The following table represents the Passover calendar / Pesach calendar for those who celebrate Pesach / Passover for 7 days:
| Date in Jewish/Hebrew Calendar |
Date in Gregorian/Christian Calendar |
Religious Activity/Activities |
| 14th Nissan: Erev Pesach ("the Day Before Passover" in Hebrew) (Nightfall Tuesday to Nightfall Wednesday = 14th of Nissan) | Tuesday, April 7th, 2009 (Nightfall Tuesday to Nightfall Wednesday = 14th of Nissan) | - Bedikat Chametz - "Search For Leaven", meaning chametz, using a candle and feather. This year, Bedikat Chametz is performed either just after sunset or just after nightfall on Tuesday, April 7th, 2009, depending on the authoritative rabbinical opinion one follows. Recite the Bedikat Chametz blessing prior to the search, and then recite the Kol Chamira or "nullification of all leaven" blessing immediately after the search (Kol Chamira or Chol Chamira means "nullification of all leaven" in Aramaic). Reciting "Kol Chamira" also fulfills G-ds' commandment of "Bitul Chametz", meaning the "mental nullification of all leaven" in Hebrew, which means that one eliminates one's mental concerns about any chametz in the household. [Note: if Shabbat falls on the day before the Passover festival (this is not the case for this year), then Bedikat Chametz - usually performed either after sunset or after nightfall in the final evening before the start of Passover, that is, the final evening whereupon the next evening is the start of Passover (meaning the start of Erev Pesach, "the Day Before Passover" in Hebrew) - is instead moved back one day to either after sunset or after nightfall on Thursday evening, on the 13th day of Nissan].
- Ta'anit Bechorot or Ta'anit Bekhorot (Ta'anit Bechorot or Ta'anit Bekhorot means "Fast of the First-Borns" in Hebrew). The first-born male in each Jewish family fasts for 1 day - from sunrise until sunset on the day before Passover - in commemoration of the 10th plague of Passover, in which G-d spared the first born male in every Jewish household in Egypt, and instead slew the first born in every Egyptian household. If there is no first born male in a Jewish household, then the oldest male in the family fasts. If there are no children, then the oldest member of the family fasts. This is done because all Egyptian families were affected by G-d's wrath, whether or not they had a first born son. This fast is also in memory of the slain first born Egyptian males, and symbolizes the gratitude of the first born males of Jewish households to G-d as well as serves as a reminder of G-d's might and power. However, first born Jewish males can be exempted from the Ta'anit Bechorot or Ta'anit Bekhorot by attending a siyyum bekhorot. Siyyum means "the celebration held after the public completion of study of a tractate of the Talmud or at the end of a year of study" in Hebrew, and siyyum bekhorot means "the celebration held after the public completion of study of a tractate of the Talmud or at the end of a year of study for first borns" in Hebrew. This celebration usually involves eating at a feast. The siyyum bekhorot is done so that the obligation or mitzvah to hold a celebration will override the minor obligation or mitzvah to fast on the day before Passover. The siyyum bekhorot is done on the morning before Passover (14th Nissan), with the ritual of burning the chametz (called "Biur Chametz" in Hebrew; "Biur" literally means "destruction" in Hebrew; especially, "destruction by fire") done soon after that, and before the morning is over. [Note: if Shabbat falls on the day before the Passover festival (this is not the case for this year), then Ta'anit Bekhorot - usually performed on Erev Pesach ("the Day Before Passover" in Hebrew) - is instead moved back to the final Thursday before the start of Passover, on the 12th day of Nissan]
- The eating of leaven must stop before about 4 hours after sunrise. The time of sunrise will vary depending on one's latitude and on where one is located in the world. Therefore, morning prayers should be completed as early as possible so that one can finish eating chametz at the breakfast meal before the religiously appointed time to stop eating chametz in one's geographical location.
- Biur Chametz ("destruction" in Hebrew, especially, "destruction by fire") - burning of leaven/chametz. This must be done before about 5 hours after sunrise. The time of sunrise will vary depending on one's latitude and on where one is located in the world. This ritual is performed if one still finds chametz in one's possession and/or household even after performing Bedikat Chametz. After destroying the leaven by burning it, the bracha ("blessing" in Hebrew) and Kol Chamira that was performed for the Bedikat Chametz ritual are repeated here. [Note: if Shabbat falls on the day before the Passover festival (this is not the case for this year), then Biur Chametz - usually performed on the 14th day of Nissan which is Erev Pesach ("the Day Before Passover" in Hebrew) - is instead performed one day earlier, on the 13th day of Nissan.]
- Since we are not permitted by Jewish law to create a new flame on Yom Tov, we therefore must kindle a new flame before the Yom Tov day and use this new flame to kindle two Yom Tov candles at the start of the Yom Tov day, so that one can use this flame that existed before Yom Tov to not only kindle the two Yom Tov candles on the first day of Passover/Pesach, but also to have this flame that existed before Yom Tov available to use to re-kindle the Yom Tov candles in case one or both of the Yom Tov candles on the first day of Passover/Pesach accidentally burn out. To achieve this, one must prepare and kindle a candle that must be safely lit from the time we kindled it just before Yom Tov begins to at least until the time when we need to use it to kindle the two Yom Tov candles either just after sunset or just after nightfall when Yom Tov begins. One can use a 26-hour Yahrtzeit candle [Yahrtzeit literally means "(a) year's time" or "time (of) year" in Yiddish, meaning another year has passed I.E. an anniversary; in this context, an anniversary of the passing of a close relative; colloquially, an annual time of memorial] I.E. a Memorial candle for this activity. The 26-hour Yahrtzeit candle or Memorial candle will be used to light the two Yom Tov (holiday, or in the case of Pesach/Passover, a festival day) candles on Wednesday night, either just after sunset or just after nightfall, depending on the authoritative rabbinical opinion one follows.
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| Pesach/Passover 5769 |
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| 1st Day of Pesach/Passover | Wednesday, April 8th, 2009 (Nightfall Wednesday to Nightfall Thursday = 15th of Nissan) | - Either just after sunset or just after nightfall, depending on the authoritative rabbinical opinion one follows, Yom Tov has begun, but we must officially begin Yom Tov (holiday, or in the case of Pesach/Passover, a festival day) by performing the recitation of the Yom Tov blessing and we must also kindle two Yom Tov candles.
- The two Yom Tov candles for the first day of Pesach/Passover are kindled with a pre-existing flame, meaning a flame that was already in existence by having been lit before Yom Tov; that is, one can use the flame of the aforementioned 26-hour Yahrtzeit candle.
- Reciting the Yom Tov blessing before or after kindling the Yom Tov candles: There is a Talmudic law in Mishnah Berurah that states that one must recite the Yom Tov blessing before kindling the Yom Tov candles. On Shabbat, or the Sabbath, one first kindles the two Shabbat candles and then one recites the Shabbat blessing, so that one may be able to re-kindle the Shabbat candles if one or both of them accidentally burn out, since Shabbat does not officially begin until the Shabbat blessing is recited. Since some Jewish people prefer to follow the same order of kindling candles for Yom Tov and then reciting the blessing for Yom Tov as they do for Shabbat while fulfilling the Talmudic law in Mishnah Berurah that states that one must first recite the blessing for Yom Tov and then kindle the Yom Tov candles, they fulfill both by first kindling the two candles - which are not yet Yom Tov candles since one did not yet recite the blessing for Yom Tov - and then they recite the Yom Tov blessing with one's eyes either closed or with one's hands covering one's eyes. After the person finishes reciting the Yom Tov blessing, Yom Tov has officially begun, and the person then either opens their eyes or removes their hands from their eyes to view for the first time on this Yom Tov what are now the two Yom Tov candles. This method fulfills both the custom to follow the order of first kindling the candles and then reciting the blessing on Yom Tov as is done for Shabbat, as well as to first recite the blessing for Yom Tov while shielding one's eyes from the two candles and then viewing the two Yom Tov candles for the first time after reciting the Yom Tov blessing. Yom Tov blessing: The following standard Yom Tov blessing is as follows in transliterated Hebrew:
Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ho-olam A-sher Ki -de-sho-nu Be-mitz-vo-sov Ve-tzi-vo-nu Le-had-lik Ner Shel Yom Tov.
In English:
Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King (or Master or Sovereign) of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to kindle the light of the holiday (or in this case, festival day). - The Shehecheyanu ("Who Has Kept Us In Life" in Hebrew) blessing: Depending on one's custom, the Shehecheyanu blessing, a blessing that thanks G-d for sustaining us (the Hebrews/Jewish people) and enabling us to reach this season or this special time, is recited either immediately following the Yom Tov blessing, or near the beginning of the Passover/Pesach Seder as stated in the Passover/Pesach Haggadah ("Haggadah" means either "Telling" or "Narration" in Hebrew, meaning it contains the telling or narration of the Passover/Pesach story and also that one should tell or narrate the Passover/Pesach story to others), which is the "instruction manual" for conducting the Passover/Pesach Seder.
- The Seder begins either just after sunset or just after nightfall, meaning after the lighting of the two Yom Tov candles and after the Ma'ariv or Arvit ("Evening" in Hebrew) prayer service. Refer to the Passover/Pesach Haggadah for step-by-step instructions on how to conduct the 15 ordered steps that comprise the Seder. There are over 3,000 versions of the Passover/Pesach Haggadah, with each version being based on the political, social, and/or religious philosophies in Judaism that one follows, but the structure and order of the 15 steps are always the same for each version. The reason for the variety of versions in the Passover/Pesach Haggadah is that rabbis down through the ages have encouraged the "telling" and interpretation of the Passover/Pesach story in as many ways as possible so that the timeless messages contained in the Passover/Pesach story could be understood and appreciated by as many people as possible since these are messages that all human beings can relate to and learn from.
- After starting the Pesach/Passover Seder following the lighting of the Yom Tov candles, the first 1 oz. of matzah should be eaten within 4 minutes from the start of the Pesach/Passover Seder.
- The first day of Pesach/Passover ends either at sunset or at nightfall, where nightfall is defined in Jewish law as occurring either 72 minutes after sea level sunset or if it is a clear sky, when three medium-sized stars first appear and are sighted in the sky.
- After the end of the 1st day of Pesach/Passover at either sunset or at nightfall: Performing a partial version of the Havdalah ceremony: When a Yom Tov day is immediately followed by a secular weekday, then a partial version of the full Havdalah ceremony is performed after Yom Tov ends at either sunset or at nightfall and before midnight to separate or distinguish the comparatively higher level of holy time that characterizes a Yom Tov day from the ordinary time of the secular weekdays. The partial Havdalah ceremony involves just the reciting of the Havdalah blessing over a cup of wine, and omits the use of the Havdalah candle(s) and the spice box containing the spices/herbs as well as the omission of the associated blessing for each, that is, the blessing for fire, and the blessing for the spices/herbs.
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| Chol HaMoed (Intermediate Days of the Pesach/Passover festival) |
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| 1st Day of Chol HaMoed: Erev Shabbat ["Day Before (the) Sabbath" in Hebrew] | Thursday, April 9th, 2009 (Nightfall Thursday to Nightfall Friday = 16th of Nissan) | - Sabbath candles must be lit 18 minutes before sunset on Friday. Again, the time of sunset will vary depending on one's latitude and on where one is located in the world.
- After lighting the Sabbath candles, recite the following Sabbath blessing in transliterated Hebrew: Bo-ruch A-toh Ado-noi E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ho-olom A-sher Ki-de-sho-nu Be-mitz-vo-sov Ve-tzi-vo-nu Le-had-lik Ner Shel Shabbos Koi- desh.
Next, the Kiddush is recited in order to formally begin Shabbat. The Kiddush comprises the Yayin ("Wine" in Hebrew) blessing, followed by the Kiddush blessing.
Here is the blessing over the wine in transliterated Hebrew:
Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ha-olam, Borei Pri Ha-gafen.
In English:
Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King (or Master or Sovereign) of the universe, who creates (or created or Creator of) the fruit of the vine.
Next, the Kiddush blessing is recited:
For You have chosen us and sanctified us from among all the nations, and {on the Sabbath, say the following: the Sabbath and} Your holy festivals {on the Sabbath, say the following: in love and favor}, in gladness and joy, have You granted us as a heritage. Blessed are You, G-d, who sanctifies {on the Sabbath, say the following: the Sabbath,} Israel and the festive seasons. - During Chol HaMoed days, it is customary to drink either a glass of wine or a glass of grape juice each day to commemorate the Passover festival.
- During Chol HaMoed days, we continue to consume Kosher for Passover foods and drinks.
- During Chol Hamoed days, we can perform work as long as the type of work we perform does not fall under the 39 forms of forbidden work.
- No Tefillin (phylacteries) are put on today.
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| 2nd Day of Chol HaMoed (Shabbat = Sabbath; specifically, Shabbat Chol HaMoed Pesach, meaning an intermediate or middle day of Passover that falls on the Sabbath; it is an intermediate day or middle day because it falls in-between Yom Tov days for Passover/Pesach) | Friday, April 10th, 2009 (Nightfall Friday to Nightfall Saturday = 17th of Nissan) | - No Tefillin (phylacteries) are put on today.
- In addition to the morning prayer service (called "Shacharit" in Hebrew), a special additional prayer is recited called Hallel, Musaf for Pesach. ("Musaf" means "additional" in Hebrew)
- Shabbos / Sabbath ends at nightfall (some Jewish communities like to extend Shabbat beyond nightfall to both extend and hopefully carry the spirit of Shabbat into the weekdays, but end Shabbat sometime before midnight).
- Performing the "full" Havdalah ceremony: Finally, on Saturday evening at nightfall (nightfall is defined in Jewish law as occurring either 72 minutes after sea level sunset or if it is a clear sky, when three medium- sized stars first appear and are sighted in the sky), the "full" Havdalah ceremony is performed (meaning all rituals contained in the Havdalah ceremony are performed). The full Havdalah ceremony - which is usually preceded by some verses from the Hebrew Bible - contains 4 blessings [Performed in the following order: (1) Blessing over the wine, (2) Blessing over the spices, (3) Blessing over the fire, and (4) The Havdalah blessing itself], either two Havdalah candles or two interwoven Havdalah candles that are joined at the wick, whichever is being used, a spice box containing either spices and/or herbs, a cup filled with wine, preferably red wine, and a small tray to hold the cup of wine. The full Havdalah ceremony is performed anytime from after nightfall to midnight on Saturday to formally usher out Shabbat (Shabbat actually ends at nightfall on Saturday but by Jewish law, we must formally usher it out, and as mentioned, there is a custom to extend Shabbat about a half hour beyond nightfall), but if for whatever reason one cannot perform the Havdalah ceremony by midnight on Saturday evening, then Havdalah can be performed anytime until Tuesday evening at nightfall, but without the use of the Havdalah candle(s) nor the spice box containing the spices and/or herbs, and the omission of the recitation of the associated blessing for each (that is, the blessing over the fire and the blessing over the spices/herbs, respectively). Havdalah ("separation" or "distinction" in Hebrew) is a formal way of separating or distinguishing the holy time of Shabbat from the ordinary time of the secular weekdays that follow Shabbat in order to demonstrate that Shabbat time is a different and more special kind of time than the time period for the secular weekdays, as Shabbat time gives us a taste or idea of what Messianic times will be like: in other words, one long, Shabbat - a time of eternal justice and peace for the Hebrew/Jewish people and ultimately, for all humanity. In Judaism, we work during the secular weekdays toward bringing about the perfection of the world which we get a taste of at the end of the week with Shabbat, which is an ever-constant reminder to us to strive during the secular weekdays toward bringing Messianic times upon us. The full Havdalah ceremony is performed when formally separating or distinguishing between either Shabbat and the secular weekdays, or between the higher holy time of Shabbat and the comparatively lesser holy time of a Yom Tov day ("Yom Tov" means "holiday" in Hebrew; in the case of Jewish festivals such as Pesach/Passover, a "full" festival day, meaning the full application of Jewish law for that festival day or holiday applies to that day). The Havdalah ceremony is only performed when passing from a higher time period of holiness to a lower time period of holiness, not vice-versa. Therefore, when a Yom Tov day is followed by a Shabbat day, meaning one is passing from a comparatively lesser level of holy time to a higher level of holy time, then the full Havdalah ceremony is performed at the conclusion of Shabbat at nightfall on Saturday evening. The three levels of time in terms of holiness in Judaism are as follows: (1) the highest level of holiness time: Shabbat; (2) the next highest level of holy time: a Yom Tov day, and finally (3) the lowest level of holy time or in other words, ordinary time, the secular weekdays. In this case, the full Havdalah ceremony is performed to separate or distinguish the holy time of Shabbat from the secular weekdays.
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| 3rd Day of Chol HaMoed | Saturday, April 11th, 2009 (Nightfall Saturday to Nightfall Sunday = 18th of Nissan) | - No Tefillin (phylacteries) are put on today.
- In addition to the morning prayer service (called "Shacharit" in Hebrew), a special additional prayer is recited called Hallel, Musaf for Pesach. ("Musaf" means "additional" in Hebrew)
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| 4th Day of Chol HaMoed | Sunday, April 12th, 2009 (Nightfall Sunday to Nightfall Monday = 19th of Nissan) | - No Tefillin (phylacteries) are put on today.
- In addition to the morning prayer service (called "Shacharit" in Hebrew), a special additional prayer is recited called Hallel, Musaf for Pesach. ("Musaf" means "additional" in Hebrew)
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| 5th Day of Chol HaMoed: (Erev Yom Tov, meaning "the Day Before the Holiday" in Hebrew; in this case, the 7th day of Pesach/Passover is a "full" festival day, meaning the full application of Jewish law for a Yom Tov day for Pesach/Passover applies to that day) | Monday, April 13th, 2009 (Nightfall Monday to Nightfall Tuesday = 20th of Nissan) | - No Tefillin (phylacteries) are put on today.
- In addition to the morning prayer service (called "Shacharit" in Hebrew), a special additional prayer is recited called Hallel, Musaf for Pesach. ("Musaf" means "additional" in Hebrew)
- Since we are not permitted by Jewish law to create a new flame on Yom Tov, we therefore must kindle a new flame before the Yom Tov day and use this new flame to kindle two Yom Tov candles at the start of the Yom Tov day, so that one can use this flame that existed before Yom Tov to not only kindle the two Yom Tov candles on the seventh day of Passover/Pesach, but also to have this flame that existed before Yom Tov available to use to re-kindle the Yom Tov candles in case one or both of the Yom Tov candles on the seventh day of Passover/Pesach accidentally burn out. To achieve this, one must prepare and kindle a candle that must be safely lit from the time we kindled it just before Yom Tov begins to at least until the time when we need to use it to kindle the two Yom Tov candles either just after sunset or just after nightfall when Yom Tov begins. One can use a 26-hour Yahrtzeit candle [Yahrtzeit literally means "(a) year's time" or "time (of) year" in Yiddish, meaning another year has passed I.E. an anniversary; in this context, an anniversary of the passing of a close relative; colloquially, an annual time of memorial] I.E. a Memorial candle for this activity. The 26-hour Yahrtzeit candle or Memorial candle will be used to light the two Yom Tov (holiday, or in the case of Pesach/Passover, a festival day) candles on Tuesday night, either just after sunset or just after nightfall, depending on the authoritative rabbinical opinion one follows.
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| Final Days of the Pesach/Passover festival |
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| 7th Day of Pesach/Passover (Shvi'i Shel Pesach or Shevi'i Shel Pesach) | Tuesday, April 14th, 2009 (Nightfall Tuesday to Nightfall Wednesday = 21st of Nissan) | - Either just after sunset or just after nightfall, depending on the authoritative rabbinical opinion one follows, Yom Tov has begun, but we must officially begin Yom Tov (holiday, or in the case of Pesach/Passover, a festival day) by performing the recitation of the Yom Tov blessing and we must also kindle two Yom Tov candles.
- The two Yom Tov candles for the seventh day of Pesach/Passover are kindled with a pre- existing flame, meaning a flame that was already in existence by having been lit before Yom Tov; that is, one can use the flame of the aforementioned 26-hour Yahrtzeit candle.
- Reciting the Yom Tov blessing before or after kindling the Yom Tov candles: There is a Talmudic law in Mishnah Berurah that states that one must recite the Yom Tov blessing before kindling the Yom Tov candles. On Shabbat, or the Sabbath, one first kindles the two Shabbat candles and then one recites the Shabbat blessing, so that one may be able to re-kindle the Shabbat candles if one or both of them accidentally burn out, since Shabbat does not officially begin until the Shabbat blessing is recited. Since some Jewish people prefer to follow the same order of kindling candles for Yom Tov and then reciting the blessing for Yom Tov as they do for Shabbat while fulfilling the Talmudic law in Mishnah Berurah that states that one must first recite the blessing for Yom Tov and then kindle the Yom Tov candles, they fulfill both by first kindling the two candles - which are not yet Yom Tov candles since one did not yet recite the blessing for Yom Tov - and then they recite the Yom Tov blessing with one's eyes either closed or with one's hands covering one's eyes. After the person finishes reciting the Yom Tov blessing, Yom Tov has officially begun, and the person then either opens their eyes or removes their hands from their eyes to view for the first time on this Yom Tov what are now the two Yom Tov candles. This method fulfills both the custom to follow the order of first kindling the candles and then reciting the blessing on Yom Tov as is done for Shabbat, as well as to first recite the blessing for Yom Tov while shielding one's eyes from the two candles and then viewing the two Yom Tov candles for the first time after reciting the Yom Tov blessing. Yom Tov blessing: The following standard Yom Tov blessing is as follows in transliterated Hebrew:
Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ho-olam A-sher Ki -de-sho-nu Be-mitz-vo-sov Ve-tzi-vo-nu Le-had-lik Ner Shel Yom Tov.
In English:
Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King (or Master or Sovereign) of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to kindle the light of the holiday (or in this case, festival day).
In certain Chassidic traditions such as the Chabad-Lubavitch tradition, it is a custom to remain awake all night on the seventh day of Pesach/Passover until dawn while studying about and celebrating the miracle of the "splitting" of the Red Sea or the "Sea of Reeds" ("Yam Suf" in Hebrew) as well as engage in Torah study in general. When dawn arrives, water is poured on the floor and then those that were studying all night about the miracles of the "splitting" of the Red Sea or the "Sea of Reeds" dance in the water until it dries up. - Yizkor Memorial Service ["Yizkor" means "May (G-d) Remember" in Hebrew, it is from the Hebrew root word "zakhor", meaning "remember"]; after the Yizkor Memorial Service, for certain Chassidim such as the Chabad-Lubavitch sect, there is a special meal eaten late in the afternoon known as the "Seudas Moshiach", meaning "feast (or meal) for Messiah". Although this meal comes at the close of Pesach/Passover, the Chabad-Lubavitch believe that it represents an historic beginning in that on the final day of Pesach/Passover, the Haftarah scriptural reading from the Book of Isaiah introduces a prophetic vision of the glorious era of the Moshiach, who will return all Jews to Israel from our exile. In essence, the Chabad-Lubavitch believe that Pesach/Passover did not end with the Exodus but is a continuous process that began with Moses and will end with the arrival of Moshiach or the Messiah. They believe that one is incomplete without the other. The "Seudas Moshiach" festive meal is celebrated by eating matzah and drinking four cups of wine around a table and saying "L'Chayim!" ("To Life!" in Hebrew), which is a salutation for best wishes. This ritual was introduced by the Chassidic founder, the "Baal Shem Tov" and later Chassidic Sages, where participants join together around a table to express their thoughts, yearnings, hopes, feelings, and belief in the coming redemption. The festive meal concludes with the singing of melodies and tunes and ends on a high note with the fervant hope of Jewish faith in the future.
- The Pesach/Passover festival ends at either sunset or at nightfall, depending on the authoritative rabbinical opinion one follows.
- At either sunset or at nightfall (defined in Jewish law as occurring either 72 minutes after sea level sunset or if it is a clear sky, when three medium-sized stars first appear and are sighted in the sky), perform a partial version of the Havdalah ceremony to formally usher out the 7th and final day of Pesach/Passover: When a Yom Tov day is immediately followed by a secular weekday, then a partial version of the full Havdalah ceremony is performed after Yom Tov ends either at sunset or at nightfall and before midnight to separate or distinguish the comparatively higher level of holy time that characterizes a Yom Tov day from the ordinary time of the secular weekdays. The partial Havdalah ceremony involves just the reciting of the Havdalah blessing over a cup of wine, and omits the use of the Havdalah candle(s) and the spice box containing the spices/herbs as well as the omission of the associated blessing for each, that is, the blessing for fire, and the blessing for the spices/herbs.
- After the Pesach/Passover festival ends, one has to wait for the leaven/chametz to be bought back by the Rabbi that one follows, so to make sure that the leaven/chametz was bought back by the rabbi that one follows, avoid eating chametz for approximately 1 hour after nightfall.
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| Isru Chag (literally means "bind the festival" in Hebrew) | Wednesday, April 15th, 2009 (Nightfall Wednesday to Nightfall Thursday = 22nd of Nissan) | "Isru Chag" is a day that was created by the people of Israel in order to bask one more day in the close feelings to G-d and in the spiritual joy of the Pesach/Passover festival. It serves as a bridge between the lofty holiness of the Pesach/Passover festival and descending back into the mundane activities of everyday life. "Isru Chag" (or "Isru Hag") is also a day which the people of Israel created to traditionally depart from Jerusalem and return to their homes after gathering for the "Shalosh Regalim" (the three pilgrimmage festivals of Pesach/Passover, Shavuoth, and Sukkoth). For observant Jews, this also means that they return to putting on tefillin (phylacteries) for the morning prayers. |
The following table represents the Passover calendar / Pesach calendar for those who celebrate Pesach / Passover for 8 days:
| Date in Jewish/Hebrew Calendar |
Date in Gregorian/Christian Calendar |
Religious Activity/Activities |
| 14th Nissan: Erev Pesach ("the Day Before Passover" in Hebrew) (Nightfall Tuesday to Nightfall Wednesday = 14th of Nissan) | Tuesday, April 7th, 2009 (Nightfall Tuesday to Nightfall Wednesday = 14th of Nissan) | - Bedikat Chametz - "Search For Leaven", meaning chametz, using a candle and feather. This year, Bedikat Chametz is performed either just after sunset or just after nightfall on Tuesday, April 7th, 2009, depending on the authoritative rabbinical opinion one follows. Recite the Bedikat Chametz blessing prior to the search, and then recite the Kol Chamira or "nullification of all leaven" blessing immediately after the search (Kol Chamira or Chol Chamira means "nullification of all leaven" in Aramaic). Reciting "Kol Chamira" also fulfills G-ds' commandment of "Bitul Chametz", meaning the "mental nullification of all leaven" in Hebrew, which means that one eliminates one's mental concerns about any chametz in the household. [Note: if Shabbat falls on the day before the Passover festival (this is not the case for this year), then Bedikat Chametz - usually performed either after sunset or after nightfall in the final evening before the start of Passover, that is, the final evening whereupon the next evening is the start of Passover (meaning the start of Erev Pesach, "the Day Before Passover" in Hebrew) - is instead moved back one day to either after sunset or after nightfall on Thursday evening, on the 13th day of Nissan].
- Ta'anit Bekhorot (Ta'anit Bekhorot means "Fast of the First-Borns" in Hebrew). The first-born male in each Jewish family fasts for 1 day - from sunrise until sunset on the day before Passover - in commemoration of the 10th plague of Passover, in which G-d spared the first born male in every Jewish household in Egypt, and instead slew the first born in every Egyptian household. If there is no first born male in a Jewish household, then the oldest male in the family fasts. If there are no children, then the oldest member of the family fasts. This is done because all Egyptian families were affected by G-d's wrath, whether or not they had a first born son. This fast is also in memory of the slain first born Egyptian males, and symbolizes the gratitude of the first born males of Jewish households to G-d as well as serves as a reminder of G-d's might and power. However, first born Jewish males can be exempted from the Ta'anit Bekhorot by attending a siyyum bekhorot. Siyyum means "the celebration held after the public completion of study of a tractate of the Talmud or at the end of a year of study" in Hebrew, and siyyum bekhorot means "the celebration held after the public completion of study of a tractate of the Talmud or at the end of a year of study for first borns" in Hebrew. This celebration usually involves eating at a feast. The siyyum bekhorot is done so that the obligation or mitzvah to hold a celebration will override the minor obligation or mitzvah to fast on the day before Passover. The siyyum bekhorot is done on the morning before Passover (14th Nissan), with the ritual of burning the leaven (called "Biur Chametz" in Hebrew; "Biur" literally means "destruction" in Hebrew; especially, "destruction by fire") done soon after that, and before the morning is over. [Note: if Shabbat falls on the day before the Passover festival (this is not the case for this year), then Ta'anit Bekhorot - usually performed on Erev Pesach ("the Day Before Passover" in Hebrew) - is instead moved back to the final Thursday before the start of Passover, on the 12th day of Nissan]
- The eating of leaven must stop before about 4 hours after sunrise. The time of sunrise will vary depending on one's latitude and on where one is located in the world. Therefore, morning prayers should be completed as early as possible so that one can finish eating chametz at the breakfast meal before the religiously appointed time to stop eating chametz in one's geographical location.
- Biur Chametz [literally "destruction (of the) leaven" in Hebrew; especially, "destruction by fire"] - burning of leaven/chametz. This must be done before about 5 hours after sunrise. The time of sunrise will vary depending on one's latitude and on where one is located in the world. This ritual is performed if one still finds chametz in one's possession and/or household even after performing Bedikat Chametz. After destroying the leaven by burning it, the bracha ("blessing" in Hebrew) and Kol Chamira that was performed for the Bedikat Chametz ritual are repeated here. [Note: if Shabbat falls on the day before the Passover festival (this is not the case for this year), then Biur Chametz - usually performed on the 14th day of Nissan which is Erev Pesach ("the Day Before Passover" in Hebrew) - is instead performed one day earlier, on the 13th day of Nissan.
- Since there are two consecutive Yom Tov days that follow this day and since we are not permitted by Jewish law to create a new flame on Yom Tov, we therefore must kindle a new flame before the first Yom Tov day and use this new flame to kindle two Yom Tov candles at the start of the 1st Yom Tov day and two more Yom Tov candles at the start of the second Yom Tov day. To achieve this, one must prepare and kindle a candle that must be safely lit for more than 24 hours, so that one can use this flame that existed before Yom Tov to not only kindle the two Yom Tov candles on the first day and two more Yom Tov candles on the second day of Passover/Pesach, but also to have this flame that existed before Yom Tov available to use to re-kindle the Yom Tov candles in case one or both of the Yom Tov candles on either the first day and second days of Passover/Pesach accidentally burn out. To achieve this, the new flame that exists before Yom Tov can be a 50-hour Yahrtzeit candle [Yahrtzeit literally means "(a) year's time" or "time (of) year" in Yiddish, meaning another year has passed I.E. an anniversary; in this context, an anniversary of the passing of a close relative; colloquially, an annual time of memorial] I.E. a Memorial candle. The 50-hour Yahrtzeit candle or Memorial candle will be used to light the two Yom Tov (holiday, or in the case of Pesach/Passover, a festival day) candles on both Wednesday night and Thursday night, either just after sunset or just after nightfall, depending on the authoritative rabbinical opinion one follows.
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| Pesach/Passover 5769 |
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| 1st Day of Pesach/Passover | Wednesday, April 8th, 2009 (Nightfall Wednesday to Nightfall Thursday = 15th of Nissan) | - Either just after sunset or just after nightfall, depending on the authoritative rabbinical opinion one follows, Yom Tov has begun, but we must officially begin Yom Tov (holiday, or in the case of Pesach/Passover, a festival day) by performing the recitation of the Yom Tov blessing and we must also kindle two Yom Tov candles.
- The two Yom Tov candles for the first day of Pesach/Passover are kindled with a pre-existing flame, meaning a flame that was already in existence by having been lit before Yom Tov; that is, one can use the flame of the aforementioned 50-hour Yahrtzeit candle.
- Reciting the Yom Tov blessing before or after kindling the Yom Tov candles: There is a Talmudic law in Mishnah Berurah that states that one must recite the Yom Tov blessing before kindling the Yom Tov candles. On Shabbat, or the Sabbath, one first kindles the two Shabbat candles and then one recites the Shabbat blessing, so that one may be able to re-kindle the Shabbat candles if one or both of them accidentally burn out, since Shabbat does not officially begin until the Shabbat blessing is recited. Since some Jewish people prefer to follow the same order of kindling candles for Yom Tov and then reciting the blessing for Yom Tov as they do for Shabbat while fulfilling the Talmudic law in Mishnah Berurah that states that one must first recite the blessing for Yom Tov and then kindle the Yom Tov candles, they fulfill both by first kindling the two candles - which are not yet Yom Tov candles since one did not yet recite the blessing for Yom Tov - and then they recite the Yom Tov blessing with one's eyes either closed or with one's hands covering one's eyes. After the person finishes reciting the Yom Tov blessing, Yom Tov has officially begun, and the person then either opens their eyes or removes their hands from their eyes to view for the first time on this Yom Tov what are now the two Yom Tov candles. This method fulfills both the custom to follow the order of first kindling the candles and then reciting the blessing on Yom Tov as is done for Shabbat, as well as to first recite the blessing for Yom Tov while shielding one's eyes from the two candles and then viewing the two Yom Tov candles for the first time after reciting the Yom Tov blessing. Yom Tov blessing: The following standard Yom Tov blessing is as follows in transliterated Hebrew:
Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ho-olam A-sher Ki -de-sho-nu Be-mitz-vo-sov Ve-tzi-vo-nu Le-had-lik Ner Shel Yom Tov.
In English:
Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King (or Master or Sovereign) of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to kindle the light of the holiday (or in this case, festival day). - The Shehecheyanu ("Who Has Kept Us In Life" in Hebrew) blessing: Depending on one's custom, the Shehecheyanu blessing, a blessing that thanks G-d for sustaining us (the Hebrews/Jewish people) and enabling us to reach this season or this special time, is recited either immediately following the Yom Tov blessing, or near the beginning of the Passover/Pesach Seder as stated in the Passover/Pesach Haggadah ("Haggadah" means either "Telling" or "Narration" in Hebrew, meaning it contains the telling or narration of the Passover/Pesach story and also that one should tell or narrate the Passover/Pesach story to others), which is the "instruction manual" for conducting the Passover/Pesach Seder.
- The first Seder begins either just after sunset or just after nightfall, meaning after the lighting of the two Yom Tov candles and after the Ma'ariv or Arvit ("Evening" in Hebrew) prayer service. Refer to the Passover/Pesach Haggadah for step-by-step instructions on how to conduct the 15 ordered steps that comprise the Seder. There are over 3,000 versions of the Passover/Pesach Haggadah, with each version being based on the political, social, and/or religious philosophies in Judaism that one follows, but the structure and order of the 15 steps are always the same for each version. The reason for the variety of versions in the Passover/Pesach Haggadah is that rabbis down through the ages have encouraged the "telling" and interpretation of the Passover/Pesach story in as many ways as possible so that the timeless messages contained in the Passover/Pesach story could be understood and appreciated by as many people as possible since these are messages that all human beings can relate to and learn from.
- After starting the Pesach/Passover Seder following the lighting of the Yom Tov candles, the first 1 oz. of matzah should be eaten within 4 minutes from the start of the Pesach/Passover Seder.
- The first day of Pesach/Passover ends either at sunset or at nightfall, depending on the authoritative rabbinical opinion one follows.
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| 2nd Day of Pesach/Passover: Erev Shabbat ["Day Before (the) Sabbath" in Hebrew] | Thursday, April 9th, 2009 (Nightfall Thursday to Nightfall Friday = 16th of Nissan) | - Either just after sunset or just after nightfall, depending on the authoritative rabbinical opinion one follows, Yom Tov has begun, but we must officially begin Yom Tov (holiday, or in the case of Pesach/Passover, a festival day) by performing the recitation of the Yom Tov blessing and we must also kindle two Yom Tov candles.
- The two Yom Tov candles for the second day of Pesach/Passover are kindled with a pre-existing flame, meaning a flame that was already in existence by having been lit before Yom Tov; that is, one can use the flame of the aforementioned 50-hour Yahrtzeit candle.
- Reciting the Yom Tov blessing before or after kindling the Yom Tov candles: There is a Talmudic law in Mishnah Berurah that states that one must recite the Yom Tov blessing before kindling the Yom Tov candles. On Shabbat, or the Sabbath, one first kindles the two Shabbat candles and then one recites the Shabbat blessing, so that one may be able to re-kindle the Shabbat candles if one or both of them accidentally burn out, since Shabbat does not officially begin until the Shabbat blessing is recited. Since some Jewish people prefer to follow the same order of kindling candles for Yom Tov and then reciting the blessing for Yom Tov as they do for Shabbat while fulfilling the Talmudic law in Mishnah Berurah that states that one must first recite the blessing for Yom Tov and then kindle the Yom Tov candles, they fulfill both by first kindling the two candles - which are not yet Yom Tov candles since one did not yet recite the blessing for Yom Tov - and then they recite the Yom Tov blessing with one's eyes either closed or with one's hands covering one's eyes. After the person finishes reciting the Yom Tov blessing, Yom Tov has officially begun, and the person then either opens their eyes or removes their hands from their eyes to view for the first time on this Yom Tov what are now the two Yom Tov candles. This method fulfills both the custom to follow the order of first kindling the candles and then reciting the blessing on Yom Tov as is done for Shabbat, as well as to first recite the blessing for Yom Tov while shielding one's eyes from the two candles and then viewing the two Yom Tov candles for the first time after reciting the Yom Tov blessing. Yom Tov blessing: The following standard Yom Tov blessing is as follows in transliterated Hebrew:
Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ho-olam A-sher Ki -de-sho-nu Be-mitz-vo-sov Ve-tzi-vo-nu Le-had-lik Ner Shel Yom Tov.
In English:
Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King (or Master or Sovereign) of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to kindle the light of the holiday (or in this case, festival day). - The Shehecheyanu ("Who Has Kept Us In Life" in Hebrew) blessing: Since we have already recited the Shehecheyanu blessing on the first evening of Pesach/Passover, there is no need to recite it again on the second evening of Pesach/Passover, as we have already thanked G-d for sustaining us and enabling us to reach this season or this special time.
- This is the second evening of the Pesach/Passover festival, and that means the "Counting of the Omer" begins on this evening. The "Counting of the Omer" is recited during each of the next 49 evenings starting on this evening at the end of the Ma'ariv or Arvit ("Evening" in Hebrew) prayer service up to and including the evening before the festival of Shavuot/Shavuoth/Shavuos on the 50th day.
- After the lighting of the two Yom Tov candles and after the Ma'ariv or Arvit ("Evening" in Hebrew) prayer service, the second Seder is performed. Regarding the second Seder, repeat as was done for the 1st day of Pesach/Passover, with the exception - as mentioned - that one omits the Shehecheyanu blessing. Refer to the Passover/Pesach Haggadah for step-by-step instructions on how to conduct the 15 ordered steps that comprise the Seder. There are over 3,000 versions of the Passover/Pesach Haggadah, with each version being based on the political, social, and/or religious philosophies in Judaism that one follows, but the structure and order of the 15 steps are always the same for each version. The reason for the variety of versions in the Passover/Pesach Haggadah is that rabbis down through the ages have encouraged the "telling" and interpretation of the Passover/Pesach story in as many ways as possible so that the timeless messages contained in the Passover/Pesach story could be understood and appreciated by as many people as possible since these are messages that all human beings can relate to and learn from.
- After starting the Pesach/Passover Seder following the lighting of the Yom Tov candles, the first 1 oz. of matzah should be eaten within 4 minutes from the start of the Pesach/Passover Seder.
- Sabbath candles must be lit 18 minutes before sunset on Friday. Again, the time of sunset will vary depending on one's latitude and on where one is located in the world.
- After lighting the Sabbath candles, recite the following Sabbath blessing in transliterated Hebrew: Bo-ruch A-toh Ado-noi E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ho-olom A-sher Ki-de-sho-nu Be-mitz-vo-sov Ve-tzi-vo-nu Le-had-lik Ner Shel Shabbos Koi -desh.
Next, the Kiddush is recited in order to formally begin Shabbat. The Kiddush comprises the Yayin ("Wine" in Hebrew) blessing, followed by the Kiddush blessing.
Here is the blessing over the wine in transliterated Hebrew:
Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ha-olam, Borei Pri Ha-gafen.
In English:
Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King (or Master or Sovereign) of the universe, who creates (or created or Creator of) the fruit of the vine.
Next, the Kiddush blessing is recited:
For You have chosen us and sanctified us from among all the nations, and {on the Sabbath, say the following: the Sabbath and} Your holy festivals {on the Sabbath, say the following: in love and favor}, in gladness and joy, have You granted us as a heritage. Blessed are You, G-d, who sanctifies {on the Sabbath, say the following: the Sabbath,} Israel and the festive seasons. - The second day of Pesach/Passover ends either at sunset or at nightfall, but since the next day is Shabbat, or the Sabbath, and we extend Shabbat by "borrowing" anywhere from 15 minutes to a half hour of time before sunset on Friday (most start Shabbat at least 18 minutes before sunset), then the second day of Pesach/Passover ends just before Shabbat begins at whichever time one chooses to start Shabbat, based on one's custom.
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| Chol HaMoed (Intermediate Days of the Pesach/Passover festival) |
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| 1st Day of Chol HaMoed (Shabbat = Sabbath; specifically, Shabbat Chol HaMoed Pesach, meaning an intermediate or middle day of Passover that falls on the Sabbath; it is an intermediate day or middle day because it falls in-between Yom Tov days for Passover/Pesach) | Friday, April 10th, 2009 (Nightfall Friday to Nightfall Saturday = 17th of Nissan) | - No Tefillin (phylacteries) are put on today.
- During Chol HaMoed days, it is customary to drink either a glass of wine or a glass of grape juice each day to commemorate the Passover festival.
- During Chol HaMoed days, we continue to consume Kosher for Passover foods and drinks.
- During Chol Hamoed days, we can perform work as long as the type of work we perform does not fall under the 39 forms of forbidden work.
- In addition to the morning prayer service (called "Shacharit" in Hebrew), a special additional prayer is recited called Hallel, Musaf for Pesach. ("Musaf" means "additional" in Hebrew)
- Shabbos / Sabbath ends at nightfall (some Jewish communities like to extend Shabbat beyond nightfall to both extend and hopefully carry the spirit of Shabbat into the weekdays, but end Shabbat sometime before midnight).
- Performing the "full" Havdalah ceremony: Finally, on Saturday evening at nightfall (nightfall is defined in Jewish law as occurring either 72 minutes after sea level sunset or if it is a clear sky, when three medium-sized stars first appear and are sighted in the sky), the "full" Havdalah ceremony is performed (meaning all rituals contained in the Havdalah ceremony are performed). The full Havdalah ceremony - which is usually preceded by some verses from the Hebrew Bible - contains 4 blessings [Performed in the following order: (1) Blessing over the wine, (2) Blessing over the spices, (3) Blessing over the fire, and (4) The Havdalah blessing itself], either two Havdalah candles or two interwoven Havdalah candles that are joined at the wick, whichever is being used, a spice box containing either spices and/or herbs, a cup filled with wine, preferably red wine, and a small tray to hold the cup of wine. The full Havdalah ceremony is performed anytime from just after nightfall and before midnight on Saturday to formally usher out Shabbat (Shabbat actually ends at nightfall on Saturday but by Jewish law, we must formally usher it out, and as mentioned, there is a custom to extend Shabbat about a half hour beyond nightfall), but if for whatever reason one cannot perform the Havdalah ceremony by midnight on Saturday evening, then Havdalah can be performed anytime until Tuesday evening at nightfall, but without the use of the Havdalah candle(s) nor the spice box containing the spices and/or herbs, and the omission of the recitation of the associated blessing for each (that is, the blessing over the fire and the blessing over the spices/herbs, respectively). Havdalah ("separation" or "distinction" in Hebrew) is a formal way of separating or distinguishing the holy time of Shabbat from the ordinary time of the secular weekdays that follow Shabbat in order to demonstrate that Shabbat time is a different and more special kind of time than the time period for the secular weekdays, as Shabbat time gives us a taste or idea of what Messianic times will be like: in other words, one long, Shabbat - a time of eternal justice and peace for the Hebrew/Jewish people and ultimately, for all humanity. In Judaism, we work during the secular weekdays toward bringing about the perfection of the world which we get a taste of at the end of the week with Shabbat, which is an ever-constant reminder to us to strive during the secular weekdays toward bringing Messianic times upon us. The full Havdalah ceremony is performed when formally separating or distinguishing between either Shabbat and the secular weekdays, or between the higher holy time of Shabbat and the comparatively lesser holy time of a Yom Tov day ("Yom Tov" means "holiday" in Hebrew; in the case of Jewish festivals such as Pesach/Passover, a "full" festival day, meaning the full application of Jewish law for that festival day or holiday applies to that day). The Havdalah ceremony is only performed when passing from a higher time period of holiness to a lower time period of holiness, not vice-versa. Therefore, when a Yom Tov day is followed by a Shabbat day, meaning one is passing from a comparatively lesser level of holy time to a higher level of holy time, then the full Havdalah ceremony is performed at the conclusion of Shabbat at nightfall on Saturday evening. The three levels of time in terms of holiness in Judaism are as follows: (1) the highest level of holiness time: Shabbat; (2) the next highest level of holy time: a Yom Tov day, and finally (3) the lowest level of holy time or in other words, ordinary time, the secular weekdays. In this case, the full Havdalah ceremony is performed to separate or distinguish the holy time of Shabbat from the secular weekdays.
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| 2nd Day of Chol HaMoed | Saturday, April 11th, 2009 (Nightfall Saturday to Nightfall Sunday = 18th of Nissan) | - No Tefillin (phylacteries) are put on today.
- In addition to the morning prayer service (called "Shacharit" in Hebrew), a special additional prayer is recited called Hallel, Musaf for Pesach. ("Musaf" means "additional" in Hebrew)
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| 3rd Day of Chol HaMoed | Sunday, April 12th, 2009 (Nightfall Sunday to Nightfall Monday = 19th of Nissan) | - No Tefillin (phylacteries) are put on today.
- In addition to the morning prayer service (called "Shacharit" in Hebrew), a special additional prayer is recited called Hallel, Musaf for Pesach. ("Musaf" means "additional" in Hebrew)
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| 4th Day of Chol HaMoed: (Erev Yom Tov, meaning "the Day Before the Holiday" in Hebrew; in this case, the 7th day of Pesach/Passover is a "full" festival day, meaning the full application of Jewish law for a Yom Tov day for Pesach/Passover applies to that day) | Monday, April 13th, 2009 (Nightfall Monday to Nightfall Tuesday = 20th of Nissan) | - No Tefillin (phylacteries) are put on today.
- In addition to the morning prayer service (called "Shacharit" in Hebrew), a special additional prayer is recited called Hallel, Musaf for Pesach. ("Musaf" means "additional" in Hebrew)
- Since there are two consecutive Yom Tov days that follow this day - the seventh day of Passover/Pesach and the eighth day of Passover/Pesach - and since we are not permitted by Jewish law to create a new flame on Yom Tov, we therefore must kindle a new flame before the Yom Tov day for the seventh day of Passover/Pesach and use this new flame to kindle two Yom Tov candles at the start of the Yom Tov day for the seventh day of Passover/Pesach and two more Yom Tov candles at the start of the Yom Tov day for the eighth day of Passover/Pesach. To achieve this, one must prepare and kindle a candle that must be safely lit for more than 24 hours, so that one can use this flame that existed before Yom Tov to not only kindle the two Yom Tov candles on the seventh day and two more Yom Tov candles on the eighth day of Passover/Pesach, but also to have this flame that existed before Yom Tov available to use to re-kindle the Yom Tov candles in case one or both of the Yom Tov candles on either the seventh day and eighth days of Passover/Pesach accidentally burn out. To achieve this, the new flame that exists before Yom Tov can be a 50-hour Yahrtzeit candle [Yahrtzeit literally means "(a) year's time" or "time (of) year" in Yiddish, meaning another year has passed I.E. an anniversary; in this context, an anniversary of the passing of a close relative; colloquially, an annual time of memorial] I.E. a Memorial candle. The 50-hour Yahrtzeit candle or Memorial candle will be used to light the two Yom Tov (holiday, or in the case of Pesach/Passover, a festival day) candles on both Tuesday night and Wednesday night, either just after sunset or just after nightfall, depending on the authoritative rabbinical opinion one follows.
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| Final Days of the Pesach/Passover festival |
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| 7th Day of Pesach/Passover (Shvi'i Shel Pesach or Shevi'i Shel Pesach) | Tuesday, April 14th, 2009 (Nightfall Tuesday to Nightfall Wednesday = 21st of Nissan) | - Either just after sunset or just after nightfall, depending on the authoritative rabbinical opinion one follows, Yom Tov has begun, but we must officially begin Yom Tov (holiday, or in the case of Pesach/Passover, a festival day) by performing the recitation of the Yom Tov blessing and we must also kindle two Yom Tov candles.
- The two Yom Tov candles for the seventh day of Pesach/Passover are kindled with a pre- existing flame, meaning a flame that was already in existence by having been lit before Yom Tov; that is, one can use the flame of the aforementioned 50-hour Yahrtzeit candle.
- Reciting the Yom Tov blessing before or after kindling the Yom Tov candles: There is a Talmudic law in Mishnah Berurah that states that one must recite the Yom Tov blessing before kindling the Yom Tov candles. On Shabbat, or the Sabbath, one first kindles the two Shabbat candles and then one recites the Shabbat blessing, so that one may be able to re-kindle the Shabbat candles if one or both of them accidentally burn out, since Shabbat does not officially begin until the Shabbat blessing is recited. Since some Jewish people prefer to follow the same order of kindling candles for Yom Tov and then reciting the blessing for Yom Tov as they do for Shabbat while fulfilling the Talmudic law in Mishnah Berurah that states that one must first recite the blessing for Yom Tov and then kindle the Yom Tov candles, they fulfill both by first kindling the two candles - which are not yet Yom Tov candles since one did not yet recite the blessing for Yom Tov - and then they recite the Yom Tov blessing with one's eyes either closed or with one's hands covering one's eyes. After the person finishes reciting the Yom Tov blessing, Yom Tov has officially begun, and the person then either opens their eyes or removes their hands from their eyes to view for the first time on this Yom Tov what are now the two Yom Tov candles. This method fulfills both the custom to follow the order of first kindling the candles and then reciting the blessing on Yom Tov as is done for Shabbat, as well as to first recite the blessing for Yom Tov while shielding one's eyes from the two candles and then viewing the two Yom Tov candles for the first time after reciting the Yom Tov blessing. Yom Tov blessing: The following standard Yom Tov blessing is as follows in transliterated Hebrew:
Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ho-olam A-sher Ki -de-sho-nu Be-mitz-vo-sov Ve-tzi-vo-nu Le-had-lik Ner Shel Yom Tov.
In English:
Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King (or Master or Sovereign) of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to kindle the light of the holiday (or in this case, festival day).
In certain Chassidic traditions such as the Chabad-Lubavitch tradition, it is a custom to remain awake all night on the seventh day of Pesach/Passover until dawn while studying about and celebrating the miracle of the "splitting" of the Red Sea or the "Sea of Reeds" ("Yam Suf" in Hebrew) as well as engage in Torah study in general. When dawn arrives, water is poured on the floor and then those that were studying all night about the miracles of the "splitting" of the Red Sea or the "Sea of Reeds" dance in the water until it dries up.
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| 8th Day of Pesach/Passover (Achron Shel Pesach or Acharon Shel Pesach) | Wednesday, April 15th, 2009 (Nightfall Wednesday to Nightfall Thursday = 22nd of Nissan) | - Either just after sunset or just after nightfall, depending on the authoritative rabbinical opinion one follows, Yom Tov has begun, but we must officially begin Yom Tov (holiday, or in the case of Pesach/Passover, a festival day) by performing the recitation of the Yom Tov blessing and we must also kindle two Yom Tov candles.
- The two Yom Tov candles for the eighth day of Pesach/Passover are kindled with a pre-existing flame, meaning a flame that was already in existence by having been lit before Yom Tov; that is, one can use the flame of the aforementioned 50-hour Yahrtzeit candle.
- Reciting the Yom Tov blessing before or after kindling the Yom Tov candles: There is a Talmudic law in Mishnah Berurah that states that one must recite the Yom Tov blessing before kindling the Yom Tov candles. On Shabbat, or the Sabbath, one first kindles the two Shabbat candles and then one recites the Shabbat blessing, so that one may be able to re-kindle the Shabbat candles if one or both of them accidentally burn out, since Shabbat does not officially begin until the Shabbat blessing is recited. Since some Jewish people prefer to follow the same order of kindling candles for Yom Tov and then reciting the blessing for Yom Tov as they do for Shabbat while fulfilling the Talmudic law in Mishnah Berurah that states that one must first recite the blessing for Yom Tov and then kindle the Yom Tov candles, they fulfill both by first kindling the two candles - which are not yet Yom Tov candles since one did not yet recite the blessing for Yom Tov - and then they recite the Yom Tov blessing with one's eyes either closed or with one's hands covering one's eyes. After the person finishes reciting the Yom Tov blessing, Yom Tov has officially begun, and the person then either opens their eyes or removes their hands from their eyes to view for the first time on this Yom Tov what are now the two Yom Tov candles. This method fulfills both the custom to follow the order of first kindling the candles and then reciting the blessing on Yom Tov as is done for Shabbat, as well as to first recite the blessing for Yom Tov while shielding one's eyes from the two candles and then viewing the two Yom Tov candles for the first time after reciting the Yom Tov blessing. Yom Tov blessing: The following standard Yom Tov blessing is as follows in transliterated Hebrew:
Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ho-olam A-sher Ki -de-sho-nu Be-mitz-vo-sov Ve-tzi-vo-nu Le-had-lik Ner Shel Yom Tov.
In English:
Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King (or Master or Sovereign) of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to kindle the light of the holiday (or in this case, festival day). - Yizkor Memorial Service ["Yizkor" means "May (G-d) Remember" in Hebrew, it is from the Hebrew root word "zakhor", meaning "remember"]; after the Yizkor Memorial Service, for certain Chassidim such as the Chabad-Lubavitch sect, there is a special meal eaten late in the afternoon known as the "Seudas Moshiach", meaning "feast (or meal) for Messiah". Although this meal comes at the close of Pesach/Passover, the Chabad-Lubavitch believe that it represents an historic beginning in that on the final day of Pesach/Passover, the Haftarah scriptural reading from the Book of Isaiah introduces a prophetic vision of the glorious era of the Moshiach, who will return all Jews to Israel from our exile. In essence, the Chabad-Lubavitch believe that Pesach/Passover did not end with the Exodus but is a continuous process that began with Moses and will end with the arrival of Moshiach or the Messiah. They believe that one is incomplete without the other. The "Seudas Moshiach" festive meal is celebrated by eating matzah and drinking four cups of wine around a table and saying "L'Chayim!" ("To Life!" in Hebrew), which is a salutation for best wishes. This ritual was introduced by the Chassidic founder, the "Baal Shem Tov" and later Chassidic Sages, where participants join together around a table to express their thoughts, yearnings, hopes, feelings, and belief in the coming redemption. The festive meal concludes with the singing of melodies and tunes and ends on a high note with the fervant hope of Jewish faith in the future.
- The Pesach/Passover festival ends at either sunset or at nightfall, depending on the authoritative rabbinical opinion one follows.
- Just after either sunset or nightfall (defined in Jewish law as occurring either 72 minutes after sea level sunset or if it is a clear sky, when three medium-sized stars first appear and are sighted in the sky), perform a partial version of the Havdalah ceremony to formally usher out Yom Tov for the 8th and final day of Pesach/Passover: When a Yom Tov day is immediately followed by a secular weekday, then a partial version of the full Havdalah ceremony is performed after Yom Tov ends at either sunset or at nightfall and before midnight to separate or distinguish the comparatively higher level of holy time that characterizes a Yom Tov day from the ordinary time of the secular weekdays. The partial Havdalah ceremony involves just the reciting of the Havdalah blessing over a cup of wine, and omits the use of the Havdalah candle(s) and the spice box containing the spices/herbs as well as the omission of the associated blessing for each, that is, the blessing for fire, and the blessing for the spices/herbs.
- After the Pesach/Passover festival ends, one has to wait for the leaven/chametz to be bought back by the Rabbi that one follows, so to make sure that the leaven/chametz was bought back by the rabbi that one follows, avoid eating chametz for approximately 1 hour after nightfall.
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| Isru Chag (literally means "bind the festival" in Hebrew) | Thursday, April 16th, 2009 (Nightfall Thursday to Nightfall Friday = 23rd of Nissan) | - "Isru Chag" is a day that was created by the people of Israel in order to bask one more day in the close feelings to G-d and in the spiritual joy of the Pesach/Passover festival. It serves as a bridge between the lofty holiness of the Pesach/Passover festival and descending back into the mundane activities of everyday life. "Isru Chag" (or "Isru Hag") is also a day which the people of Israel created to traditionally depart from Jerusalem and return to their homes after gathering for the "Shalosh Regalim" (the three pilgrimmage festivals of Pesach/Passover, Shavuoth, and Sukkoth). For observant Jews, this also means that they return to putting on tefillin (phylacteries) for the morning prayers.
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