APRIL 12/NISSAN 14

שבת הגדול/פרשת צו

FAST OF THE FIRSTBORN

A fast in recognition of the fact that during the "Plague of the Firstborn" (which occurred at midnight of Nissan 15), G-d "passed over" the Jewish firstborn when He killed only the firstborn Egyptians. The prevailing custom, however, is to participate in a festive meal celebrating the conclusion of studying a section of Torah, thereby exempting themselves from the obligation to fast. This year (5785), since Nissan 14 comes out on Shabbat, the fast was pushed forward to Nissan 12.

REMOVAL OF CHAMETZ

Chametz is not eaten from two hours before midday, and is disposed of an hour before midday for the entire subsequent 7 days of Pesach. The latter is done by: a) selling it to a non-Jew; b) burning the chametz found in our search on the previous evening, or otherwise destroying it; c) nullifying the chametz that has not been found by declaring it ownerless.