Erev Pesach Which Coincides With Shabbat: A Guide for the Perplexed (5781/2021)
By Rabbi Meir Gavriel Elbaz
Rav and Posek, Congregation Yeshiva Ohel Simcha
This year, 5781/2021, the Pesach Seder is held on Motza’ei Shabbat, a phenomenon which last occurred
thirteen years ago and creates several halachic conundrums and which yields many ramifications.
Notwithstanding the plethora of opinions in the vast sea of Torah literature, I have taken the liberty of
putting together a small digest of laws, customs, protocols, and procedures for the days leading up to the
Pesach Seder. I have observed that, specifically because of the multitude of opinions, the circumstances
specific to this year have led to a certain confusion among many which only serves to compound the usual
anxieties associated with even ordinary Pesach preparations.
As such, below you will find a step-by-step guide, in chronological order, beginning with the Thursday
before Pesach through the Seder night. It should be noted that all laws conform to the customs of
Sephardic Jewry as interpreted by the glory of our generation, the revered Rishon Le’Zion, Maran
Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef zt”l, as codified in his works (especially Chazon Ovadia- Pesach) and as understood
by his illustrious sons, the great Rishon Le’Zion Hagaon Rabbeinu Yitzchak Yosef Shlit”a (in his Sefer,
Yalkut Yosef) and my former Rosh Bet Midrash, Hagaon Rabbeinu David Yosef Shlit”a (in his lectures and
works). As always, all are advised to consult with their own Rav/Posek for a definitive ruling on these and
all other halachic matters.
Thursday- 12 Nissan/March 25th
The Fast of the Firstborns
On regular years, Ta’anit Bechorot or the Fast of the Firstborns would be held on Erev Pesach, the 14th of
Nissan. This year, however, when Erev Pesach coincides with Shabbat and fasting is forbidden, according
the Sephardic tradition of following the rulings of Maran Ha’Shulchan Aruch, Ta’anit Bechorot is not
applicable at all. Nevertheless, in reverence to the opinions that rule that this fast is indeed observed on
the Thursday preceding Pesach, it is preferable to find a Seudat Mitzvah in which to participate on
Thursday morning to exempt one from fasting, such as Berit Milah, Pidyon Ha’Ben, or, most notably, a
Siyum Masechet. (Note: Although delaying a Siyum to exempt one from this fast on other years is ill-
advised, a postponed Siyum on Masechet Pesachim, which will G-d-willing be concluded by members of
the Daf Yomi cycle on the preceding Monday, may be used to exempt the congregation from the fast this
year.) If one cannot find a Seudat Mitzvah to attend on Thursday morning, one is completely exempt from
this fast.
The Search for Chametz
Although on regular years, the customary search for Chametz is held on the night of the 14th of Nissan
(the night before the Seder), this year, this will not be plausible and thus, our Sages enacted that on a year
like this, the search for Chametz is to be held on Thursday night, the 13th of Nissan. The blessing upon the
search is recited at this time. The most preferred time for this search is at nightfall, which is at
approximately 7:30 PM. One is prohibited to eat a meal of a settled character or even begin studying
Torah from a half-hour before this time until after the search is complete. One should preferably pray
Arvit before the search.
Following the search, one must renounce the Chametz in one’s possession by reciting the following:
“Any Chametz (leaven) in my possession which I have not seen and I have destroyed is hereby nullified
and should be like the dust of the earth.”
The pieces of bread collected during the search in addition to any other Chametz one plans on eating on
Friday and/or Shabbat should be sealed and placed in a safe location so it will not disperse, for this would
necessitate another search.
Friday- 13 Nissan/March 26th
Burning and Selling Chametz
Although the usual Erev Pesach time constraints do not apply on this day since it is not actually Erev
Pesach, it is advisable to burn one’s Chametz by the same end-time as one would any other Erev Pesach
so as to avoid confusion during other years. This means that one should burn one’s Chametz by the end
of the fifth seasonal hour of the day, i.e., by approximately 11:40 AM. Nevertheless, if one has not done
so by this time, one may certainly do so for the duration of the day until shortly before the onset of
Shabbat.
If one does not plan on eating/handling any more Chametz after this point, one should recite the following
renunciation after the Chametz has been burned:
