Passover 2025 Message & Laws
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Yet, we continue in the Hagaddah by saying, "Ve'Hakadosh Baruch Hu matzilenu me'yadam", "And the Holy One Blessed be He saves us from their hands". We not only say those words as a prayer, but they instill inside of us the faith that Hashem will also redeem us from the current dangers that surround us.
The Seder and the holiday connect us back to that original Pesah 3337 years ago when redeemed from Egyptian slavery by G=d Almighty through Moshe Rabbenu, we committed to serving the Master of the universe as His children.
This Pesah 5785/2025, presents many unique challenges as (erev Pesah), the eve of Pesah occurs on Shabbat.
The last time we experienced this rare occurrence was in 5781/2021, but because of the restrictions due to Covid then, it will be a little different this year.
We will not experience this calendrical phenomenon for another 20 years!
Please read the information below, as there are a number of halachic challenges.
Cecilia joins me in wising everyone at our Magain David Congregation moadim le’simha, and an enjoyable Pesah.
Sincerely,
Rabbi Simon and Cecilia Benzaquen
LAWS OF PASSOVER 2025
This year 5785/2025 when the 1st Seder Night of Pessah falls on Saturday Night ( Motzae Shabbat), That entire shabbat is called “Shabbat de dos panes”. The rules and ramification to prepare for the Seder Night are different.
In short: The Bedikah (searching for hametz) and Serefah of Hametz (burning the hametz), are brought forward one day. On Thursday night, (13th of Nissan) April 10,we search for hametz and make the Declaration. “Any leavened food or leavening in my possession which I have neither seen nor removed, be annulled and considered (as worthless) as the dust of the ground”.
On Friday morning, April 11, we put aside the hametz that we will eat on Shabbat, and the rest of the hametz is burned by 11:56am. On Shabbat, we are careful to control the breadcrumbs -- i.e. we eat in a designated area. We then remove any remaining hametz that is in our possession by washing it down the drain. (I don’t think it is really proper to use the toilet for this purpose, only on the last option).
The (Halachot), Laws pertaining to the years when the 14th of Nissan is Shabbat are discussed in details on the "Code of Jewish Law" (O.C. Siman 444).
(TAANIT BECHORIM) FAST OF THE FIRSTBORN
The "fast of the firstborn" on a regular year is usually held on (Erev Pessah) Passover eve. And although the Shulhan Aruch brings Legislators who hold the opinion, that since it is impossible to fast on the 14th of Nissan being Shabbat, there is no reason to fast on any other day: In practice it is moved ahead, and the custom is for the firstborn to fast on Thursday. Those obligated to fast include a firstborn son, and the father of a first-born son who is too young to fast.
A person is permitted to break this fast if he is attending a Seudat Mitzvah -- such as a Berit-Milah or Pidyon Haben. Or as it has become the custom to schedule the completion of a Talmudic tractate (siyum) on this day, since those who join in the accompanying meal are exempted from fasting. Nevertheless, if it is difficult, a firstborn has a basis to rely upon the lenient opinion of the Shulhan Aruch that there is no fast day at all on such a year.
(BEDIKAT HAMETZ) - SEARCHING FOR HAMETZ
The search for hametz is held on Thursday evening the night of the 13th of Nissan. Aside from the timing, there is nothing different about this search compared to other years. Beforehand, we make the blessing of "Al bi’ur hametz," and after the checking we declare the nullification of hametz (bitul hametz).”Kal Hamira”. (as mentioned above.)
(BI’UR HAMETZ) - DESTROYING THE HAMETZ
Hametz should be burned on Friday morning, This year by 11:56 am
HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE SEDER
All preparations for the Seder should be completed before the start of Shabbat including: roasting the egg and shank-bone, (Zero’ah), cleaning and checking lettuce, chopping nuts and making Haroset, the salt water. Boxes of Shemura matzah should be opened, as well as bottles of wine and grape juice (when this requires breaking a seal).
The candles should be set up for Yom Tov in their holders (besides the ones needed for Shabbat). A fire should be lit on Friday before Shabbat, so that the Yom Tov and Havdallah candles can be kindled, and for cooking needs.
One should light a 72-hour candle (or a candle that lasts for more than 48 hours to be utilized to light the Yom Tov candles on Saturday night and Sunday night).
Our custom is to use Romaine lettuce for Marror, be sure to check it before Shabbat for bugs and place it in a moist and cold place refrigerated to remain fresh. (The lettuce should not be left immersed in water from Friday until the Seder night, over 24 hours, because then it will have the Halachik status of being pickled and will be unfit for use for the mitzvah.)
SHABBAT - PASSOVER EVE (EREV PESSAH)
If one lights the Shabbat candles on the table where hametz will be eaten, one should place them on a part of the table not covered by the tablecloth, so that one will be able to remove the hametz tablecloth without moving the candlesticks.
Since it is forbidden to eat Matza during the day of the 14th of Nissan, on those years that this day is Shabbat the Matza becomes “Muktze” and it may not be handled by itself until nightfall after Shabbat. One may carry it, however, by placing lettuce on top of the Matza and carrying both together. The above applies only to the Matza that is designated for use for the Seder night only, i.e. Shemura Matza. All other regular Matzot are not Muktze.
Normally, one should go to synagogue services early on Shabbat morning, and also not lengthen the services unnecessarily. At the conclusion of services, one should go home right away to make kiddush, in order to eat and finish two hametz meals before the time when hametz may no longer be eaten. However, at Magain David Minyan we will have a kiddush with no chametz after the morning service to avoid any of these issues.
During the Shabbat day meals, hametz should be eaten in a place separate from where the Passover foods are eaten and Passover utensils used, just as in the previous evening.
Though both bread and matzah are forbidden in the afternoon, it is proper to eat meat, fish or fruit after mid-day, in order to fulfill Seudah Shelishit in the afternoon -- and also as not to be very hungry by the time the Seder begins.
It is forbidden to set the table for the Seder during Shabbat, since it is forbidden to do things on shabbat in preparation for a Yom Tov. One should therefore not prepare the matzot, utensils, or table, until after nightfall.) It is permissible though, to tidy the home, since this is a need for Shabbat.
HOW TO DISPOSE OF THE FINAL HAMETZ
Hametz that remains after the morning meals should be disposed-off by giving it to a non-Jew, a pet, or simply flushed down the drain or in last resort, even the toilet. In a town with an Eruv, one may dispose of it by braking the large pieces of bread into pieces smaller than Kazayit (olive bulk) and then throw them into the public garbage bin in the street, not in the kitchen, thereby making it ownerless. If these options are unavailable, one can pour soap or cleaning agent on the hametz, thereby rendering it non-edible.
Hametz Utensils may not be washed on Shabbat. 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 hametz. Plates may be rinsed properly only if one will need them on Shabbat, like serving fruit in the afternoon.
One should put away the hametz utensils and the hametz tablecloth (after it was properly shaken out from bread crumbs) together with all the other hametz utensils.
One should sweep the house after the morning meals to ensure that not even one crumb of hametz is left in the house, also taking care not to leave any hametz on the broom.
Afterwards every-one should thoroughly wash his hands and rinse out his mouth to make sure that no crumb of hametz is left behind. 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 Shabbat).
One should then nullify the hametz (bitul) by saying the text found in the Haggadah after the burning of the hametz. “Any leavened food or leavening in my possession whether or not I have seen it and whether or not I have destroyed it should be considered null and like the dust of the ground”.
THE SEDER OF THE EVENING
After nightfall, the standard Yom Tov prayers are said with the addition of "Vatodienu" in the Amidah which expresses the distinction between the sanctity of Shabbat and the sanctity of Yom tov. It is a Havdala prayer.
Anyone who didn't say "Vatodianu" needs to say "Baruch hamavdil bein kodesh l'kodesh" before doing any “labor” melacha, such as lighting the Yom Tov candles or cooking for the Seder meal.
The order of the blessings during Kiddush is codified in the “Shulhan Aruch” as YaKNaHaZ: Wine ("Bore pe'ri ha’gefen"). Kiddush ("Asher bahar banu"). Havdallah candle ("Borei Meore Ha’aish"). Havdalah ("Hamavdil ben kodesh le'kodesh"). and "Shehecheyanu." No blessing is recited on the spices.
The rest of the Seder continues as on other years. Follow the Haggadah.
In short: The Bedikah (searching for hametz) and Serefah of Hametz (burning the hametz), are brought forward one day. On Thursday night, (13th of Nissan) April 10,we search for hametz and make the Declaration. “Any leavened food or leavening in my possession which I have neither seen nor removed, be annulled and considered (as worthless) as the dust of the ground”.
On Friday morning, April 11, we put aside the hametz that we will eat on Shabbat, and the rest of the hametz is burned by 11:56am. On Shabbat, we are careful to control the breadcrumbs -- i.e. we eat in a designated area. We then remove any remaining hametz that is in our possession by washing it down the drain. (I don’t think it is really proper to use the toilet for this purpose, only on the last option).
The (Halachot), Laws pertaining to the years when the 14th of Nissan is Shabbat are discussed in details on the "Code of Jewish Law" (O.C. Siman 444).
(TAANIT BECHORIM) FAST OF THE FIRSTBORN
The "fast of the firstborn" on a regular year is usually held on (Erev Pessah) Passover eve. And although the Shulhan Aruch brings Legislators who hold the opinion, that since it is impossible to fast on the 14th of Nissan being Shabbat, there is no reason to fast on any other day: In practice it is moved ahead, and the custom is for the firstborn to fast on Thursday. Those obligated to fast include a firstborn son, and the father of a first-born son who is too young to fast.
A person is permitted to break this fast if he is attending a Seudat Mitzvah -- such as a Berit-Milah or Pidyon Haben. Or as it has become the custom to schedule the completion of a Talmudic tractate (siyum) on this day, since those who join in the accompanying meal are exempted from fasting. Nevertheless, if it is difficult, a firstborn has a basis to rely upon the lenient opinion of the Shulhan Aruch that there is no fast day at all on such a year.
(BEDIKAT HAMETZ) - SEARCHING FOR HAMETZ
The search for hametz is held on Thursday evening the night of the 13th of Nissan. Aside from the timing, there is nothing different about this search compared to other years. Beforehand, we make the blessing of "Al bi’ur hametz," and after the checking we declare the nullification of hametz (bitul hametz).”Kal Hamira”. (as mentioned above.)
(BI’UR HAMETZ) - DESTROYING THE HAMETZ
Hametz should be burned on Friday morning, This year by 11:56 am
HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE SEDER
All preparations for the Seder should be completed before the start of Shabbat including: roasting the egg and shank-bone, (Zero’ah), cleaning and checking lettuce, chopping nuts and making Haroset, the salt water. Boxes of Shemura matzah should be opened, as well as bottles of wine and grape juice (when this requires breaking a seal).
The candles should be set up for Yom Tov in their holders (besides the ones needed for Shabbat). A fire should be lit on Friday before Shabbat, so that the Yom Tov and Havdallah candles can be kindled, and for cooking needs.
One should light a 72-hour candle (or a candle that lasts for more than 48 hours to be utilized to light the Yom Tov candles on Saturday night and Sunday night).
Our custom is to use Romaine lettuce for Marror, be sure to check it before Shabbat for bugs and place it in a moist and cold place refrigerated to remain fresh. (The lettuce should not be left immersed in water from Friday until the Seder night, over 24 hours, because then it will have the Halachik status of being pickled and will be unfit for use for the mitzvah.)
SHABBAT - PASSOVER EVE (EREV PESSAH)
If one lights the Shabbat candles on the table where hametz will be eaten, one should place them on a part of the table not covered by the tablecloth, so that one will be able to remove the hametz tablecloth without moving the candlesticks.
Since it is forbidden to eat Matza during the day of the 14th of Nissan, on those years that this day is Shabbat the Matza becomes “Muktze” and it may not be handled by itself until nightfall after Shabbat. One may carry it, however, by placing lettuce on top of the Matza and carrying both together. The above applies only to the Matza that is designated for use for the Seder night only, i.e. Shemura Matza. All other regular Matzot are not Muktze.
Normally, one should go to synagogue services early on Shabbat morning, and also not lengthen the services unnecessarily. At the conclusion of services, one should go home right away to make kiddush, in order to eat and finish two hametz meals before the time when hametz may no longer be eaten. However, at Magain David Minyan we will have a kiddush with no chametz after the morning service to avoid any of these issues.
During the Shabbat day meals, hametz should be eaten in a place separate from where the Passover foods are eaten and Passover utensils used, just as in the previous evening.
Though both bread and matzah are forbidden in the afternoon, it is proper to eat meat, fish or fruit after mid-day, in order to fulfill Seudah Shelishit in the afternoon -- and also as not to be very hungry by the time the Seder begins.
It is forbidden to set the table for the Seder during Shabbat, since it is forbidden to do things on shabbat in preparation for a Yom Tov. One should therefore not prepare the matzot, utensils, or table, until after nightfall.) It is permissible though, to tidy the home, since this is a need for Shabbat.
HOW TO DISPOSE OF THE FINAL HAMETZ
Hametz that remains after the morning meals should be disposed-off by giving it to a non-Jew, a pet, or simply flushed down the drain or in last resort, even the toilet. In a town with an Eruv, one may dispose of it by braking the large pieces of bread into pieces smaller than Kazayit (olive bulk) and then throw them into the public garbage bin in the street, not in the kitchen, thereby making it ownerless. If these options are unavailable, one can pour soap or cleaning agent on the hametz, thereby rendering it non-edible.
Hametz Utensils may not be washed on Shabbat. 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 hametz. Plates may be rinsed properly only if one will need them on Shabbat, like serving fruit in the afternoon.
One should put away the hametz utensils and the hametz tablecloth (after it was properly shaken out from bread crumbs) together with all the other hametz utensils.
One should sweep the house after the morning meals to ensure that not even one crumb of hametz is left in the house, also taking care not to leave any hametz on the broom.
Afterwards every-one should thoroughly wash his hands and rinse out his mouth to make sure that no crumb of hametz is left behind. 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 Shabbat).
One should then nullify the hametz (bitul) by saying the text found in the Haggadah after the burning of the hametz. “Any leavened food or leavening in my possession whether or not I have seen it and whether or not I have destroyed it should be considered null and like the dust of the ground”.
THE SEDER OF THE EVENING
After nightfall, the standard Yom Tov prayers are said with the addition of "Vatodienu" in the Amidah which expresses the distinction between the sanctity of Shabbat and the sanctity of Yom tov. It is a Havdala prayer.
Anyone who didn't say "Vatodianu" needs to say "Baruch hamavdil bein kodesh l'kodesh" before doing any “labor” melacha, such as lighting the Yom Tov candles or cooking for the Seder meal.
The order of the blessings during Kiddush is codified in the “Shulhan Aruch” as YaKNaHaZ: Wine ("Bore pe'ri ha’gefen"). Kiddush ("Asher bahar banu"). Havdallah candle ("Borei Meore Ha’aish"). Havdalah ("Hamavdil ben kodesh le'kodesh"). and "Shehecheyanu." No blessing is recited on the spices.
The rest of the Seder continues as on other years. Follow the Haggadah.
Moadim Lesimha - Pesah Kasher V’esameah!
