16

the gift that Na’aman offered, but Geichazi accepted it. As punishment, he and his sons were cursed by Elisha to be plagued with the Tzara’as of Na’aman, and therefore they had to live outside the city (of Shomron, the capital city of the Ten Tribes). This turned out to be the Refuah Kodem L’makah, because later when Shomron was be-sieged, these men were in the right place to discover the treasure of food in the aban-doned camp of Aram just in time to save the city’s inhabitants from death by starva-tion.

The miracle is compounded when we learn a fascinating vort quoted in K’motzei Shalal Rav and realize that they didn’t even have to be there Halachically. The Mishna (Keilim 1:7) says that a Metzora (leper) must be evicted only from a city that is sur-rounded by a wall, and the Bartenura says that means a wall that was in existence since the time of Yehoshua Bin Nun. R’ Akiva Eiger asks, Shomron didn’t even exist in Yehoshua’s time; it was built by Omri, the grandfather of the then-current king Ye-horam, to be the capital of the Ten Tribes. Binyan Tzion answers that in truth there was no obligation to send a Metzora out of that city; they did so anyway because they wanted their capital city to be just like Yerushalayim. It follows that these lepers were out of the city only because of their hang-up to copycat Yerushalayim; certainly a clear case of Refuah Kodem L’makah!

I heard a story years ago about a Hatzalah member who rushed a heart attack victim to the ER, but the rooms were all full. Using his pull, he managed to arrange a room for him. As he was leaving, he was struck by the ambulance, and he himself needed to be admitted to the ER, but they couldn’t arrange another room so instead they took him to the trauma unit, which had only a full-body X-ray scanner. They therefore “happened” to discover that he had an early stage “silent killer” lung cancer, which he never would have known about, thus saving his life.

Another story I heard was about a seven-year-old boy who had a brain tumor and the doctors didn’t give him much hope, but in the end his surgery was successful and he recovered. When he was 14 years old he was injured in a bad car accident causing bleeding in his brain. The surgeon said afterward that the only reason he survived was because there was room in his brain for the blood to pool due the original surgery seven years earlier.

Sometimes Hashem gives a person an opportunity to create a Zechus (merit) for him-self that he will need down the line for his own salvation.

In Double Impact, Rabbi Dovid Kaplan tells the story of an old man who died in an old-age home in Buffalo, NY. There was no next of kin, and the city would have buried him in a non-Jewish cemetery. An older member of the Chevra Kadisha remembered that someone had once donated money for when a case of Meis Mitzva would arise, and they used it to bury him in the Jewish cemetery. When they checked their records, it turned out that the donor was this same deceased man that the money was used for!

For another fabulous story that brings out this idea, see the story about Two Baked Apples and a Cup of Tea in Rabbi Pesach Krohn’s The Maggid Speaks.

Nissan is also a time which is most opportune to yearn and daven for the future re-demption. Let us look for opportunities to earn Zechusim (merits) in order to bring the ultimate Ge’ulah BV”A.

1

Volume 11: Issue 22

Parshas Tazria, Parshas HaChodesh, Pesach

1 Nissan, 57756

April 9, 2016

ד‘‘בס

Bais Yisroel Wishes Everyone a Chag kasher V’Sameach!

Parshas Tazria, Parshas HaChodesh, Pesach

THE CURE BEFORE THE ILLNESS

This week we will read Parshas Hachodesh, heralding the arrival of the month of Nis-san, the month in which we work to strengthen our Emunah (faith) in Hashem. There are many specific details within the general concept of Emunah. One area of Emunah focuses on Hashgacha Pratis, the fact that Hashem orchestrates every last detail of what goes on in this world. And one area of detail within that is the concept of Refuah Kodem L’makah, that Hashem prepares the solution to a problem even before He brings on the problem.

For example, a number of years ago a couple visited our community for Shabbos on their way to Rochester where the wife was to have open heart surgery. The husband told me that he is a paramedic, and if not for that, he never would have realized that his wife was having cardiac symptoms until it was too late.

In the Haftaros for Parshas Tazria (which we do not read this week) and Metzora we learn about Geichazi and his sons. Na’aman, the general of the army of Aram, had been stricken with Tzara’as (leprosy) and healed by the prophet Elisha. Elisha refused

(Continued on page 16)

2

Shalosh Seudos is sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. Moshe & Marcie Murray on Shabbos Hagadol, Parshas Metzora l’ilui nishmas

Chaya Sorah bas Avrohom Yehoshua, Elke bas Eliezer, Sirel bas Dovid.

Mazel Tov to Rabbi & Mrs. Yochanan Schnall on the birth of a son. Mazel tov to the grandparents Rabbi & Mrs. Ephraim Silverberg and to great Grandfather Mr. Berel Silver-berg and the entire Mishpacha. May the bris take place b’ito u’v’zimano.

Mazel Tov to Rabbi & Mrs. Peretz Borenstein on the birth of a son, Eliezer Lipa. Mazel tov to great grandfather Mr. Larry Borenstein and the entire mishpacha. May the bris-

take place b’ito u’v’zimano

Mazel Tov to Rabbi & Mrs. Moshe Dov Roberts on the birth of their daughter, Leeba. Mazel Tov to the grandparents Rabbi & Mrs. Meyer Roberts to great-grandparents Rabbi & Mrs. Yaakov Roberts and the entire Mishpacha. May she be zoche to grow to Torah, Chu-

pa & Ma’asim Tovim

This Shabbos Rabbi Avigdor Goldberger will give a shiur on Practical Guide-lines for Cleaning for Pesach, at the shul from 5:50-6:35 PM. The 28th St. Men’s Mikvah is available afternoons for tevilas keilim.

Waste Management (763-783-5423) has requested that people do not wait for the last minute to arrange special garbage pickup for Erev Pesach. Please remember to do so! On Friday Erev Pesach place your green bins at the curb and have in mind to relin-quish ownership of the garbage inside, just in case the pickup doesn't happen before the latest time to own Chometz.

Kashrus Alert: Kosher Spot had Cumin with an OU-P in the Pesach section. Although it is not the OUs position, the generally accepted custom is to consider Cumin kitniyos and it should NOT be used on Pesach. It has since been moved to the chometz section at KS.

This Shabbos is the last Pirchei until after Pesach.

BNOS News: 2 more weeks of Bnos before Pesach. We hope to see you there from 2:30 to 3:30. This Sunday, April 10th is your chance to cash in your Bnos Bazooka cards. Take a break from your Pesach cleaning and come to the home of Mrs Shaynie Goldberger (2649 Quentin) or Mrs. Bracha Skolnick (2610 Lynn Ave.) and pick a great prize and get a delicious frozen treat. We can't wait to see you all IY'H!!!

Shatnez before Pesach Garments should be brought by Tues, Apr 19. Garments brought after that may not be done before Pesach. Men's, women's or children's gar-ments with wool or linen should be tested. Ties made in USA or Europe should also be tested regardless of listed materials. Drop off at 5100 W 28th St. or text 612-209-4811.

CAMP YADAYIM is back by popular de-mand!!! Hurry and book a spot for your 1.5-3.5 year old to have a fabulous summer. June 27th- Aug 12th. Morah Vivi 612-388-6663, call or text for more info or to reserve. We're planning a great summer- are you?!

NEXT BYSO, IY”H will be published Pashas Kedoshim

Torah Academy Chol Hamoed Family Day

@ Mall of America Wednesday, April 27th

Pre-purchase Wristbands -$12 At the door $15

available from 11-2 PM Contact Torah Academy

952-920-6630

15

April 3, 2016

April 3, 2016

14 3

ד‘‘בס

Halachos of Pesach 5776

Compiled by: Rabbi Yechezkel Greenberg, Rav

Cong. Bais Yisroel 4221 Sunset Blvd. Minneapolis MN 55416

952-926-7867 www.baisyisroel.org office@baisyisroel.org

HECHSHER KEILIM -- KASHERING SMALL KEILIM (UTENSILS):

These laws are quite intricate and extensive. What follows is a very brief synop-

sis of them. There are different methods of kashering depending on the nature of

the item and its use. Many utensils are either extremely difficult or are simply

not permitted to be kashered. Items For items that need both kashering and tevil-

lah, kashering should be done first and then the immersion in the mikvah. This

year kashering will be Sunday, April 17th from 9am-1pm at the Yeshiva of

Minneapolis ( see page 13 for details) Cost is $18. For further information and

questions please contact Rabbi Adam Crystal at (612) 961-6660. All utensils

undergoing kashering should be completely cleaned — free of all dirt and palpa-

ble rust — and not used with heat or hot items for 24 hours prior to the kashering

process. Only utensils manufactured from wood, stone, metal and natural rubber

may be kashered. These include Kiddush cups, pots, silver trays and serving

pieces, silverware and various utensils. Graters, grinders and sieves, as well as

frying pans and skewers, may not be kashered through Hagalah. Checks should

be written to the Kollel. In-house sink koshering is also being offered. Please see

enclosed flyer for details.

For those who would like to kasher at home, it may be done in a clean chometz

pot. First boil a full pot of water, spill it out, and then refill the pot and bring to a

boil. After each item is inserted for koshering, make sure the water is again at a

boil before inserting the next item. All utensils should be rinsed with cold water

after kashering. —Kashering may also be done in a Pesach pot. Since we only

kasher utensils that haven’t been used for 24 hours, there is halachically no need

to re-kasher the Pesach pot for Pesach use. However, some have the custom to

do so.

KASHERING APPLIANCES. OVENS: —R’ Aharon Kotler held that if the

oven is not a ben yomo (i.e., hasn’t been used for 24 hours) then libun kal is suf-

ficient. It should be cleaned well with Easy-off (including the inside of the door),

then left on broil for two hours. According to R’ Shmuel Kamenetzky, one hour

4

is sufficient. —R’ Moshe Feinstein held libun chumur is needed. This means to

blowtorch each spot for a few minutes. This method helps without any prior

cleaning, and even if it is a ben yomo. The door, though, should be cleaned and

covered with foil. —If an oven insert is used, all agree there is no need to kasher

the oven, but many have the custom to do libun kal before placing the insert in-

side. —If you have a self-cleaning oven, running a full self-clean cycle is the

equivalent of libun chamur. No prior cleaning is necessary and there is no need

to wait 24 hours. The inside of the door should be covered with foil for Pesach.

Alternatively, the inside of the door may be cleaned with ammonia or something

similar that will invalidate the chometz from being fit to be eaten by a dog, prior

to running the self clean cycle. NOTE: Some newer ovens have a self-clean cy-

cle that only reaches 600 degrees F (and not to 900 deg. as the standard self-

clean cycle has been). That is not hot enough for libun chamur according to R’

Moshe. For such an oven, the only option would be to follow the libun kal guide-

lines mentioned above. —The outside of the door, and all knobs and handles

should be cleaned well. (It’s advisable here also to clean with ammonia or the

like.) Many have the custom to also cover the knobs with foil. —If the broiler

tray under the oven was used for chometz, it may only be kashered with a blow-

torch. —If chometz was placed directly on the oven racks, they need libun

chamur. (Leave them in the oven during the self-cleaning cycle.) Otherwise, ac-

cording to R’ Aharon, libun kal would suffice. STOVETOPS: —Electric grates

are kashered by turning the coil onto its hottest temperature for 15 minutes. —

Gas grates are kashered by placing a blech or large pot (even a chometz one, if

clean), or even heavy duty foil over the burners and turning on the highest flame

for 15 minutes. (For safety it may be advisable not to do all four at once!) Alter-

natively, the grates may be placed into the oven during the self-clean cycle. The

actual metal source of the gas flow need not be cleaned. —For stovetops with a

flat glass top (with the electric coils under the surface) turn all the burners on

(the highest setting) for 45 minutes. Do not cover them, as that may cause it to

break. —All areas of the stovetop should be cleaned well and covered with foil.

—The oven hood should be cleaned well and covered with foil. SINKS: Enamel

or ceramic sinks cannot be kashered, and a sink insert should be used. Some cov-

er the sink with contact paper before placing the insert inside. —Stainless steel

sinks can be kashered. The sink should not be used for hot 24 hours before ka-

shering. It should be cleaned well, including all cracks and crevices. (Again, am-

monia is advisable.) Boiling water is then poured from a pot which was heated

on the fire (kli rishon) directly onto every spot in the sink. Extra attention should

13

When and Where:

Kashering will be Sun-

day, April 17th from

9am-1pm at the Yeshiva

of Minneapolis, 3115

Ottawa, St. Louis Park.

Please note that there

is no longer a drop off

and pick up service for

the kashering. The actu-

al kashering will be

done while you wait.

Charge:$18 per basket

Preparing for Hagalas Keilim- Kashering Utensils: The utensil must be completely clean without residue of any kind. Any crevices or hard-to-reach spots must be com-pletely cleaned out, otherwise the utensil cannot be kashered. Special attention should be given to seams between the handle and the utensil. Any rust must be re-moved, unless it is merely a discoloration.

Which utensils can be kashered? : Only metal or wood utensils can be ka-shered. We will not be kashering Teflon coated pots. The utensil must not be used with hot water for 24 hours before it is to be kashered. Hagalah is only effective on utensils that were used to cook food in liquid. This excludes baking pans and frying pans.

For specific questions please contact the Kollel at or Kolleloffice@mnkollel.org. or

952-926-3242

12

candles together, and certainly don’t extinguish any candle.

Gas flames on the range (but not electric) may be raised on Yom Tov (only; not

on Shabbos!!) but NOT lowered. If there is food on the flame that will burn, it

may be lowered then but NOT shut.

When lighting Yom Tov candles (the 2nd night, when it’s not Shabbos), the Bra-

cha should be said first and then the candles lit, unless your custom is the oppo-

site.

As with any Yom Tov, many will be leaving on their gas ovens/ranges for a

long period of time. It is advisable to leave windows/doors open a bit to avoid

Carbon Monoxide buildup, and please ensure that you have working Carbon

Monoxide detectors with fresh batteries.

Havdala after Yom Tov consists only of the Bracha on wine and the Bracha of

Hamavdil. No fire or spices are used. For the 2nd days of Yom Tov, since the

last day is Shabbos, the full Havdala for Motzei Shabbos is recited.

This year, one must make an ERUV TAVSHILLIN on Erev the 2nd days,

Thursday, April 28th, to allow cooking on Friday (the 7th day of Pesach) for

Shabbos. One takes a cooked item (customarily a piece of fish, chicken, or

meat) along with matza (preferably a whole one) and says the Bracha along

with a short paragraph that explains the purpose of the Eruv, as found in the

siddur/machzor. The Eruv items

must be kept in a safe place to re-

main intact until all cooking is

completed on Friday. The food for

Shabbos should be cooked early

enough on Friday so that it is basi-

cally fully cooked some time before

Shabbos begins. The Mishna Brura

says it is good for one to accept

Shabbos early to ensure that this

will be the case.

5

be given to the drain, as sometimes something can be stuck down there. Ammo-

nia or the like should be poured down, too, to invalidate any food residue. This

should be done even if you are using a sink insert and not kashering the rest of

the sink, since sometimes the drain can back up and water from the drain will

end up in the sink. —The faucet should be turned on hot, and when the water

reaches its hottest temperature, boiling water should be poured on the outside of

the spigot. The aerator and filter should preferably be replaced for Pesach. Other-

wise clean it very well and pour boiling water over it. The hot & cold knobs

should be cleaned well and covered with plastic. COUNTER-TOPS: Granite,

smooth marble (but not grooved marble), metal and smooth wood counters can

be kashered, by pouring boiling water from a kli rishon on every spot. If the

granite has been coated with a protective polyurethane or plastic finish, it cannot

be kashered. —Other types should be cleaned well and covered well, with a thick

covering that won’t tear over Pesach. The backsplash should also be cleaned and

covered. MICROWAVE OVENS: Most today have plastic or enamel and should

not be kashered for Pesach. DISHWASHERS should be cleaned and sealed and

not used on Pesach.

RELATED TO KASHERING: —One who has fillings in his teeth should stop

eating hot chometz 24 hours before the latest time for eating chometz. —One

who has braces must clean them extremely well, and should not eat hot chametz

24 hours before the time. Some hold that because food can get stuck, no chametz

should be eaten during that period. Those braces that are removable should be

removed, and if possible (without ruining them) hot water should be poured over

them. —False teeth should also be cleaned, and hot water being poured over

them if possible. No hot chometz should be eaten for 24 hours before. —Any

oral insert (e.g., some bite plates or retainers) that may be ruined if boiling water

is poured on them, should be cleaned well and not used with hot chometz for 24

hours before the time.

OTHER RELATED ITEMS: —Tables and chairs must be cleaned of all cha-

metz. (Again, ammonia or bleach is a good idea.) The table must then be covered

well. Some are careful to have at least one layer of covering that is waterproof.

—Refrigerator. Shelves should be removed to clean well of all chametz., and

then should be covered well. (Be careful not to cut off the airflow inside.) —

Highchairs should be cleaned well, especially the tray. The tray should then

be covered well, so as not to rip. —Hand towels and bibs that were cleaned

well in the wash may halachically be used for Pesach, but many have the custom

6

to purchase separate ones for Pesach. —Tablecloths may be used for Pesach,

but must be washed extremely well. Here, too, many will purchase separate ones

for Pesach.

TEVILAS KEILIM New dishes or utensils, sold or manufactured by a non-Jew

must be immersed in a kosher mikvah prior to use. Remove all stickers, adhesives

and labels prior to their immersion. Some utensils such as those made of metal

or glass need a Bracha, others are immersed without a Bracha. Most chinaware,

earthenware, and wooden utensils do not have to be toiveled at all. When in

doubt, ask. The 28th St. Men’s Mikvah is available afternoons for tevilas keilim.

MECHIRAS CHAMETZ. Anytime after davening, individuals may sign a Shtar

Harsha’ah, a contract authorizing me to sell their Chametz to a non-Jew. To be

included this must be done no later than 9:00 A.M. Friday morning, April 22nd,

Erev Pesach, but PLEASE try not to wait until the last minute!! Please make your

checks payable to Bais Yisroel Tzedaka Fund.

SHABBOS HAGADOL DRASHA. The traditional Shabbos Hagadol drasha

will be given on Shabbos, Parshas Metzora, April 16th, at 6:35 P.M. The Drasha

will include some Halacha Lemeiysa, practical applications of Hilchos Pesach.

BEDIKAS CHAMETZ: SEARCH and DESTROY. Pesach is a unique Yom Tov

in that Chametz, which is permitted year round, is strictly forbidden during the

eight-day holiday. In fact there are two separate prohibitions concerning seeing

and finding chametz in one's possession. We are also very concerned with inad-

vertently finding and eating chometz on Pesach. Therefore there is a Mitzvah not

just to destroy chametz but to search for it as well. This is referred to as Bedikas

Chametz. This year the bedikah takes place Thursday evening, prior to the 14th of

Nissan, April 21st beginning 8:58 P.M. Do not begin a meal, start any work or

even learn Torah half an hour prior to the time of the Bedikah. The minhag is to

have a family member put out ten pieces of chametz before the search. Make sure

they are rather small so as not to equal a kezayis and wrap them up so as not to

allow crumbs to break off. Keep a list as to where they were placed. Recite the

bracha; no talking is permitted between the bracha and the start of the search.

Family members may help with the search. Preferably, the only talking during the

search should concern matters relating solely to the Bedikah. Use a candle with a

single wick. A flashlight may be used in places where a candle is inadequate or

dangerous. This is not merely a ceremony but a thorough search. Search all rooms

especially in a home where there are younger children. A less thorough search

may be done in areas that were cleaned earlier. Pockets and cuffs of garments

11

to taste bitter. If you use Romaine lettuce leaves, the amount for both manor and

korech is an amount covering an area of 8x10 inches. If you use stalks, it is 3x5

inches. If you are brave and use fresh pure grated horseradish for marror, use 1.1

fluid ounces; for korech, 0.7 fluid ounces. Eat in a span preferably of 2-4

minutes, up to a maximum of 9 minutes.

SIPPUR YETZYIAS MITZRAYIM. The Haggadah. The highlight of the Seder

is the reliving and retelling of the miraculous exodus from Mitzrayim. Involve the

children; make it real for them. As each of us sits at our Seder and recites Le-

shana Haba’ah BeYerushalayim, may we all be zocheh to the Geula Amitis -- the

true redemption. BeNisan Nigalu UveNisan Asidin Lehigael. May it come speed-

ily in our time.

SOME HALACHOS PERTINENT TO SHABBOS DAY, 1st DAY OF PE-

SACH, AND BEYOND :

If you are concerned about leaving the Shabbos morning chullent crock pot

plugged in for two days (remember that it’s important to use a properly certified

crock pot to ensure safety) then you may set it on a Shabbos clock with only an

off tripper set to shut it after the Shabbos seuda. This way it will not go on again

at all.

Being that Shabbos is Erev the 2nd day of Yom Tov, a meal should not be eaten

after the beginning of the 10th hour (4:41 PM). Therefore there will be no Shalosh

Seudos in shul, and everyone must eat earlier at home. The general custom is to

split the first meal into two (i.e., leave out a course or two, say bentching and

take a short break, then wash again and finish the rest of the meal). The 2nd will

count as Shalosh Seudos.

One may sleep on Shabbos afternoon for the sake of being able to stay up for the

2nd Seder. The reason is because there is an immediate benefit, too. But one

should not expressly state that that’s the reason he is napping.

ABSOLUTELY NO Melacha or preparations may be done on Shabbos for

Yom Tov until nightfall, at 9:00 (even though that makes it challenging for the

women to have the 2nd Seder prepared!).

Remember to insert Havdala (Vatodi’aynu) into Shemona Esrei of Maariv Motzei

Shabbos. One does not go back if he forgot to say it.

Havdala will be inserted into Kiddush at the 2nd Seder on Motzei Shab-

bos, too. The order of Brachos is called Yaknihaz. When saying the Bracha

on fire, use one of the candles that were lit for Yom Tov. Do not connect two

10

are other customs, too:

egg zeroah

marror

karpas charoses

chazeres

KIDDUSH AND THE FOUR KOSOS. Both men and women are obligated

to perform this Mitzvah correctly. Have the intention to fulfill two mitzvos,

Kiddush and the first of the four Kosos. Drink the Kos reclining. Women need

not recline. The Kos must contain a reviyis of wine. For the last three cups at

the first Seder, and for all four cups at the second seder, 3.3 oz is sufficient.

This year, being that the first seder is Friday night, the first cup for Kiddush

must be at least 4.2 oz. Preferably one should drink the entire amount in the

kos. If unable to do so, drink rov reviyis, (most of the contents) and you are

yotzeh -- you’ve fulfilled the requirement. The fourth kos should be complete-

ly finished to enable you to recite a Bracha Acharona. It is preferable to drink

wine for the kosos as the alcohol adds the necessary dimension of cheyrus --

freedom. The wine should be red, uncooked and without added sugar. If not

available, any Kosher red wine may be used. The order of preference for the

Arba Kosos is as follows:

1. Wine

2. Wine with grape juice

3. Wine with water

MATZOH. Shmura Matzah must be used for both Sedorim. Everyone is obligat

-ed in this Mitzvah in the following amounts: Motzi Matzah - approximately

3/4 of machine matzah, or 2/5 of a hand matza for a matza of average thick-

ness. A thicker matza would require less of the matza to be eaten, while a thin-

ner matza would need more of the matza to be eaten. Korech: approximately

1/2 of machine Matza, or 1/4 of a hand matzah of average thickness. For the

afikoman: same as Motzi Matza. Some are more lenient: approx. 3/10 of a hand

matzah, or 3/5 of machine matzah. The matzah should preferably be eaten in 2

to 4 minutes but no longer than 9 minutes . The meal should be completed ear-

ly enough to allow the eating of the Afikoman before chatzos (1:11 AM). Con-

trary to rumor, women are also required to recite the entire Haggadah and eat

the Afikoman.

MARROR. Do not completely coat the Marror in Charoses, as it is supposed

4. Grape Juice

5. Grape juice with water

6. Chamar Medina ( popular beverage)

7

should be checked for chometz. The car, telephone, baby carriages, high chairs,

tables, chairs and benches are all high priority. One should check behind appli-

ances if they are easily movable. Seforim and books that have been used at the

table during the year need Bedikah, and they should not be used at the Pesach

table. Benchers used at the chometz table should be put away for Pesach. Busi-

nesses and offices must also be searched. After the Bedikah recite the Kol Cha-

mirah nullifying all unknown chometz and relinquishing it from your ownership.

Kol Chamirah must be said in a language you understand.

Chometz found during the Bedikah should be put away in a secure fashion and

place until it is burned the next day so that crumbs will not be scattered through-

out the house.

BEDIKAS CHAMETZ FOR TRAVELERS: These halachos are numerous, but

we will try to cover a number of common cases. — One who is leaving home for

the duration of Y om Tov, and leaves his home within 30 days of Pesach (but be-

fore erev Pesach), must do a bedika the night before he leaves, without a bracha.

If he leaves home more than 30 days before Pesach, he need not do a bedika at all

and may rely on bittul. — If one is moving out of his home before Pesach, it de-

pends on the following: If he’s moving into his new home before Pesach, his ob-

ligation of bedika is only on the new home. If, though, he’s not moving into a

new place until after Pesach, then, if the old home is owned by a frum Jew, it’s

the owner’s obligation to do bedika. Otherwise the one who moved out must do

the bedika, unless someone else is moving in before Pesach. — Bochurim return-

ing home from Yeshiva must do a bedika on their dorm rooms before they leave.

— Those going to hotels for Pesach must do a bedika on their hotel rooms, with

the following guidelines: If one arrives at the hotel before the night of erev Pe-

sach, a regular bedika with a bracha should be done. (If the room was cleaned

well by the hotel staff, as one would expect, one should eat a chometz meal in the

room beforehand in order to be able to say the bracha before checking.) One who

arrives on erev Pesach (or on Chol Hamo’ed for a 2nd days stay) must still do a

bedika, unless the owner in a frum Jew who himself did a proper bedika. — Mar-

ried children who are staying with their parents for Pesach may do a bedika with

a bracha in the room that they will be staying in for Y om Tov.

EREV PESACH, Friday, April 22nd . Shacharis (6:30 & 8:15 AM) Mizmor

L’Sodah and Laminatzayach are omitted from davening.

SIYUM BECHORIM. All first-born sons are required to fast Erev Pesach in

gratitude for and commemoration of the Jewish firstborn who were saved during

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Makas Bechoros. This year any Bechor, or someone whose son is a Bechor and

still a minor is obligated to fast on Friday, the 14th of Nissan, April 22nd , begin-

ning 5:05 AM. A first born of either parent is required to fast, including bechorim

of Kohanim and Leviyim. A Bechor born after a miscarriage (Rchm”l) should

also fast, even though he did not have a Pidyon HaBen. There is a custom to end

the fast by participating in a siyum, a festive meal celebrating the conclusion of a

Mesechta. To be released from the obligation to fast you must be present in Shul,

when at the conclusion of Shacharis, a siyum on a Mesechta will take place. To

be considered a participant, you must eat something from the Seudah.

BIYUR CHAMETZ. Chametz may not be eaten after 10:29 A.M. The burning of

the chometz must be completed on Friday, before 11:50 A.M. Do not saturate the

chometz with lighter fluid or the like prior to burning it; this may render it inedi-

ble before the burning, thereby rendering it ineligible for the fulfillment of the

mitzvah of burning. Some have a custom to add the hoshanos and aravos of Suc-

cos and wicks from Chanukah to the fire. The chometz should be burned until it is

completely charred. AFTER the chometz is completely burned, the bitul is recited

nullifying and relinquishing ownership of any and all remaining chametz. The

entire process must be completed before 11:50 A.M. There are differing opinions

whether one should acquire a piece of chometz to burn if he no longer owns any

by Erev Pesach. The Mishna Brura holds that one should try to do so.

EREV PESACH: After chatzos (midday), which is 1:12 PM, melacha (work)

is not allowed, and the halachos are similar to those of chol hamo’ed. Therefore,

haircuts and nail cutting should be completed before that time. The Mishna Brura

says that if it was not done earlier, it may be done after chatzos.

PREPARATIONS FOR THE SEDER - FIRST NIGHT. Although dur ing

the year we refrain from displaying our nicest silver, china and linen all at one

time, in memory of the destruction of the Bais HaMikdosh, on the night that we

celebrate our freedom, the night of the Seder, the table should be set with our fin-

est and most elegant possessions. The minhag is not to eat roasted meat or poul-

try. Most Poskim prohibit even meat roasted in a pot with no liquid added. The

entire Seder table should be prepared in advance on Friday, so that the Seder can

begin immediately after nightfall, and to avoid any possibility of violating prohi-

bitions of Y om Tov.

All wine bottles that will be needed for the Sedorim should be opened before

Yom Tov. Being that this year the first Seder is Friday night, the Zeroah and Bey-

tza MUST be roasted before Yom Tov. The salt water should be prepared before

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Yom Tov as well as the marror leaves or stalks which must be carefully checked

for bugs before Y om Tov begins. The horseradish should be grated prior to Y om

Tov. The charoses should be prepared before Yom Tov. —If one neglected these

preparations until Y om Tov, the following guidelines may be used: This year as

mentioned, being that it is Friday night, the Zeroah and Beytza may NOT be

roasted on Y om Tov. Combining the charoses ingredients must be done with a

shinui (put the wine in first, then the other ingredients), since kneading is not

allowed on Shabbos. Mixing should also be done with a shinui (i.e. criss-cross

strokes), and the mixture should be loose and not too pasty. Only a small amount

of saltwater should be made, no more than is needed for that night. Its ingredi-

ents, too, should be combined with a shinui (e.g. put the water in first and then

the salt). The horseradish for marror may not be ground. Marror leaves may be

checked for bugs on Yom Tov, but only as much as is needed for that night, and

one must be careful about borer, not selecting the bugs from the leaves.

The Shabbos/ Y om Tov candles are lit 18 minutes before sunset at 7:50 P.M.

Even though we normally are allowed to recite Kiddush before nightfall Leyl

Yom Tov, Kiddush on Seder night must be recited after nightfall. Kiddush is

counted as the first of the Arba Kosos and therefore is connected to the Hagga-

dah. The obligation of Sippur Yetzias Mitzrayim begins only after nightfall. Also,

the mitzvah of matza and morror coincide with the eating of the Korban Pesach,

which may only be eaten at night. Therefore, Kiddush may only be recited at

night, when eating the matza is permitted. Therefore, the Seder should absolutely

not commence until after nightfall at 8:59 P.M.

SECOND SEDER: Motzei Shabbos. One is prohibited from prepar ing any-

thing on the first day of Y om Tov for the second day of Y om Tov. Any and all

preparations including setting the table, seating and pillow arrangements, must

be done after nightfall. Do not light candles or begin any preparations before

8:59 P.M. The horseradish may be grated the night of the second Seder so as not

to lose its sharpness. It should be grated with a shinuy (in an unusual manner),

either by holding the standing grater upside down, by grating the horseradish

with the left hand, if one is right handed, or by grating the horseradish over a

tablecloth or counter instead of a bowl. If this is difficult to do on Y om Tov it

can be grated on Friday, Erev Pesach as long as it is well sealed in a Tupperware-

-type container. The charoses should be prepared on Friday. If, however, one

neglected to do so, it may be prepared with a shinuy.

THE SEDER PLATE. Below is one widely used ar rangement (Ari Zal); there