Preparing for Passover
Searching for Leaven
On the evening following the thirteenth of Nisan (if the first day of
Passover falls on Sunday, on the evening following the twelfth of Nisan),
after evening service, the head of the household searches for leaven throughout
the house. Customarily, a few pieces of bread are left about on purpose,
so that the search for leaven is fruitful. Otherwise, the blessing before
the ceremony would be pointless.
Before the ceremony of searching for leaven begins, light a candle and
recite the following prayer:
Bless you, Lord our God, ruler of the universe,
Who gave us meaning, the commandments,
And commanded us to remove the leaven.
Search for the leaven. Wrap any leaven that is found, and store it away
until the next morning.
After the leaven has been gathered and wrapped securely, say the following:
Any leaven that may still be in the house,
Which I have not seen or have not removed,
Shall be as if it does not exist, and as the dust of the earth.
On the fourteenth of Nisan (if the first day of Passover falls on Sunday,
on the thirteenth of Nisan), about ten o'clock in the morning all the leaven
that has remained in the house, together with all that collected during
the search the night before, is burned.
At the burning of the leaven, recite:
Any leaven that may still be in the house,
Which I have or have not seen, which I have or have not removed,
Shall be as if it does not exist, and as the dust of the earth.
Mixing of Foods
When Passover falls on a Friday, in order that it may be permissible
to cook on that day for Saturday (one is otherwise permitted to cook on
a holiday for that day alone), the head of the household must perform the
ritual of 'Eruv Tavshilin' before the festival.
Take some matzoh and some other food, such as fish or meat, put them
on a plate, raise it, and recite:
Bless you, Lord our God, ruler of the universe,
Who gave us meaning, the commandments, and commanded us concerning the eruv.
With this eruv we will be permitted to bake, cook, and to keep the food
warm,
To light the candles, and to prepare all necessary things on the festival
for the Sabbath.
This will be permitted to us and to all Jews living in this city.
The Preparation of the Table
Three plates are set on the table. In one, put three matzohs; in the
second, place a shank bone and a roasted egg, some horseradish (maror, bitter
herbs), some celery or parsley sprigs (karpas), and the mixture of nuts,
fruit and wine called haroseth; the third plate holds vinegar or brine.
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