Pesach Guide 5786
Pesach is the holiday where we commemorate and retell the story of the exodus from Egypt. This year, Pesach begins on the evening of Wednesday, April 1st, and ends at nightfall on Thursday, April 9th.
Rabbi Rubin’s Message
Pesach this year will feel somewhat different to previous years, in that we will be celebrating it in the middle of a war. In the Haggadah, we read “שֶׁבְּכָל דּוֹר וָדוֹר עוֹמְדִים עָלֵינוּ לְכַלּוֹתֵנוּ” – that in each and every generation, they rise up against us to destroy us”. This certainly rings true in our times, as Israel continues the fight to remove the Iranian threat from their midst, and while we experience a rise in terrorism against Jews in the diaspora.
At the same time, we conclude that very sentence with “וְהַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מַצִּילֵנוּ מִיָּדָם” –and the Holy One blessed be He, saves us from their hand”. The promise that Hashem made to Avraham that his descendants will be strangers in a foreign land, will be oppressed, but that He will be redeem them from oppression, was not a one-off treaty; it is ongoing and continues in every generation.
On the one hand, we feel for our brethren in Israel, who may have to spend much of their Pesach running back and forth to safe rooms and bomb shelters. We continue to pray for their safety, and for the safety of Jews worldwide. At the same time, the story that we retell at the Seder imbues us with the confidence that just as Hashem redeemed us from Egypt, so too, He will redeem us from the threats of our modern day enemies.
Pesach Preparations
Cleaning and Kashering
The Vaad Hoeir’s guide to cleaning for Pesach and Kashering utensils can be found at:
https://ovkosher.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Vaad_PesachGuide_2026_final.pdf
In addition, the Vaad will be open to the community for the Kashering of utensils on:
Sunday, March 29th from 10am-2pm, at 4 Millstone Campus Drive, St. Louis, MO 63146. They will be Kashering only cutlery and kiddush cups used for Pesach.
If you have specific questions about cleaning and Kashering for Pesach, feel free to contact Rabbi Rubin.
Maot Chittim
It is customary to give Tzedakah prior to Pesach to ensure that those in the community in need will have Matzah and food for Pesach (Rema OC 429:1). Donations can be given to the Rabbi’s Charity Fund to help those in the immediate NHBZ community.
Additionally, the Vaad Haoeir is also collecting for the broader community in St. Louis:
Sale of Chametz
Those who do not wish to consume or dispose of their Chametz prior to Pesach may sell it to a non- Jew. Rabbi Rubin will be available to act as your agent to sell your Chametz on your behalf. Please ensure that you do so by the end of Tuesday March 31.
You can sell your Chametz through Rabbi Rubin in the following ways:
- In-person (ideal option) – Rabbi Rubin will be available for the selling of Chametz at the following times:
- Sunday March 22, 8:45am-10am
- Monday March 23 – Thursday March 26, 7:45-8am, and 7:40-8:10pm
- Sunday March 29, 8:45-10am
- Monday March 30-Tuesday March 31, 7:45-8am, and 6:30-7pm
- Over the phone – If you are not able to come in person, please call Rabbi Rubin on his cell phone, send an email: rabbirubin@nhbz.org, or call the office: (314)-991-2100, to arrange the selling of Chametz over the phone.
It is customary to make a donation when selling your Chametz. Checks can be made to “Aron Rubin” (not the charity fund).
If you have any questions or need Rabbi Rubin to be available at a time not listed, please don’t hesitate to call Rabbi Rubin (on his cell phone), or send an email: rabbirubin@nhbz.org to ensure availability at a different time.
Tuesday, March 31st
Bedikat Chametz The search for Chametz begins at nightfall after 7:54pm. The blessing of “Al Biur Chametz” is recited prior to searching. Traditionally, a candle was used for searching; however, many authorities allow for a flashlight to be used instead. One should search any rooms and areas that that they usually bring food into, and are not selling. Those who are away for Pesach should still check any rooms they are staying in. Any Chametz found is wrapped and kept in a safe place for it to be burned the following morning.
After the search, the statement of “Kol Chamira” is recited. One who does not understand the Aramaic should recite it in a language they understand (Rema OC 434:2, and Mishnah Berurah 434:9).
Wednesday, April 1st: Erev Pesach
Taanit Bechorot
There is a practice for firstborn males to fast from dawn on the day before Pesach. Because it is only a custom, we are lenient to allow those who attend a Siyum (conclusion of a tractate of Talmud, or significant portion of Torah) to eat for the rest of the day. Our 7am Shacharit Minyan at NHBZ will be followed by a Siyum.
Biur Chametz
One should finish eating Chametz by 10:59am, and one should burn their Chametz by 12:02pm. A communal burning of Chametz will take place at the Torah Prep Girls’ School. The statement of “Kol Chamira” is recited again, to cover any Chametz that may have been left over that was not destroyed. Once again, it should be recited in the language that one understands.
Eruv Tavshillin
Since Yom Tov will be followed by Shabbat, we set aside an Eruv Tavshillin before Yom Tov, to allow for cooking and preparing on the second day of Yom Tov for Shabbat. This can be done by setting aside a piece of Matzah with either a piece of meat, fish, or a hard boiled egg, and reciting the blessing and statement in the Siddur (under “Eruv Tavshillin”).
Seder Night
It is advisable to for children (and adults that need it) to take a nap during the day, so that they will be awake for the Seder.
Candle lighting is at 7:06pm. A 24 hour candle should be also be lit so that an existing flame will be present for candle lighting for the following night.
Mincha and Maariv will be at 7pm. At NHBZ, we have the practice of saying the full Hallel at night with a blessing.
After nightfall at 8:06pm, we begin the Seder. We fulfil the Mitzvot of telling the story of Yetziyat Mitzrayim (the Exodus), eating Matzah, eating Marror, drinking four cups of wine, and saying Hallel. Many have the practice of giving candies to the children to keep them engaged. The Afikoman should be (ideally) eaten before 1:04am.
Thursday, April 2nd: Pesach Day I
Tefillah
Shacharit begins at 9am, and consists of the standard Shacharit and Shemoneh Esrei for Yom Tov. Full Hallel is recited with a blessing. Tefillat HaTal (The Prayer for Dew) is recited in the Chazan’s repetition of Mussaf. After that point, we stop saying “Mashiv HaRuach U’Morid HaGeshem” in our Shemoneh Esrei (it is still recited in the silent Shemoneh Esrei of Mussaf). At NHBZ, we have the practice of saying “Morid HaTal”, instead.
Kiddush in Shul
One of the requirements of Kiddush is that it must be accompanied by a Seudah (meal). Usually, we fulfil this by eating a food whose blessing is “Mezonot”. On Pesach, such foods are rarely available, making it challenging to fulfil Kiddush at Shul. The ideal option is to wash and eat some Matzah. Nevertheless, those who do not wish to wash may rely on those who hold that it can be fulfilled by drinking a Reviit (3 fl oz) of wine or grape juice (Mishnah Berurah 273:25; Aruch Hashulchan OC 275:9).
Sefirat HaOmer
Mincha and Maariv will be at 7:10pm. At Maariv entering the second day of Yom Tov, we will begin counting the Omer; Thursday night is Day 1. Before counting, the blessing of “Al Sefirat HaOmer” is recited, and afterwards, the phrase “HaRachaman Hu Yachazir…” is recited. It is recited while standing. One who does not understand the Hebrew should count in a language that they understand (Mishnah Berurah 489:5).
Ideally, the Omer should be counted after nightfall; however one can still fulfil it by counting after sunset (Shulchan Aruch OC 489:2-3).
One who forgot to count at night can count during the day without a blessing, and then continue to count the remaining days with a blessing. One who missed an entire day can no longer count the remaining days with a blessing (ibid. 489:7-8; Mishnah Berurah 489:34).
2nd Seder Night
Candle lighting for the second day of Yom Tov takes place after nightfall, at 8:07pm, and from an existing flame. Once again, a 24 hour candle should also be lit so that existing flame will be present for Friday night candle lighting.
We do not make any preparations for the second day of Yom Tov, before nightfall, at 8:07pm, including setting up for the Seder.
Friday, April 3rd: Pesach Day II
Tefillah
Shacharit and Mussaf are the same as for the first day. Full Hallel is recited with a blessing.
Preparations for Shabbat
One may cook and prepare on the second day of Yom Tov for Shabbat, provided that they set aside an Eruv Tavshillin before Yom Tov. One who forgot to set aside an Eruv Tavshillin should speak to Rabbi Rubin.
Candle Lighting
Candle lighting for Shabbat is at 7:08pm, from an existing flame. Mincha/Maariv, and an abbreviated Kabbalat Shabbat, will begin at 7:10pm. We will count Day 2 of the Omer.
Kiddush at night (and during the day) is the regular Kiddush for Shabbat.
Shabbat, April 4th: Shabbat Chol HaMoed
Tefillah
Shacharit is the standard Shacharit for Shabbat, with “Yaaleh V’Yavo” added in Shemoneh Esrei. From now until the end of Pesach, half Hallel is recited with a blessing. Mussaf is the same as the Mussaf for Yom Tov with special insertions for Shabbat.
Meals and Seudah Shlishit
One should consume their Eruv Tavshilin on Shabbat. Seudah Shlishit is also eaten on Shabbat Chol HaMoed. Mincha followed by Seudah Shlishit will be at 6:50pm.
Conclusion of Shabbat
Shabbat ends at 8:09pm. At Maariv, “Atah Chonantanu” is said, along with “Morid HaTal”. From now on, we also say “V’Ten Berachah” instead of “V’Ten Tal U’Matar”. “Yaaleh V’Yavo” is also added for the duration of Pesach.
Havdalah is the regular Havdalah for Shabbat. We will count Day 3 of the Omer.
Sunday, April 5th – Tuesday, April 6th: Chol HaMoed
Tefillah
On the weekdays, we will begin Shacharit at 6:45am. Half Hallel is said with a blessing. Mussaf is also recited, which consists of the same Mussaf Shemoneh Esrei as that of Yom Tov. Mincha on Sunday and Monday will be at 5:55pm.
On Sunday night, we will count Day 4 of the Omer, and on Monday night, we will count Day 5.
Tuesday Night
Candle lighting on Tuesday night is at 7:12pm. One should also light a 24 hour candle to have an existing flame for the following night.
On Tuesday night, we will count Day 6 of the Omer.
Kiddush is the same as that of Yom Tov; however the blessing of “Shehechiyanu” is not said on the last two days of Yom Tov.
Wednesday, April 7th: Pesach Day VII
The Tefillah is the same as that of the first days of Yom Tov. Half Hallel is said with a blessing.
Candle lighting for the eighth day of Pesach is after nightfall, at 8:13pm. On Wednesday night, we will count Day 7 of the Omer.
Thursday, April 8th: Pesach Day VIII
Tefillah and Yizkor
The Tefillah is the same as that of the seventh day of Pesach. On the eighth day, Yizkor also is recited for departed relatives and community members.
Mincha and Kumzitz
Mincha will be a little earlier, at 6:45pm. It will be followed by a ‘Closing of the Festival Kumzitz’. People are invited to sing songs, share words of Torah, and eat (of course). Any unopened ‘Kosher for Passover’ foods may be brought.
Conclusion of Pesach
Yom Tov concludes at 8:14pm. Havdalah is recited over wine or grape juice, and consists only of “Boreh Pri HaGafen” and “HaMavdil”. No spices or candle. We will count Day 8 of the Omer.
Please wait one hour after the conclusion of Yom Tov, until 9:14pm, before reclaiming and consuming any Chametz that one has sold.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me: rabbirubin@nhbz.org
Leia and I would like to wish you all a Chag Kasher V’Sameach – A happy and joyous festival!
Rabbi Rubin
