Fast of the Firstborn
The fast of the firstborn is normally the day before Pesach. This year there is a difference of opinion whether the fast exists at all, and whether a siyum should be conducted to remove the obligation to fast.
Most congregations will provide a siyum on Thursday to enable firstborns to eat, some will provide a siyum on Friday instead or as well.
The Sale of Chametz
Normally, Chametz is sold just before it cannot be used, so we sell all your Chametz. This year (because business transactions are prohibited on Shabbat), Chametz is sold a day early. As a result, we do not sell all your Chametz, and you will need to specify what to sell, and what you intend on using for your Friday afternoon and Shabbat meals.
One should never sell one’s Chametz using a vague, unspecified form. This year in particular, you should be careful to specify on your Chametz form exactly what you wish to sell and what you do not wish to sell, with your congregational rabbi.
Though in most years, Chametz is sold early for those spending Pesach in Israel and for those traveling before the time of the Bedikah, all Chametz is sold at the same time this year.
The Search and Disposal of Chametz
This year, search for hidden/unknown Chametz two nights before Pesach on Thursday night (after nightfall with the usual blessing), and dispose of it Friday morning two days before Pesach.
When you dispose of Chametz, you will dispose of all Chametz (having in mind the performance of the mitzvah of getting rid of Chametz) with the exception of the Chametz you intend to use for your Friday afternoon and Shabbat meals.
The first kol chamirah is said after the sale Thursday night, the second kol chamirah is said Shabbat morning after disposing of lunch. The regular blessing is recited before searching for Chametz.
Many Jews are stringent in other years to specifically burn the last amount of Chametz they own, in fulfillment of the view of Rebbi Yehudah that there is a positive Mitzvah to burn one’s Chametz. Some say this stringency does not apply this year, because the Chametz disposed on Friday is not the last amount. Others still burn it, following Rashi’s responsum.
Shabbat morning, Erev Pesach
Most communities will daven Hashkamah this Shabbat, to enable everyone to return home and eat an early Shabbat lunch using Chametz.
The special Haftara of Shabbat Hagadol and Yotzrot of Shabbat Hagadol arerecited this Shabbat, but the rabbi’s drasha is given the week before.
Shabbat Lunch
Shabbat Lunch must conclude by the time that eating Chametz is prohibited.
You may eat Chametz at this meal and are advised to use real bread for Lechem Mishnah. If this is not feasible, then you can use egg matzah. (There are varying customs regarding this; please consult your rabbi.)
Given the complexities of serving cooked Chametz food on this day (since your oven, sink, blech, and counters were already kashered or covered for Pesach), the side dishes should probably be kosher for Pesach, or eaten cold.
When the meal is done, remove all bread from your home, wipe table, tablecloths, counters, washing crumbs down the drain , gifting leftovers to non-Jewish neighbors, throwing to the wind, or flushing down the toilet, then say “kol chamirah.”
You should clean your teeth at that time as well.
Make sure to only use the food you have set aside, as Chametz already sold is no longer yours to be able to eat. After this time, Chametz becomes muktzah as it has no use.
You may not use a drain that has been koshered for Pesach for this purpose. Use a bathroom sink instead. Make sure there is no trap in the drain to catch crumbs as they cannot be cleaned out on Shabbat.
The Third Meal
You should not eat bread for the third Shabbat meal this week, because one can eat neither Chametz nor matzah the afternoon of the day before Pesach, and should instead perform the mitzvah of the third meal of Shabbat with fruit.
If you are stringent to have a third meal using bread each week of the year, and want to do so this week, it may be possible to use egg matzah or real matzah to eat the third meal a few minutes before noon.
Many suggest eating mezonos made from matzah meal in the early afternoon as a third meal. (There are varying customs regarding this; please consult your rabbi.)
Pots, Pans, and Dishes
You may use Chametz pots, pans, and dishes if you would like, as they are not included in the sale of Chametz. Yet, because of the challenges of cleaning them, you may prefer not to do so.
We recommend against using Pesach pots, pans, and dishes if Chametz will be eaten at the meal, because of the risks of the transfer of Chametz into those pots, pans, and dishes. If you are eating on paper/disposable plates and bowls – then it is easier to use your Pesach pots, pans, and dishes. However, if you are having a kosher-for-passover snack in the afternoon, you may use Pesach dishes for it.
Since the washing of dishes on Shabbat is done not as a preparation for Pesach but to ensure the house is clean for Shabbat – You may handwash these dishes on Shabbat (do not place on a dishwasher as it cannot be run). (There are varying customs regarding this; please consult your rabbi.)
You may not use a drain that has been koshered for Pesach for this purpose. Use a bathroom sink instead. Make sure there is no trap in the drain to catch crumbs as they cannot be cleaned out on Pesach.
Preparing for the Seder
So as not to limit the sanctity of Shabbat, all preparations for the seder, including cooking food, plating food, and setting the table should not begin before nightfall on Saturday night.
You should say “Baruch Hamavdil ben kodesh le-kodesh” before making preparations or cooking.
You may choose to set the seder table in the dining room on Friday before Shabbat, and eat in the kitchen this Shabbat so the table is pre-set before the Seder.
A non-Jew may not cook or warm food for you on Shabbat, but may be hired to wash dishes or set the table for the seder in advance. (There are varying customs regarding this; please consult your rabbi.)
Candles should also be lit any time after nightfall.
Seder Text Changes
Havdalah is added to the seder.
The text of the blessing at the end of Maggid should not be changed, despite what is printed in many hagadot. (There are varying customs regarding this; please consult your rabbi.)