Torah For Our Times: Passover – Let’s Get To It

Only one week until Passover!  The time for procrastination is over.  Arguably, the most work-intensive holiday (in terms of preparation) is at the doorstep.  Quick. . .what do I do?! Reading this short posting is a good place to start.

The holiday of Passover is about re-creating what it must have been like to move from slavery to freedom. The actual Seder is an effort to relive those tense moments leading to the departure from Egypt and the crossing of the Red Sea.  What follows are ways to prepare for this trip through ancient history:

Getting Rid of the Hametz – Every Jew is required to rid their homes of food items containing any of the five forbidden grains (Hametz) on Passover: wheat, oats, barley, rye, and spelt.  There are two suggested ways of removing your non-perishable food items containing “Hametz”: 1) Donate them to a local food shelf, or 2) place them in a closed-off area for Passover and appoint me your agent for the sale of these items.  Even though the food items are still in your possession, they are not technically yours.  You regain formal possession at the conclusion of Passover.  If you wish to pursue the 2nd suggestion, simply reply to this email with your name, address, and phone number and I will take care of the rest.

The Search For The Final Crumbs of Hametz -This year, Passover begins on Saturday evening, April 12.  Traditionally, one searches for any remaining Hametz on the eve of Passover.  Since the eve of Passover is Friday evening (Erev Shabbat), we perform the search on Thursday evening, April 10.  After the preparations for Passover are completed, a member of the household hides a piece of Hametz.Then, in a darkened home, armed with a candle, feather, wooden spoon and paper bag, the other household members search out this final piece of hametz. When found, it is placed in the paper bag so that it can be burned on Friday morning, April 11 on/or about 11:00 a.m.  Now, the house is ready for the Seder!!

Ta’anit B’chorim (Fast Of The First Born) – According to tradition, first born should fast on the day before Passover immediately after Sunset.  This is done in commemoration of the deliverance of the first-born Israelites from Egypt, while the first-born Egyptians were being slain.  It has become the custom for synagogues to make a “Siyyum” minyan (public completion of a rabbinic text)  for first-born on the morning of the first Seder.  Since this year the morning of the first Seder is Shabbat, and since one is not permitted to fast on Friday (day before Shabbat) or on Shabbat, the “Siyyum” will take place on Thursday, April 10, 2025 at 7:00 a.m.  The service is followed by a “Seudat Mitzvah” (celebratory meal following the performance of this mitzvah). One who is present for this event is required to eat, and this includes anyone who is a first-born (male or female!). Having eaten, the first-born is no longer required to fast!  We start at 7 a.m. and conclude by 8:00 a.m. (followed by breakfast).  If you’ve never experienced a Siyyum, why not include this pre-Passover service as an official “bucket list” event. . . be there!

And finally. . . .

Still Have Questions? – If so, join me for a Passover Workshop on “Ways To Enhance Everybody’s Seder Experience” this Sunday, April 6, 10:00 a.m. following the 9:00 a.m. Sunday morning minyan.  The workshop includes bagel and coffee!  If you can’t be present on Sunday morning, and still have questions, I will be doing a “ZOOM Passover Q & A” on Tuesday evening, April 8, at 8:00 pm. (check this Friday’s “Insider” for the ZOOM address).

So much to do. . . so little time left to do it!  After a restful Shabbat, let’s get to it!

Rabbi Howard Siegel