Pesach Preparations for 5783/2023
The following Halachot are meant as a guide to preparations for Pesach.
Especially important are the guidelines laid out below for people who are leaving their homes before Pesach.
PREPARING for BEDIKA (checking for Chometz) --
All property and possessions must be cleaned and checked to make sure that they are free of Chometz, except in the following cases:
A. If Chometz is not brought into the place during the year, it does not have to be cleaned or checked.
B. Chometz that is rendered inedible by being completely soaked in foul-tasting liquid such as detergent, bleach or ammonia is no longer considered Chometz because it is unfit to be eaten by an animal.
C. The obligation to check for and destroy crumbs does not apply if the crumbs are smaller than an olive and are dirty enough to prevent someone from eating them.
D. IF YOU ARE GOING AWAY FOR PESACH, and you are selling all of the Chometz in your house, you need not clean and checking for Chometz is dramatically reduced. However, you should be sure to have the sale go into effect on the 13th of Nissan (Tuesday, April 4) instead of the normal 14th (Wednesday, April 5). This early sale is especially important for anyone planning to be on the East Coast or in Eretz Yisrael for Pesach. Otherwise, there are those who still require you to do a full check before you leave (without a blessing).
It is advisable to still check (without saying a blessing) one room of the house before you leave and to say the text for the nullification of Chometz for that room alone after you finish the check. This way one can still fulfill the positive commandment to search for and destroy any Chometz in your possession.
If you are going away to a hotel, then you must check for Chometz (and say a blessing before you do the search for chamtez) in your quarters in the hotel. If you are going to a private home and you will have your own quarters (with your own key), then you must check your quarters. If you don't have your own quarters, then the head of the household at the place where you actually are on the 14th of Nissan will say the nullification of Chometz for the entire household (including guests) and you do not have to say anything on the 14th.
For those who own multiple properties, it is important to note that the tenant and not the owner is responsible for checking. A tenant-less property must still be checked by the owner. If one has a beach house [car, or boat], for example, checking would have to be done either by the owner or an agent. If the check could take place on the 14th of Nissan, that would be best.
MECHIRAT CHOMETZ (The Selling of Leaven)--
In order to avoid having possession of Chometz in any way, shape or form, all Chometz should be sold before Pesach to a non-Jew. After Pesach, the Chometz can be re-acquired. This is an ordinary sale, completely legal and binding. Everyone should find some way to sell his or her Chometz.
R’ Stewart will arrange for the sale of Chometz on behalf of anyone who wishes to take advantage of this service. He will be available at any time at 424-256-5134 until the day before Pesach, April 5.
It is urged that people come in to arrange for the sale because the appointment of an agent should preferably be done with a formal Kinyan (transaction). If they cannot in any way reach the office in time, a form can be sent by email. The sale will take place by 9am on April 5.
For those who are leaving their houses for Pesach, they should sign up for a special sale that will take place one day earlier, on April 4. This way they can avoid almost all of the checking for Chometz in their houses (see the section on cleaning for Pesach).
Also, for people who will be in places to the East (including Eretz Yisrael) during Pesach, this early sale will take care of any problems that might arise because of the difference in time zones. Please specify this need when you come to sell your Chometz.
Anyone who cannot make it to the Shul during the above times should set another time with R’ Feldman to arrange for the selling of Chometz.
HAG'ALA--(Kashering Metal utensils for Pesach)--
One easy way to make sure there are plenty of utensils (pots, pans, cutlery) for Pesach, is to use old ones which have been newly Kashered for Pesach. This is accomplished by "purging" them of their ingrained Chometz by placing them in boiling water.
All utensils must be unused with hot items for 24 hours before taking them to be "purged." They must also be completely clean of any substance. In anyone has any further questions, they should not hesitate to turn to R’ Stewart.
MAOT CHITIM--
As Pesach approaches, the intense preparations shouldn't divert our attention completely from those Jews in need of assistance for the holidays. The Kehilla has traditionally taken contributions and distributed them to Jews who are in need. Please send in contributions marked Maot Chitim or drop them off at the Kehilla.
TA’ANIT B’CHORIM & SIYUM (Fast for the first-born and completing a tractate)--
On Wednesday, April 5th, there will be a Siyum, a celebration of the completion of a Talmudic tractate, which will allow the first-born who would be fasting to join in and to eat.
ERUV TAVSHILIN – This year, the first days of Pesach fall on Thursday and Friday. One cannot cook on Friday for Shabbat unless one has made Eruv Tavshilin on Wednesday. The prohibition is because of in general preparation for a day beyond Yom Tov is forbidden. But if one has begun preparation for Shabbat on Wednesday, the Rabbis allowed one to continue to prepare on Friday. That preparation means setting aside a cooked food and a baked food – a leg of chicken, for example, and a piece of Matza. The Siddur includes the blessing and the recitation that is required for Eruv Tavshilin.
TAX SEASON--We normally remind everyone to have tax forms done before Pesach so that it does not introduce extra pressure before, during or immediately after the Chag. The storms have given us California residents an extension to file months later this year. Consider it a Pesach gift.
RELEVANT TIMES FOR PESACH, 5783
Checking for Chometz, April 4: After 8:17 pm
Last time to eat Chometz, April 5: 11:03 am
Last time to burn Chometz, April 5: 12:07 pm
Beginning of the Seder, April 5: After 8:18 pm
Beginning of the Seder, April 6: After 8:19 pm
Middle of the night: 1:10 am
TIMES TO REMEMBER FOR PESACH 2023 - 5783 (IN THE L.A. AREA)
The following Halachot are meant as a guide to preparations for Pesach.
Especially important are the guidelines laid out below for people who are leaving their homes before Pesach.
PREPARING for BEDIKA (checking for Chometz) --
All property and possessions must be cleaned and checked to make sure that they are free of Chometz, except in the following cases:
A. If Chometz is not brought into the place during the year, it does not have to be cleaned or checked.
B. Chometz that is rendered inedible by being completely soaked in foul-tasting liquid such as detergent, bleach or ammonia is no longer considered Chometz because it is unfit to be eaten by an animal.
C. The obligation to check for and destroy crumbs does not apply if the crumbs are smaller than an olive and are dirty enough to prevent someone from eating them.
D. IF YOU ARE GOING AWAY FOR PESACH, and you are selling all of the Chometz in your house, you need not clean and checking for Chometz is dramatically reduced. However, you should be sure to have the sale go into effect on the 13th of Nissan (Tuesday, April 4) instead of the normal 14th (Wednesday, April 5). This early sale is especially important for anyone planning to be on the East Coast or in Eretz Yisrael for Pesach. Otherwise, there are those who still require you to do a full check before you leave (without a blessing).
It is advisable to still check (without saying a blessing) one room of the house before you leave and to say the text for the nullification of Chometz for that room alone after you finish the check. This way one can still fulfill the positive commandment to search for and destroy any Chometz in your possession.
If you are going away to a hotel, then you must check for Chometz (and say a blessing before you do the search for chamtez) in your quarters in the hotel. If you are going to a private home and you will have your own quarters (with your own key), then you must check your quarters. If you don't have your own quarters, then the head of the household at the place where you actually are on the 14th of Nissan will say the nullification of Chometz for the entire household (including guests) and you do not have to say anything on the 14th.
For those who own multiple properties, it is important to note that the tenant and not the owner is responsible for checking. A tenant-less property must still be checked by the owner. If one has a beach house [car, or boat], for example, checking would have to be done either by the owner or an agent. If the check could take place on the 14th of Nissan, that would be best.
MECHIRAT CHOMETZ (The Selling of Leaven)--
In order to avoid having possession of Chometz in any way, shape or form, all Chometz should be sold before Pesach to a non-Jew. After Pesach, the Chometz can be re-acquired. This is an ordinary sale, completely legal and binding. Everyone should find some way to sell his or her Chometz.
R’ Stewart will arrange for the sale of Chometz on behalf of anyone who wishes to take advantage of this service. He will be available at any time at 424-256-5134 until the day before Pesach, April 5.
It is urged that people come in to arrange for the sale because the appointment of an agent should preferably be done with a formal Kinyan (transaction). If they cannot in any way reach the office in time, a form can be sent by email. The sale will take place by 9am on April 5.
For those who are leaving their houses for Pesach, they should sign up for a special sale that will take place one day earlier, on April 4. This way they can avoid almost all of the checking for Chometz in their houses (see the section on cleaning for Pesach).
Also, for people who will be in places to the East (including Eretz Yisrael) during Pesach, this early sale will take care of any problems that might arise because of the difference in time zones. Please specify this need when you come to sell your Chometz.
Anyone who cannot make it to the Shul during the above times should set another time with R’ Feldman to arrange for the selling of Chometz.
HAG'ALA--(Kashering Metal utensils for Pesach)--
One easy way to make sure there are plenty of utensils (pots, pans, cutlery) for Pesach, is to use old ones which have been newly Kashered for Pesach. This is accomplished by "purging" them of their ingrained Chometz by placing them in boiling water.
All utensils must be unused with hot items for 24 hours before taking them to be "purged." They must also be completely clean of any substance. In anyone has any further questions, they should not hesitate to turn to R’ Stewart.
MAOT CHITIM--
As Pesach approaches, the intense preparations shouldn't divert our attention completely from those Jews in need of assistance for the holidays. The Kehilla has traditionally taken contributions and distributed them to Jews who are in need. Please send in contributions marked Maot Chitim or drop them off at the Kehilla.
TA’ANIT B’CHORIM & SIYUM (Fast for the first-born and completing a tractate)--
On Wednesday, April 5th, there will be a Siyum, a celebration of the completion of a Talmudic tractate, which will allow the first-born who would be fasting to join in and to eat.
ERUV TAVSHILIN – This year, the first days of Pesach fall on Thursday and Friday. One cannot cook on Friday for Shabbat unless one has made Eruv Tavshilin on Wednesday. The prohibition is because of in general preparation for a day beyond Yom Tov is forbidden. But if one has begun preparation for Shabbat on Wednesday, the Rabbis allowed one to continue to prepare on Friday. That preparation means setting aside a cooked food and a baked food – a leg of chicken, for example, and a piece of Matza. The Siddur includes the blessing and the recitation that is required for Eruv Tavshilin.
TAX SEASON--We normally remind everyone to have tax forms done before Pesach so that it does not introduce extra pressure before, during or immediately after the Chag. The storms have given us California residents an extension to file months later this year. Consider it a Pesach gift.
RELEVANT TIMES FOR PESACH, 5783
Checking for Chometz, April 4: After 8:17 pm
Last time to eat Chometz, April 5: 11:03 am
Last time to burn Chometz, April 5: 12:07 pm
Beginning of the Seder, April 5: After 8:18 pm
Beginning of the Seder, April 6: After 8:19 pm
Middle of the night: 1:10 am
TIMES TO REMEMBER FOR PESACH 2023 - 5783 (IN THE L.A. AREA)
- Bedikas Chometz .....................Tuesday Evening, 4/04 [after 7:53pm]
- Fast of Firstborn........................Wednesday Morning, 4/05
- Last Time to Each Chometz .Wed. Morning, 4/05, 10:19 a.m. (M.A.) / 10:43 a.m. (GRA)
- Burning Chometz .......Wednesday Morning, 4/05, 11:39 a.m. (M.A.) / 11:51 a.m. (GRA)
- Candlelighting 1st Night......Wednesday, 4/05, 6:58 p.m.
- Seder begins after 7:55p.m.
- Chatzos/Midnight....................12:54am
- Candlelighting 2nd Night ...Thursday, 4/06, after 8:02 p.m. (45 min.) / 8:29 p.m. (72 min.)
- Candlelighting for Shabbos Friday, 4/07, 7:00 p.m.
- Motzei Shabbos ........................Shabbos, 4/08, 8:04 p.m. (45 min.) 8:31 p.m. (72 min.)
- Candlelighting 7th Night.....Tuesday Evening, 4/11, 7:03 p.m.
- Candlelighting Last Night....Wed. Evening, 4/12, after 8:07 p.m. (45 min.) / 8:34 p.m. (72 min.)
- Motzei Shabbos/Yom Tov.....Thursday, 4/13, 8:08 p.m. (45 min.) / 8:35 p.m. (72 min.)