Passover 2021 A to Z
A quick overview of the Passover process
Please note: 5781 (2021) is one of the relatively rare years when the day before Passover falls on Shabbat. Please pay close attention to the following schedule, because many details are different than other years.
Thursday —25/03/2021 (2 days before Passover):
Fast of the Firstborn. Since one is prohibited to fast on Shabbat (this year, the day before Passover), the fast is held on Thursday instead. To be exempt from fasting, one can participate in a meal marking the fulfilment of a mitzvah; such a meal is generally held in the synagogue after morning prayers on this day.
If you haven’t yet, sell your chometz now. Complete the online “Authorization for the Sale of Chometz” form by clicking here.
After 6:57pm - Do the ritual search for chometz after dark (6:57pm in Bushey). Recite the blessing prior to the search, and the nullification of the chometz following the search. Click here for the blessings and more information on the search and removal of chometz.
Friday morning -26/03/2021:
Have you sold your chometz? Final call! Click here to fill out the form.
Before 11:03am - Burn any leftover Chometz that is not being sold, including anything that was found Thursday night at the Search for the Chometz. The only chometz which should remain is the challah which will be eaten by the two Shabbat meals (see below). The chometz is burned before 11:03am in Bushey. By this time, all cabinets and areas containing chometz that will be sold should be sealed.
Though it isn’t forbidden to eat chometz until the end of the fourth seasonal hour tomorrow morning, since it is impossible to destroy chometz on Shabbat – the chometz must be destroyed today.
Notice:
Both Shabbat meals should be completely kosher for Passover with the exception of the Challot eaten at the beginning the meal, the kosher bakeries are selling small Chollah rolls especially for this purpose. (Matzah can’t be used, as it is forbidden to eat matzah on the day before Passover.)
Friday Afternoon -26/03/2021
Prepare for the Seder. Ready the food and items for the Seder plate.
The Seder plate items and the Seder dinner food should be prepared today, the food can be warmed up after Shabbat has ended (7:17pm in Bushey).
We suggest lighting a 48 or 72 hour yahrtzeit candle before Shabbat candle lighting, to be used to light the festival candles or a gas flame for the duration of the festival, as it is forbidden to create a new flame on Yom Tov.
6:07pm - Light Shabbat candles before sunset. Candle lighting in Bushey is 6:07pm.
Friday Night:
Enjoy a Kosher for Passover Shabbat meal. The only chometz eaten, the challah, is carefully consumed over a paper napkin or tissue. Afterwards, the paper, together with any remaining chometz crumbs, is flushed down the toilet. Extra care should be taken that no chometz crumbs should fall on the floor.
Shabbat morning -27/03/2021:
The morning services are recited early in the morning in order to allow enough time to start the Shabbat meal and eat the challah before the end of the fourth seasonal hour (see exact time below). Once again, The challah is carefully consumed over a paper napkin or tissue, and then, together with any remaining chometz crumbs, is flushed down the toilet.
9:59am - The deadline for eating chometz is 9:59am in Bushey. Past this point, no chometz is eaten until after the festival.
Before 11:03am - Recite the “nullification statement” (see below), renouncing all ownership of any chometz that may still remain in your possession. This is done before 11:03am in Bushey.
”All leaven and anything leavened that is in my possession, whether I have seen it or not, whether I have observed it or not, whether I have removed it or not, shall be considered nullified and ownerless as the dust of the earth”
Shabbat afternoon -27/03/2021:
Many have the custom to recite the "Order of the Passover Offering," recalling and reliving the Korban Pesach which was offered in the Holy Temple at this time.
Saturday night -27/03/2021:
Passover begins.
After 7:17pm - Light the festival candles after nightfall (7:17pm in Bushey) from a pre-existing flame (as it is forbidden to create a new flame on Yom Tov).
Pray the evening festival services. (many have the custom to include the special Hallel prayer).
First Seder: Hold the first Passover Seder. Follow the 15 steps, recite the Haggadah, tell and relive the story of the Exodus, and enjoy the matzah, wine, and bitter herbs.
Notice:
Please note the clocks change to British Summer Time at 1:00am on Sunday morning. Please keep that in mind for the following times.
Sunday morning -28/03/2021:
Passover prayer services which include a special prayer for dew and a special Torah reading.
Sunday night:
The Omer Count begins tonight.
Outside the Holy Land, tonight begins a second day of Yom Tov, which is basically a repeat of the first.
After 8:19pm -Light the festival candles from a pre-existing flame after nightfall, 8:19pm in Bushey.
Pray the evening festival services.
Second Seder: The entire Seder is repeated tonight.
Monday 29/03/2021:
Today is the second festival day; special Passover prayers and Torah reading.
Monday night:
Tonight begin the four "intermediate days" of Passover. Celebrate the intermediate days with matzah, kosher-for-Passover cooking, and more retelling of the Exodus story. It's still Passover, so we don't eat, own, or derive enjoyment from Chometz, but most activities prohibited the first and last two days are permitted. We also add special passages to our prayers: Hallel, Yaaleh Veyavo, and Musaf.
tuesday 30/03/2021 - Friday 02/04/2021:
Passover’s intermediate days.
Morning service: In many communities, throughout the intermediate days of Passover, tefillin are not worn.
Half-Hallel is recited. Two Torah scrolls are taken out of the ark. The Musaf Amidah is recited. During all of the intermediate days, “Yaaleh Veyavo” is inserted during all prayers and in the Grace After Meals.
Friday evening 02/04/2021:
Tonight begin the final two festival days of Passover. Light candles, and enjoy festive meals Friday night, Shabbat afternoon, Saturday night, and Sunday afternoon.
7:19pm - Light candles, candle lighting in Bushey is 7:19pm.
Some have the custom to stay awake Friday night (the night of the Splitting of the Sea) and study Torah through the night!
Shabbat morning -03/04/2021:
Morning service. Half Hallel is recited. Two Torah scrolls are taken out of the ark.
Festive lunch meal.
Saturday night -03/04/2021:
After 8:30pm - Light candles for the 8th day of Passover after nightfall (8:30pm in Bushey) using an existing flame.
Evening festival prayers.
Sunday morning 04/04/2021:
Special Passover prayers and Torah reading.
Yizkor, the memorial prayer for departed parents, is recited following the reading of the Torah during the morning prayer service. If not in synagogue, you can recite the Yizkor prayer at home.
Sunday afternoon:
As the day wanes, many people have the custom to spend the final hours of Passover with the "Moshiach's Meal" — a special feast in honour of the Redemption. We've spent eight days celebrating the exodus from Egypt. Now, as we leave Passover, we pray for the exodus from our present exile and a brighter tomorrow.
Sunday night:
8:32pm - At nightfall (8:32pm in Bushey), the Passover holiday comes to an end. Make Havdalah over your last cup of kosher-for-Passover wine. Put away the Passover dishes, Haggadahs, and all other Passover items, locking them away until next year. Then, ...
You can once again enjoy chometz food and drinks, and feast on pizza, bread, and beer. But as you do, don't forget the eight days of freedom you've just experienced, and remember that throughout the year, as you enjoy all your leavened food, you still carry a bit of the matzah spirit with you!
Next Year in Jerusalem!
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Rabbi Yosef at Rabbi@BusheyChabad.org or at 07501 294 873
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