SHABBOS EREV PESACH Rabbi Moshe Wainkrantz T his year, Erev Pesach falls out on Shabbos. While this infrequent occurrence offers us the opportunity to come to the seder more relaxed and well rested, it also raises some practical questions relating to the halachos of Erev Pesach, as well as to the halachos of Shabbos. Tannis Bechoros- Thursday In a regular year, firstborn males are required to fast on Erev Pesach in remembrance of the miracle that they were saved from death during Makas Bechoros. This is not possible when Erev Pesach is on Shabbos, because it is forbidden to fast on Shabbos. Once the fast has to be moved from Erev Pesach, it is moved to Thursday as opposed to Friday, in order to avoid entering Shabbos while fasting. As in any other year, a bechor may participate in a siyum on Thursday, which would exempt him from fasting. Bedikas Chometz- Thursday Night This year, bedikas chometz is performed on Thursday night preceded by the regular berachah and followed by the declaration of kol chamira recited after bedikas chometz. Biur Chometz- Friday Morning One should set aside the chometz that will be needed for Friday and the two Shabbos meals, and put it in a safe place. All other chometz should be burned on Friday before the sof zman biur (12:24 PM [M.A.], 12:36 PM [Gr”a]). Although it is permitted to eat chometz until Shabbos morning, the chometz is burned at the time that would have been the deadline had this day truly been Erev Pesach in order in order to avoid confusion in subsequent years when Erev Pesach does not fall on Shabbos. However, the kol chamira which is normally said after burning the chometz, is not said on Friday, but rather on Shabbos morning before the end of the fifth halachic hour. Since Friday is not actually Erev Pesach, all other Erev Pesach restrictions, such as omitting Mizmor L’sodah and Lamnatzaiach from shacharis, refraining from doing laundry and taking haircuts after chatzos, and kashering pots and pans, are all still allowed. 12
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