01 Apr HALACHOT OF EREV PESACH ON SHABBAT

When the 14th of
Nissan falls on
Shabbat, certain
halachot must be
adjusted to ensure
proper observance
of both Shabbat and Pesach preparations.
Bedikat Chametz (Checking for Chametz)
• Bedikat chametz is performed on
Thursday night, the 13th of Nissan,
with a bracha as usual.
• The chametz needed for Friday and
Shabbat is carefully set aside in a
secure place to prevent it from being
scattered.
• Biur Chametz (Burning the Chametz)
• Chametz is burned on Friday morning
preferably before the fifth halachic
hour, as it cannot be burned on
Shabbat. One who finds it difficult
may burn the chametz later as well.
• The Kol Chamira (nullification) is
only recited in part. The second, more
final nullification is done on Shabbat
before the sixth halachic hour.

Taanit Bechorot
When Erev Pesach falls on Shabbat, Taanit
Bechorot, which is usually observed on the
14th of Nissan, is moved earlier. Here are
the relevant halachot:
• The Fast is Observed on Thursday –
Since fasting on Shabbat is not
permitted, and fasting on Friday may
diminish one’s enjoyment of Shabbat,
Taanit Bechorot is observed on the
preceding Thursday, the 12th of
Nissan. However, some opinions hold
that since the fast is being moved from
its proper time, it is effectively
canceled. Each person should consult
their rabbi for guidance.
• Participating in a Siyum – As in other
years, a bechor (firstborn) may exempt
himself from fasting by participating
in a siyum (completion of a tractate of
Gemara) or another celebratory
mitzvah meal. This is commonly
arranged in shuls after Shacharit.
Work
• When Erev Pesach falls on Shabbat,
the halachot regarding work on Friday
(the 13th of Nissan) are different than

it is on a regular year:
• Avoiding Melacha (Work) –
Although Erev Pesach
usually restricts work from
midday, this does not apply
when Pesach begins on
Motzaei Shabbat. However,
some have the custom to
refrain from engaging in
significant work on Friday
afternoon in honor of
Shabbat and the upcoming
Yom Tov.
• Preparations for Shabbat and
Pesach – Cooking and other necessary
preparations for Shabbat and the Seder
should be completed before Shabbat
begins. Since one cannot prepare for
Yom Tov on Shabbat, all necessary
food, cleaning, and setup should be
arranged in advance.
• Haircuts and Shaving – Normally,
haircuts are prohibited on Erev Pesach
after midday, but in this case, they are
permitted.
Friday Meal Preparation
• Chametz meals should be eaten
carefully to avoid spreading crumbs.
• Matzah (matzah ashira) may be eaten
at night until the morning.
• Shabbat Morning Prayer and Meal
• Since all chametz must be consumed
before the end of the fourth hour,
Tefillah should be scheduled as early
as possible and conducted efficiently,
minimizing songs and lengthy
ceremonies. A lengthy drasha from the
rabbi should be avoided, and additional
olim should not be added to the Torah
reading.
• On Shabbat meals, matzah is not
permitted to ensure an appetite for it at
the Seder night.
• Two challot are needed for Lechem
Mishneh as normally done, but since
challah is chametz, it must be handled
carefully:
• Ideally, one should use small rolls to
minimize leftovers and pita to prevent
crumbs.
• Eat chametz over disposable napkins
or designated areas to minimize
crumbs.
• After finishing the bread, shake out
clothing and dispose of crumbs down
the toilet.
• Those who prefer to avoid chametz on
Shabbat and be fully prepared for
Pesach may eat cooked matzah and
recite Hamotzi on it, provided it was

cooked in very hot water and remains
at least the size of a kezayit (27g). To
achieve this, one may take a square
matzah and dip it in very hot water for
about 10 seconds, ensuring it is fully
cooked while keeping it intact. If the
matzah breaks into pieces smaller than
a kezayit, its bracha changes to
Mezonot.
Final Disposal of Chametz
• Chametz must be finished before the
end of the fourth halachic hour on
Shabbat morning.
• The final nullification (Kol Chamira)
should be said before the end of the
fifth hour.
• Leftover crumbs must be flushed down
the toilet or disposed of in a way that
renders them inedible.
• Seudah Shelishit (Third Meal)
• Since bread cannot be used, the third
meal should consist of fish, meat,
fruits, or other kosher-for-Pesach
foods and preferably end the meal
before the tenth halachic hour.
• Some use egg matzah for the meals
instead. After chatzot (midday which
is the 6th hour of the day) until the
10th hour of the day, one may eat egg
matzah but not afterward. After the
10th hour, one may eat some fruits and
vegetables but should not overeat to
preserve an appetite for the Seder
night.
• Preparations for the Seder
• Cooking, setting the table, and all
Seder preparations must wait until
Shabbat ends and Havdalah is recited.
• The phrase “Hamavdil bein kodesh
l’kodesh” should be said before doing
any melacha.
• Kiddush at the Seder includes
Havdalah, using the special format of
.(יין, קידוש, נר, הבדלה, זמן) Yaknehaz
These halachot ensure proper observance
of both Shabbat and Pesach when Erev
Pesach falls on Shabbat.