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Pesach preparations start in many homes months before Pesach, and the days just before Pesach are inevitably some of the busiest days of the year. This year, 2025/5785, as Erev Pesach falls on Shabbos, please see the article entitled “Erev Pesach that Falls on Shabbos” for clarification of some important differences from other years. Here we will review the general requirements of Erev Pesach (including logistics for this year), so that you can be proficient in its many important details, making these days just a bit less frantic.
Proper Disposal of Chametz
Every Jew is obligated to celebrate the entire holiday of Pesach without owning or benefiting from chametz. There are three components to ensuring that this obligation is fulfilled which will be elaborated upon below:
Mechiras Chametz
One who cannot dispose of all of his or her chametz before Pesach must authorize a Rabbi, in advance, to sell it to a non-Jew on his or her behalf. This transaction is completely legal, giving the non-Jew all rights of ownership over the chametz that has been sold to him or her. It is important to list one’s home address, as well as one’s office address, when selling chametz through the Rabbi.
After the conclusion of the festival, the Rabbi purchases the chametz back from the non-Jew. One must be careful to wait at least one hour after Pesach before using this chametz, to give the Rabbi time to complete the re-purchase of the chametz, and restore its ownership to the Jewish owner.
All chametz that is to be sold should be placed in a designated cabinet, room or section of the house, along with chametz dishes and utensils, until after Pesach. This area should be locked or closed off so that access to it will be difficult. One should be sure not to leave any items there which may be needed during Pesach!
If one will be traveling to a time zone where Pesach begins earlier than in his or her hometown, there is an additional concern that the Rabbi back home will not yet have sold the chametz to the non-Jew by the time that the prohibition will begin where the traveler is located. In this case, a separate sale of chametz is arranged earlier in the home community for these travelers. Alternatively, the chametz may be transferred as a gift to someone else who will be remaining in the community, and the recipient of the gift arranges the sale of this chametz. These options should only be done under the guidance of a competent Rabbi, to ensure their halachic validity. Any other questions regarding the laws of pre-Pesach travel should be addressed to the Rabbi as well.
Bedikas Chametz -The Final Chametz Search
In a regular year, bedikas chametz is performed twenty-four hours before the Seder night. This year however, since this would fall on Friday night, bedikas chametz is, instead, pushed back a day to Thursday night, which falls on April 10, 2025.
The purpose of bedikas chametz is to conduct a final search for chametz throughout the entire home and properties.[1] All chametz that is found is stored in a secure location and either destroyed the next morning or sold to a non-Jew. Today, most families have already spent days or weeks establishing that their homes are chametz-free, and there are varying opinions as to what bedikas chametz is meant to accomplish. Some maintain that the cleaning is a preparation for this final thorough search, while others are of the opinion that today the search serves as a more basic review to ensure that all the areas were cleaned properly.[2]
Bedikas chametz begins as soon as possible after nightfall[3] on Thursday, April 10, 2025 (after 8:17 PM in the Chicago area). To ensure that the mitzvah is not forgotten or delayed, it is prohibited to begin a significant, absorbing activity starting twenty minutes after sunset[4] until after the search has been completed.[5] Some examples of this are studying, napping, eating, or beginning a project.
Preparation
It is customary to ask a family member to hide ten pieces of chametz in the areas that will be searched;[6] each piece should be smaller than the volume of a fluid ounce.[7] It is advisable to wrap the pieces well to avoid dropping crumbs, it is also a good idea to wrap them in safely flammable materials, e.g., folded in a paper towel and sealed with masking tape, as opposed to plastic or foil. In addition, the location of where each piece is hidden should be recorded, in case a piece is not found during the search.
Procedure
Although any responsible person may be enlisted to help with bedikas chametz, it is ideal that the search be performed by Jewish males over the age of bar mitzvah. Everyone who will be assisting in the search should be present when the bracha (blessing) over searching for the chametz is recited:
ברוך אתה ד’ אלקנו מלך העולם אשר קדשנו במצוותיו וציוונו על בעור חמץ
Ba-ruch a-ta ado-nai elo-heinu me-lech ha-o-lam asher kid’shanu b’mitz-votav v’tzi-vanu al bi-ur chametz
Once the bracha has been recited, the searchers must avoid all unnecessary speech or activity until after the search has been completed. All chametz that is found is stored in a safe place to be destroyed the following morning. At the conclusion of the search, a specific statement is recited in which one states his/her desire to render any overlooked chametz as ownerless.
כל חמירא וחמיעה דאכא ברשותי דלא חמיתה ודלא בערתה ודלא ידענא לה לבטל ולהוי הפקר כעפרא דארעא
Any chametz or leaven that is in my possession, which I have not seen, have not removed, and do not know about, should be nullified and become ownerless, like dust of the earth.
This bracha, as well as the above statement, may also be found in a siddur or haggadah.
Tools
Traditionally, three items are used for bedikas chametz: a candle, a feather, and a (wooden) spoon. The search is by the light of the candle, and the feather is used to sweep whatever crumbs are found into the spoon. Using a candle[8] for bedikas chametz is not as effective as an electric light, but since the candle has much halachic significance, the search traditionally begins with it. The candle is then substituted for a flashlight or a similar source of strong, direct light.[9] The feather[10] and spoon[11] are also sourced in halacha, but if one finds them to be impractical, they do not need to be used at all.
Away for Pesach
Those who will be away for Pesach but are leaving their home within thirty days of the holiday (i.e., after Purim) are required to do bedikas chametz.[12] In this circumstance, any one of the following three options must be employed:
One who forgot to do bedikas chametz should consult a Rabbi immediately.[19]
Biur Chametz – Destroying the Chametz
Every year, all chametz left in a person’s possession must be destroyed before sof z’man biur chametz – the concluding time for destroying chametz – on the morning before Pesach begins.[20] The challenge this year is that this particular morning falls on Shabbos, when it will be forbidden to employ the usual methods of destruction. For this reason, we are instructed to destroy the chametz on Friday, leaving only what one anticipates will be eaten before the z’man habiur of Shabbos morning. [See Erev Pesach that Falls on Shabbos, for specific guidelines for this year.]
Although Friday is not the actual morning before Pesach, the burning should nonetheless take place before the end of the 5th halachic hour (11:33 AM in the Chicago area).[21] The ideal manner of destroying chametz is by burning it. If that is impractical, any of the following may also be employed:[22] pouring inedible detergent (such as bleach) over it, crumbling it up and flushing it down the toilet, or throwing it away in a publicly-owned garbage can or Dumpster. As mentioned previously, in order to burn the chametz efficiently and safely, it is advisable to first remove it from any foil or plastics.
As a community service, the following organizations will hold public biur chametz on Friday, April 11, 2025: The Agudah will be from 8 AM to 11:30 AM at the Lincolnwood Town Center – Lower Level, southeast parking lot. (Enter from McCormick via Town Center Drive.), and F.R.E.E. of Chicago – The Bellows Center will be from 8 AM to 11 AM in their parking lot at 2935 W. Devon Ave. in Chicago.
Bitul Chametz – Nullifying the Chametz
In addition to destroying or selling all known chametz, every Jewish person over the age of bar or bas mitzvah[23] must declare his or her chametz as ownerless.[24]
NOTE: During a regular year, this declaration is recited at the same time we burn our chametz and is naturally associated with it. This year however, the chametz burning is pushed back a day to Friday, while the statement is recited on Shabbos morning. Therefore, it will not have its usual association, and one must be especially vigilant to remember to recite it. As always, it must be recited before sof z’man biur chametz which this year is April 12, 2025 at 11:33 AM in the Chicago area.
Note that if one is destroying all the chametz in his or her possession on Friday and relying on other means to fulfill the Shabbos meals, Kol Chamira is said after biur chametz on Friday. Of course, if this was forgotten on Friday morning, it may still be recited up to sof z’man biur chametz on Shabbos morning.
Bitul chametz is accomplished by reciting the following statement:
כל חמירא וחמיעא דאכא ברשותי, דחזתה ודלא חזתה, דבערתה ודלא בערתה, לבטל ולהוי הפקר כעפרא דארעא
Any chametz or leaven that is in my possession, whether I have recognized it or not, whether I have seen it or not, whether I have removed it or not, should be nullified and become ownerless, like dust of the earth.
It is extremely important that this statement is understood. One who does not understand it in its original Aramaic must recite it in whatever language is familiar to him or her.[25] If no translation is available, one must simply state that he or she disowns all chametz or leaven that exists in his or her possession.
This statement may also be found in a siddur, machzor, or haggadah.
NOTE: Be careful not to get this confused with the similar statement that is said after the search for chametz. The instructions in the siddur/machzor/haggadah should indicate that this is the statement for after the chametz is destroyed.
Additional Halachos
Work Restrictions
The specific Erev Pesach work restrictions are not in effect this year, since all work is naturally curtailed, since it is Shabbos.
Food Restrictions
On Shabbos, April 12th it is forbidden to eat matzah the entire day starting from dawn until the Seder. [26] Note that baked foods containing matzah meal are also forbidden, but cooked foods made from matzah meal (such as kneidlach) remain permitted. [27] In addition, during the late afternoon, it is forbidden to eat any satisfying volume of any food so that one has an appetite for the Seder. [28] [See Erev Pesach that Falls on Shabbos for specific guidelines of how to fulfill the mitzvah of eating the Shabbos meals.]
Sof z’man achilas chametz is the end of the time when one may eat chametz before Pesach. This year, sof z’man achilas chametz is 10:15 AM in the Chicago area. Once this time has passed, it is forbidden to eat chametz in any form. [29]
Taanis B’chorim – Fast of the Firstborn
Technically speaking, all firstborn males, whether firstborn to his father or firstborn to his mother, beginning at the age of bar mitzvah, have a requirement to fast on the day prior to Pesach.[30] This year, since it will fall on Shabbos, the fast is scheduled for the previous Thursday, April 10th. Traditionally, the fast is curtailed by participating in a siyum,[31] a celebration that marks the completion of a Sefer of Tanach that was studied in-depth with the Rishonim (primary commentaries), a tractate of Gemara, or a Seder of Mishnah,[32] or by attending a seudas mitzvah (meal held in honor of the fulfillment of a mitzvah), such as a bris milah (ritual circumcision) or pidyon haben (redemption of the firstborn).
Note that in contrast to many other areas of halacha, even an oldest son who was born after a miscarriage or stillbirth is included in this fast.[33] Firstborn males who are under the age of bar mitzvah do not fast and would not be required to attend the siyum, but their fathers should fast on their behalf.[34] (A father is not required to fast for a firstborn son who is younger than thirty days old.)
When we have a Beis Hamikdash, the korban Pesach will be brought even though it is Shabbos. Indeed, may we merit to bring it this year with the rebuilding of the Beis Hamikdash speedily in our days.[35]
——————
Footnotes:
[1] Shulchan Aruch 431:1
[2] See Shiurei Halacha of Rabbi Shmuel Felder
[3] Mishna Berura 431:1
[4] Mishna Berura 431:5
[5] Rema 431:2
[6] Rema 432:2
[7] Sha’arei Teshuvah 432:2
[8] Shulchan Aruch 433:1
[9] See Shiurei Halacha of Rabbi Shmuel Felder
[10] Mishna Berura 433:46
[11] See Halachos of Pesach VII E3
[12] Shulchan Aruch 436:1
[13] Shulchan Aruch 436:1
[14] Rema 436:1
[15] Mishna Berura 436:3
[16] Mishna Berura 436:1
[17] Mishna Berura 436:1
[18] Mishna Berura 436:3
[19] See Shulchan Aruch 435
[20] This is when five-twelfths of the day have elapsed.
[21] MB 444:9
[22] Shulchan Aruch, Rema 445:1
[23] Halachos of Pesach IX C 5
[24] Shulchan Aruch 434:2
[25] Rema 434:2
[26] Rema 471:2
[27] Mishna Berura 471:20; see Sha’ar Hatziyun 444:1
[28] Shulchan Aruch 471:1, Mishna Berura ad loc.
[29] Shulchan Aruch Orach Chayim 603:1
[30] Shulchan Aruch 470:1
[31] Mishna Berura 470:10
[32] Iggros Moshe Orach Chayim volume 1 #157
[33] Mishna Berura 470:2
[34] Rema 470:2
[35] Mishna Berura 471:22