PESACH ON SHABBOS Rabbi Moshe Wainkrantz T his year, the first day of Pesach falls out on Shabbos. As a result, there are some additional halachos and customs to be aware of. Vihi Noam- Motzaei Shabbos Hagadol Vihi Noam is only recited on Motzaei Shabbos when there are six working days following the Shabbos. The question is whether Erev Pesach, which falls on Friday, is considered a “working day”. There are restrictions against doing work on Erev Pesach, especially after noon. Therefore, there are opinions that Vihi Noam is not recited on the Motzaei Shabbos preceding Pesach that falls on Shabbos. However, the Mishna Berura (295,3) writes that Vihi Noam should be said, because Erev Pesach is not an absolute Yom Tov. Preparations for the Seder Note: Even when Pesach falls during the week, it is preferable to prepare these items before Yom Tov. Salt-water must be prepared before Shabbos. If salt-water was not prepared before Shabbos, one may prepare a small amount of salt-water on Shabbos. The mixture should not be very strong (water should be more than 1/3 of the mixture). Preparation of charoses involves two issues; grinding and kneading. Therefore, the charoses must be prepared before Shabbos. If the charoses was not prepared before Shabbos, the fruit and nuts should be cut with a knife into slightly larger pieces, just before the seder. Regarding kneading the fruit and nuts with the wine, the mixture must be made with a shinui (abnormal way). Therefore, one should first add the wine and then add the fruits and nuts. In addition, the mixture should not be stirred with a utensil, but rather with one’s finger. According to the first opinion quoted in Shulchan Aruch (O.C. 321, 16), as long as the mixture is made with a shinui, it may be made even into a thick mixture. According to the second, stricter opinion, even when made with a shinui, it is only allowed to be made as a thin, pourable mixture. (See M.B. 321,68) Horseradish should be ground before Shabbos and stored in a tightly-closed container until the seder. If the horseradish was not ground before Shabbos, a knife should be used to peel and cut into slightly larger pieces, just before the seder. 13
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