PASSOVER REFRESHER

Passover (Pesach) is celebrated by Jews every year, commemorating the anniversary of our miraculous Exodus from Egyptian slavery, as told in the Bible. Passover 2023 is from April 5 to April 13, 2023.

Before the holiday:

A main component of the holiday is the prohibition from possessing and eating chametz - food or drink made from wheat, barley, rye, oats or spelt, or their derivatives because it is leavened or fermented. Examples are breakfast cereals, licorice, most candy bars, pasta, vinegar, beer and whiskey.

In the run-up to the holiday, we clean our homes, offices, and vehicles, purging them of all crumbs and small pieces of food. We take all the chametz -both food and utensils used throughout the year (and not koshered for Passover)- and store it all away in closets or rooms that get locked or taped off. The chametz is temporarily sold to a non-Jew (often via a competent rabbisee form below).

There are many kosher-for-Passover packaged foods available - generally labeled as such. Of course, raw ingredients like washed fruits and vegetables are all kosher for Passover.

On the evening of April 4, we search our homes for chametz. The custom is to hide ten pieces of carefully wrapped bread around the house, in case we don’t find actual chametz (which is a good thing). It is a way for the kids to go on a treasure hunt of sorts, as they get into the spirit of the holiday.

On the morning of April 5, we burn the chametz that was found during the search, and all other chametz that isn’t stored away to be sold to the non-Jew.

First days of the holiday:

On the first two nights of Passover, Wednesday and Thursday nights (April 5 and 6), we conduct a Seder. More about the Seder is covered in a separate article, but the Passover table is usually set with our most beautiful tableware.

Before the Seder on the second night, we begin Sefirat Haomer, the counting of the 49 days between the holiday of our freedom (Passover) and the holiday of receiving the Torah on Mount Sinai (Shavuot).

Middle of the holiday:

The first two days of Passover this year lead right into Shabbat (April 8). Since you’ll be having three days in a row of either Shabbat or holiday, make sure to shop, cook, and otherwise prepare enough food to last for three festive days. (A process known as an eruv tavshilin should be done on Wednesday afternoon to permit cooking on Thursday and Friday).

Passover is eight days long. The first two days and last two days are full-fledged festival days, and the middle four days are Chol Hamoed, “intermediate” festival days. We use electricity but try to work as little as possible. Many families find Chol Hamoed a perfect time for fun family outings. On these days, parks, museums and zoos are often full of Jewish families enjoying the holiday.

Last days of the holiday:

The final days of Passover - Tuesday night, April 11 to Thursday night, April 13 this year, are celebrated as holidays, capping the weeklong celebration that begins with the first Seder. In Hebrew, the last two days are known as Shvii shel Pesach (Seventh of Passover) and Acharon shel Pesach (Last of Passover), respectively.

Like other holidays, we do no work, other than certain acts connected to food preparation, we recite holiday prayers, and women and girls light candles on the eve of both days.

During the morning services of the eighth day, Yizkor memorial prayers are recited for departed relatives.

On the final day of Passover, we strive for the highest level of freedom, and focus on the Final Redemption. Following the Baal Shem Tov’s custom, we end Passover with “Moshiach’s Feast” — a festive meal complete with matzah and four cups of wine, during which we celebrate the imminent arrival of the Messiah. The feast begins before sunset and continues until after nightfall.

After the holiday:

Nightfall on Thursday is the official end of Passover. Wait an hour to give the rabbi enough time to buy back your chametz before eating it. But once the time has elapsed, a meal with bread never tasted so good.

Important Passover times Listed for Tucson, Arizona

Tuesday,April 4 Search for chametz after 7:12 PM

Wednesday,April 5 - Eve of Passover Eat chametz by 10:16 AM Burn chametz by 11:14 AM Light candles at 6:29 PM First Seder night

Thursday,April 6First day of Passover Light candles after 7:24 PM Begin counting Omer Second Seder night

Friday,April 7Second day of Passover Light candles at 6:30 PM

Tuesday,April 11 Light candles at 6:33 PM

Wednesday,April 12Seventh day of Passover Light candles after 7:29 PM

Thursday,April 13Eighth day of Passover Holiday ends at 7:30 PM

Delegation of Power to Sell Chametz

I, the undersigned, fully empower and permit Rabbi Yossie Shemtov to act on my behalf to sell all chametz and mixtures thereof possessed by me. Rabbi Shemtov has full right to appoint any agent or substitute in his stead and said substitute shall have full right to sell and lease as provided herein. This power is in conformity with all Torah, Rabbinic and Civil laws.

Full name: _____________________________________

Address/es: ____________________________________

Signature:

Fill and mail this out to Chabad Tucson - 2443 E 4th Street, Tucson, AZ 85719. You can also fill it out online at ChabadTucson.com/chametz