Maot Chitim

It is a widespread custom that during the first few days of Nissan "Maot Chitim" (Wheat money) is collected from everyone in the community, according to his ability to give. This money is used to purchase flour, which is distributed, to the poor according to their needs for Pesach. Other items are also supplied to them; wine, meat and fish, or they are given money with which to buy these themselves.

This custom has nothing to do with the mitzvah of giving ‘tzedakah (charity)’ for that mitzvah has to be performed throughout the whole year. It is rather because of the idea of freedom, which is inseparable from Pesach. Even if someone has already fulfilled the mitzvah of ‘tzedakah’, in complete accordance with the law, he cannot appreciate the full implication of freedom if he knows that his neighbour is hungry and in need. If he knew that there were hungry people in his town and he had not bothered to come to their assistance, he would be guilty of telling lies – God forbid – on this ‘watch night’ when he says at the beginning of the ‘Hagadah’, ‘Let all who are hungry come and eat.

You can give the money to the Shul to distribute to the poor of the community, or you can contact the Beth Din and contribute to their annual "Maot Chitim" appeal.

Sale of Chametz

Must be completed before Pesach

During the eight days of Pesach one may neither eat nor own any Chametz (leavened food). It is not practical to consume or to physically get rid of all Chametz before the onset of Pesach. One may however sell all Chametz to a non-Jewish person - if the sale is valid according to Jewish law then the Chametz is not ‘owned’ during Pesach. The technical details of this sale are complex because the goods do not physically change hands. It is highly recommended that you appoint a Rabbi as your proxy to sell your Chametz before Pesach. The Rabbi will also re-purchase your Chametz from the Gentile at the completion of Pesach.

Bedikat Chametz

This is the traditional search for Chametz (leaven and leavened products), using a candle, wooden spoon and feather. Normally performed on the eve of Pesach, it is customary to hide ten pieces of bread around the house. These are then "found" when the search is performed. Before starting recite the following Bracha:

BARUCH ATA ADO-NAI ELO-HEINU MELECH HA-OLAM ASHER KIDESHANU BEMITZVOTAV VETZIVANU AL BI-UR CHAMETZ.

When the search is complete, recite the following formula to annul any Chametz that you have not found (original Aramaic text can be found in the first pages of most Haggadot or in the Artscroll Siddur on pg.654): "Any form of leaven that is in my possession which I have not seen or have not removed, or have no knowledge of, shall be null and disowned as the dust of the earth."

Siyum

All male first-born are obligated to fast on the day before Pesach to commemorate the miracle of their salvation from the plague of Death of the First Born. There is one way that this obligation is waived: if the first-born takes part in a festive Mitzvah-meal, such as the meal after a Bris, or after a Siyum (the completion of a tractate of the Talmud). A Siyum is traditionally made in Shul after the morning service.

Holidays