah in salt, so they may taste the Mazah itself
8. The Matzah should be eaten in two minutes (or 4 minutes, if difficult). This is measured from the time that one begins to swallow the Matzah (One should not eat in a frenzy, but rather with dignity and joy).
9. One may drink a little water to facilitate swallowing if one’s mouth is too dry to swallow.
10. If one forgot to recline while eating, they must eat another 30 grams of Matzah while reclining without a blessing.

Maror – Eat the Bitter Herbs:
1. We eat maror as a remembrance of the Torah commandment of eating the Korban Pesach with Maror.
2. One may use either romaine, iceberg lettuce or grated horseradish (commercially processed horseradish is not allowed)
3. One should eat a quantity of lettuce leaves that covers an area of 8” X 10” or lettuce stalks that covers an area 3” X 5”. If
grated horseradish is used, one should eat 27 cc. If this is difficult, one may eat 17 cc (1 heaping tablespoon].
4. One may combine both types of Maror to make the required amount.
5. The Maror should be eaten in 2 minutes. (4 minutes, it difficult), measured from the time that one begins to swallow.
6. Dip the Maror in the Charoses and then shake it off.
7. The custom is for each person to recite his own blessing of “Al Achilas Maror.”
8. When making the blessing one should think about fulfilling the Mitzvah of eating Maror and that the blessing should also apply to the Korech. (One does not recline when eating Maror)

Korech – Eating the Sandwich of Matzah and Maror:
1. According to Hillel, when the temple stood, we ate the three required foods (pesach, matzah, maror) in a sandwich
2. The bottom Matzah is used for Korech. If this is (usually) n0t enough for everyone, each person should receive a small piece from this Matzah and add it to the other Matzah to make the required quantity of 15 grams (3/4 of a machine-made)
3. One eats the same amount of Maror for Korech as one eats for Maror.
4. Some have a custom is to dip the Maror in Charoses and most place the Maror between the two pieces of Matzah.
5. No blessing is said, but a paragraph is said (by one or all) beginning with the words “Zeicher LeMikdash KiHillel.”
6. The Korech should be eaten in two minutes (4 minutes if difficult), measured from the time one begins to swallow.
7. Men should recline when eating Korech (if one forgot to recline, he need not eat another Korech)

Shulchan Orech – Eating the Yom Tov Meal:
1. The custom is to begin the meal with eggs dipped in salt water. Some people eat the egg from the Seder plate.
2. Some have the custom to eat fish as well. (The shank bone should not be eaten)
3. One must not eat poultry or meat that is prepared without any liquid. This includes roasted, barbequed, and broiled.
4. One may not eat poultry or meat that is roasted in a pot without any liquid. One may eat poultry or meat that is
roasted in a pot with some liquid.
5. One should not eat too much. Overeating may cause drowsiness and one will not be able to conclude the Seder successfully or cause one to not have sufficient appetite for the Afikoman at the end of the meal.
6. One must leave sufficient time after the meal to eat the Afikoman before Halachik midnight.
7. It is praiseworthy for a man to recline during the meal, but it’s not a requirement.
8. According to some, it’s a Mitzvah to drink some wine during the meal in honor of the holiday.

Tzafun – Eating the Afikoman:
1. The Afikoman (the piece of the broken middle Matzah that was put aside at the beginning of the Seder) is now eaten.
2. Since this is usually not sufficient for everyone, the leader of the Seder gives each person a small piece from this Matzah and adds it to the other Matzah to make the required 2 K’zaisim (30 grams, 15 grams if this is difficult)
3. There is no blessing said, but one should have in mind that he is fulfilling the Mitzvah of eating the Afikoman.
4. A man should recline when eating the Afikoman (if one forgot to recline, he should eat another Afikoman if it is not too difficult. However, if he already washed his hands for “Mayim Acharonim” he should not eat another Afikoman)
5. An effort should be made to eat the Afikoman before Halachik midnight. (if this time passed, it should still be eaten)
6. If the Afikoman can not be found, other Shmura Matzah should be eaten instead.
7. One may not eat anything else after the Afikoman. One should drink water if he is thirsty after eating the Afikoman. After Birchas Hamazon one should preferably refrain from any other drinks, but in a case of great need one my drink tea, seltzer, apple juice, lemonade, or mildly flavored soda, But not Coffee. One should not smoke after the Afikoman as well.

Barech – Saying the Birchas Hamazon:
1. The third cup of wine is poured before the Birchas Hamazon and one should wash Mayim Acharonim.
2. If there are three men present, the custom is for the head of the household to lead the “Zimun.”
3. If there is someone who led the Zimun, only he must hold the cup of wine during the Birchas Hamazon. If there is no leader, then everyone should hold the cup of wine.
4. Men should recline when drinking the cup of wine after Birchas Hamazon. If he forgot, he need not drink another cup.
5. After drinking the third cup, the cups are refilled with wine. An extra cup, the cup of Eliyahu, is also filled.
7. The custom is for the leader of the Seder to fill the cup of Eliyahu. It should be a large and especially beautiful cup.
8. The door is opened and “Shfoch Chamascha” is recited standing (Many have the custom to leave the full cup of Eliyahu covered on the table overnight and use it for Kiddush on Yom Tov morning. Others pour it out or back into the bottle)

Hallel – Reciting the Hallel:
1. Women are obligated to remain at the Seder table for Hallel and the fourth cup of wine. Children aged five or six should be encouraged to do so if possible.
2. One should not recline during Hallel. Rather one should sit upright with awe and respect.
3. If there are three people present, including one’s wife and children, the verses of “Hodo” and “Ana” should be said responsively, as is done in Shul. The leader of the Seder should recite these verses and the others should respond.
4. The fourth cup of wine is drunk at the conclusion of the Hallel.
5. Men should recline when drinking the fourth cup, and do not drink it again if they forgot to recline.
6. Some have the custom to drink the whole cup (one should try to drink 3 oz of wine in order to recite the after blessing)
7. The after blessing is recited by everyone who drank 3 ounces. When making the blessing, one should have in mind that it also applies to all the other three cups of wine.

Nirtzah – The Seder is Accepted:
1. After the paragraph of “Chasal Siddur Pesach,” the final part of the Haggadah comprises songs of praise to Hashem. Since these songs were added later, a person who is exhausted is not obligated to say them.
2. Some people have the custom to recite “Shir Hashirim” after the Seder.
3. Tonight is the only night of the year where it is a Mitzvah to remain awake as long as possible after the Seder and study the laws of Pesach and continue relating the miracles of the Exodus. (Shavuos is only a custom) It would be preferred to stay up all night and pray Shacharis at sunrise. A person is exempt if he is overcome by sleep. Similarly, if he will not be able to pray Shacharis properly without a good night’s sleep, he may go to bed.
4. Before going to sleep, the custom is to recite only the first paragraph of the bed-time Shema and “Hamapil.”

The Second Seder
The following differences at the second Seder:
• All preparations for the second night of Yom Tov may not begin before nightfall.
• One may be lenient and only eat 15 grams for the first eating of Matzah. Nevertheless, the leader of the Seder must
eat 30 grams. A sick or elderly person may be lenient and eat 10 grams of Matzah.
• Some have the custom to not hurry and eat the Afikoman before Halachik midnight.
• One may have any non-intoxicating drinks after the Afikoman.
• One may retire to bed immediately after the Seder.

When Passover Starts on Saturday Night

When Passover Starts on Saturday Night
Note: this document only refers to CHANGES in the normal Erev Pesach procedures.
Please refer to “The Laws of Erev Pesach” for further information

Thursday April 17th, 2008
Fast of the First Born/Taanis Bechorim
1. All first-born males (“bechorim”) are obligated to fast on the day before Passover. This year the fast is on Thursday.
2. There is a tradition that all “bechorim” to attend a feast celebrating the completion of a tractate of the Talmud (called a “siyum.” This is usually done in the synagogue immediately following the morning minyan on Thursday.

The Search for Leaven/Bedikas Chometz
1. Thursday night after dark (approx. 9:04pm in Toronto) one should immediately perform bedikas chometz. (preceded by the blessing "and has commanded us concerning the removal of Chometz" and followed by the declaration "All Chometz, leaven or leavened bread in my possession, that I have neither seen nor removed nor know about, should be annulled and
considered ownerless as dust of the earth.”
2. If one forgot to search for Chometz on Thursday night, he may search for it on Friday, but not on Shabbos.

Friday April 18th, 2008
Burning of Leaven/S’raifas Chometz
1. Chometz which is necessary for Friday night and Shabbos morning meals should be placed in a disposable container, away from all Pesach food. (ie. enough bread for exactly 3 meals; it’s better to UNDERestimate than to have too much!)
2. Although Chometz may be purchased and eaten all day Friday, the custom is to sell and burn the chometz as if this day had been Erev Pesach (12:09pm in Toronto). Burning it later could lead to confusion in subsequent years.
3. The “Kol Chamira” declaration is not recited (because we are still going to use/eat our Chometz)
4. Unless Chometz was sold earlier, it should be sold by 12:09pm and may be used/eaten until an hour before shabbos

Seder Preparations
1. Make sure the following preparations for the Seder are made on Erev Shabbos:
(though one may not prepare for after shabbos ON shabbos, one may tidy up their house, as this is a shabbos need)
  • Roast the egg and shank-bone (zero’ah)
  • Check and clean lettuce leaves (discard 1st 3 leaves, soak each leaf in soapy water for 5 minutes, run under strong faucet and inspect each leaf – preferably by holding up to a light)
  • Chop the nuts for the Charoses
  • Prepare the Salt Water
  • Grate horseradish
  • Boxes of Matzah, Bottles, etc. should be opened
  • Shmurah Matzah should be checked for air bubbles, cracks, etc. (matzah for the seder is muktzah!)
2. If you forgot to make these preparations, contact your Local Orthodox Rabbi
3. Make sure to store these seder materials so they will be fresh/usable when they are needed.
4. Remember: make enough for TWO Seders!

Other Preparations
1. Most men have the custom to go the Mikvah & get a haircut (the latter preferably before midday)
2. Any removable orthodontics should be cleaned thoroughly and hot water poured on them (hottest the orthodontics
can take). If it’s not removable, don’t eat hot chometz for 24 hours, then rinse with the hottest water you can tolerate.
3. All 3 Shabbos meals should be cooked “Pesadig” (ie. besides bread that’s used for ha’motzei).
4. All Chometz utensils should be put away except for one table cover, bread knife, salt shaker and Kiddush cup
4. If one must cook Chometz, one should avoid foods that cling to the sides of the pot.
(obviously, In such a case, one should not use a stove that is kosher for Passover)
5. A 48-72 hour candle should be lit before shabbos so the Yom Tov and Havdallah candles can be lit.

Shabbos - April 18/19, 2008
Eating the Shabbos Meals
1. It is permissible to eat Chometz after the time of it’s burning. But, in order that the Chometz not be scattered, one must designate a place to eat for Friday/Shabbos and restrict it to that place. Not doing so annuls the Search of Chometz.
2. Ideally the food should be eaten in new, disposable, plastic dishes, as it is prohibited to pour food from Passover pots to Chometz dishes. Using Passover plates is not advisable, since bread is eaten at these meals. (pita is a good option!)
3. There are a few ways of conducting the Shabbos meal:
• Eat bread in the kitchen (or any place away from where the pesach food will be eaten and without rugs)
• Eat bread in the kitchen and rest of the meal at the Pesach (dining room) table. (have this in mind while washing)
• Eat Egg Matzah at the Pesach table (must be eaten before the final time for Chometz as well)
4. If one is eating Chometz (option #1/2), it must be carefully eaten upon a tissue napkin (making sure that no crumbs fall on the floor). Once the Chometz is finished one should wash hands/mouth & flush any crumbs/napkins in the toilet.
5. If the meal is continued in a different room, one should return to the first room to say the Birkas Hamazon.
6. Egg matzoh may be substituted for kids that will make crumbs. Otherwise, regular matzah may not be eaten.
7. Remember: If one lights Shabbos candles on the table where Chometz will be eaten, one should place them on a part of the table not covered by the tablecloth, so one will be able to remove the tablecloth without moving the candlesticks.
8. Services are said earlier than usual because one must recite hamotzi before the latest time for eating chometz (11:00am in Toronto).

Disposal of Final Chometz
1. Chometz that remains after the morning meals should be given to a non-Jew, a pet, or simply flushed down the toilet. (In a town with an eruv, one may dispose of it in the public garbage bin in the street, thereby making it ownerless. If these options are unavailable, one can pour soap or cleaning agent on the Chometz, thereby rendering it non-edible)
2. Chometz vessels may not be washed on Shabbos. They may be wiped with a hand or with a paper napkin which can be thrown out afterwards. If this does not clean the utensils, one may rinse them slightly in order to remove the Chometz.
3. Plates may be rinsed properly only if one will need them on Shabbos, as for serving fruit in the afternoon.
4. One should sweep the house after the morning meals (with a soft-bristle brush) and dispose of the Chometz in the same way as discussed above, taking care not to leave any Chometz on the broom.
5. One should brush off clothing worn during the meal (by hand and not with a brush).
6. One should rinse one's mouth (even flossing if one's gums don't usually bleed when flossing, but floss must be cut to size before Shabbos), and wash hands so that Chometz shouldn't remain.
7. One should then nullify the Chometz by reciting the same “Kol Chamira” declaration that is usually said when burning the chometz. It is recited even if it was said by mistake on Friday at the time of burning the Chometz (before 11:57 AM).
8. One may continue his non-chometz meal and recite Birchas Hamazon after these times.

The Third Shabbos Meal
1. Some have the custom to split the morning meal into two parts, so as to have all 3 meals with bread. One should eat enough bread at each meal to say Birkas Hamazon, making an interruption by taking a walk around the block.
2. If it is after the final time for eating Chometz, one must eat "other foods" during the afternoon including fish, fruit or Passover potato starch cake any time between mincha and sunset. For those who follow the custom of eating gebrokts on Pesach, products containing matzoh meal that were cooked (e.g. knaidlach) may be eaten. Baked matzoh meal products, including cakes, may not be eaten all day.
3. It is permissible to nap on Shabbos in order to be rested and awake for the Seder, however one should refrain from saying this out loud, as it sounds like one is preparing for after Shabbos.

After Shabbos
1. After nightfall, the standard Yom Tov prayers are is said with the addition of "Vatodianu" in the Amidah.
2. Anyone who didn't say "Vatodianu" needs to say "Baruch hamavdil bein kodesh l'kodesh" before doing any melacha
3. Havdallah is recited as part of Kiddush during the Seder. No blessing is recited on the spices. (One should use the Yom Tov candles, putting them together side by side while upright. They should not be tilted to touch each other. )
4. At the seder, during the brocha of asher g’alanu, (prior to cup #2) we reverse the order and say min hapesachim u’min hazevachim. This is due to the change in the order of sacrifices when Pesach occurs on motzai Shabbos.
5. Don’t worry – the next time Passover falls on Saturday night is 2021!!

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Passover is Coming!!!

Passover is called the holiday "full of mitzvos" (a play on words of "matzos"). We are therefore told to start learning all the Laws of Pesach 30 days before the holiday.


Here are some helpful links.

PASSOVER SITES:
1 - Star K Passover site:
http://www.passoverkosher.com

2 - COR Passover site:
http://www.cor.ca/en/16

3 - Aish.com
http://www.aish.com/passlaw/

PASSOVER GUIDES
1 - Star K Kosher Guide:
http://www.star-k.org/kashrus/star-k08_pesach_directory.pdf

2 - COR Kosher for Passover Guide:
http://www.cor.ca/res/usr/general/Kosher%20Corner%20-%20April%202008%20-%20Passover%20Insert.pdf

3 - Medicine on Passover Guide:
http://www.kehilasyaakov.org/updates_04_01.pdf


IMPORTANT: How to Clean for Passover
http://www.aish.com/passlaw/passlawdefault/Passover_Cleaning_Made_Easy.asp

For more info about Passover at Aish Thornhill:
http://www.thornhillshul.com/pesach-pages

If you have any questions, please post them.
(unless you are a rabbi, please refrain from answering the questions of other posters. tx)

The Laws of Purim

Hilchos Purim/The Laws of Purim
Mitzvah of Zecher/Remembering Amalek
1. Men & women must fulfill the mitzvah of ‘remembering (the nation of) Amalek’ by listening to a special reading of the story of how Amalek attacked the Jews in the desert, knowing they would lose (the epitome of evil).
2. This was established to be fulfilled on the shabbos before Purim because Haman was a descendent of Amalek.
(if one misses the reading, come to shul Purim morning and have the mitzvah in mind at Torah reading)ad)
4. It must be read out of a Torah Scroll (it is preferable to hear the blessings before and after)

Taanis Ester/The Fast of Esther
1. There is a strong custom that everyone must fast the day before Purim (daybreak until after reading the megillah)
(when Purim falls on Sunday, the fast is on Thursday because we’re not allowed to fast on or going into Shabbos)
2. Therefore, if you are not feeling well, you should not fast. (ie ANY type of difficulty - illness, pregnancy)
3. This is not a sad fast; rather it’s for soul searching (Therefore, you may play music, bathe, cut hair, etc.)
4. It is forbidden to eat until you have heard the Megillah. (or to start any manner of work from sunset)
5. “Aneinu” is added to the Mincha Amidah by those who are fasting and Avinu Malkeinu is said as well.

Mach’zis Hashekel/The Half Shekel
1. On the afternoon before Purim, the head of the household gives 3 ½-shekels for every member of the family
(3 shekels, because ½ shekels were donated 3 times: to buy communal sacrifices each year at this time, to melt down for the base of the wall around the mishkan, for the general upkeep of the Temple/Jerusalem)
2. If the head of the household can’t do this mitzvah, each member (above 12/13) does it on their own behalf.
(If one did not give then, one can donate during the whole month of Adar)
3. Ashkenazim give any three coins that are called "half" coins in that country (ie. half dollars)
Sephardim are accustomed to give the value of 9.6 grams of silver (according to the current market value).
(Most Shuls place three special coins on a tray, each person then buys the coins and acquires the coins by lifting them up, then donating them back to charity by replacing them on the tray, to be used by the next person).
4. One should be careful not to say that the donation is for "the half shekel" as it is forbidden to donate to the Temple in our days, but rather one should say "in commemoration of the half shekel".

Mitzvah #1: Reading the Megillah
1. Obligation to read the Megillah is upon every man & woman (and child past the age of understanding)
(But since we’re not all experts & it’s a Jewish principle to do things publicly, it’s read for us all together – therefore the reader should have all listeners in mind & all listeners should have fulfilling their mitzvah in mind)
2. Children that can’t remain quiet and will disturb those listening to the Megillah should not be brought to shul.
3. Every Jew is obligated to hear the reading TWICE: at night and in the morning (see Ps. 22, attributed to Esther)
(At Night: directly after nightfall, until morning if needed & At Daytime: from sunrise until sunset if needed - but one should try to fulfill one's obligation as soon as possible.)
4. It is forbidden to eat before hearing the Megillah, both in the night and the day.
(If this causes hardship, one can snack on a small amount of food, up to an “eggs-worth”)
5. The Megillah should preferably be read in the presence of a minyan. (but may be fulfilled by reading it alone)
(A woman can read for herself, or even for other women, but she should not read for a man)
6. When Purim falls on a Sunday, one should daven Maariv, say Havdallah, then read the Megillah
7. One is not allowed to talk from the 1st blessing before the reading until the final blessing after the reading
(if the reader talked, he may continue; if the listener talked and missed a word, he has not fulfilled the mitzvah)
8. One must hear EVERY single word of the reading or else must start again from the beginning. If one missed a word or a few, they should read those words themselves (preferably from a kosher scroll), up to half of the megillah
(but it must be read in the correct order - ie. read the words you missed and keep reading until you catch up)
9. There is a custom to “stamp out” the name of Haman (be careful not to cause others to miss hearing even a single word) & to read out loud the 4 verses before the reader (2:5, 8:15&16, 10:3) & the names of Haman’s sons
10. One must have intention to fulfill your obligation by the reader's blessings (ie. don’t say: "Baruch Hu…”)
11. Everyone should stand when the three blessings are recited : “al mikrah megillah,” “sh’asah nissim,” “sh’hechiyanu” (BUT only recite the last one in a minyan/public)
12. Ashkenazim recite "Shehechiyanu" both before the reading at night and at day (you should have intention to include the mitzvos of Mishloach Manot, Gifts to the Poor & the Purim meal in this blessing.)
13. When reading for both men & women, recite: “al mikrah megillah”; for women: “lishmoah megillah”
14. If one arrives late, they should recite the blessings and catch up as quick as possible

Mitzvah #2: Mishloach Manos/ Sending Gifts (Lit. Portions)
1. Everybody is obligated to send at least two portions of food to one Jew, during the day and NOT the night.
(This applies to every member of the household, even small children should be encouraged)
2. A man should send to a man, and a woman to a woman (preferably someone to whom you may have ill feeling)
If you sent to OR as a family as a whole, one need not be particular about man giving to men and visa versa.
3. The portions should preferably be something fitting for eating or drinking as is (without further cooking).
4. The portions also need to be different types of food than each other (but don’t have to separate blessings).
One should send portions that are fittingly substantial (both in the eyes of the giver and in the eyes of the receiver).
5. One should not send portions to someone who is in the year of mourning for their parents, (or the month of mourning for other close relatives). One may send to the other members of the mourner's family (who are not in mourning). Those in mourning, however, are obligated to send portions.
6. It is preferable to send these portions via a messenger, be they children or non-Jews.
(you should ensure that the receiver knows who sent the portions)

Mitzvah #3: Matanos L’Evyonim/ Gifts to the Poor
1. Every person is obligated to give charity (approx. $20 - 25) to two poor Jews during the day (NOT the night)
(but you can give the money to a messenger any time before Purim day as long as it’s given to the poor ON Purim)
2. It is better to increase one's gifts to the poor, rather than increasing the amounts of Mishloach Manot
(Rambam: “because there is no greater joy than to gladden the hearts of the poor, orphans, widows &the stranger)
3. The charity must be equal to a “cheap meal” or “prutah” {a minimal coin} and can be money or food.
(However it is proper to increase ones gifts to the poor, both in amount of money and poor people, see above)
4. You should not be particular on Purim as to who you give to and should give to all who request.
(In order to ensure that you fulfill the mitzvah, you should make sure to give to at least two bona fide poor)
5. Each family member, including children should give themselves (some have the custom for the husband to give on behalf of the wife (One may NOT use Ma'aser (Tithe) money for this or any other Purim-related mitzvah)
6. One who is in a place where there are no Jewish poor, should set money aside to give to poor at a latter time.

Mitzvah #4: Seudas Purim/ The Purim Meal
1. Every person, both men and women, are obligated to have a festive meal on Purim day, including the custom to eat bread, meat and wine (there is a custom to eat nicer meals on the evening of Purim and Breakfast as well)
2. The custom is to hold the Purim meal in the day after the afternoon service, with the majority of the meal being eaten before sunset, but lasting into the night (even though you MAY eat at any time during the day). One recites "Al HaNissim" during grace after meals even if the meal finished after nightfall. If one forgot, it is not repeated.)
4. There is a custom to light candles (without a blessing), to learn Torah (laws of Passover) before eating, as it is written "And there was Light and happiness", "Light" referring to Torah (before the Happiness of eating).
5. The Talmud says: "One is obligated to become intoxicated on Purim, until one cannot distinguish between ‘cursed be Hamen' and ‘blessed be Mordechai'". There are many opinions about this statement, but all agree that it is forbidden to reach a point of rowdiness and profane stupidity; all the more so one is forbidden to break/forget any mitzvos. Some are accustomed to fall asleep due to the more than normal quantity of WINE, and thus reach a state [asleep] of being unable to distinguish between Haman and Mordechai. (This applies only to men, though some women drink a small amount of wine in honor of Purim – but they are not obligated to become intoxicated)
6. If one is so drunk that they would be unable to speak respectfully to an important person, one may not pray.

Other Laws & Customs
1. It is the custom (not the law) not to work on Purim and to spend the time instead on the celebrations of the day.
2. Many people eat vegetables on Purim in remembrance of the fact that Esther kept kosher while in the king's palace and ate only vegetables.
3. It is the custom to wear Shabbos clothes on Purim (at prayer/megillah readings) and to wear costumes as part of our rejoicing. One must not wear costumes that are immodest or for the opposite sex.
4. It is also our custom to eat hamantashan, three cornered pastries shaped like the hat Haman used to wear.
5. On Purim, we add the “Al Hanissim” paragraph to the Amidah and Grace After Meals (if you forgot to add it, you DON’T need to repeat it), omit “Tachanun” & “Lam’natzeach”, and read the Torah during Shacharis.
6. If you’re going to be in Israel for Purim, due to questions as to when to celebrate - Contact your local rabbi

For exact times for the holiday/prayers, go to www.ou.org/zmanim