Eruv Pesach on Shabbat
Encyclopedia
When the Eve of Passover
(Hebrew
: ערב פסח, Erev Pesach) falls on Shabbat
, special laws
apply that are not followed when the Eve of Passover occurs on any other day of the week, and various adjustments are made in the preparations for the holiday from the usual routine.
While an Eve of Passover on Shabbat sometimes occurs as many as three times in a decade, other times, as many as 20 years will pass between two occurrences. During the 20th century, the Eve of Passover fell on Shabbat in 1903, 1910, 1923, 1927, 1930, 1950, 1954, 1974, 1977, 1981 and 1994. In the 21st century, the Eve of Passover has came out on Shabbat three times: in 2001, 2005, and 2008. Future occurrences in the 21st century will take place in 2021, 2025, 2045, 2048, 2052, 2072, 2075, 2079, and 2099.
customarily takes place on the Thursday. This is because it is forbidden to fast on Shabbat (except when Yom Kippur
falls on Shabbat), and it is preferable not to hold a fast on Friday. Though it is normally forbidden to eat starting from nightfall before conducting the Search for Chametz
, according to the Mateh Moshe and Maharil, a firstborn who is fatigued or uncomfortable from the fast may eat some food before the search, or else another person may be appointed to perform the search on behalf of the firstborn.
Rabbi Moshe Feinstein (OC 4:69:4) writes, based on the Rema (who is supported by a similar ruling of Rabbi Joseph ben Meir Teomim
in his P'ri M'gadim), that one who breaks the adjusted Thursday fast might be required to fast on Friday. Since there are many opinions that dispute the Rema (such as the Shulchan Aruch
, Turei Zahav
, Eliyah Rabba, Chayei Adam
, Sh'vut Ya'akov, Mor U-K'tzi'a
), Rabbi Feinstein writes that, practically speaking, one should not fast on Friday in such circumstances. This rationale may be based on the Korban N'tan'el, who writes that excessive strictures regarding keeping the Fast of the Firstborn should not come at the expense of possibly fasting unnecessarily during the month of Nisan.
The above halakhic quandary is avoided completely if a firstborn fasts the entire day on Thursday. However, Rabbi Feinstein makes no mention of this requirement. In order for a firstborn (who eats on Thursday) to comply with the ruling of the Rema, the Piskei T'shuvot suggests participating in a second siyum on Friday, while Rabbi Tzvi Pesach Frank
suggests partaking on Friday of leftovers from the previous day's siyum.
(leavened bread) occurs on the night of the 14th of Nisan
, which is one night before the start of Passover
. But when this night occurs on a Friday night, since use of a candle, and the act of burning chametz are forbidden on Shabbat
, the Search for Chametz takes place one night earlier on the 13th.
Chametz is burned on the following Friday morning. However, consumption of chametz is permitted throughout this day.
to eat three meals
consisting of bread, three meals are likewise consumed on this day. But since the restriction on consuming chametz begins on Saturday morning (usually some time between 9:30 and 10:00 a.m.), the three meals must be completed by the deadline, which will vary in each year.
For the Shabbat that coincides with the Eve of Passover, enough bread will be kept in the household in order to complete these three meals. It'll be stored in a location where it does not come in contact with Passover food or dishes.
The first meal is consumed on Friday evening as usual. On Saturday morning, morning services
at synagogue
are held earlier than usual. Following services, a second meal is held and finished quickly. After an interruption, a third meal is begun in which the remainder of the chametz is consumed by the deadline.
Any chametz that remains following the completion of three meals is disposed into the public domain
. In modern times, the tradition is to flush remaining chametz down the toilet
.
While matzah can ordinarily be used to fulfill the obligation of Shalosh Seudot on Shabbat, it is not used for any of the three meals on the Eve of Passover due to a restriction forbidding consumption of matzah on this day.
For example, Purim
will fall on Friday, necessitating adjustments in the regular schedule of events for Purim.
In years when the Eve of Passover is on Friday and the first day of Passover is on Shabbat (a more common occurrence), the ninth day of Av
will fall on Saturday, and since fasts other than Yom Kippur are not observed on Shabbat, Tisha B'Av
will be postponed to the following Sunday, which is the tenth of Av. But in this rare years, Tisha B'Av is observed on the actual ninth day of Av on a Sunday, and there is no "week in which Tisha B'Av occurs" as a level of mourning prior to the start of Tisha B'Av.
The fall holidays of Rosh Hashanah
, Sukkot
, and Shemini Atzeret
-Simchat Torah
all fall on Tuesday-Wednesday, and Yom Kippur on Thursday.
Passover
Passover is a Jewish holiday and festival. It commemorates the story of the Exodus, in which the ancient Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt...
(Hebrew
Hebrew language
Hebrew is a Semitic language of the Afroasiatic language family. Culturally, is it considered by Jews and other religious groups as the language of the Jewish people, though other Jewish languages had originated among diaspora Jews, and the Hebrew language is also used by non-Jewish groups, such...
: ערב פסח, Erev Pesach) falls on Shabbat
Shabbat
Shabbat is the seventh day of the Jewish week and a day of rest in Judaism. Shabbat is observed from a few minutes before sunset on Friday evening until a few minutes after when one would expect to be able to see three stars in the sky on Saturday night. The exact times, therefore, differ from...
, special laws
Halakha
Halakha — also transliterated Halocho , or Halacha — is the collective body of Jewish law, including biblical law and later talmudic and rabbinic law, as well as customs and traditions.Judaism classically draws no distinction in its laws between religious and ostensibly non-religious life; Jewish...
apply that are not followed when the Eve of Passover occurs on any other day of the week, and various adjustments are made in the preparations for the holiday from the usual routine.
Frequency
The Eve of Passover occurring on Shabbat is a relatively rare occurrence, falling on Shabbat less often than any other day of the week it possibly can. Other days of the week on which the Eve of Passover can occur include Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.While an Eve of Passover on Shabbat sometimes occurs as many as three times in a decade, other times, as many as 20 years will pass between two occurrences. During the 20th century, the Eve of Passover fell on Shabbat in 1903, 1910, 1923, 1927, 1930, 1950, 1954, 1974, 1977, 1981 and 1994. In the 21st century, the Eve of Passover has came out on Shabbat three times: in 2001, 2005, and 2008. Future occurrences in the 21st century will take place in 2021, 2025, 2045, 2048, 2052, 2072, 2075, 2079, and 2099.
Fast of the Firstborn
When the Eve of Passover falls on Shabbat, the Fast of the FirstbornFast of the firstborn
Fast of the Firstborn ; is a unique fast day in Judaism which usually falls on the day before Passover...
customarily takes place on the Thursday. This is because it is forbidden to fast on Shabbat (except when Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur , also known as Day of Atonement, is the holiest and most solemn day of the year for the Jews. Its central themes are atonement and repentance. Jews traditionally observe this holy day with a 25-hour period of fasting and intensive prayer, often spending most of the day in synagogue...
falls on Shabbat), and it is preferable not to hold a fast on Friday. Though it is normally forbidden to eat starting from nightfall before conducting the Search for Chametz
Bedikas Chametz
Bedikas Chametz, or Bdikat Chametz, is the search before the Jewish Holiday of Pesach for Chametz. The search takes place after nightfall on the evening before Pesach...
, according to the Mateh Moshe and Maharil, a firstborn who is fatigued or uncomfortable from the fast may eat some food before the search, or else another person may be appointed to perform the search on behalf of the firstborn.
Rabbi Moshe Feinstein (OC 4:69:4) writes, based on the Rema (who is supported by a similar ruling of Rabbi Joseph ben Meir Teomim
Joseph ben Meir Teomim
Joseph ben Meir Teomim was a Galician rabbi born at Lemberg. While still young he succeeded his father in the position of preacher and rabbinical instructor in the yeshivah of Lemberg. Later he went to Berlin, where he stayed several years in the bet ha-midrash of Daniel Jafe...
in his P'ri M'gadim), that one who breaks the adjusted Thursday fast might be required to fast on Friday. Since there are many opinions that dispute the Rema (such as the Shulchan Aruch
Shulchan Aruch
The Shulchan Aruch also known as the Code of Jewish Law, is the most authoritative legal code of Judaism. It was authored in Safed, Israel, by Yosef Karo in 1563 and published in Venice two years later...
, Turei Zahav
David HaLevi Segal
David ha-Levi Segal , also known as the Turei Zahav after the title of his significant halakhic commentary on the Shulchan Aruch, was one of the greatest Polish rabbinical authorities....
, Eliyah Rabba, Chayei Adam
Chayei Adam
Chayei Adam is a work of Jewish law by Rabbi Avraham Danzig , dealing with the laws discussed in the Orach Chayim section of the Shulchan Aruch...
, Sh'vut Ya'akov, Mor U-K'tzi'a
Jacob Emden
Jacob Emden also known as Ya'avetz, , was a leading German rabbi and talmudist who championed Orthodox Judaism in the face of the growing influence of the Sabbatean movement...
), Rabbi Feinstein writes that, practically speaking, one should not fast on Friday in such circumstances. This rationale may be based on the Korban N'tan'el, who writes that excessive strictures regarding keeping the Fast of the Firstborn should not come at the expense of possibly fasting unnecessarily during the month of Nisan.
The above halakhic quandary is avoided completely if a firstborn fasts the entire day on Thursday. However, Rabbi Feinstein makes no mention of this requirement. In order for a firstborn (who eats on Thursday) to comply with the ruling of the Rema, the Piskei T'shuvot suggests participating in a second siyum on Friday, while Rabbi Tzvi Pesach Frank
Tzvi Pesach Frank
Rabbi Tzvi Pesach Frank was a renowned halachic scholar and the Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem for several decades.-Biography:...
suggests partaking on Friday of leftovers from the previous day's siyum.
The Search for Chametz
Normally, the Search for ChametzBedikas Chametz
Bedikas Chametz, or Bdikat Chametz, is the search before the Jewish Holiday of Pesach for Chametz. The search takes place after nightfall on the evening before Pesach...
(leavened bread) occurs on the night of the 14th of Nisan
Nisan
Nisan is the first month of the ecclesiastical year and the seventh month of the civil year, on the Hebrew calendar. The name of the month is Babylonian; in the Torah it is called the month of the Aviv, referring to the month in which barley was ripe. It is a spring month of 30 days...
, which is one night before the start of Passover
Passover
Passover is a Jewish holiday and festival. It commemorates the story of the Exodus, in which the ancient Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt...
. But when this night occurs on a Friday night, since use of a candle, and the act of burning chametz are forbidden on Shabbat
Shabbat
Shabbat is the seventh day of the Jewish week and a day of rest in Judaism. Shabbat is observed from a few minutes before sunset on Friday evening until a few minutes after when one would expect to be able to see three stars in the sky on Saturday night. The exact times, therefore, differ from...
, the Search for Chametz takes place one night earlier on the 13th.
Chametz is burned on the following Friday morning. However, consumption of chametz is permitted throughout this day.
Shabbat meals
During Shabbat, when there is a mitzvahMitzvah
The primary meaning of the Hebrew word refers to precepts and commandments as commanded by God...
to eat three meals
Seudah Shlishit
Seudah Shlishit is the "third meal" customarily eaten by Sabbath-observing Jews on Shabbat .-Practices:According to Halakha, the meal is to be eaten in the afternoon...
consisting of bread, three meals are likewise consumed on this day. But since the restriction on consuming chametz begins on Saturday morning (usually some time between 9:30 and 10:00 a.m.), the three meals must be completed by the deadline, which will vary in each year.
For the Shabbat that coincides with the Eve of Passover, enough bread will be kept in the household in order to complete these three meals. It'll be stored in a location where it does not come in contact with Passover food or dishes.
The first meal is consumed on Friday evening as usual. On Saturday morning, morning services
Shacharit
Shacharit is the the daily morning Tefillah of the Jewish people, one of the three times there is prayer each day.Shacharit is said to have been established by the patriarch Abraham when he prayed in the morning...
at synagogue
Synagogue
A synagogue is a Jewish house of prayer. This use of the Greek term synagogue originates in the Septuagint where it sometimes translates the Hebrew word for assembly, kahal...
are held earlier than usual. Following services, a second meal is held and finished quickly. After an interruption, a third meal is begun in which the remainder of the chametz is consumed by the deadline.
Any chametz that remains following the completion of three meals is disposed into the public domain
Public domain
Works are in the public domain if the intellectual property rights have expired, if the intellectual property rights are forfeited, or if they are not covered by intellectual property rights at all...
. In modern times, the tradition is to flush remaining chametz down the toilet
Toilet
A toilet is a sanitation fixture used primarily for the disposal of human excrement, often found in a small room referred to as a toilet/bathroom/lavatory...
.
While matzah can ordinarily be used to fulfill the obligation of Shalosh Seudot on Shabbat, it is not used for any of the three meals on the Eve of Passover due to a restriction forbidding consumption of matzah on this day.
Remainder of year
In years in which Passover fall on the Eve of Shabbat, some unusual effects take place in regards to other Jewish holidays at other times of year.For example, Purim
Purim
Purim is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people in the ancient Persian Empire from destruction in the wake of a plot by Haman, a story recorded in the Biblical Book of Esther .Purim is celebrated annually according to the Hebrew calendar on the 14th...
will fall on Friday, necessitating adjustments in the regular schedule of events for Purim.
In years when the Eve of Passover is on Friday and the first day of Passover is on Shabbat (a more common occurrence), the ninth day of Av
Av
Av is the eleventh month of the civil year and the fifth month of the ecclesiastical year on the Hebrew calendar. The name is Babylonian in origin and appeared in the Talmud around the 3rd century. This is the only month which is not named in the Bible. It is a summer month of 30 days...
will fall on Saturday, and since fasts other than Yom Kippur are not observed on Shabbat, Tisha B'Av
Tisha B'Av
|Av]],") is an annual fast day in Judaism, named for the ninth day of the month of Av in the Hebrew calendar. The fast commemorates the destruction of both the First Temple and Second Temple in Jerusalem, which occurred about 655 years apart, but on the same Hebrew calendar date...
will be postponed to the following Sunday, which is the tenth of Av. But in this rare years, Tisha B'Av is observed on the actual ninth day of Av on a Sunday, and there is no "week in which Tisha B'Av occurs" as a level of mourning prior to the start of Tisha B'Av.
The fall holidays of Rosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashanah , , is the Jewish New Year. It is the first of the High Holy Days or Yamim Nora'im which occur in the autumn...
, Sukkot
Sukkot
Sukkot is a Biblical holiday celebrated on the 15th day of the month of Tishrei . It is one of the three biblically mandated festivals Shalosh regalim on which Hebrews were commanded to make a pilgrimage to the Temple in Jerusalem.The holiday lasts seven days...
, and Shemini Atzeret
Shemini Atzeret
Shemini Atzeret is a Jewish holiday. It is celebrated on the 22nd day of the Hebrew month of Tishrei. In the Diaspora, an additional day is celebrated, the second day being separately referred to as Simchat Torah...
-Simchat Torah
Simchat Torah
Simchat Torah or Simḥath Torah is a celebration marking the conclusion of the annual cycle of public Torah readings, and the beginning of a new cycle...
all fall on Tuesday-Wednesday, and Yom Kippur on Thursday.