Preparations for the Seder It is prohibited to prepare anything for the seder on Shabbos. (Even stating that one’s Shabbos nap is for the purpose of being well-rested for the seder should be avoided.) While some of the preparations can technically be done after Shabbos ends and before the seder begins, it is not recommended to do so since it delays the start of the seder, and it is important to start the seder as soon as possible so that the children can participate. Therefore, the horseradish, charoses, romaine lettuce, shank bone, roasted egg and salt water should all be prepared on Friday. The horseradish should be ground and stored in an airtight container until the seder. Care should be taken to dry the romaine lettuce before storing, since water might accumulate in the storage container, and any parts of the lettuce that soaks in water for more than twenty-four hours may not be used for maror. Seudos Shabbos It is forbidden to consume any matza on Erev Pesach. The reason for this is in order to distinguish the matza eaten later at the seder as matzas mitzva. This creates a challenge as to how to fulfill the requirement of lechem mishneh for the seudos Shabbos on Shabbos Erev Pesach. The common practice is to carefully use chometz rolls for lechem mishneh, and then serve the rest of the meal with kosher for Pesach foods. Only disposable dishes should be used as long as any chometz is being eaten. Leftover crumbs should be swept and then flushed down the toilet. Larger pieces of bread can be crumbled and then flushed down. After the chometz is gone, the rest of the meal may be served on Pesach dishes. Chometz that is placed in the trash can and remains past the zman, must be rendered inedible by pouring bleach or ammonia over the entire surface of the chometz. These fluids must be designated for that use before Shabbos. Otherwise, they would be muktza. If the floor needs to be swept, one must make sure that no chometz crumbs remain on the broom. Since it is extremely difficult to adequately clean a broom on Shabbos, it is advisable to put away the broom with the chometz utensils which have been sold to a non-Jew. It is permitted to brush your teeth with a dry soft toothbrush that was designated for Shabbos use to clean your mouth from chometz. Toothpaste should not be used. Continue to next page … 13
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