2018 Pesach Guide

AGUDATH 

ISRAEL 

PESACH SERVICES 

• Laws of Pesach Classes 

• Shabbos HaGadol Drashos 

• Shaimos Collection 

• Document Shredding 

• Hag’alos Kailim 

• Erev Pesach Be’ur Chometz 

• Pre-Pesach Garbage Removal 

• Electronic Recycling 

• Halacha Hotline 

Agudath Israel of Illinois 

Publication Division 

3542 W. Peterson Avenue 

Chicago, Illinois 60659 

PRE-SORT STANDARD 

U.S. POSTAGE 

PAID 

PERMIT NO. 4026 

CHICAGO, IL

Think of the 

Possibilities... 

We do. 

Summer camp at the 

Bernard Horwich JCC, one of 

Keshet’s 20 day and overnight sites 

serving 250 campers with disabilities. 

Education, Recreation, Vocational, & 

Residential programs for children & adults 

with disabilities. 

Proudly serving all of 

Chicago’s Jewish communities 

Keshet.org 847.205.1234 

AGUDATH ISRAEL OF ILLINOIS 

1

עמו ‏"ש Dear Friends 

We hope you enjoy this year’s updated, expanded and reader-friendly AGUDATH 

ISRAEL OF ILLINOIS PESACH GUIDE, that you will also take advantage of the 

numerous PRE-PESACH SERVICES that Agudath Israel will, once again, be providing for 

the greater Chicago Jewish community and that you patronize our advertisers. 

We are very proud to be well into our 6 th DECADE OF TORAH ADVOCACY for 

Chicago Jewry. However, it is our goal to not rest on our laurels, but to continue to improve 

existing programs and initiate important new ones. These include: 

NEW COMPUTER KIOSK – providing the community with TAG’d 

computers for personal or business use 

NEW SIMCHA-YOM TOV (OR ANYTIME) G’MACH – offering the 

community a wide variety of items to borrow for their family needs 

The ANTONIA SPITZER JEWISH LIBRARY – serving more people, young 

and old, than ever before. 

The expanded Halachic services of our MIDWEST BAIS HORA’AH under the 

auspices of our Dayan, Rabbi Shmuel Fuerst 

PRE-YOMIM TOVIM FOOD DISTRIBUTION before Pesach and Rosh 

Hashanah/Sukkos helped over 1000 families! 

A SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM – KIWI-KIDS which currently is feeding 

over 1700 students daily 

A year-round SHAIMOS PROJECT for regular shaimos needs or for larger 

amounts due to flooding, moves or for local schools or shuls. 

Increased POLITICAL ADVOCACY both LOCALLY and in SPRINGFIELD 

to insure our community’s constitutional rights and help pass legislation to 

financially assist families with their children’s education including historic 

SCHOOL TAX CREDIT LEGILSATION and SECURITY GRANT 

LEGISLATION. 

Additional programming for the MIDWEST AGUDAS YISROEL COUNCIL 

OF SYNAGOGUE RABBONIM to enable them to better serve their 

congregants. 

Upgrading of local PIRCHEI & BNOS youth groups, all OVERNIGHT CAMPS 

and PIRCHEI DAY CAMP. 

The list goes on, and so does Agudath Israel‘s total commitment to serve our community 

whenever and wherever needed to help improve the quality of Yiddishkeit within our 

growing Kehilla. 

Best wishes for a Chag Kosher V’someach. 

Rabbi Yitzchok Bider 

2

PESACH 

SERVICES 

SECTION 

PESACH 

LAWS 

SECTION 

PESACH 

INFORMATION 

AND LISTS 

SECTION 

PESACH 

JEWISH 

LIVING 

SECTION 

• Erev Pesach Garbage Removal................................................................................ 6 

• Laws of Pesach Classes............................................................................................. 8 

• Hagolas Kailim........................................................................................................ 10 

• Pre-Pesach Document Shredding......................................................................... 12 

• Pre-Pesach Shaimos Project.................................................................................. 14 

• Erev Pesach Be’ur Chometz................................................................................... 18 

• Shabbos Hagadol Drashos..................................................................................... 28 

• Laws of Shaimos..................................................................................................... 16 

• Laws of Tevilas Kailim........................................................................................... 20 

• Laws of Searching for Chometz............................................................................ 21 

• Laws of Fast of First Born...................................................................................... 24 

• Laws of Tefilas Haderech....................................................................................... 24 

• Laws of Be’ur Chometz.......................................................................................... 29 

• Laws of Leaving Home for Pesach........................................................................ 29 

• Laws of Erev Pesach............................................................................................... 32 

• Laws of the Pesach Seder....................................................................................... 36 

• Laws of Yom Tov..................................................................................................... 42 

• Laws of Eruv Tavshilin............................................................................................ 43 

• Laws of Brachos at the Zoo.................................................................................... 44 

• Laws of Chol Hamoed............................................................................................ 46 

• Laws of Daled Kosos.............................................................................................. 47 

• Laws of Inviting Non-Jews for a Yom Tov Meal................................................. 49 

• Laws of Counting the Omer.................................................................................. 64 

• Letter Concerning Pesach Medicine, Cosmetics and Toiletries....................... 54 

• Products Not Requiring Pesach Supervision...................................................... 55 

• Kitchen Items that Cannot be Kashered for Pesach........................................... 55 

• Search for Chometz Check List............................................................................ 56 

• Erev Pesach Don’t Forget List............................................................................... 58 

• Required Amounts of Foods and Beverages for the Seder................................ 60 

• Matzah- Marror Shiurim (Required Sizes) Guide............................................. 61 

• Sefiras Haomer Chart............................................................................................. 65 

• Pre-Post Pesach Cleaning Tips............................................................................. 63 

• Chol Hamoed Free Venues.................................................................................... 66 

• Important Dates and Times.................................................................................. 68 

• Pesach Recipes........................................................................................................ 69 

• Recipe Substitution List......................................................................................... 72 

• Pesach Tips.............................................................................................................. 73 

• Pesach Torah........................................................................................................... 75 

• Shabbos and Yom Tov Toys and Games.............................................................. 76 

• Pesach Stories - Articles Section........................................................................... 78 


3

Domestic abuse is... 

withholding approval or affection • dictating basic decisions • 

controlling spending on household necessities • using children 

as a weapon • undermining religious needs and spiritual beliefs 

• monitoring computer and phone use • disrespect of partner’s 

values • destroying 

KOSHER 

partner’s personal property • isolating 

partner from family and friends • forcing sexual activities • 

giving minimal access to money • blaming partner for abusive 

behavior • intimidation • punishment • withholding medication 

• demanding permission • humiliation • coercion • harming or 

threatening to harm • using surveillance • manipulating with lies 

SHALVA is here to listen and provide support. 

Call 773-583-HOPE (4673) to confidentially talk 

with a certified domestic violence counselor. 

shalvaonline.org 

A partner with the Jewish United Fund in serving our community. 

This project was supported by Grant No. 2015-UD-AX-0002 awarded by the Office of Violence Against Women, US Department 

of Justice. The opinions findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those 

of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice, Office of Violence Against Women. 

4 

AGUDATH ISRAEL OF ILLINOIS

2938 W. Devon Ave. CALL: 773-764-1800 FAX: 773-764-0130 EMAIL: koltuv1@yahoo.com 


5

39th & 50th WARDS 

PRE & EREV PESACH GARBAGE REMOVAL 

Through the cooperation of Alderman Debra Silverstein and 

Alderman Margaret Laurino, the Jewish residents of the 50th 

and the 39th Wards will be able to have their garbage picked up this year on 

39th WARD RESIDENTS 

Friday, March 30, 2018 

If you were on last year’s list 

you will automatically 

be on this year’s list. 

If you have moved, or are new 

to the ward, you must call the 

Agudah office (773-279-8400 x213) 

with your new address. 

Please note: All 39th Ward 

residents must come to the 

Agudah office at 3542 W. Peterson 

to get a sticker to put on your can. 

50th WARD RESIDENTS 

Thursday, March 29, 2018 

North of Pratt * 

Friday, March 30, 2018 

South of Pratt * 

*Please see map on next page 

You must go to the office of Alderman 

Debra Silverstein’s at 2949 W. Devon 

to get your name on the pickup list 

and to pick up a special sticker 

to place on your garbage can. 

Monday–Thursday, 9:00 am–4:30 pm 

Friday–9:00–3:30 pm 

Please note: only call the Ward Office at 

773-262-1050 if more information is needed. 

39th and 50th Ward residents please note: 

Only one sticker is needed per family and/or address. 

The sticker should be put on the front of the garbage can. 

Deadline for obtaining your sticker is Friday, March 23, 2018 

Additional services: 

➡ There will be two dumpsters available for Pesach refuse on the 6600 block of 

Kedzie as of Monday, March 26, 2018. 

Please note: To ensure that your garbage is collected, your address should be on your garbage containers. While the 

Department of Streets & Sanitation tries very hard to service all of the homes on their list, it is possible that a home 

may accidentally be missed. Your understanding and consideration will be greatly appreciated. 

Only garbage will be picked up on these dates (i.e. no furniture etc.) and all the garbage must be in the garbage cans, 

not on the ground. If garbage is above the height of the can, it should be tied up in bags, so it can be thrown into the 

garbage truck. 

6 6 



7

Pesach Services Section 

GIVEN BY 

Rabbi Shmuel Fuerst 

Dayan, Agudath Israel of Illinois 

Pre Yom Tov Divrei Hisorerus 

Rabbi Yaakov Robinson 

Rav – Bais Hamedrash Mikor Hachaim 

Rabbi Dovid Cohen 

Administrative Rabbinic Coordinator 

Chicago Rabbinical Council 

The class will cover the pertinent Halachos 

that pertain to men and women including: 

Preparations for Pesach 

The Sedorim and Chol Hamoed 

Medicines and Cosmetics 

Kashruth issues and Shopping for Yom Tov 

There will be a Question and Answer Session after each class 

8 


elegance 

defined 

flowers 

for every 

occasion 

A Gentle Wind 

...say it with flowers 

2744 W. Touhy Avenue 

P: 773.761.1365 

F: 773.761.4079 

sgentlewind@sbcglobal.net 


9

Telshe Yeshiva, 3535 W. Foster 

Sunday, March 25 

7:30pm - 9:00pm 

Monday, March 26 

7:30pm - 9:00pm 

Last order taken at 8:55 pm 

Appointments MUST be 

made for all large orders 

If you are not certain - call! 

Please Note: Kailim that have 

come in contact with heat - either 

through cooking or washing - 

within the previous 24 hours will 

not be serviced. Also, please clean 

everything thoroughly before 

coming. No strainers, graters or 

baking pans will be kashered. 

For more information and 

appointments call 773-727-5241 

10 



11

AS A SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY AGUDATH ISRAEL OF ILLINOIS IS OFFERING 

Free Document Shredding 

ELECTRONIC 

RECYCLING 

Computers / Laptops / Phones / 

Phone Stations / Audio-Visual 

Devices / Printers / Fax Machines 

/ Wires / Cables / 

Household Electronics 

NO! 

TV’s / Monitors / Fluorescent 

Bulbs / Batteries / Dehumidifiers 

/ AC Units / Thermostats / 

Refrigerators 

10:00am–2:00pm 

Sunday, March 18, 2018 

7530 North St. Louis 

(In parking lot directly across 

from Shaimos Collection) 

Appointment needed for large 

amounts (i.e. offices, school etc.) 

CALL 773.315.7255 

Documents can be dropped off 

to be shredded by our workers. 

You need not stay for the shredding. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL THE AGUDATH ISRAEL OF ILLINOIS OFFICE AT 773.279.8400 EXT 213 

12 12 


“Providing quality professional financial service has been our 

mission since the day we opened our doors. Our Service is 

unsurpassed, this is my promise” 

Mimi Sallis 

President and CEO 

Commercial 

Loans 

Brickyard Bank is a locally owned 

community bank proudly serving our 

business communities for over 30 years. 

Brickyard Bank Commercial loans have been designed 

with our business customers in mind. Our Lending Staff 

is well experienced, accommodating and provide 

flexibility and convenience to our borrowers. 

Give us a call today! 

COME BE A PART OF OUR COMMUNITY 

Main Office 

6676 N Lincoln Ave 

Lincolnwood, IL 60712 

Skokie Office 

3536 W Dempster St 

Skokie IL 60076 


13

Drop off will be at 

Wi-Fi tech 

7530 n. st. louis 

is pleaseD to announce a 

Pre-Pesach 

shaimos 

collection 

sunday march 18, 2018 

10:00 aM - 2:00 pM 

please note the earlier tiMe 

just south of howarD on the west siDe of the street 

Please note: 

There will be a fee based on volume. Pack tightly and save. 

We can only accept Shaimos that is securely packaged 

in a box or a strong bag. 

Please only bring actual Shaimos. 

Shaimos boxes will be available for purchase. 

Tefillin and Mezuzah parshiyos should be given in separately 

from any regular shaimos. 

To find ouT More inforMaTion PleaSe call 773-279-8400 exT. 213 

14 


common shaimos items 

Key 

Genizah 

requires 

regular Genizah 

Genizah leVel 1 

requires Genizah in a 

pottery Vessel 

respectable Manner 

Double bag 

before disposal 

not shaiMos 

animated children’s halacha sefer 

bentscher 

besamim (ideally) 

binder (containing Divrei torah) 

(Dividers are not shaimos) 

book cover protectors (fabric or paper) 

book Mark 

calendar 

if contains torah content 

cD, DVD, cassette 

challah cover (unless has pesukim) 

chumash 

chumash sheet 

Gartel (Davening) 

Gedolim books 

if contains some Divrei torah 

illustration of torah with captions 

invitation (with pesukim) 

(or at least cut out the pasuk) 

Kiddush cup (ideally) 

Kittel 

Magazines (Mishpacha, binah, etc.) 

Megillah 

if they also have some torah content 

Mezuzah 

Mezuzah case and plastic wrapping 

newspapers- (Yated, hamodia, etc) 

if they also have some torah content 

notebook of Divrei torah 

(the blank pages can be removed) 

parsha sheets 

photo of rabbi or holy place 

photocopied sheets- same as the original 

sefer (including the blank margins, permanent cover and jacket) 

sefarim set box (not the cardboard temporary ones) 

sefiras ha’omer chart (unless it contains pesukim, 

brachos or halachos) 

story book of jewish Values 

tallis 

tallis bag 

plastic outer bag 

Velvet bag 

tefillas haderech card 

tefillin parshios 

tefillin boxes and straps 

tefillin bag 

plastic outer bag 

Velvet bag 

test of torah content (if it also has the answers) 

tzeddakah box 

tzitzis (ideally, reuse for a mitzvah) 

Yarmulka 

To find ouT More inforMaTion PleaSe call 773-279-8400 exT. 213 

PleaSe Save ThiS liST for fuTure reference 


15

Pesach Laws Section 

Please note: All Halachos in this section and throughout the Guide 

have been prepared by Rabbi Shmuel Fuerst, Dayan, Agudath Israel of 

Illinois. If a Halacha article was prepared by someone else, due credit is 

given the author and the article is being published after being reviewed 

by Rabbi Fuerst. 

TWM$ TWKLH 

LAWS OF SHAIMOS 

1. It is forbidden by the Torah to discard 

holy objects, H$WDQB$ OYRBD (devorim 

shebikdusha), by throwing them into the 

trash. Objects which have been used for a 

Mitzvah, although they have no Kedusha 

of their own, should not be put in a owqm 

iwyzb (makom be’zayon). However, one may 

wrap them in double plastic and put them 

in the garbage. Included in this category 

are S'chach of the Sukkah, Tallis bags, Esrogim, 

Lulavim, Hadasim, and Arovos. 

2. Objects which do have Kedusha should be 

buried. Included in this category are Tefilin, 

Tefilin bags, Mezuzas, Mezuza covers 

and Seforim whether they are hand written, 

printed or photocopied. The custom is 

also to include Tzitzis and Talesim in this 

category. One may dispose of a Yarmulka 

in the garbage. 

3. Devorim Shebikdusha also include: 

• Paper on which a Halacha is printed or 

written with intention to tell the Halacha, 

or a Medrash of Chazal which 

is intended to explain a Possuk or to 

teach us how to conduct ourselves in 

Mussar and Hashkafa. 

• A paper on which three consecutive 

words of a Possuk from Tanach have 

been written on one line with the intention 

of quoting the Tanach, as opposed 

to a Melitza (borrowed phrase) 

which is not Shaimos–and can be 

discarded. 

• Any paper or material on which one 

of the names of Hashem is written. 

4. In the above cases, the Shaimos or Divrei 

Torah may be cut away from the paper and 

be buried, if so desired. However, pieces of 

paper that fell out of a Sefer, even if there is 

no writing or print on them, are considered 

Shaimos. Letters or printed matter in the 

Hebrew language are not Shaimos if they 

do not conform with one of these specifications. 

Letters or printed matter in English 

or any other non-Hebrew language are 

Shaimos if they conform with the above 

stipulations. 

5. Newspapers and magazines which contain 

secular information should not be put into 

Shaimos. They degrade the real Shaimos 

that are buried with them, especially if the 

advertisements and pictures are not within 

the spirit of the Torah. The pages that 

have Torah may be removed and put into 

Shaimos or the whole paper may be put in 

a double plastic cover and placed into the 

garbage. 

6. The letters H”YA, H”EB and H”B are not 

Shaimos according to the Halacha and 

Jewish custom. However, it is an act of piety 

to put them into Shaimos. The letters 

D”SB definitely may be put into the trash. 

7. If a Sefer was covered with a book cover, 

that cover should be put into Shaimos. 

Homework and test papers in Limudei 

Kodesh may be Shaimos depending on 

whether they fall into the above categories 

(see #3 above). Invitations from organizations 

and individuals that contain parts of 

Pesukim are Shaimos. 

8. The Yated, Hamodia, The Jewish Press 

and similar publications that are mainly 

news and advertisements and also have 

HRWT YRBD (divrei Torah) can be wrapped 

in double plastic and then placed in the 

garbage. 

This page, for the above mentioned reasons, 

is considered Shaimos and should be treated 

accordingly. 

If you have additional questions pertaining to 

Shaimos or Jewish law, please contact Rabbi 

Fuerst at 773-539-4241. 

16 


Every year at Passover, over 15,000 people receive Kosher 

food to help them through the holiday. Maot Chitim 

purchases all of the food provided. This food is packed and 

delivered by volunteers. Wouldn’t you like to join the 

effort? Find out more by visiting us on the web at 

www.maotchitim.org. 

For more information: 

Maot Chitim of Greater Chicago 

3710 Commercial Ave, Suite 7 

Northbrook, IL 60062 

(847)674-3224 


17

*To ensure the proper 

fulfillment of the mitzvah 

of be’ur chometz, 

no chometz will be 

accepted after 11:00, 

to allow the fire to reach 

and burn all chometz in 

the dumpsters before the 

be’ur deadline. 

Rabbi Shmuel Fuerst – 


1 

Joan Dachs Bais Yaakov 

Corner Lot (Jersey and Peterson) 

All cars must be parked by the school or 

on the street. The lot will be locked and 

no cars will be allowed in. 

NEW 

CAMPUS 

2 

Yeshiva Ohr Boruch 

in the Back Parking Lot 

2828 W. Pratt 

Cars must enter off of Pratt and exit through 

the alley. Do not enter through the alley. 

PLEASE 

NOTE: 

Come burn your Chometz yourself or drop it off to be burned by one of our volunteers 

For further information please call 773-315-7255 

• Large amounts of chometz will not be burned. No exceptions! 

• Please don’t wrap anything in foil, it will not burn. 

• Do not bring pressurized cans due to the danger of an explosion. 

• No glass, metal or plastic may be thrown into the fire. 

Copies of 

כל חמירא the 

will be 

available. 

LAWS OF BE’UR CHOMETZ PAGE 29 

18 


CHICAGOLAND’S 

Kosher Wine 

# 1 

Headquarters 

Since 1948 


19

OYLK TLYBU TWKLH 

GENERAL LAWS OF TVILAS KAILIM 

1. Introduction: If one purchases or receives 

a utensil that will be used for food, the 

utensil may require Tvila (immersion) 

before its first use. The utensil will require 

Tvila if it fulfills all of the following conditions: 

a. Intended Usage: The item will be used 

for the preparation, cooking, serving or 

eating of food. 

b. Previous Ownership: The utensil 

was manufactured or purchased from 

a non-Jew, or at any time had been 

owned by a non-Jew. This applies even 

if the utensil was always in a box and 

the non-Jewish owner never touched 

the utensil. 

c. Material: The utensil is made from 

metal or glass. This will be discussed at 

length below. 

2. How to Do Tvila 

a. Mikvah: The utensils must be immersed 

in a kosher mikvah. 

b. Bracha: The proper bracha should be 

made before doing Tvila on the first 

item. 

i. Please note that wording of the 

bracha changes from singular to 

plural if more than one utensil is 

being immersed. 

ii. If multiple items are being immersed, 

the bracha should be said 

on an item that for sure requires 

Tvila. 

iii. One should refrain from talking about 

20 

matters not pertaining to the Tvila 

until after immersing the last utensil. 

c. Full Immersion: The item needs to be 

fully submerged in the mikvah at one 

time. 

i. A utensil that requires assembly 

should be immersed in its assembled 

state. This law applies even 

if the attached pieces are made of 

plastic. 

ii. The entire utensil–including the 

handle–must be immersed, even if 

the handle is plastic. 

iii. Small Appliances: All electrical 

utensils (i.e. percolator) need Tvila. 

According to Rabbi Moshe Feinstein 

zt”l, only the exposed parts 

of the utensil need to touch the 

water, not the inner cavities. The 

cord, however, does not need to be 

submerged. 

d. No Chatzitzas: The utensil must be 

completely clean of rust or dirt and 

have all of its tags and labels removed 

before the Tvila is done. 

3. Which Utensils Need Tvila? Almost all 

utensils made from any type of metal (i.e., 

steel, copper, tin, gold, silver, etc.) or glass 

(including Pyrex anad Duralex) require 

Tvila. However, certain ones require Tvila 

with a bracha while other ones do not require 

a bracha. 

a. The following utensils made of metal or 

glass require Tvila with a 

bracha:** 

i. Pots and pans used for 

cooking, frying or baking 

(even if they have an enamel 

cover) 

ii. All silverware, dishes, 

peelers, slicers, graters and 

mashers. 

iii. Salt, sugar and spice shakers. 

iv. Removable trays and 

grates inside toaster ovens 

(the toaster itself does not 

require Tvila) 

v. Water kettles 


** Note: The requirement of saying a bracha 

with the Tvila only applies in those cases 

where the utensil was made by or belonged to 

a non-Jew. 

b. The following utensils made of metal 

or glass require Tvila but without a 

bracha: 

i. Aluminum pots and pans that will 

be used more than once (Please 

note: an aluminum pan that will 

only be used once does not need 

Tvila at all, and if it will be used 

more than once, then it needs Tvila 

even before using it the first time). 

ii. Bowls of a blender (including bowls 

made of plastic with turning metal 

blades), beaters of a blender, sieves, 

strainers and nut crackers. 

iii. All utensils made from Corelle or 

Corningware. 

iv. A utensil that is part porcelain and 

part glass or metal (i.e. a porcelain 

crock pot bowl with a Pyrex cover); 

both pieces require Tvila. 

c. The Following Utensils — even made 

from Metal or Glass — do not need 

Tvila: 

i. A pop-up toaster 

ii. A breadbox, refrigerator racks, 

stove and oven racks, vegetable 

bins, false teeth, dentures, or can 

openers. 

iii. All utensils made from earthenware 

or porcelain and, according to 

Horav Moshe Feinstein, zt”l, glazed 

china. 

iv. All utensils made completely from 

plastic, rubber, wood or paper. 

4. General Laws 

a. Purchased as a Gift: If someone buys a 

utensil to give as a gift, then the buyer 

should not Tovel the item. 

b. Using Before Tvila: Any utensil that 

requires Tvila cannot be used — even 

once — until after the Tvila has been 

done.

JMX TQYDB TWKLH 

LAWS OF SEARCHING FOR CHOMETZ 

WHAT & WHEN- 

1. The Mitzvah: There is a mitzvah to do 

Bedikas Chometz on the night of Erev 

Pesach. 

2. Reason for the Mitzvah: This mitzvah is 

performed to insure that no chometz is 

found in one’s possession on Pesach. 

3. Time: The ideal time for the bedika is at 

tzeitz hakochavim (nightfall). 

4. Maariv: The minhag (custom), when possible, 

is to daven Maariv before performing 

the bedika. 

5. Working Late: Those who work late do 

not have to have their wives check for 

them; rather the bedika can be performed 

when they return home. 

6. Eating Before the Bedika: Once the time 

for the bedika has arrived, it is prohibited 

to partake of a meal until the bedika is 

completed. A small snack, however, is 

permitted. 

HOW 

1. Bracha: The appropriate bracha should 

be recited before beginning the bedika. If 

one forgot to make the bracha at the beginning, 

then it can still be said until the 

bedika is complete. 

2. Kol Chamira: At the conclusion of the 

bedika, “Kol Chamira” should be said by 

all the members of the household. It needs 

to be said in a language that each reciter 

understands. 

3. Talking During the Bedika: During the 

bedika one should only talk if it is related 

to the bedika or it is for a mitzvah (For 

example, saying “Asher Yatzar”). All other 

speech should be avoided when possible 

until after saying “Kol Chamira”. 

4. Putting Out Ten Pieces of Bread: The 

accepted minhag is to hide ten pieces of 

bread before the bedika. One reason for 

this minhag is to avoid the bracha being 

l’vatala (in vain) in the common scenario 

that no chometz is found. 

5. Size of the Bread Put Out: Altogether, the 

ten pieces of bread should equal at least 

a kezayis, but no single piece on its own 

should be a kezayis or larger. This is to assist 

in the unfortunate circumstance that if 

one of the pieces were to become lost, then 

the entire house would have to be checked 

again until it would be found. However, 

since the piece was less than a kezayis, it 

can be ignored because it was included in 

the bitel (voiding). 

6. Candle or Flashlight: According to Rabbi 

Moshe Feinstein zt’l, one should make the 

bracha and begin the bedika with a candle, 

since it is mentioned explicitly in the Gemara 

(Talmud). Afterwards, though, one 

is permitted to continue with a flashlight 

since it is less dangerous and provides better 

light. 

7. Closing the Lights: There is no particular 

halacha on the topic of closing the lights 

during the bedika, one can follow his family 

minhag. 

8. Thoroughness of the Bedika: Most homes 

are cleaned thoroughly long before Erev 

Pesach, which leads to a discussion how 

thorough the actual bedika needs to be. 

Some poskim (halachic authorities) are 

of the opinion that the house must still 

be checked as if it was never cleaned. The 

common minhag, however, is to be lenient 

and only check for places that may have 

been overlooked and to superficially look 

in previously cleaned areas. 

WHERE 

1. Which Locations in the House: All rooms 

of the house that may have had chometz in 

them throughout the year must be checked 

before Pesach. 

2. Car: A car must be checked before Pesach. 

If it was cleaned thoroughly beforehand, 

then it doesn’t have to be checked again at 

the time of the bedika. 

3. Clothing: Clothes must be checked before 

Pesach. If they were cleaned thoroughly 

beforehand, then they do not have to be 

checked again at the time of the bedika. 

4. Office/Store: If one owns an office or a 

store that will be used during Chol Hamoed 

(the intermediate days of Pesach), 

then it must be cleaned for chometz. Ideally, 

this bedika should begin after nightfall 

with the bracha and then continue at one’s 

home. When this is not possible, the bedika 

for the store or place of employment 

can be done during the day (no bracha is 


made). If the store or place of employment 

will not be used at all over Pesach, then it 

can be locked up and all chometz inside 

must be sold. 

5. Seforim: Seforim (Jewish books), that 

may contain chometz crumbs and might 

be used on Pesach, should be checked 

and cleaned before Pesach. Additionally, 

bentchers that are used during the rest of 

the year should not be used on Pesach. 

One must obtain special bentchers for 

Pesach. 

TRAVELING 

1. When Should the Bedika be Done: If 

one is leaving home for Pesach, the bedika 

should be done the night before he leaves. 

This bedika is done without the bracha and 

without the ten pieces of bread. Consult 

your Rav for specific details. 

2. Bedika at Hotel: If one is staying in a hotel 

for Pesach, a bedika must be done in the 

room the night before Pesach. No bracha 

should be recited. 

3. Bedika in Host’s Home: If one is a guest in 

another person’s home (i.e.- parents or inlaws), 

then the bedika is the responsibility 

of the host and not of the guest. 

MECHIRAS CHOMETZ 

1. Every Jew must sell their chometz before 

Pesach. If one knows that he will be eating 

by relatives after Pesach who do not sell 

their chometz, then one is permitted to 

sell their chometz without their knowledge 

or permission. This is valid because of the 

halacha that one is permitted to perform 

beneficial acts for others even without 

their awareness. 

2. Anything that is sold to a goy for Pesach 

does not have to be cleaned. 

GENERAL HALACHOS 

1. Animal Food: Pets cannot be fed chometz 

on Pesach. Therefore, pet owners must 

check the ingredients of their pet food 

being that many of them contain genuine 

chometz. 

2. Tablecloths: Tablecloths that have stains 

must be covered before use on Pesach. 

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3. Children’s Food: Babies and children 

whose diet requires them to eat kitniyos 

on Pesach are permitted to do so. The 

utensils that are used with kitniyos should 

be stored and washed in a designated area 

outside of the kitchen. 

CHOMETZ FOUND ON OR AFTER 

PESACH 

1. On Yom Tov: If any chometz is found 

on Yom Tov, it should be covered but 

not touched because it is muktzeh. During 

Chol Hamoed, one should lock the 

chometz away until after the entire Pesach 

is over (it can’t be destroyed because it was 

sold to the goy). 

2. After Pesach: If one finds chometz after 

Pesach that was not included in the 

mechira, then a Rav should be consulted to 

determine what should be done with it. 

LAWS OF TAANIS BECHORIM (FAST OF THE FIRSTBORN) 

Who fasts? 

• All first born males (bechor) must fast on 

Erev Pesach, whether he is the first born 

from his father or from his mother. 

• First born girls do not fast. 

What if the child is below Bar Mitzvah? 

• The father must fast instead of his bechor 

until he has reached the age of Bar 

Mitzvah. 

• If the father is also a bechor, then the 

mother does not have to fast on her son’s 

behalf as long as her husband or son 

attends a siyum. 

Siyum or Seudas Mitzvah 

• The custom is to end the fast early by 

participating in a siyum or other seudas 

mitzvah. 

• The bechor needs to be present when the 

siyum is made to be allowed to eat in order 

to break his fast. 

• A person, attending a siyum in order to 

break his fast, should make sure to eat 

something at the siyum. 

VRDH TLYPT TWKLH 

LAWS OF TEFILAS HADERECH 

• Introduction: When one travels to 

another city, tefilas haderech should be 

recited to daven for a safe journey. 

• Modes of Transportation: Tefilas 

haderech should be said when traveling 

with all modes of long distance 

transportation (car, bus, train, boat, 

airplane, etc.) whether one is the driver or 

a passenger. 

• Length of a Trip: Tefilas haderech should 

only be said on trips that one travels 

beyond the city limits and the trip will 

take at least 72 minutes to reach the 

destination. 

• Timing of the Bracha: 

оо 

L’chatchila (Ideal Time): The bracha 

should be recited as soon as one reaches 

the outskirts of the city in which he is 

leaving. 

оо 

B’dieved: For how long can the bracha 

still be said? If one forgot to say tefilas 

haderech at the beginning of the 

journey, then it can still be said as long 

as there is still more than a parsah (2 

½ miles) until the city limits of the 

destination. 

• The Bracha: 

оо 

Multiple Passengers- If more than one 

person is in the vehicle, it is better for 

one person to say the tefilas haderech 

out loud and have the others in mind. 

оо 

Best Way to Say the Bracha: Since 

24 

tefilas haderech does not begin with the 

word “Baruch”, it is preferable to arrange 

to have another bracha said right 

beforehand. For example, one can eat 

or drink something to require a bracha 

achrona and then recite tefilas haderech 

after that bracha achrona. 

• Multiple-Day Journey: 

оо 

Stop-over During the Day: If a person 

is driving from one city to another, 

even if he stops along the way for a few 

hours, he does not have to repeat tefilas 

haderech when he resumes driving. 

оо 

Drive Through the Night: If a person 

travels through the night, he does not 

have to say tefilas haderech again in the 

morning, but he may choose to do so 

as long as he does not say the bracha 

(Baruch atah…) at the end. 

оо 

Stopped for the Night: If, however, one 

sleeps overnight at a motel/hotel, a new 

tefilas haderech needs to be said upon 

resuming travel in the morning. In this 

scenario, one may say tefilas haderech 

right away even if he stayed overnight in 

a city and is still within its limits. 

• Air Travel: 

оо 

Only One Tefilas Haderech- Tefilas 

haderech should only be said once a day. 

Therefore, if one says tefilas haderech on 

the way to the airport, it should not be 

said again on the airplane. If, however, 


the airport is within the city limits (like 

the case of both Chicago airports) tefilas 

haderech should only be said on the 

airplane. 

оо 

Proper Time for Tefilas Haderech on 

the Plane: There are different customs 

as to when a person should say tefilas 

haderech on an airplane. Some are of the 

opinion that it should be said when the 

airplane is on the runway about to take 

off and others are of the opinion that 

it should be said when the plane is 10 

tefachim off the ground. Both minhagim 

are acceptable. 

• Additional Travel Halachos: 

оо 

Bracha on Oceans and Seas: If someone 

sees the Mediterranean Sea or the 

Atlantic or Pacific Oceans, then he 

should say the bracha “oseh ma’aseh 

breishis”. Some poskim hold that the 

proper bracha is “she’asah es hayom 

hagadol.” 

оо 

Bracha on Mountains: If someone sees 

unusually big mountains (i.e. Swiss 

Alps), then the bracha “oseh ma’aseh 

breishis” should be said. This applies 

even if he sees the mountains from a 

great distance (i.e. from the window of a 

plane), as long as he sees the mountains 

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חג כשר ושמח AGUDATH ISRAEL OF ILLINOIS WISHES THE GREATER CHICAGO COMMUNITY A 

A PROJECT OF THE CHIZUK HADAS COMMISION 

שבת הגדול 

DRASHOS 

– MARCH 24TH פרשת צו 

Rabbi Shmuel Fuerst 


Rav, Cong. Agudath Israel, Warsaw Bikur Cholim 

Cong. Agudath Israel 

Warsaw Bikur Cholim 

3541 W. Peterson 

For Women: 

4:30–5:15pm 

For Men: 

5:30–6:30pm 

Rabbi Moshe Scheinberg 

Rav, Cong. Agudas Yisroel 

of West Rogers Park 

Cong. Agudas Yisroel 

of West Rogers Park 

2801 W. Pratt 

For Men and Women: 

Before Mussaf 

Shachris: 8:30am 

For Men: 

Mincha: 5:40pm 

Following Mincha 

Shiur B’inyanei Pesach 

28 


JMX RWEYB TWKLH 

GENERAL LAWS OF BE’UR CHOMETZ 

HOW 

1. Ideal Form of Be’ur:- Even though 

there are many acceptable ways to get 

rid of the chometz, l’chatchila (ideally), 

one should destroy it by burning it. 

2. How Burnt Should it Be: The chometz 

should be burned until it is considered 

charcoal down to its core. Therefore, if a 

large piece of chometz is being burned, 

it is best to break it into small pieces 

first in order to insure that it is burned 

completely. 

3. “Kol Chamira”: After the be’ur is completed, 

each person should recite “Kol 

Chamira”. 

4. If Traveling: If a person is traveling or 

for some other reason he will not be 

able to burn his chometz on Erev Pesach 

before the deadline, then he should give 

his leftover chometz to another person 

who will act as his shaliach (messenger) 

to burn it properly for him. 

WHAT 

1. What Should be Burned: In addition 

to burning all personal chometz that 

remains on Erev Pesach (and will not 

be included in the sale), there is a minhag 

to specifically burn the ten pieces 

of chometz that were used for bedikas 

chometz. 

2. Minhag to Burn Used Mitzvah Items: 

Throughout the year, many people save 

their lulavim and hoshanos from Sukkos 

as well as their leftover oil, wicks and 

candles from Chanukah to burn along 

with their chometz. 

3. Leave Chometz for Be’ur: Even if one’s 

home is already Pesachdik (and chometz 

free) many days before Pesach, it is still 

proper for him to leave over at least a 

kezayis of chometz to give him the opportunity 

to perform the mitzvah of 

be’ur chometz. Preferably, this chometz 

should include the ten pieces that were 

found during the performance of bedikas 

chometz. 

WHEN 

1. The mitzvah of burning your chometz 

has to be completed before the end of 

the 5th (halachic) hour of Erev Pesach. 

This year it must be completely burned 

before 11:35 a.m. 

Please note: These are general laws. If a person 

has any questions or is in a situation that is not 

covered by any of these laws on this page, then 

it is best to consult with his Rav. 

LAWS OF LEAVING HOME FOR PESACH 

When the owner of chometz will be traveling 

away from home for Pesach to a location that is 

in a different time zone, there are three acceptable 

courses of action to take: 

1. The selling of the chometz should be 

completed before the earlier of the two 

time zones. For example: 

a. Traveling East (Pesach Starts 

Earlier) - If a person is going from 

Chicago to Eretz Yisroel for Pesach, 

then he can sell his chometz on the 

14th day of Nissan using a Rav in 

Eretz Yisroel, and he should ideally 

request of the Rav not to buy back 

his chometz until after Pesach ends 

in Chicago. 

b. Traveling West (Pesach Starts 

Later) - If he is going from Chicago 

to Los Angeles for Pesach, he can sell 

his chometz with a Rav in Chicago 

and ask the Rav not to buy back his 

chometz until Pesach ends in Los 

Angeles. 

3. The owner of the chometz can sell or 

give his house as a gift (with the proper 

kinyanim/ halachic transactions) to the 

Rav who is selling the chometz. Since 

everything now belongs to the Rav, the 

chometz can be sold according to the 

Rav’s location and schedule without any 

concern for the location of the original 

owner. 

4. The owner of the chometz can ask his 

Rav to sell his chometz to the goy on 

the 13th day of Nissan instead of the 

normal time on the 14th. If he does this, 

even if he will be in a time zone where 

Pesach begins earlier, then there will be 

no problem. However, if he traveled west 

to a location that ends Pesach later, then 

he should arrange for the Rav not to buy 

back his chometz until after Pesach has 

ended in the west coast. 

When a person plans on being away from home 

for the entire Pesach and will be leaving before 

the night of the 14th, there are many questions 

concerning cleaning his house, selling and burning 

chometz, and other Pesach related matters. 

In such a case, a Rav should be consulted. 


29

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_______________________________________ 


31

THE BUSIEST DAY OF THE YEAR: 

THE LAWS OF EREV PESACH 

by Rabbi Dovid Heber, Star-K Kashrus Administrator 

Erev Pesach is one of the busiest and most unique days of the year. With every hour comes another set of halachos. Many halachic times, including 

the time for searching for chometz and the latest time for eating chometz, are well known. However, many halachos of Erev Pesach are often confusing 

and not commonly understood. The purpose of this article is to elucidate some of the lesser known laws of Erev Pesach. 

Note: These halachos apply to Erev Pesach that occurs on a weekday. If Erev Pesach occurs on Shabbos, special halachos apply to both Friday (13th 

of Nissan) and Shabbos (Erev Pesach). 

I. Chometz: 

1. Searching for Chometz – The opening line of 

Meseches Pesachim states that one should search 

for chometz on the night of the 14th of Nissan 

(i.e. the night before Pesach). This should begin 

immediately after nightfall (50 minutes after 

sunset for this application). 

2. Eating Chometz – One may eat chometz until 

the end of the “4th halachic hour” of the day. 

There are different opinions regarding the calculation 

of the length of the day and halachic hour. 

Ideally, one should use the following calculation: 

One may eat chometz until the end of 1/3 of the 

“day”. For this application, the “day” begins 72 

minutes before sunrise and ends approximately 

50 minutes after sunset (in Baltimore and New 

York). 

3. Burning and Selling Chometz – Chometz 

must be disposed of by burning or selling it 

before the end of the “5th halachic hour” – 5/12 

of the day. Kol Chamira is recited following the 

burning, before the end of the 5th halachic hour. 

One should be aware of the following: 

a. Once Kol Chamira is recited by the head of 

the household, no chometz may be eaten by anyone 

at home. For example, if the father burns the 

chometz and recites Kol Chamira at 8:30 a.m., he 

and his family (even if they are not at home) may 

no longer eat chometz. Everything must be put 

away by that time. 

b. Be cognizant of the latest times. All times 

apply to chometz eaten at any location. One year, 

the gentile owner of a doughnut shop told the 

Star-K that he saw individuals eating doughnuts 

in their cars after the latest time for eating 

chometz! Also, chometz should not be burned at 

the last second. This is true whether one burns 

chometz outside his home or at a public be’ur 

chometz. 

4. Chometz in the Mail – If one receives 

chometz in the mail or with the newspaper on 

Erev Pesach (after the 5th halachic hour) or on 

Pesach, one should not assume ownership of 

the item but rather leave the chometz outside. If 

mail is delivered through a mail slot into one’s 

home, he should have the intent not to acquire 

the chometz (i.e. not taking legal possession) and 

kick it or push it outside with a stick to avoid 

handling it. If it is still around after Pesach, he 

may assume ownership at that time and use it, 

provided that the sender is a gentile. 

5. Kashering on Erev Pesach – Ideally, all kashering 

should be completed by the end of the 4th 

halachic hour. If one forgot to kasher before this 

time, he may kasher the vessel until candlelighting 

time on Erev Pesach with the following condition: 

The vessel did not come into contact with 

anything hot (whether Kosher L’Pesach or not) 

within the past 24 hours. In the event the vessel 

came into contact with something hot within 

the past 24 hours, or if one requires kashering 

of a chometz vessel on Pesach, a rav should be 

consulted. 

6. Finding Chometz on Erev Pesach – There 

is a well known halacha that states if one finds 

chometz on Chol Hamoed or on Erev Pesach 

after the 5th hour, one should immediately burn 

it. On Yom Tov, one should cover the chometz 

(because it is muktza) and burn it after Yom 

Tov. This halacha applies only if he did not 

sell his chometz to a gentile. However, if he 

sells chometz to a gentile the sale includes all 

chometz, wherever it may be found. Therefore, 

if one discovers pretzels in a drawer or bagel 

chips in a coat pocket during Pesach, he may not 

burn this chometz since it belongs to the gentile 

to whom the rav sold the chometz! Rather, 

he should store the item with the “locked up” 

chometz sold to the gentile. On Yom Tov, one 

should cover it and lock it up on Chol Hamoed. 

It may be eaten after Pesach when the chometz is 

repurchased. 

II . Eating on Erev Pesach & Preparing For the 

Seder 

1. One may not eat even Kosher for Pesach matzoh 

all day Erev Pesach. This prohibition begins 

at dawn (72 minutes before sunrise). There are 

many individuals who have the custom not to 

eat Pesach matzoh begining from Rosh Chodesh 

Nissan or even Purim. A child under the age of 

six may eat matzoh even on Erev Pesach. 

Products containing matzoh meal that are 

baked (e.g. matzoh meal cake) may not be eaten 

all day Erev Pesach. Kosher for Pesach matzoh 

meal products that are cooked (e.g. knaidlach) 

may be eaten until the beginning of the 10th 

halachic hour of the day – three halachic hours 

before sunset. One who does not eat gebrochts 

on Pesach may only eat knaidlach and other 

cooked matzoh meal products until the latest 

time for eating chometz. He may not eat baked 

matzoh meal products all day. 

Matzoh made with fruit juice, including Kosher 

for Pesach egg matzohs, grape matzohs, chocolate 

matzohs and Pesach Tam Tams, etc. may 

be eaten until the end of the 4th halachic hour 

(same as the latest time for eating chometz). The 

sick or elderly who cannot eat regular matzoh 

and have consulted with their rav may eat Pesach 

32 



33

egg matzohs any time on Erev Pesach and 

Pesach. However, even such an individual can 

not fulfill the obligation of eating matzoh at the 

seder with these matzohs. 

Meat, fish, salad, cheese, eggs, horseradish, fruits, 

vegetables, and potato starch cakes may be eaten 

until sunset. However, one should not fill up on 

these items so as to ensure a hearty appetite at 

the seder. He may drink wine or grape juice on 

Erev Pesach in quantities that will not affect his 

appetite at night. 

2. All first born males (whether from the father 

or mother) must fast on Erev Pesach. A father 

must fast in place of his first born child who is 

between the ages of thirty days and bar mitzvah. 

The custom is to end the fast early by partaking 

in a siyum. First born girls do not fast, and a 

mother does not fast for her first born son (under 

bar mitzvah when the husband is a b’chor) if 

her husband or son attends a siyum. 

3. Preparations for the seder including roasting 

the z’roa meat, cooking and roasting the egg, 

mixing the salt water, preparing the charoses, 

grating the horseradish, and all necessary b’dikas 

tolaim (checking lettuce for bugs), should preferably 

be done before Pesach as special restrictions 

apply to preparing these items on Yom Tov. If 

the first day of Pesach falls on Shabbos, the z’roa 

and baitzah must be prepared before Shabbos. 

Additional restrictions apply to the preparations 

of the other items on Shabbos. 

4. If one has a difficult time drinking wine at the 

seder, one should mix the wine with grape juice 

and/or water. Ideally, this mixture should contain 

a minimum of 4% alcohol. Therefore, if the wine 

has 12% alcohol content, he should make a mixture 

consisting of 1/3 wine, 1/3 grape juice and 

1/3 water (or 1/3 wine and 2/3 grape juice). He 

must be aware that many wines available have a 

lower alcohol content. Therefore, if the wine has 

an 8% alcohol content he should make a mixture 

consisting of ½ wine, ¼ grape juice and ¼ water 

(or ½ wine and ½ grape juice). Wine with 6% 

alcohol content requires 2/3 wine and 1/3 grape 

juice. If one prepares these mixtures with a measuring 

cup, it should be done before Yom Tov. 

If one may become ill by drinking any wine, he 

may instead drink grape juice. 

5. One may not say, “This meat is for Pesach,” as 

this may appear as if he is designating meat for 

the Korbon Pesach. Rather one should say, “This 

meat is for Yom Tov.” 

III . Work after Chatzos 

חספ ןברק the ‏,שדקמה תיב During the days of the 

was brought on Erev Pesach after chatzos (midday). 

Therefore, various תוכאלמ (work activities) 

are prohibited during this time. Although there 

is no שדקמה תיב at the time of this writing, the 

prohibitions remain intact and are similar to the 

prohibitions of Chol Hamoed (with several ex- 

תוכאלמ ceptions). The following is a list of those 

‏:תוצח that apply to Erev Pesach after 

1. During Chol Hamoed, a השעמ ‏,טוידה simple 

ךרוצל work, may be performed only if it is 

example, for the sake of the holiday. For ‏,דעומה 

one may fasten a hook to the wall on Chol Hamoed 

to hang up a picture to beautify one’s home 

for Yom Tov. Similarly, one may assemble an 

afikomen present of a tricycle on Chol Hamoed 

for a toddler to ride on Chol Hamoed. However, 

under normal circumstances one may not 

‏.דעומה ךרוצל if it is not טוידה השעמ perform a 

For example, one may not fix a broken chair that 

will not be used until after Pesach. Also, before 

Pesach one may not plan ahead and postpone a 

activity for Chol Hamoed even if the טוידה השעמ 

activity is ךרוצל ‏.דעומה These halachos also apply 

to Erev Pesach after chatzos. 

2. During Chol Hamoed, in most cases, one 

may not perform a השעמ ‏,ןמוא a skilled task 

requiring a craftsman, even ךרוצל ‏.דעומה For 

example, installing siding or laying bricks are not 

permissible, even to beautify the home in honor 

of Yom Tov. 

There are some major exceptions where even a 

is permissible on Chol Hamoed. This ןמוא השעמ 

includes שפנ לכוא ךרוצל (e.g. repairing an oven 

that broke and could not be fixed before Yom 

Tov) to avoid major financial loss (e.g. repair a 

roof to avoid structural or flood damage from 

rain), and in certain cases ףוגה ךרוצל (e.g. fix an 

only pair of eyeglasses or repair the only toilet 

in the house). These halachos also apply to Erev 

Pesach after chatzos. 

However, there is one major difference between 

Chol Hamoed and Erev Pesach. On Chol Hamoed, 

one may not hire a gentile to perform the 

above noted skilled tasks. On Erev Pesach this is 

permissible ךרוצל ‏.דעומה For example, a major 

car repair (e.g. rebuilding a transmission) may 

be performed by a gentile on Erev Pesach, even 

after ‏,תוצח if it is דעומה ךרוצל (e.g. for a Chol 

Hamoed trip). Under normal conditions, asking 

a gentile to perform such a task on Chol Hamoed 

is prohibited. 

3. Laundry, Dry Cleaning, Haircuts & Shaving 

- In general, these four activities may not be performed 

after תוצח on Erev Pesach or during Chol 

Hamoed. However, after תוצח on Erev Pesach 

one may ask a gentile to perform these tasks 

Therefore, if one forgot to shave, get ‏.דעומה ךרוצל 

a haircut or wash/dry clean clothing he may ask 

a gentile to do so for him דעומה ךרוצל (i.e. go to 

a gentile barber or dry cleaner). If this option is 

not available please contact your Rav. However, a 

gentile may not perform these tasks for a Jew on 

‏.דעומה ךרוצל Chol Hamoed even 

4. Drying clothes in a dryer and ironing clothes 

טוידה השעמ (except pleats) are classified as a 

and are permissible on Chol Hamoed and Erev 

Pesach after chatzos, under the conditions mentioned 

above ךרוצל)‏ ‏,דעומה etc.). 

5. It is preferable to clip finger nails and toe 

nails before תוצח on Erev Pesach. ‏,דבעידב this 

may be done all day. If one clips nails on Erev 

Pesach, he/she may clip them again on Chol 

Hamoed. If this was not done on Erev Pesach, 

the nails may not be clipped on Chol Hamoed 

‏.(הליבט (e.g. ‏,הוצמ ךרוצל unless it is 

6. Picking up serviced goods (e.g. at the tailor, 

shoemaker or dry cleaner) is רתומ all day Erev 

Pesach. Regarding Chol Hamoed, a rav should be 

consulted. 

7. In years when Erev Pesach occurs on Wednesday, 

an Eruv Tavshilin should be prepared. Some 

people have the custom of studying the laws and 

reciting the order of the חספ ןברק after Mincha 

on Erev Pesach. May the next חספ לילו ברע be the 

לכאנו HaMikdash, busiest ever, with a new Bais 

‏.ונימיב הרהמב םיחספה ןמו םיחבזה ןמ םש 

34 



35

THE PESACH SEDER 

Due to space constrictions, one is encouraged to contact Rabbi Fuerst if any elucidation or clarification is needed. 

I. Erev Yom Tov 

a. Melacha- After midday on Erev Pesach, 

only work that is permitted on Chol 

Hamoed may be performed. However, it 

is permitted to clean or repair clothing 

that will be worn on Yom Tov. 

b. Shaving and Haircuts- Haircutting, 

shaving and nail cutting should be done 

before midday on Erev Yom Tov. After 

midday, it is permitted to take a haircut 

from a non-Jewish barber. 

II. Preparing For The Seder 

a. Prepare Saltwater and Charosesi. 

L’chatchila- Ideally, the saltwater and 

charoses (mixture of apples, nuts, 

cinnamon, wine etc.) that is used by 

the seder should be prepared before 

Yom Tov begins. 

ii. B’dieved- If one was unable to prepare 

them before Yom Tov, they 

may be prepared on Yom Tov in an 

unusual manner. This can be accomplished 

by pouring in the water first 

and then adding the salt, by grating 

the charoses with the reverse side of 

the grater, or by making any other 

change from the usual method of 

preparation. 

b. Roast the Zeroah- It is best to roast the 

zeroah of the seder plate before Yom Tov. 

c. The Seder Plate 

i. Different Minhagim (Customs)- 

There are several customs as to how 

the seder plate should be arranged. 

One should follow his family minhag. 

ii. Common Minhag- If one does not 

know their minhag, the general custom 

is to arrange the plate according 

to the opinion of the Arizal (i.e. the 

round seder plate, shown in the picture 

found in most haggados). Those 

following the custom of the Arizal 

place their matzah underneath the 

seder plate. 

III. General Halachosa. 

Start On Time- Families should be cautious 

to start the seder as early as halachically 

possible to ensure that everyone 

stays up for the entire seder, and that 

the mitzvos are performed in the proper 

time frame. 

36 

b. Treats for Children- There is a minhag 

to give out nuts (and other treats) to 

children to encourage them to stay up 

and participate in the seder. 

IV. Reclining 

a. Men- All men must recline on their left 

side while drinking all four kosos (cups) 

and while eating motzie/matzah, korech 

(sandwich of matzah and marror) and 

the afikomen. 

i. Left-Handed- A left handed person 

is also required to lean on his left 

side. 

ii. Forgot to lean- If one did not lean 

when it was obligated, the mitzah 

needs to be performed again but 

without a bracha. 

iii. Leaned to the Wrong Side- 

1. Left-Handed- A left handed 

person who erroneously reclined 

on his right side has nevertheless 

fulfilled his obligation. 

2. Right-Handed- A right handed 

person who erroneously reclined 

on his right side has not fulfilled 

his obligation. 

iv. Pillows and Cushions- Preferably, 

one should recline on something 

such as pillows or cushions. 

b. Women- Women are not required to 

recline while eating or drinking. 

1. Minhag Ashkenaz- The common 

custom among Ashkenazim is 

for women not to 

recline. 

2. Minhag Sefarad- 

The 

custom among 

Sefardim is 

for women to 

recline. 

c. When Not to 

Reclinei. 

Marror- 

Although 

one 

should 

recline 

while eating 

korech 

(the sandwich), 


one should not recline while eating 

marror (bitter herbs). 

ii. Maggid and Hallel- One should not 

recline while reciting the haggadah 

or hallel, as one is supposed to recite 

them with HARYBW HMYAB (with fear). 

V. Kadeish and The Mitzvah Of The 4 Kosos 

(Cups) 

a. The Obligation- Chazal (Our Rabbis of 

blessed memory) require one to drink 

four kosos of wine at the seder. These 

four kosos correspond to the four terminologies 

of redemption used to describe 

the final salvation from Mitzrayim 

(Egypt). One should go through great 

measures to ensure that he fulfills this 

mitzvah. 

b. Minimum Size of the Cup- One must 

use a kos that contains at least a revi’is 

of wine in order to make a bracha on it. 

Rav Moshe Feinstein estimates two measures 

for a revi’is: 

i. 4.42 ounces- According to Rav 

Moshe this amount should be used 

for mitzvos d’oraysa (commandments 

required by the Torah), such 

as Kiddush on Friday night. 

ii. 3 ounces (approximately)- According 

to Rav Moshe this amount should 

be used for mitzvos d’rabanan (commandments 

that were instituted by 

our Rabbis), such as the “Four Cups” 

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c. How Much of the Kos Should One Drink- 

Although one is only required to drink 

a majority of the kos, an effort should 

be made to drink the entire kos when 

possible. 

d. How Fast Should One Drink Each Kos- 

One should drink the required amount 

of wine within the shiur (amount of 

time) TYEYBR TWYT$ YDK which means 

that one must drink the wine in two 

swallows with a minimal pause between 

them. One who is unable to drink the 

wine in this manner should drink it 

within three to four minutes. (Obviously, 

the faster one drinks the wine, the 

better it is). 

e. Type of Winei. 

Red vs. White- One should preferably 

use red wine for the daled (4) 

kosos. One who enjoys the taste of 

white wine more than red wine, may 

use white wine for the daled kosos. 

ii. Non-Mevushal- Preferably, the wine 

that is used should not be mevushal 

(cooked). Rav Moshe Feinstein 

maintained that wine is considered 

mevushal once it reaches the temperature 

of 165 – 175 degrees, while 

the Tzeilimer Rav held that wine is 

not mevushal until it is cooked at 

190 degrees. 

iii. Wine vs. Grape Juice- The Yerushalmi 

(Jerusalem Talmud) tells us that 

R’ Yonah would drink the four kosos 

and have a headache that lasted until 

Shavuos. We see that although the 

wine may cause some discomfort or 

even a headache, one is still required 

to strain himself and drink it anyway. 

Based on this Yerushalmi and 

other proofs, Rav Moshe Feinstein 

ruled that one should not use grape 

juice for the daled kosos, because in 

addition to other mitigating factors, 

it does not intoxicate. 

iv. Difficulty Drinking Wine- One 

who has difficulty drinking intoxicating 

beverages has the following 

options, in order of preference: 

1. Smaller Kos- In this scenario, 

rather than using grape juice, 

one may rely on the opinion that 

provides the smallest shiur of a 

revi’is (3 ounces). He should then 

only drink the minimum amount 

required, which is a little more 

than half the kos (1.6 ounces). 

Although such a person will wind 

up drinking only 6.4 ounces for 

38 

all four kosos, he has nevertheless 

fulfilled his obligation. 

2. Diluting- One who can’t drink 

even this small amount of wine, 

may dilute it with grape juice or 

water. (See page 33 in section 

II-4 for the “Halachos of Diluting 

Wine”) 

3. Grape Juice- If even this is not 

possible, he may drink grape juice, 

or at the very least raisin wine or 

any other chamar medina (beverage 

of the land – i.e. soda). 

f. Children- A father is obligated to train 

his child to drink the four kosos. The 

age of chinuch for each kos begins when 

the child understands the concept of the 

passage of the haggadah that accompanies 

that kos. This is usually around 5 

or 6 years old. Children may use grape 

juice instead of wine. 

g. Pouring Kos- It is customary for people 

not to pour their own kos at the seder in 

order to act and feel like royalty. 

h. Quality of the Kosi. 

Silver (or other metals) or Glass- 

The most preferable type of kos to 

use. 

ii. Paper- A paper kos should not be 

used. 

iii. Plastic- A Rov (Rabbi) should be 

consulted with regard to using a 

plastic kos. 

VI. U’rchatz and Karpas 

a. U’rchatz (Washing Hands)- 

i. The Obligation- Halacha requires 

one to do Nettilas Yadayim (washing 

hands) in the same manner that 

he would for bread (twice onto the 

right and then twice onto the left) 

before eating any food item that is 

being dipped into a liquid. Based 

on this, one is required to wash his 

hands prior to the Karpas stage of 

the seder. 

ii. Who is Obligated- Men, women 

and children are all required to wash 

their hands. 

iii. Year-Round Obligation- This 

halacha (law) is often only practiced 

on Pesach during the seder and is 

neglected all year round. It is important, 

therefore, to stress that this 

halacha applies all year round. (All 

the details of the halachos of washing 

for dipped foods are beyond the 


scope of this essay) 

iv. Bracha- The Vilna Gaon was of the 

opinion that one must recite the bracha 

of OYDY TLYUN LE on this washing, 

but the Mishnah Berurah writes that 

the common custom is not to recite 

any bracha. It is important to note, 

however, that one should still refrain 

from talking from after the washing 

until after the karpas is eaten. 

v. Please Note: In general, one should 

keep in mind the severity of neglecting 

to do nettilas yadayim when required. 

The Talmud lists it as one of 

the three things that leads to poverty, 

heaven forbid. 

b. Karpasi. 

The Obligation- Each person should 

eat a small piece of vegetable dipped 

into saltwater. 

ii. Bracha- The bracha of “Borei pri 

ha’adamah” should be said before 

eating the karpas. 

1. In order to avoid a hefsek (interruption), 

one should only say the 

bracha after the karpas was already 

dipped into the saltwater. 

2. One should have in mind that this 

bracha should also be for the marror, 

which will be eaten later on. 

iii. Which Vegetables- 

1. Celery and Parsley- Acceptable, 

or any raw vegetable without a bitter 

taste and is a ha’adamah. 

2. Potatoes- Acceptable for those 

that it is their family minhag. 

Some poskim (authorities on 

Jewish law) are of the opinion 

that potatoes should not be used 

because it is a cooked vegetable. 

They explain that perhaps the reason 

why potatoes were traditionally 

used in Russia was because no 

other vegetable was available. 

3. Vegetables that are Acceptable 

for Marror- Should not be used 

for karpas. 

iv. Leaning- Many poskim are of the 

opinion that one should recline 

while eating karpas. 

v. How Much Should be Eaten- One 

should eat less than a k’zayis of the 

karpas in order to avoid the potential 

necessity to recite a bracha 

achrona (bracha recited after eating). 

A bracha achrona should be avoided 

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40 

ha’adamah” to be used for the marror 

as well. One who mistakenly ate 

a k’zayis of karpas should not recite a 

bracha achrona. 

VII. Yachatza. 

The middle matzah should be broken. 

b. The smaller piece is put back with the 

other two and the larger piece is set 

aside for the afikomen. 

VIII. Maggid 

a. General Obligation- During Maggid 

one fulfills the mitzvah d’oraysa (Torah 

commandment) of Sipur Yetzias Mitzrayim 

(telling the story of the Exodus 

from Egypt). 

i. Who is obligated- 

1. Men- Are obligated. 

2. Women- Even though women are 

normally exempt from mitzvos 

asei she’hazman grama (positive 

time-bound commandments), 

they are nevertheless obligated in 

all of the mitzvos of the seder. 

3. Children- One has an obligation 

to include his children in the 

seder. 

ii. Proper Balance of Divrei Torah- It 

is more important to spend time understanding 

the simple translation of 

what is being said in the haggadah, 

than to spend time saying many divrei 

Torah (Torah novellas). 

iii. Matzos Uncovered- Throughout 

Maggid the matzos should be uncovered. 

b. “Pesach, Matzah, and Marror”- The 

most important part of the Maggid section 

is the “Pesach, Matzah, and Marror” 

portion. As Rabban Shimon Gamliel 

himself teaches, if one does not speak 

about these three items and the lessons 

to be gained from them, he did not fulfill 

his mitzvah of Sipur Yetzias Mitzrayim. 

i. Unable to Say all of Maggid- If a 

woman or anyone else is unable to 

say the entire Maggid section, it is 

critical that they minimally say this 

part. Therefore, all individuals not at 

the seder table at this point, should 

be encouraged to join. 

ii. Clear Explanation- It is not sufficient 

to merely recite these words 

with a simple translation, since this 

is the answer to the mah nishtana. 

The children must be present and 

the leader of the seder must provide 

a clear explanation on their level as 

to how this answers their questions. 

One who does not explain this to his 

children may not have fulfilled his 

obligation of sipur yetzias mitzrayim. 

iii. Pointing/Lifting- Many have a 

custom to point at the marror and 

matzah while reciting these passages. 

The Gemara says and the Mechaber 

(Shulchan Aruch) paskens (rules) 

that one should lift the matzah and 

marror while reciting their respective 

passages. One should not pick 

up the zeroah while reciting its passage. 

IX. Rachtzaha. 

Obligation- One should wash his hands 

with a bracha like every other time that 

Hamotzie is eaten. 

b. Talking- One should avoid all talking 

from rachtzah until after korech. 

X. Motzie/Matzah 

a. Obligation- Min HaTorah (Biblically) 

every man and woman is required to eat 

matzah on the night of the seder. 

b. Procedure- All three matzos should 

be lifted up, and Hamotzie should be 

recited. Then the bottom matzah should 

be put down and the bracha “al achilas 

matzah” should be said on the top two 

matzos. See XI below for the proper procedure 

how to eat the matzah. 

c. How Much Should Be Eaten- M’ikar 

Hadin, one should minimally have one 

k’zayis for the mitzvah of matzah, but 

the practical halacha (for reasons beyond 

the scope of this work) is that each 

person should have two k’zaysim. See 

Section XI below for the exact measurements 

and a description of the proper 

procedure for fulfilling Motzi/Matzah, 

Korech Afikomen. 

d. How Fast Should it be Eaten- Chazal 

require us to eat the matzah within 3-4 

minutes after the bracha of “al achilas 

matzah” is said (The faster the matzah is 

eaten the better). 

e. Hand vs. Machine- Machine matzah 

may be used to be yotzei (fulfill) the 

mitzvah of matzah, but many people 

prefer to use hand-made shmurah matzah 

at the seder. 

f. Sick and Elderly- Although sick people 

may eat egg matzos during Pesach, however, 

they do not fulfill the obligation of 

eating matzah with them. The following 


options are available for one who cannot 

consume regular matzah: 

i. Crushed Matzah- One who cannot 

eat regular matzah may fulfill his obligation 

by eating crushed matzah. 

ii. Soaked Matzah- If it is impossible 

for such a person to eat crushed matzah, 

he should dip the matzah into 

water. This is true even if one does 

not normally eat gebrochts, since the 

mitzvah d’oraysa (commandment 

from the Torah) takes precedence 

over the minhag (custom) of not eating 

gebrochts. 

g. Salt/Condiments- The matzah should 

be eaten without any other food or condiment, 

so that the flavor of the matzah 

should not mix with any other flavor. 

XI. Matzah Measurments and Eating Procedure 

a. Procedure- For Motzi/Matzah one 

k’zayis should be from the broken bottom 

matzah and one from the unbroken 

matzah. Individuals who do not have 

their own set of three matzahs, can hear 

Hamotzie from the host. They should 

then take a small piece from each of the 

host’s matzahs and then compensate 

with other matzos that are on the table. 

Another common minhag is to give each 

group of participants at the seder three 

matzos (two whole and one broken) to 

fulfill their obligation of motzi/matzah. 

b. Measurmenti. 

Motzi/Matzah and Afikomen- The 

two k’zaysim can each be measured 

with the more lenient opinion of 

one-quarter of an average size hand 

matzah. 

ii. Korech- Since it is only one k’zayis, 

the more stringent opinion of onethird 

of an average hand matzah 

should be used. 

iii. See Page 61 for more details about 

all the measurements of the Seder. 

XII. Marror 

a. Obligation- Chazal require one to eat 

marror to remind us of the bitter galus 

(exile). 

b. Reclining- One should not recline while 

eating marror. 

c. Which Vegetables- One may fulfill this 

obligation by eating any of the following 

vegetable (Listed in order of preference)- 

Romaine lettuce, French endives or escarole, 

or horseradish.

d. Checking for Insects- One must be very 

careful to check the lettuce for insect 

infestation, as there may be small insects 

in the lettuce that are camouflaged in the 

folds of the leaves. While eating marror 

is required Rabbinically, consuming an 

insect is an issur d’oraysa (forbidden Biblically). 

One who is unable to check the 

lettuce for insect infestation should use 

one of the other types of marror. 

e. Freshness of Marror- One should use 

leaves that are fresh and moist and not 

dried out, for dried out leaves usually 

have lost their taste. Stalks that are dried 

out may still be used, since they retain 

their flavor due to their thickness. The 

marror may be uncovered for a while 

before the seder in order to lessen its bitterness. 

f. Dipping in Charoses- When dipping 

the marror into the charoses, one should 

be careful not to completely cover the 

marror with a lot of charoses thereby 

eliminating the marror’s bitter taste. 

Rather, one should just dip the marror 

in the charoses and then shake off the 

excess prior to eating the marror. 

XIII. Korecha. 

Obligation- A sandwich of a k’zayis of 

marror and a k’zayis of matzah should 

be made. The sandwich should then be 

eaten with reclining in the timespan of 

k’dei achilas pras (3-4 minutes). 

XIV. Shulchan Orecha. 

Egg- There is a common minhag to eat 

an egg in saltwater at the beginning of 

the seudah (meal). 

a. Pace- One should be careful to properly 

pace the seudah in order to ensure that 

the afikomen and the last kosos are finished 

on-time. 

a. Divrei Torah- The divrei Torah relating 

to Yetzias Mitzrayim should continue 

during the seudah. 

a. Roasted Meat- Roasted meat items 

should not be eaten during the seder. 

Therefore, if a meat roast is being served, 

the one preparing it should make sure 

that there is a significant amount of 

liquid on the bottom of the pan during 

cooking. 

XV. Tzafun (Afikomen) 

a. Obligation- One should eat two 

k’zaysim of matzah for the afikomen 

within the timespan of kdei achilas pras. 

One k’zayis corresponds to the Korban 

Pesach (Pesach sacrifice), and the other 

k’zayis corresponds to the matzah eaten 

with the Korban Pesach. 

b. Eating or Drinking After the Afikomen- 

After one eats the two k’zaysim of 

matzah for the afikomen, one may no 

longer eat or drink anything that night 

other than the two remaining kosos. One 

who eats after the afikomen, must redesignate 

and re-eat the afikomen. After 

the seder, water, tea and (if necessary) 

coffee are allowed. 

c. Reclining- The afikomen should be 

eaten while reclining. One who did not 

recline and did not yet bentsch (say grace 

after meals), should eat the afikomen 

again, if it is not too difficult to do so. 

d. Hiding the Afikomen- There is a common 

minhag to hide the afikomen for 

the children to find. Customarily, the 

children ask for presents before the 

afikomen is returned. If the afikomen 

gets lost, other matzah may be substituted 

in its place. 

e. Before Chatzos- The afikomen should 

be eaten before chatzos (halachic midnight), 

since it corresponds to the Korban 

Pesach, which could only be eaten 

until chatzos. The Rema adds that one 

should even try to finish the hallel that 

is said after the meal prior to chatzos. 

A person should also try to drink the 

fourth kos before chatzos. The following 

halachos apply to someone who was 

unable to finish the afikomen before 

chatzos: 

i. B’dieved (after the fact) the afikomen 

may be eaten after midnight. This 

is because some poskim are of the 

opinion that the Korban Pesach itself 

was allowed to be eaten past chatzos. 

ii. Some poskim recommend that one 

who realizes during the meal that he 

will not have sufficient time to finish 

the meal and eat the afikomen prior 

to chatzos should do as follows (the 

rationale of the following is beyond 

the scope of this essay): 

1. Take two k’zaysim of matzah 

shortly before chatzos, and say/ 

think the following stipulatation- 

“If the halacha is that the afikomen 

may not be eaten after midnight, 

then these two k’zaysim should be 

considered my afikomen. But, if 

halacha permits the afikomen to 

be eaten past midnight, then this 

matzah should be considered ordinary 

matzah.” 

2. The first two k’zaysim should 

then be eaten and all other eating 

should be ceased until chatzos. After 

chatzos the meal may continue 

as usual. 

3. Upon completing the meal, one 

should take two more k’zaysim 

and reverse the prior stipulation 

by saying as follows- “If the previous 

k’zaysim were my afikomen, 

then this matzah is not, and if 

the previous k’zaysim were not 

my afikomen then these two new 

k’zaysim should be considered my 

afikomen. 

4. Please note: This option should 

only be relied upon b’dieved. 

XVI. Bareicha. 

Leading Bentsching- Even though during 

the rest of the year it is common for 

the host to honor a guest with leading 

bentsching, on the night of the seder the 

host should lead himself unless there is a 

prominent guest. 

XVII. Hallel 

a. Hold Cup- One should preferably hold 

the kos for the entire Hallel, since there 

is a principle to recite song over wine. 

b. Responsive Parts of Hallel- If there are 

three people sitting together at the seder, 

regardless of age or gender, the parts of 

Hallel which are recited responsively in 

shul (ANA and WDWH) should be recited responsively 

at the seder as well. 

XVIII. Post Sedera. 

Shir Hashirim- Some people have a 

minhag to say Shir Hashirim after the 

seder. 

b. Kol Harbeh- If one has the strength and 

energy to do so, it is praiseworthy to 

continue learning about and discussing 

Yetzias Mitzrayim even after the seder 

is over. 

c. Krias Shema- On the nights of the 

sedarim, one is not required to say the 

entire Krias Shema Al Hamitta (bedtime 

Shema) before going to sleep. This is 

because it is a Leil Shimurim (a night of 

protection) that Hashem extends an extra 

measure of protection over Bnei Yisroel. 

One only needs to say the bracha of 

Hamapil and the first paragraph Shema. 


41

BWU OWY TWKLH 

LAWS OF YOM TOV 

The following is a selection of common Yom 

Tov halachos: 

Stove and Oven Use 

• Introduction: On Yom Tov it is 

permissible to increase an existing flame 

under certain circumstances, but one 

may not create a new flame. Additionally, 

one may not create a new electric circuit 

on Yom Tov which is the situation in the 

adjusting of most electric appliances. The 

practical applications are as follows: 

• Gas Stove/Oven: 

оо 

Turning on the Flame: 

■■ 

Pilot Light: If the stove has a pilot 

light one may start a new flame (turn 

on a burner), since it is just adding to 

an existing flame. One can make this 

flame as high as needed as long as it 

is l’tzorech ochel nefesh (for the sake 

of eating). 

■■ 

No Pilot Light: If the stove has no 

pilot light, and the flame is ignited 

electronically, one must have the 

burner lit from before Yom Tov. 

оо 

Adjusting the Flame: 

■■ 

Raising the flame: Regarding all gas 

ovens and stoves, once the flame is 

on it may be increased if it is l’tzorech 

ochel nefesh. 

■■ 

Lowering the Flame: According to 

Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l, one may 

lower a flame on Yom Tov if it is a 

genuine need for the sake of the food 

(not just because one does not want to 

leave on a high flame). 

• Electric Stove/Oven: 

оо 

Turning on the Elements: All electric 

appliances must be turned on before 

Yom Tov. Turning them on during Yom 

Tov is forbidden. 

оо 

Raising the Temperature: Adjusting 

the temperature depends on the kind of 

appliance it is: 

■■ 

If the stove has a specific number of 

heat levels arrived at by pushing a 

button, switch or clicks, it cannot be 

turned higher. 

■■ 

Rheostat:If manufactured before 

1985, one can turn the heating 

element higher or lower if the stove 

has been on from before Yom Tov. 

■■ 

Thermostat: 

• Coils Currently On: if the electric 

coils are already on, one may turn 

them higher to increase the heat. 

However, one may not turn them 

lower, even if it is l’tzorech ochel 

nefesh (i.e. to stop the food from 

burning.) 

• Coils Currently Off: If the coils 

are off, one may lower the heat 

setting, but the settings may not 

be made higher since it will cause 

the coils to go on. 

Selected General Halachos 

• Washing Dishes: A hot water faucet may 

be used on Yom Tov to wash dishes. 

• Adjusting Timers on Yom Tov (only): 

оо 

Light Currently Off: According to most 

Poskim one can adjust the settings to 

make the light go on earlier or to stay off 

for longer. 

оо 

Light Currently On: According to most 

Poskim one can adjust the timer to have 

the light stay on for longer, but it cannot 

be adjusted to go off earlier. 

оо 

Please note: These halachos only apply 

to manual timers, a digital timer can 

never be adjusted on Shabbos or Yom 

Tov. 

• Preparation: One is not allowed to do any 

preparation on one day of Yom Tov for 

the next day. Even after sunset of the first 

day of Yom Tov, all preparation must wait 

until after nightfall. This prohibition even 

includes carrying an item on one day of 

Yom Tov for the next. 

• Yaaleh V’yavo: If one forgets to say Yaaleh 

V’yavo during bentching, the Birchas 

Hamazon must be repeated. This halacha 

applies to both men and women and 

to both the night and day time seudos 

(meals) of Yom Tov. 

• Ben Eretz Yisroel in America: A visitor 

from Eretz Yisroel currently in Chutz 

L’Aretz (outside of Eretz Yisroel) cannot 

do any melacha for someone for whom it 

is the second day of Yom Tov. In fact, it is 

forbidden for someone from Eretz Yisroel 

to even do melacha for himself on the 

second day of Yom Tov–even b’tzina, when 

nobody will see him. 

• Lighting a Match: One is not allowed to 

strike a match on Yom Tov because of the 

prohibition of nolad. However, a match 

may be lit from an existing flame, or even 

from the heat of a red hot stove. One may 

not proactively extinguish a flame by 

either blowing on it or pouring water on 

it, it should rather be allowed to burn out 

on its own. 

Medication On Shabbos & Yom Tov 

• General Guidelines: On Shabbos, an adult 

(male over 13, female over 12) may not 

take any oral medication unless he is in 

the category of being a choleh she’ain bo 

sakanah. A person is considered a choleh 

she’ain bo sakanah if he either: 1) Has a 

high temperature 2) Feels so weak that he 

must lie down, or 3) His whole body is in 

a lot of pain. 

• Second Day of Yom Tov: On the first 

day of Yom Tov, all the halachos of taking 

medications are the same as Shabbos. 

However, on the second day of Yom Tov, 

the halachos are more lenient. As long as it 

is not the second day of Rosh Hashana or 

Shabbos, a person may take any medicine 

on the second day of Yom Tov even if he is 

not in the category of a choleh she’ain bo 

sakana. 

• Antibiotics: Someone taking an antibiotic 

from before Yom Tov may continue to do 

so on all days of Shabbos and Yom Tov 

even if he is not a choleh she’ain bo sakana. 

• Obtaining Medication on Yom Tov: 

If medicine must be obtained from a 

pharmacy on Yom Tov, (since it is not 

something that is shaveh lchol nefesh) it 

must either be carried home with a shinui 

or by a child under the age of Bar or Bas 

Mitzvah. 

• Please Note: No one should ever stop 

taking their medications without first 

consulting with their personal Rav and 

doctor. 

42 


IYLY$BT BWRYE TWKLH 

LAWS OF ERUV TAVSHILIN 

This year, the last day of Pesach is on Shabbos, 

and an Eruv Tavshilin would be needed to permit 

cooking on Friday for Shabbos. 

Below are some of the important Halachos 

(laws) concerning an Eruv Tavshilin- 

■■ 

Background- As a general rule, one is not 

permitted to do preparation on Shabbos 

or Yom Tov for a different day. When Yom 

Tov falls out on Friday, however, the Chachamim 

allowed preparation for Shabbos 

as long as an Eruv Tavshilin was made. In 

effect, the Eruv Tavshilin starts the process 

of preparation for Shabbos in a way that 

will allow it to be continued on Yom Tov. 

■■ 

Who Needs to Make an Eruv Tavshilin? 

o Only one Eruv Tavshilin needs to be 

made per household. 

o One who does not plan on doing any 

preparation for Shabbos, does not need 

to make an Eruv Tavshilin. However, 

if one will be lighting candles, an Eruv 

Tavshilin should be made without a 

bracha. 

■■ 

When Should the Eruv Tavshilin be 

Made? 

o An Eruv Tavshilin should be made during 

the daytime of the eve of the Yom 

Tov for which it is needed. This year it 

should be made on Thursday, April 5th, 

before the start of the last days of Yom 

Tov. 

■■ 

How is an Eruv Tavshilin Made? 

o Which Food Items- An Eruv Tavshilin 

should consist of both a baked item and 

a cooked item. If only a cooked item 

was used, the Eruv is still valid. If only 

a baked item was used, the Eruv is not 

valid. Ideally, these items should be prepared 

on Erev Yom Tov specifically for 

that Shabbos and the Eruv Tavshilin. 

o Cooked Item- The cooked item should 

be at least a k’zayis. Common foods 

used for this are a cooked egg, or a sizeable 

piece of meat, chicken or fish. Any 

method of preparing the food is acceptable- 

cooking, roasting, frying, etc. 

o Baked Item- The baked item should 

(ideally) be at least a k’beitzah. Commonly 

a complete matzah is used for 

this, but even a piece of matzah is acceptable 

as long as it is the proper size. 

o Procedure- While standing, the two 

items should be lifted up and held in 

one’s right hand (left hand for lefties), 

and then the appropriate bracha and the 

“Ba’hadein Eruva” proclamation should 

be said. The proclamation needs to be 

understood in order to be valid. It is 

therefore advisable to translate the declaration 

into a language that the reciter 

understands. 

• Bracha and Declaration- Both can 

be found in any Machzor. An English 

Machzor can be used if the Aramaic 

proclamation is not understood. 

• B’dieved- If the bracha was omitted 

but the proclamation was still made, 

the Eruv is still valid. If the opposite 

was done, the Eruv process should be 

repeated without a new bracha. If Yom 

Tov already started, a Rav should be 

consulted. 

■■ 

What Cooking Does the Eruv Tavshilin 

Allow? 

o The Eruv Tavshilin only permits cooking 

on Erev Shabbos (Thursday night, April 

28th and during the day on Friday, April 

29th) for Shabbos. 

o The cooking or baking should be done 

early enough on Friday so that the food 

will be fit to be eaten before shkiyah 

(sunset). In a case of need, it would be 

permissible to cook on Friday even if the 

food will not be fully cooked before the 

onset of Shabbos. 

o The Eruv Tavshilin also allows all other 

types of food preparation for Shabbos. 

This includes, but is not limited to, tochein 

(grinding), boreir (selecting), carrying 

and lighting the Shabbos candles. 

■■ 

What Should be Done With the Eruv 

Tavshilin? 

o The two items should be kept fresh 

throughout Yom Tov. If the food spoils 

or was accidentally eaten before starting 

to cook on Erev Shabbos, the Eruv 

Tavshilin may no longer be valid to allow 

cooking for Shabbos. A Rav should be 

consulted. 

o The items should ideally be eaten during 

one of the Shabbos meals. It is customary 

to use the baked item as part of the 

lechem mishneh for each of the Shabbos 

seudos and then finally eaten at Shalosh 

Seudos (the third Shabbos meal). 

■■ 

What Should be Done if One Forgot to 

Make an Eruv Tavshilin? 

o If one forgot to make an Eruv Tavshilin, 

then technically cooking would not be 

permitted on Erev Shabbos for Shabbos. 

That being said, there are several possible 

solutions to this problem. A Rav 

should be consulted. 


43

LAWS OF BRACHOS AT THE ZOO 

MONKEYS & ELEPHANTS 

• The מחבר in או”ח רכה סע’‏ ח says that a 

person who sees a monkey (all types) or an 

elephant should make the bracha: Baruch 

atah…m’shaneh habriyos. 

• There is a מחלוקת between the מחבר and the 

if this bracha is only said the very first רמ”א 

time you see such an animal in your life, but 

never again afterwards. (According to this 

opinion, if you forget to make the bracha 

upon seeing the animal for the first time, 

then when you see it again the next time you 

come to a zoo, you do not make the bracha 

since seeing it is no longer considered a big 

for him), or if you always make the שינוי 

bracha when you have not seen them for 30 

days or more. 

• The משנה ברורה in סק”ל says that since it is 

a ‏,מחלוקת if you haven’t seen the animal for 

30 days or more, then you should say the 

‏.שם ומלכות bracha without 

ארחות רבינו quoted in ‏,חזון איש • However, the 

holds that if you didn’t see them ‏,ח”ג דף רכד 

for 30 days or more, then you should make 

‏.שם ומלכות the bracha with 

• HaGaon Rav Chaim Kanievsky is quoted 

as saying that regarding monkeys and 

elephants even the משנה ברורה agrees that if 

you haven’t seen them for 30 days or more, 

שם then you should make the bracha with 

was משנה ברורה He holds that the ‏.ומלכות 

only referring to other בריות משונות when 

he said his דין - not regarding monkeys and 

elephants. 

• We are נוהג if one has not seen a monkey 

or elephant for 30 days or more, then one 

‏.שם ומלכות should make the bracha with 

• The ארחות רבינו quotes the חזון איש as saying 

that if you see a monkey and elephant at the 

same time, then you only make one bracha 

and only make two brachos if you see them 

separately. 

OTHER STRANGE ANIMALS 

• There is a question in today’s פוסקים if this 

bracha is said only for monkeys and elephants 

or on other strange animals as well. 

• HaGaon Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach in 

is quoted as הליכות שלמה פרק כ”ג סע’‏ לה 

saying that this bracha is also said on any 

strange animal. Therefore, when a person 

sees his first strange animal, he should make 

the bracha with ומלכות ‏,שם and have in 

mind all of the other strange animals he may 

subsequently see at the zoo. 

• However, both HaGaon Rav Eliyashiv and 

HaGaon Rav Chaim Kanievsky are quoted 

as saying that since only monkeys and 

elephants are mentioned in the גמרא and 

one should only make a bracha on ‏,שו”ע 

these two animals. 

• We are נוהג to make a bracha only on a 

monkey and elephant. 

STRANGE FISH 

• Everyone agrees that no bracha is made on 

a strange fish since the גמרא only mentions 

‏.חיות 

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45

DEWMH LWX TWKLH 

LAWS OF CHOL HAMOED 

Our Chazal have taught us that “Anyone who 

profanes Chol Hamoed is considered as if he 

has worshipped idols!” (Pesachim 118), and 

“Even if a person has Torah and good deeds 

to his credit, he has no share in the World 

to Come if he does not honor Chol Hamoed 

properly (with better food and drink and 

nicer clothes).” (Avos). 

With this introduction, one appreciates the 

importance of reviewing some of the basic 

Halachos of Chol Hamoed. 

It is important to realize that Chol Hamoed is 

a Yom Tov and in general the things that are 

not allowed on Yom Tov are also not allowed 

on Chol Hamoed. In addition, one may not 

even ask a non-Jew to do a melacha that the 

Jew himself is not permitted to do on Chol 

Hamoed. 

All the guidelines of Hilchos Chol Hamoed 

are beyond the scope of this essay. The following 

is a selection of some common situations 

that come up on Chol Hamoed and their 

relevant halachos. In some of the scenarios, 

one may be more lenient than on Yom Tov 

itself, but please note, that these leniencies 

only apply if they are being done “L’tzorech 

Hamoed” (for a genuine Chol Hamoed or 

Yom Tov need). 

• Sewing and Tailoring: One may do a 

meleches hedyot (work that is considered 

non-skilled) even if it is being performed 

by a skilled person. For example: if a 

button fell off and is needed for Chol 

Hamoed or Yom Tov, then it may be sewn 

on in a non-skilled manner even if the 

person doing the sewing is skilled. If, 

however, professional tailoring is required 

to fix the garment, then the skilled person 

can only do the repairs with a shinui (a 

change in the normal way it is done, i.e. 

large or uneven stitches). In such a case, 

the garment can only be worked on if it is 

absolutely necessary for Chol Hamoed or 

Yom Tov. 

• Car Repairs: A car may not be repaired 

on Chol Hamoed. However, if one is in 

the middle of a trip and cannot continue 

without the car being repaired, repairs 

can be made since this is considered a 

case of davar ha’aved (irreplaceable loss), 

which allows for work being performed in 

specific cases. 

• Shoe Repairs: Shoe repairs are not 

permitted on Chol Hamoed. If new shoes 

are needed for Yom Tov, it is preferable 

that they be purchased. 

• Laundering: It is forbidden to launder 

adult clothing. Clothing for children under 

the ages of Bar or Bas Mitzah may be 

washed, but only if there is an insufficient 

supply and they are needed for the 

remainder of Yom Tov. 

оо 

Stain Removal: If a garment has a stain, 

then the stain may be removed if the 

garment is needed for Chol Hamoed or 

Yom Tov, or if the stain will settle in if it 

is not cleaned right away. 

оо 

Please note: Whenever laundering 

is permitted during Chol Hamoed, it 

should be done privately in one’s home 

and not taken to the cleaners. Even if the 

cleaners are run by non-Jews, clothing 

should not be brought to them on Chol 

Hamoed. 

• Home Care: 

оо 

Decorating: Home decorating and any 

form of remodeling are not permitted on 

Chol Hamoed. This includes all forms of 

house or furniture painting. 

оо 

Watering Plants: One may water the 

houseplants if they will die without the 

water. 

оо 

Gardening: Gardening is not permitted 

on Chol Hamoed, whether it is done 

by oneself or by a gardening service. 

Certainly, one should not arrange for the 

gardener to come during Chol Hamoed. 

If they show up on their own, then 

they should be asked to come back at a 

different time. 

оо 

Changing Bulbs: Changing light bulbs 

is permitted on Chol Hamoed. 

оо 

Floor Care: Floors may be washed but 

not waxed; carpets can be vacuumed but 

not shampooed. 

• Recreation: Swimming and boating are 

allowed on Chol Hamoed. 

• Doctor Appointments: Regular doctor 

appointments (i.e. dentist or eye doctor) 

should not be scheduled for Chol Hamoed. 

If, however, someone does not feel well, 

they may schedule an appointment. 

• Monetary Matters: 

оо 

Writing a Loan Contract: If one is 

lending money to a borrower that he 

does not fully trust, he is allowed to 

write a document which records the 

loan even though writing is generally 

prohibited on Chol Hamoed . 

оо 

Collecting and Lending Money: Even 

though commerce is generally forbidden 

on Chol Hamoed, one is permitted to 

collect outstanding money and give an 

interest-free loan. 

оо 

Borrowing Money: In a case that a loan 

document needs to be written, one may 

only borrow money if that money will 

be needed for Yom Tov or Chol Hamoed 

or it is needed to prevent a loss. In a 

case that the funds will not be available 

after Yom Tov and one is trying to avoid 

a loss, a loan with writing is permitted 

during Chol Hamoed even if the money 

is only needed for after Yom Tov. 

• Shopping: 

оо 

Food Shopping: One is permitted to 

shop for food on Chol Hamoed if the 

food is needed for Yom Tov or Chol 

Hamoed. Buying food for after Yom 

Tov is not permitted unless a special 

sale price is available that will not be 

available after Yom Tov. 

оо 

Clothing Shopping: Shopping for 

clothing is not permitted unless, either: 

1) The clothing is needed for Chol 

Hamoed or Yom Tov. 2) There is a 

special sale that will not be available 

after Yom Tov. 3) The specific clothing 

that one wishes to buy is not available 

where one lives. 

• Engagements: A chosson and kallah can 

get engaged during Chol Hamoed. 

• Since anything we are taught that is 

permitted on Chol Hamoed is considered 

a chiddush — a novel ruling — one is 

not allowed on his own to assume that a 

similar case is likewise permitted. In every 

case of doubt, please contact your local 

Rav. 

46 


DALED KOSOS 

by Rabbi Moshe Kaufman, Morah Horaah Midwest Bais Horaah 

One of the central mitzvos of leil seder is the 

drinking of Daled Kosos; the four cups of 

wine. Although it is a rabbinical obligation, 

Rambam (Hil. Chometz Umatzah 7:7) implies 

that it is fundamental to our demonstration of 

the Cheirus we acquired on this night. We will 

highlight some of the key halachos pertaining 

to this mitzvah. 

Who is obligated? 

Although women are generally exempt from 

time bound Mitzvos, the Gemara in Pesachim 

(108a) states that women were part of the 

miracle of leaving Mitzrayim, therefore they 

are obligated in mitzvos associated with it, 

namely the drinking of Daled Kosos. 

Children who have reached the age of chinuch 

are also given kosos (Shulchan Aruch 472 1 .15). 

This applies to both boys and girls. Aruch 

Hashulchan (15) points out that while the 

halachic obligation of chinuch to boys is different 

than that of girls, the night of Pesach is 

when the fundamentals of Yahadus are being 

transmitted, and girls must be part of that as 

well. 

Color of the Wine 

Shulchan Aruch (11) writes that one should try 

to fulfill the mitzvah with red wine as opposed 

to white wine. One reason given is that red 

wine is a better quality wine. Another is that 

the red wine reminds us of the Jewish blood 

spilled in Mitzrayim (Mishnah Berurah 38). 

Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l ruled that the wine 

need not be a deep red, even a Tokay wine is 

sufficient (Rav Eider chap. 20). Rema (ibid.) 

adds that if the white wine is better quality, one 

should in fact use white before the red one. 

If the two wines are of the same quality, or the 

difference is insignificant to the drinker, only 

red wine should be used. 

There are those who use white wine but add 

some red wine to give it a red color. While this 

would not give it better quality, it would be 

some form of reminder of the blood. (Putting 

in a red food coloring would not have any 

halachic advantage (Halichos Shlomo 9:10)). 

Generally speaking, there is no concern of 

Tzoveiah (dying) on Shabbos and Yom Tov, 

as dying does not apply to foods (SA 320:19) 2 . 

However, if the food is added for the specific 

purpose of coloring, some Poskim (Nishmas 

Adam Hil. Shabbos 24:3) are concerned for 

Tzovei’ah (see Mishnah Berurah 320:56). To 

avoid any shaylos, one would have to mix the 

wine before Yom Tov. However, this is only a 

stringency, and one may be lenient if needed. 

According to all opinions, one would be allowed 

to first put in the red wine, followed by 

the white wine (Shaar Hatziun ibid). 

Wine or Grape Juice 

The Gemara (Yerushalmi Pesachim 10:1, 

Shekalim 3:2, see Bavli Nedarim 49b) tells us 

of Chachamim who would get headaches from 

the wine that they drank at the Seder. Shulchan 

Aruch (10) derives from this that one should 

push themselves to fulfill the mitzvah of Daled 

Kosos properly, even they might have a physical 

aversion to wine. 

Grape juice, although not alcoholic like wine, 

is a halachically viable substitute for wine 

in many situations, such as Kiddush and 

Havdalah. Even so, Magen Avraham (272:3, 

cited in MB 5 and AH) writes that it is always 

better to use genuine wine. Moreover, Rav 

Moshe Feinstein (Kol Dodi 3:4, Mesores 

Moshe 1 OC 315-316) points out that the 

Daled Kosos have an added component of 

Cheirus; expressing our leaving slavery into 

nobility. That sense of freedom is expressed 

by drinking wine, not grape juice (see Pri 

Chadash 483, Mikrai Kodesh 2:35). Therefore, 

if one has both options it is best to drink wine. 

Rav Moshe zt”l added that is it preferable to 

use a smaller kos and drink wine than to use a 

larger one and have to use grape juice (Dayan 

Fuerst). Today there are many low alcoholic 

wines that one can choose from to fulfill this 

part of the mitzvah. Moreover, one may mix 

grape juice with wine if he can still taste the 

alcohol content of the wine. (Shevus Yitzchok 

pg. 117 in the name of Rav Eliyashiv zt”l) 

This concept of cheirus is only l’chatchilah. 

If one is unable to drink any wine, he may 

use grape juice to fulfill his obligation. Many 

Gedolei Yisroel were themselves lenient and 

used grape juice (Teshuvos V’Hanhagos 

2:243). If one will get ill from drinking wine, 

he certainly may use grape juice l’chatchila, as 

the wine does not express any cheirus to him 

(Shaar Hatziun 52). There is a halachic discussion 

if grape juice produced from concentrate 

has a status of wine. Although many Poskim 

are lenient (Dayan Fuerst in the name of Rav 

Moshe Feinstein zt”l, Minchas Yitzchok), if 

one has other options, he should try to use 

genuine wine (see Minchas Shlomo Vol 1: 4). 

Non-Mevushal Wine 

There is discussion among the Rishonim if 

wine that has been cooked or has additional 

sweeteners in it (honey, sugar etc) retains its 

status as wine. In Hilchos Berachos, Shulchan 

Aruch (202:1) rules that its beracha remains 

“Borei Pri Hagafen”. However in regards to 

Kiddush, he cites both opinions (272:8). The 

Mishnah Berurah (ibid 23) writes that if the 

options are equal, it is advantageous to use 

wine that is not cooked, or non-mevushal. 

There is a halachic discussion if the process of 

pasteurization is considered cooking the wine 

or not. Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l (Igros Moshe 

YD 2:52) ruled that if the process is done at a 

temperature of at least 175 degrees, it becomes 

mevushal wine. Other Poskim maintain that 

only if the cooking will change the quality or 

taste of the wine, then it will have the status 

of mevushal (Minchas Shlomo 1:25, Koveitz 

Teshuvos 1:76). This is most relevant in the 

halachos of wine dealt with by non-Jews. It will 

also determine whether pasteurized wine is 

considered mevushal for Kiddush and Daled 

Kosos (See Igros Moshe YD 3:31). 


47

There are wine companies that pasteurize 

their wines and grape juice at both higher and 

lower temperatures to accommodate the various 

opinions. One should try to clarify these 

details before Yom Tov. 

For one to fulfill this chumra, one has to also 

be sure that there is no sugar added to the 

wine. Rav Dovid Feinstein shlit”a (Kol Dodi 

3:7) writes in his research that even wines 

which are labeled as non-sweetened have up to 

20% sugar. 

It is important to add that Rema (272:8) writes 

that the preference of non-mevushal wine is 

only if the two wines available are equal. If the 

mevushal wine is a better quality wine, then it 

has preference over the non-mevushal wine. 

Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l rules that this includes 

a wine that tastes better as well (Dayan 

Fuerst). 

The Shiur of Revi’is 

Halacha states that the amount of wine is 

necessary to drink is a revi’is (of a log). There 

is a dispute amongst the Poskim if our shiurim 

are calculated differently today. The Chazon 

Ish (OC 39 Kuntris Hashiruim) sides with 

those Achronim (Tzelach, Rav Akiva Eiger, 

Chasam Sofer) who advocate a larger shiur, 

and the shiur revi’is is 150cc, or 5.1 fluid oz. 

Rav Chaim Naah maintains the original shiurim 

and calculates a revi’is at 86.4 cc, or 3oz. 

Rav Moshe Feinstein (Igros Moshe OC 1:136) 

also assumes the larger shiur. According to 

his guidelines, the larger shiur for a revi’is will 

be 4.42 oz., or 130cc, the smaller 2.9 oz. (Kol 

Dodi 2:6). 

The general rule is that for mitzvos d’oraisa, we 

follow the larger shiur of Rav Moshe Feinstein 

or the Chazon Ish, and for mitzvos derabanan 

(or when fulfilling a stringency), we can use 

the smaller shiur (Biur Halacha 271:13, MB 

486:1, 271:68). Using this guideline, since the 

Daled Kosos are derabanan, the smaller shiur 

can be used. However, if leil seder falls on a 

Friday night, the first kos would also be fulfilling 

the mitzvah deoraisa of Kiddush, and the 

larger shiur should be used. 

How Much to Drink 

Gemara (Pesachim 108b) teaches that one, 

who drinks most of a cup holding a revi’is 

of wine, fulfills his obligation. The wording 

implies that it is best to drink the entire cup. 

However, the Gemara is referring to a cup that 

holds only one revi’is. 

What if the cup is larger than a revi’is? The 

Beis Yosef cites differing opinions. While Shulchan 

Aruch (9) rules that one need not drink 

more than a revi’is, Mishnah Berurah (33) 

adds that one should try to fulfill all opinions 

and drink all, or a least a majority of, the entire 

kos. One should try to calculate how much 

wine he will be drinking and use a cup that 

holds that exact amount. 

One who cannot manage to drink a full revi’is, 

should at least drink most of a revi’is (SA 9, 

MB 30). There is second shiur mentioned in 

Gemara (Pesachim 107a) of “malei lugmav” (a 

“cheekful”) of wine. Shulchan Aruch (271:13, 

MB 272:30) writes that this amount is sufficient 

because it generally is at least most of 

a revi’is. There are those who understand it as 

less than this amount. Rav Moshe Feinstein 

calculated that it is ¾ of an ounce (Kol Dodi 

2:9). Others suggest a full ounce (ibid.). One 

who can drink only a minimum of wine etc., 

should ask a shayla if they use this shiur. A 

minor can l’chatchila fulfill their obligation by 

drinking only a cheekful (MB 47 see Aruch 

Hashulchan 15). 

How Much Time to Drink 

When it comes to an act of eating in Halacha, 

the amount of time given by Chazal is “kedai 

achilas p’ras”. In practical terms, while there 

are various opinions (see MB 618:21), Rav 

Moshe Feinstein zt”l (Igros Moshe OC 4:41) 

rules that it is approximately 3 minutes. (For 

an ill person who must eat less than the shiur 

on Yom Kippur, we are stringent for the shiur 

of 9 minutes.) 

The amount of time for drinking is less clear. 

Shulchan Aruch (612:10) cites a dispute between 

the Rambam and others if drinking has 

the same time frame as eating or if it has its 

own shiur of “kdai shtias revi’is”. The Poskim 

(Chaya Adam 130:3, AH 13, MB 34) write 

that one should drink within the smaller time 

frame. The amount of time to drink a revi’is is 

not given in units of time. Mishnah Berurah 

(Shaar HaTziyun 210:11) bases the shiur on 

that which it is socially acceptable to drink a 

revi’is of wine in two shots, not in one. Some 

Poskim understand this to mean it is two times 

of placing the cup to the mouth (Kol Dodi 

2:11). Even so, one should not make a large 

break in his drinking (Rema). If there was a 

stoppage in his drinking, but the revi’is was 

drunk within 3 minutes, he has fulfilled the 

mitzvah according to most opinions and need 

not drink a new cup. 

Notes 

1 

Unless otherwise noted, all citations of Shulchan Aruch 

and its commentaries are from Orach Chaim Siman 

472. 

2 

Even so, there is a minority dissenting opinion and 

the Mishnah Berurah (Shaar Hatziun 318:65) makes 

mention of accommodating this shita. 

48 


INVITING NON-JEWS FOR A YOM TOV MEAL 

by Rabbi Yisroel Langer, Morah Horaah Midwest Bais Horaah 

On Yom Tov, one is permitted to 

perform various melachos such as 

cooking, grinding, kneading etc. for 

the purpose of eating food on Yom 

Tov. However, these activities are 

only permitted if their purpose is to 

benefit a Jew. It is strictly forbidden 

to cook or do any melachos on behalf 

of a non-Jew. (Note: a mumar l’challel 

Shabbos b’farhesya is treated the same 

as a non-Jew for all the halachos mentioned 

in this article except if he falls 

into the category of a tinok shenishbah 

M.B. 512 sk 2.) 

Out of concern that one may forget 

and cook for a non-Jew, Chazal forbade 

us to even invite a non-Jew to eat 

at our home over Yom Tov. 

This prohibition applies even if all the 

food is prepared prior to Yom Tov, as 

the Jew may realize on Yom Tov that 

there is not enough food. This scenario 

may result in the Jew cooking 

something for the non-Jew on Yom 

Tov (M.B. 512 s.k.3). With regards to 

sending a non-Jew food on Yom Tov, 

the matter is more lenient. In this situation, 

Chazal were less concerned that 

one will feel pressured to cook extra 

food for him since he isn’t a guest at 

one’s house. Therefore, any food that 

was already cooked for one’s own 

family may be sent to the non-Jew’s 

home (M.B. s.k. 5). (See M.B. s.k. 6 

for a discussion of whether one may 

do ribui shiurim for a non-Jew in this 

situation). If there is no Eruv, only a 

non-Jew may carry the food to the 

non-Jew’s home. 

One who has non-Jewish cleaning 

help would be allowed to have her 

partake of the Yom Tov meal. The reason 

is that since she isn’t an “invited 

guest,” one does not feel pressured to 

cook for her. (Note: the heter of ribui 

shiurim may be employed when cooking 

for her, which means that one may 

put a larger pot of food on the fire 

than one needs to feed his own family. 

If there is already a pot of food on the 

fire and one would like to add to the 

pot, he may do so only if the food in 

question is meat and there is other 

food in the house available to offer to 

the cleaning lady - see M.B. 512, sk 

12.) 

If non-Jewish company came uninvited, 

it would be permitted to allow 

them to partake of one’s seudah provided 

that they “surprised” you after 

the seudah had been prepared (M.B. 

ibid sk 10 and Sha’ar Hatziyun 20). 

Additionally, one can’t urge or pressure 

them to stay (Taz quoted by M.B. 

ibid). 

According to the strict halachah, one 

would be allowed to have a non- 

Jewish guest on Shabbos, as one is 

not allowed to cook on Shabbos for 

anybody. (See Taz O.C. 512 sk 6 who 

quotes Pirkei D’ R. Eliezer that unless 

one has a real need [such as a non- 

Jew who is interested in converting] it 

would be best not to have any non- 

Jewish company for any meal.) However, 

in a situation in which Shabbos 

falls out on the second day of Yom Tov 

or the day following Yom Tov, then 

one would not be allowed to invite 

a non-Jew for that Shabbos, since 

the preparations for those meals are 

made on Yom Tov (assuming an eruv 

tavshilin was made). In that case, we 

are concerned that the Jew will cook 

on Yom Tov for the non-Jew’s Shabbos 

meal ( Harav Shmuel Fuerst shlita). 

One would not be allowed to invite a 

non-Jew who wishes to become a ger 

and would like to participate in the 

Yom Tov seudah of a Jewish family. 

The potential convert may show up 

uninvited after the meal has been fully 

prepared. Hagaon R’ Yoseph Shalom 

Elyashiv zt”l (quoted in Ashrei Ish 

O.C., Volume 3, ch. 3:8) offers an 

alternative. Before Yom Tov, one can 

have the non-Jew acquire any food 

that he may eat over Yom Tov. Doing 

so ensures that he isn’t considered an 

invited guest at the Jew’s house – he is 

only eating his own food. (This solution 

would not allow you to cook for 

this non-Jew on Yom Tov; it would 

just allow you to invite him. Therefore, 

if the food is not cooked, the non- 

Jew would have to put it in the oven 

himself.) 


49

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53

Pesach Information & List Section 

Please read carefully-new information 

54 


PRODUCTS NOT REQUIRING PESACH SUPERVISION 2018 

Recommendations are for products purchased in the United States 

Adhesive bandages 

Air freshener 

Aluminum foil 

Aluminum pans 

Ammonia 

Baby oil 

Baby ointment 

Baking soda 

Band-aids 

Bicarbonate of soda 

Bleach 

Bleach wipes 

Blush 

Braces (and wax) - wash rubber 

bands before putting in mouth 

Body wash 

Candles, including scented 

Charcoal, including “flavored” 

Cigarettes 

Coffee filters 

Contact lens solution 

Contact paper 

Corn remover 

Creams (e.g. cosmetics) 

Crock pot liner 

Dental floss, unflavored, even waxed 

List provided courtesy of the cRc – Chicago Rabbinical Council 

Deodorant 

Detergent 

Dishwashing soap 

Eye drops 

Eye liner 

Eye shadow 

Fabric protector 

Fabric softener 

Glue 

Hair gel 

Hairspray 

Hydrogen peroxide 

Ice (in a bag) 

Insecticide sprays 

Isopropyl alcohol 

Laundry detergent 

Liquid dish detergent 

Lotions 

Mascara 

Mineral oil 

Mousse (for hair) 

Nail polish 

Nail polish remover 

Ointments 

Oven cleaner 

Paper products, including bags, 

napkins, plates, and wax paper 

(may be used for hot or cold) 

Paraffin 

Perfume 

Petroleum jelly 

Plastic (cutlery, plates) 

Plastic wrap 

Plates, including paper, plastic, and 

Styrofoam (may be used for hot 

or cold) 

Polish (for furniture, shoes, or 

silver) 

Powdered dish detergent 

Sanitizers (e.g. Purell) 

Scouring pads 

Shampoo 

Shaving lotion 

Soaps 

Stain remover 

Stick deodorant 

Styrofoam 

Sunscreen 

Suppositories 

Tissues 

Vaseline 

Wood chips for barbecue 

KITCHEN ITEMS THAT CANNOT BE KASHERED FOR PESACH 

Bread Machine 

Crockpot 

China 

Corningware 

Dishwasher 

George Foreman Grill 

Knives With Plastic Handles 

Mixer 

Pasta Maker 

Plastic Utensils 

Plastic Vegetable Steamer 

Porcelain (Enamel) Utensils 

Pyrex 

Sandwich Maker 

Silverstone 

Stoneware 

Synthetic Rubber 

Teflon 

Toaster/Toaster Oven 

Waffle Iron 


55

CHOMETZ CHECKLIST 

Before we are ready for Bedikas Chometz, we must have finished the major part of our house 

cleaning. Below is an alphabetical list on which you can check off the items that were already 

cleaned. 

Aquarium (most fish food is chometz) 

Arts and Crafts projects containing painted 

noodles, play-doh or other chometz 

Attache cases 

Attic 

Automobile (floors, glove compartment, 

trunk, under seats, etc) 

Baking oven (behind and over) 

Bar (most alcoholic beverages are chometz) 

Basement 

Behind stove, refrigerator, freezer and 

cabinets 

Bentchers (Grace after meals booklets)-to 

be cleaned & stored away 

Bird cages 

Book bags 

Bread boxes (clean and store) 

Briefcases 

Cabinets 

Cake boxes (clean and store) 

Car seats 

Carpet sweepers 

Carriages 

Closets 

Clothes (pockets and cuffs) 

Cookie jars, candy dishes (clean and store) 

Cosmetics (it is proper to get special Kosher 

for Pesach cosmetics) 

Cribs 

Desks and drawers 

Floors and carpets 

Furniture 

Garage and workshops 

Garbage cans and pails 

Halls 

High chair 

Jewelry and cosmetic boxes 

Lunch boxes (clean and store) 

Medicine chest (consult an orthodox 

Rabbi if you intend to use medications or 

vitamins on Pesach) 

Office, store or factory 

Pet house (most animal food is chometz) 

Picnic box (clean and store) 

Playpen 

Playroom 

Porches 

Purses 

Safe 

School lockers 

Seforim and books 

Shelves and bookcases 

Shopping carts 

Storage room or bin 

Strollers 

Tallis bag 

Teeth – Natural teeth should be brushed 

after the last Chometz meal on Erev Pesach 

False teeth – if possible, should be soaked 

in water 24 hours prior to Erev Pesach, 

and then boiling water poured over them 

Toaster (clean and store) 

Toothbrush (new toothbrush should be 

used for Chol HaMoed) 

Toys, toy chest, toy house 

Travel bags 

Under radiators 

Vacuum cleaner and bags 

Window sills 

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57

EREV PESACH “DON’T FORGET” LIST 

Bechorim (first born son) – plan to attend a siyum see page 24 

Remember not to say hdwtl rwmzm in davening 

Dispose of vacuum cleaner bag 

Send all lulavim, Chanukah oil and wicks and challah to be’ur chometz along with the chometz 

found at the bedikah the night before, see page 18 

Recheck seals/tape/string on cabinets, closets and storage places 

Make certain you do not need anything for Yom Tov in any of these places before locking them. 

Make certain to stop eating chometz by 10:25 a.m. 

Make certain all chometz is burned and made null and void by 11:40 a.m. 

Call all relatives/friends to wish them a good yom tov – early 

Prepare - if necessary - any Yahrtzeit candles 

Set your timer for the sedorim and meals 

Plug in hot water urn and crock pot – if needed 

Tear a roll of paper towels for kitchen and meal use 

Prepare extra aluminum foil for leftover food 

Check that the refrigerator/freezer light is off and other needed lights are on. 

Open all food and non-food boxes (toilet paper, Kleenex, diapers) or any packets 

Prepare all necessary medication(s) 

Disconnect the automatic turnoff on your oven 

_____________________________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________________________ 

THE SEDORIM 

Open all wine – grape juice bottles needed for the sedorim 

Check your matzoh supply and prepare enough shlaimim (complete matzos) for the sedorim 

Prepare the morror, charoses, karpas, zeroa and saltwater 

Go over the divrei Torah you will want to say at the sedorim 

Decide with your children how much Torah each may say at each seder 

Check old and new haggados and/or seforim for pages stuck together 

Prepare as much as possible for the sedorim (seating arrangement, haggados, afikomen bags, pillows, 

kittel, sweets for children etc. ) 

Try to rest a little during the afternoon – especially women 

Go over the mandatory mitzvos of the seder for men and women 

Buy extra long burning candles for the sedorim 

Candle lighting is 6:54 p.m. remember to say a she’hechayanu 

_____________________________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________________________ 

58 



59

REQUIRED AMOUNTS OF RITUAL FOODS 

AND BEVERAGES FOR THE PESACH SEDER 

I. Minimum Size Of Wine Cups (Kosos) 

a. Arbah Kosos and Year Round Kiddush 

(except on Friday night) and 

Havdalah- At least 3.0 fluid ounces. 

a. Friday Night Kiddush at the Seder and 

Year Round- At least 4.42 fluid ounces 

in size. 

b. Note: If one recites the Kiddush on behalf 

of the assembled when the Seder occurs 

on Friday night, then only the cup 

of the one reciting the Kiddush must be 

at least 4.42 fluid ounces. 

II. Minimum Strength Of Wine 

a. Standard Halacha- In general, full 

strength wine (without diluting) is required 

for the Arbah Kosos. 

b. Not Enough Wine, Health Concerns or 

Other Needs for Exception- In a case of 

need one may: 

i. Dilute the wine with the least 

amount of grape juice possible. 

ii. Or if necessary, one may substitute 

grape juice altogether instea56d of 

wine. 

c. Halachos of Diluting Wine and Grape 

Juicei. 

Diluting Grape Juice with Water- 

The ratio should not exceed 2/3 cup 

of water to 1/3 cup of grape juice. 

ii. Diluting Wine with Water- The 

ratio should not exceed 2/5 cup of 

wine to 3/5 cup of water. 

iii. Note: When diluted correctly according 

to halacha, these mixtures 

maintain their bracha of Hagafen. 

60 

III. Minimum Amount Of Matzah Shmurah 

a. Times during the seder that the 

minimum amount of shmurah matzah 

must be eaten by each person: 

i. Motzie/Matzah 

ii. Korech 

iii. Afikomen 

b. Minimum Amount of Matzahi. 

According to Rav Moshe Feinstein 

zt”l: 

1. For Motzie/Matzah and Afikomen- 

A piece equivalent in size to 

7” x 6 ¼”. 

2. For Korech–A piece equivalent in 

size to 7” x 4”. 

ii. According to the Chazon Ish zt”l: 

1. For Motzie/Matzah– A piece 

equivalent in size to 7” x 3½”. 

2. For Korech and Afikomen– A 

piece equivalent in size to 7” x 2 

¼”. 

iii. NOTE: See chart on page 61 for 

more assistance. 

c. Minimum Amount of Matzah Meal*- 

If one is unable to eat regular matzah 

due to health concerns, shmurah matzah 

meal (upon which one is permitted to 

recite Hamotzie) may be substituted as 

follows: 

i. For Motzi/Matzah and Afikomen- At 

least an amount that can be compacted 

into a vessel measuring 1.5 

fluid ounces. 

ii. For Korech–At least an amount that 

can be compacted into a vessel measuring 

1.1 fluid ounces. 


IV. Minimum Amount Of Marror 

a. Times during the seder that the minimum 

amount of marror must be eaten 

by each person: 

i. Marror 

ii. Korech 

b. Minimum Amount of Marrori. 

Pure, Grated Horseradish*- 

1. For Marror- An amount that can 

be compacted into a vessel measuring 

1.1 fluid ounces. 

2. For Korech- An amount that can 

be compacted into a vessel measuring 

.7 fluid ounces. 

ii. Romaine Lettuce with Leaves- For 

both Marror and Korech there 

should be enough leaves to cover an 

area of 8” x 10”. 

iii. Romaine Stalks Only- For both 

Marror and Korech there should be 

enough stalks to cover an area of 3” 

x 5”. 

iv. NOTE: See chart on page 61 for 

more assistance. 

* It is advisable to measure, before the beginning 

of the Holiday, a shot glass to find out 

how many fluid ounces it holds. Then at the 

Seder, this shot glass can be used to measure 

the required amounts of packed-in matzah 

meal and grated horseradish. 

NOTE: These minimum requirements of 

Kosos, Matzah, and Moror must be complied 

with by women as well as men.

MATZAH – MOROR SHIURIM GUIDE 

= the shiurim of Rabbi Moshe Feinstein L”CZ 

• = the shiurim of the Chazon Ish L”CZ 

this chart should be used for hand-made matzos — per Rabbi Shmuel Fuerst 

Matzah shel Mitzvah and Afikomen 

7" x 6¼" 

➞ 

Matzah shel Korech ➞ 

7" x 4" 

• Matzah shel Mitzvah ➞ 

7" x 3½" 

• Matzah shel Korech ➞ 

and Afikomen 

7" x 2¼" 

Moror Leaves are 8" x 10" 

(This entire page is 81/8" x 107/8") 

Moror Stalks are 3" x 5" 


61

62 


Pesach Jewish Living Section 

PRE & POST PESACH CLEANING TIPS… 

AFTER THE GUESTS LEAVE 

• BLOOD STAINS ON CARPETS 

Soak the stain in hydrogen peroxide (don’t 

dry) repeat if necessary. 

• CRAYON ON WALLS / WASHABLE 

WALLPAPER 

Spray with WD-40, then gently wipe, using 

a paper towel or clean cloth. If the WD-40 

leaves a residue, gently wipe off with a 

sponge. If the mark is stubborn, sprinkle 

a little baking soda on a damp sponge and 

gently rub in a circular motion. You can 

also use a hair dryer to heat the wax of the 

crayon and then wipe it off. If the color 

remains, like red usually does, wet a cloth 

with bleach and wipe. 

• SMASHED DOWN CARPETING 

To make a carpet stand back up after 

removing a piece of furniture, place an ice 

cube on the spot and the pile will go back 

up. 

• STUCK ON FOOD 

Fill the pan/pot with water, put in a fabric 

softener sheet and let sit overnight 

• TARNISHD SILVERWARE 

Line a cake pan with aluminum foil. Fill 

with water and add 1 tbsp. of baking soda 

per 2 cups of water. Heat to 150 degrees. 

Lay silverware in pan, touching aluminum 

foil. Watch the stains disappear. 

• STOVETOPS 

Rubbing it down with car wax on occasion 

to prevent grease and grime buildup. An 

art gum eraser also works well for grime 

buildup under an oven hood. 

• STICKERS 

To remove from furniture, glass, plastic 

etc., saturate with vegetable oil and rub off. 

• SMELLY COOKING HANDS 

Rub your hands over a stainless steel 

utensil under running water. Works 

especially well for the odor of garlic, 

onions or fish. 

• GLASS SHOWER DOORS 

Spray with Resolve and wipe off soap 

scum. 

• COPPER 

To polish copper rub in an ample amount 

of ketchup, let it stand for 5 minutes and 

then wash off. 

• CHROME 

To remove rust from chrome, wipe it 

with aluminum foil dipped in cola. To 

polish chrome, use a crumbled up piece of 

aluminum foil and rub. 

• CANDLE WAX 

Scrape away excess. Place a brown paper 

bag over the wax and run a warm iron over 

the bag. The wax will melt into the bag. 

Move the bag around so you are always 

using a clean section. If a grease stain 

remains, sprinkle baking soda, let it stand 

overnight and then vacuum. 

• BATHROOM ODORS 

Place an open box of baking soda (also 

works for microwave smell) or activated 

charcoal behind the toilet to absorb smell. 

• CARPET STAINS 

Baby wipes are miracle-workers on stains, 

from motor oil to blood, they remove 

almost everything. 


63

RMWEH TRYPS TWKLH 

LAWS OF COUNTING THE OMER 

• Who is Obligated: 

оо 

Men: All Jewish men and boys of 

chinuch age are obligated in the mitzvah 

of Sefiras Ha’omer. 

оо 

Women: Women are technically 

exempt from counting Sefira because it 

is a time-bound positive mitzvah, but 

they may choose to count if they wish. 

However, being that the Mishneh Brura 

is concerned that a woman may forget to 

count one day and accidentally continue 

with a bracha, it is important for women 

who do count to arrange to receive a 

nightly reminder. 

• When: 

оо 

L’chatchila: The ideal time to count 

Sefira is at the beginning of the night – 

50 minutes after shkiyah. However, it 

may be counted at any time during the 

entire night, if necessary. 

оо 

Cloudy Day: Since one can easily make 

a mistake on a cloudy day, one should be 

careful not to count until it is definitely 

night. 

оо 

Maariv: 

■■ 

Ideally, Sefira should be counted after 

Maariv. 

■■ 

If someone arrives late to Maariv 

and is concerned that he will forget 

to count later, many Poskim are of 

the opinion that he can count before 

Maariv. 

■■ 

On Friday night (or any other day) 

when davening Maariv before 

shkiyah(after Plag Hamincha), one 

should count Sefira at that time 

without a bracha and make the 

following stipulation- “If I forget to 

count Sefira again later at the proper 

time, then this should count as my 

counting. But, if I remember to count 

later, then this counting now is void 

and only my counting later with a 

bracha should count.” 

■■ 

Just hearing the shliach tzibbur count 

Sefira does not release an individual 

from his personal obligation to count. 

оо 

Did Not Count at Night: 

■■ 

If one forgot to count at night, then 

he should count during the next day 

without a bracha. If he does this, then 

he can continue to count the rest of 

Sefira with a bracha. 

■■ 

If one forgot to count at night and the 

entire next day and it is already bein 

hashmoshos – Rabbi Moshe Feinstein 

zt”l, is of the opinion that he may 

still count if it is within 9 minutes of 

shkiyah. However, the Mishneh Brura 

is of the opinion that one has up to 25 

minutes after shkiyah to still count. 

■■ 

If one remembers to count Sefira after 

already having said Hamapil, then 

Rabbi Eliyashiv zt”l, is of the opinion 

that Sefira may still be said at that 

time. 

• How to Count: 

оо 

Standing: One should count Sefira while 

standing. 

оо 

Language: The Mishneh Brura is of the 

opinion that Sefira can only be counted 

in Hebrew. Rabbi Moshe Feinstein zt”l, 

argues that one may count with a bracha 

in any language that he understands. 

оо 

L’shem Yichud: Many people have the 

custom to recite L’shem Yichud before 

counting, others specifically do not 

recite it. One should follow his family 

minhag. 

• Accidentally Said the Day Before the 

Real Counting: 

оо 

After Plag Hamincha, one should be 

careful not to say the number of that 

night’s Sefira until actually counting 

because it may count as his Sefira which 

would take away his opportunity to 

count later with a bracha. According to 

the Mishneh Brura, this would include 

answering someone who asks, “Which 

day of Sefira is it?” 

оо 

Many poskim are of the opinion 

that if the correct night of Sefira was 

mentioned but only as part of a question 

(i.e. “Is tonight the 5th night of the 

Sefira?”), then it is not considered his 

counting, and he can still count that 

night with a bracha. 

оо 

If one did mention the correct day of 

the Sefira, but had in mind not to fulfill 

the mitzvah, he may still count with a 

bracha. 

• Missed a Day/ Mistakes in the Counting: 

оо 

Missed a Day: If one missed an entire 

day of Sefira, then he can no longer 

count with a bracha. However, he should 

make sure to continue counting, and 

ideally hear the bracha from someone 

else. 

оо 

Intentionally Missing a Day: A person 

should not choose to book a flight that 

will cause him to miss a day of Sefira, 

even if the trip is for a dvar mitzvah. 

оо 

Counted the Wrong Day: If one 

accidentally counted the wrong day and 

didn’t realize his error until the next 

night, he can no longer count with a 

bracha. 

оо 

Mistakenly Corrected Oneself: If 

one counted the correct day and then 

mistakenly corrected himself and 

counted the wrong day, he may still 

continue to count with a bracha. This is 

because the mistaken correction does 

not undo the correct count that was 

done first. 

оо 

Weeks and Days: The mitzvah is to 

count both the weeks and the days- 

■■ 

Counted Only the Days: There is a 

difference of opinion whether or not 

one has fulfilled the mitzvah if he only 

counted the day without mentioning 

the week. 

■■ 

Counted Only the Weeks: Everyone 

agrees that if one only counted the 

weeks without mentioning the days, 

then he did not fulfill the mitzvah and 

he must count again. 

оо 

Not Sure if Missed: If one is uncertain 

whether or not he missed a day of Sefira, 

then he may nevertheless continue 

counting on future days with a bracha. 

• There are differing opinions about the 

following cases:- If any of the following 

apply, then one should consult his personal 

Rav- 

оо 

If a person can no longer count with a 

bracha, can he count with a bracha by 

having another person in mind? 

оо 

If a boy becomes bar mitzvah during 

Sefira, can he continue to count with a 

bracha? 

оо 

If a person did not say the correct day of 

Sefira, but he wrote the correct day, can 

he continue counting with a bracha? 

оо 

If a person counted two days of Sefira 

because he was unsure what day it was, 

can he continue counting with a bracha? 

64 


SEFIRAS HAOMER CALENDAR 2018–X”E$T 

Please note: Counting of the Omer should only be done at night. If you fail to do so at night, you may count during the next day without a Bracha. 

Beginning the next evening, you may resume counting with a Bracha. See halachos on page 64. 

rnugv ,rhpx kg ubumu uh,umnc ubase rat okugv lkn ubhekt 's v,t lurc 

❑ 1. Saturday evening, March 31 (Some say rnugc) rnugk sjt ouh ouhv 

❑ 2. Sunday evening, April 1 rnugk ohnh hba ouhv 

❑ 3. Monday evening, April 2 rnugk ohnh vaka ouhv 

❑ 4. Tuesday evening, April 3 rnugk ohnh vgcrt ouhv 

❑ 5. Wednesday evening, April 4 rnugk ohnh vahnj ouhv 

❑ 6. Thursday evening, April 5 rnugk ohnh vaa ouhv 

❑ 7. Friday evening, April 6 rnugk sjt guca ova ohnh vgca ouhv 

❑ 8. Saturday evening, April 7 rnugk 'sjt ouhu sjt guca ova ohnh vbuna ouhv 

❑ 9. Sunday evening, April 8 rnugk 'ohnh hbau sjt guca ova ohnh vga, ouhv 

❑ 10. Monday evening, April 9 rnugk 'ohnh akau sjt guca ova ohnh vrag ouhv 

❑ 11. Tuesday evening, April 10 rnugk 'ohnh vgcrtu sjt guca ova ouh rag sjt ouhv 

❑ 12. Wednesday evening, April 11 rnugk 'ohnh vanju sjt guca ova ouh rag ohba ouhv 

❑ 13. Thursday evening, April 12 rnugk 'ohnh vaau sjt guca ova ouh rag vaka ouhv 

❑ 14. Friday evening, April 13 rnugk ',uguca hba ova ouh rag vgcrt ouhv 

❑ 15. Saturday evening, April 14 rnugk 'sjt ouhu ,uguca hba ova ouh rag vahnj ouhv 

❑ 16. Sunday evening, April 15 rnugk 'ohnh hbau ,uguca hba ova ouh rag vaa ouhv 

❑ 17. Monday evening, April 16 rnugk 'ohnh vakau ,uguca hba ova ouh rag vgca ouhv 

❑ 18. Tuesday evening, April 17 rnugk 'ohnh vgcrtu ,uguca hba ova ouh rag vbuna ouhv 

❑ 19. Wednesday evening, April 18 rnugk 'ohnh vanju ,uguca hba ova ouh rag vga, ouhv 

❑ 20. Thursday evening, April 19 rnugk 'ohnh vaau ,uguca hba ova ouh ohrag ouhv 

❑ 21. Friday evening, April 20 rnugk ,uguca vaka ova ouh ohragu sjt ouhv 

❑ 22. Saturday evening, April 21 rnugk 'sjt ouhu ,uguca vaka ova ouh ohragu ohba ouhv 

❑ 23. Sunday evening, April 22 rnugk 'ohn hbau ,uguca vaka ova ouh ohragu vaka ouhv 

❑ 24. Monday evening, April 23 rnugk ohnh vakau ,uguca vaka ova ouh ohragu vgcrt ouhv 

❑ 25. Tuesday evening, April 24 rnugk ohnh vgcrtu ,uguca vaka ova ouh ohragu vahnj ouhv 

❑ 26. Wednesday evening, April 25 rnugk ohnh vahnju ,uguca vaka ova ouh ohragu vaa ouhv 

❑ 27. Thursday evening, April 26 rnugk ohnh vaau ,uguca vaka ova ouh ohragu vgca ouhv 

❑ 28. Friday evening, April 27 rnugk ,uguca vgcrt ova ouh ohragu vbuna ouhv 

❑ 29. Saturday evening, April 28 rnugk sjt ouhu ,uguca vgcrt ova ouh ohragu vga, ouhv 

❑ 30. Sunday evening, April 29 rnugk 'ohnh hbau ,uguca vgcrt ova ouh ohaka ouhv 

❑ 31. Monday evening, April 30 rnugk 'ohnh vakau ,uguca vgcrt ova ouh ohakau sjt ouhv 

❑ 32. Tuesday evening, May 1 rnugk 'ohnh vgcrtu ,uguca vgcrt ova ouh ohakau ohba ouhv 

❑ 33. Wednesday evening, May 2 rnugk 'ohnh vanju ,uguca vgcrt ova ouh ohakau vaka ouhv 

❑ 34. Thursday evening, May 3 rnugk 'ohnh vaau ,uguca vgcrt ova ouh ohakau vgcrt ouhv 

❑ 35. Friday evening, May 4 rnugk ,uguca vanj ova ouh ohakau vanj ouhv 

❑ 36. Saturday evening, May 5 rnugk sjt ouhu ,uguca vanj ova ouh ohakau vaa ouhv 

❑ 37. Sunday evening, May 6 rnugk 'ohnh hbau ,uguca vanj ova ouh ohakau vgca ouhv 

❑ 38. Monday evening, May 7 rnugk 'ohnh vakau ,uguca vanj ova ouh ohakau vbuna ouhv 

❑ 39. Tuesday evening, May 8 rnugk 'ohnh vgcrtu ,uguca vanj ova ouh ohakau vga, ouhv 

❑ 40. Wednesday evening, May 9 rnugk 'ohnh vanju ,uguca vanj ova ouh ohgcrt ouhv 

❑ 41. Thursday evening, May 10 rnugk 'ohnh vaau ,uguca vanj ova ouh ohgcrtu sjt ouhv 

❑ 42. Friday evening, May 11 rnugk ,uguca vaa ova ouh ohgcrtu ohba ouhv 

❑ 43. Saturday evening, May 12 rnugk 'sjt ouhu ,uguca vaa ova ouh ohgcrtu vaka ouhv 

❑ 44. Sunday evening, May 13 rnugk 'ohnh hbau ,uguca vaa ova ouh ohgcrtu vgcrt ouhv 

❑ 45. Monday evening, May 14 rnugk 'ohnh vakau ,uguca vaa ova ouh ohgcrtu vanj ouhv 

❑ 46. Tuesday evening, May 15 rnugk 'ohnh vgcrtu ,uguca vaa ova ouh ohgcrtu vaa ouhv 

❑ 47. Wednesday evening, May 16 rnugk 'ohnh vanju ,uguca vaa ova ouh ohgcrtu vgca ouhv 

❑ 48. Thursday evening, May 17 rnugk 'ohnh vaau ,uguca vaa ova ouh ohgcrtu vbuna ouhv 

❑ 49. Friday evening, May 18 rnugk ,uguca vgca ova ouh ohgcrtu vga ouhv 

Some have a custom to say: HLS IMA WNYMYB HRHMB HMWQML $DQMH TYB TDWBE WNL RYZXY AWH IMXRH 


65

CHOL HAMOED * … FREE ADMISSION VENUES 

*As well as before and after. Please note: Not all venues work out with Chol Hamoed dates every year. 

Below is a list of possible Chol Hamoed destinations for local families, some old favorites and 

some new places to consider. All offer free admission, but in most cases there are parking fees. 

Lincoln Park Zoo & 

Conservatory 

2001 N. Clark St 

312.742.2000 

All ages 

North Park Village Nature 

Center 

5801 N. Pulaski 

312.744.5472 

40 acres of wildlife and fauna 

Chicago Fed Money Museum 

230 S. LaSalle 60604 

312.322.2400 

1 hour tour. 1:00 pm. 

NFYC 

Busy Beaver Button Museum 

A century’s worth of pinback 

buttons 

3279 W. Armitage 

773.645.3359 

Garfield Park Conservatory 

300 N. Central Park Ave. 

60624 

312.746.5100 

All ages 

City Gallery at Historic 

Water Tower 

806 N. Michigan Avenue 

312.744.2400 

Near Water Tower Place 

NFYC 

Millennium Park 

350 E. Monroe 60603 

312.742.1168 

Call for April 

programming 

All ages 

Peggy Notebart Nature 

Museum 

2430 N. Cannon Drive 

773.755.5100 

Free – Thursdays only 

Donation appreciated 

All ages 

The Oriental Institute 

1155 E. 58th Street 

773.702.9520 

Near East exhibits on Egypt, 

Persia, Mesopotamia etc. 

NFYC 

Harold Washington Library 

Center 

400 S. State Street 

312.747.4300 

Exhibits 

Self Guided Tours 

Chicago Greeter Tours 

72 E. Randolph 

312.945.4231 

Up to six people 

Chicago neighborhoods, 

history, events 

Navy Pier 

600 E. Grand Ave. 

312.595.7437 

Story Book Square & stage 

performances 11:00 – 5:30 

All ages 

Chicago Botanic Gardens 

1000 Lake Cook Road 

Glencoe 60022 

847.835.5440 

All ages 

Children’s Museum at Navy 

Pier 

Free – Thursday night 

5:00 – 8:00 pm 

312.464.7678 

For Young Children 

Please note… 

Chicago Libraries have a limited number of free passes to various museums 

and other Chicago attractions. 

Chicago Cultural Center 

78 E. Washington 60602 

312.744.6630 

Call for programs and exhibits 

NFYC 

Chicago Water Works 

163 E. Pearson 

312.742.0808 

Near Water Tower Place 

NFYC 

Spertus Museum/ 

Children’s Museum 

610 S. Michigan 

Wed. 10:00 – 12:00pm 

Thurs. 2:00 – 6:00 pm 

312.322.1700 

All ages 

Cantigny Park 

Museums-Gardens 

1 S 151 Winfield Rd. 

Wheaton, IL 

630.668.5161 

All ages 

Donald E. Stephens Museum 

of Hummels 

Over 5,000 porcelain figurines 

9511 Higgins Road 

847.692.4000 

NEW! 

NEW! 

NEW! 

American Toby Jug Museum 

Over 7,000 mugs and jugs 

depicting historical characters 

both real and fictional 

910 Chicago Avenue, Evanston 

877.862.9687 

Maggie Daley Park 

337 E. Randolph 

312.616.0600 

6am-11pm 

The Art of 

Dr. Seuss Gallery 

Water Tower Place 

2nd Floor 

835 N. Michigan Avenue 

312.475.9620 

Chicago Design Museum 

108 N. State St. 3rd Floor 

Tuesday-Friday 

12:00 – 7:00pm 

Chicago Riverwalk 

Upper E. Wacker Drive 

McCormick Bridgehouse & 

Chicago River Museum 

Sundays – Free 

The 606 

Bloomingdale Avenue from 

Ashland to Ridgeway 

2.7 miles – ample green space, 

scenic lookout points & 

outdoor observatory 

Always call ahead to insure that location policies have not changed 

*NFYC - Not for 

Young Children 

66 


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67

IMPORTANT DATES AND TIMES - PESACH 5778/2018 

MARCH-APRIL 2018 / ADAR – NISSAN 5778 

KEEP IN HANDY PLACE FOR REFERENCE 

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SHABBOS 

11 24 Adar 12 25 Adar 13 26 Adar 14 27 Adar 15 28 Adar 16 29 Adar 17 1 Nisan 

Laws of 

Pesach Classes 

PAGE 8 

Rosh Chodesh 

18 2 Nisan 19 3 Nisan 20 4 Nisan 21 5 Nisan 22 6 Nisan 23 7 Nisan 24 8 Nisan 

Shaimos Collection 

PAGE 14 

Document Shredding/ 

Electronic Recycling 

PAGE 12 

Deadline to get your 

garbage can sticker for 

Pre-Pesach Garbage 

Removal, 39th-50th Wards 

PAGE 6 

Shabbos 

Hagadol 

Drashos 

PAGE 28 


Hagolas Kailim 

PAGE 10 

Hagolas Kailim 

PAGE 10 

• Fast of Firstborn 

PAGE 24 

• Be'ur Chometz 

PAGE 18 

• Stop Eating Chometz 

by 10:25 am 

• Burn all Chometz 

by 11:40 am 

• Yom Tov Candles - 

שהחיינו Say 

• First Seder 

• Eat Afikomen 

by 12:56 am 

6:54 

• Seder 

• Yom Tov Candles - 

שהחיינו Say 

• Eat Afikomen 

by 12:56 am 

• Count Omer 1 


אחרון של פסח 

ז'‏ לעומר 

שביעי של פסח 

ו'‏ לעומר 

ד'‏ חול המועד 

ה'‏ לעומר 

ג'‏ חול המועד 

ד'‏ לעומר 

ב'‏ חול המועד 

ג'‏ לעומר 

א'‏ חול המועד 

ב'‏ לעומר 

ב'‏ פסח 

א'‏ לעומר 

א'‏ פסח 

8:15 

Free Chol Hamoed 

Venues 

PAGE 

ערוב תבשילין 

PAGE 43 

7:01 7:02 

Yizkor 

יזכור 


PESACH RECIPES 5778 

Please note: Most recipes have been provided by Mrs. Rivky Kleiman and have been published previously in Mishpacha magazine. 

* recipes are not from Mishpacha. 

CREAMY RAINBOW SALAD 

Serves 10-12 

1 16-oz. bag romaine lettuce 

1 8-oz. bag shredded red cabbage 

½ red onion, sliced thinly 

1 cucumber, peeled & sliced in thin circles 

1 red pepper, thinly sliced 

1 cup grape tomatoes, washed and sliced 

in half 

Fresh mushrooms, sliced (optional) 

DRESSING 

1 cup mayonnaise 

1 clove garlic 

3 scallions 

¼ cup dried parsley flakes 

1 ½ tbsp. lemon juice 

1 tbsp. vinegar 

¼ tsp. salt 

Pepper, to taste 

Place all dressing ingredients in 

food processor and pulse until smooth. 

Assemble salad. Dress and toss until 

well-blended. Tip: This dressing can be 

prepared in advance and refrigerated. 

EXOTIC SALMON 

6-7 salmon fillets 

Garlic powder 

Onion powder 

Salt 

Pepper 

Paprika 

2 tbsp. oil 

2 tbsp. lemon juice 

2 tbsp. apricot jam 

1 tbsp. ketchup 

½ tbsp. soy sauce (kosher l’Pesach 

imitation) 

Duck sauce, optional 

Combine spices and rub onto fillets. Mix 

the oil, lemon, jam, ketchup, soy sauce and 

smear on fish. Cook at 400 degrees for 10 minutes 

covered and then 10 minutes uncovered. 

PICKLED SALMON WITH CAESAR 

DRESSING 

6-8 salmon fillets 

6 onions 

1 cup sugar 

10 caps lemon juice 

DRESSING 

1 ½ cup mayonnaise 

3 cloves fresh garlic 

1 

⁄3 cup sugar 

¼ cup vinegar 

Less ¼ cup water 

Cook onions and sugar until sugar liquifies 

and onions turns clear-about 20 minutes. Add 

the lemon juice. Add the fish, skin side down. 

Cook covered for 20 minutes on a low flame. 

Blend together the dressing. Drizzle with 

dressing immediately before serving. 

CAULIFLOWER AND LEEK SOUP 

Serves 10 

2 leeks (white and light green part), 

washed and sliced 

2 large white onions, sliced 

1 head of garlic, peeled (about 15 whole 

cloves) 

2 lb. fresh or frozen cauliflower 

¼ cup olive oil 

2 small medium zucchini, peeled and 

chunked 

7 cups water 

¼ cup sherry cooking wine 

3 tbsp. kosher salt 

½-¾ tsp. black pepper 

1 tbsp. balsamic vinegar or lemon juice 

1 

⁄8-¼ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes 

Preheat oven to 350. Line a baking sheet 

with parchment paper. Toss leak, onion, garlic 

cloves and cauliflower with olive oil. Roast 

for 35-40 minutes. In an 8-qt. pot place water, 

sherry cooking wine, kosher salt, pepper, balsamic 

vinegar or lemon juice and crushed pepper 

flakes. Add in zucchini chunks and roasted 

vegetables and bring to a boil. Lower heat and 

simmer for 40 minutes. Puree soup with an 

immersion blender. Note: Freezes beautifully, 

CARAMEL-GLAZED APPLE & NUT KUGEL 

Serves 16 

1 cup sugar 

1 cup packed light brown sugar 

1 cup oil 

3 eggs 

1 ¼ cups potato starch 

1 ¾ cups ground almonds 

1 tsp. baking soda 

2 tsp. cinnamon 

½ tsp. nutmeg 

½ tsp. salt 

5 Granny Smith apples, peeled and sliced. 

2 tsp. vanilla extract 

CARAMEL GLAZE 

3 tbsp. margarine 

¼ cup sugar 

¼ cup light brown sugar 

Pinch of salt 

½ cup parve whipping cream 

Preheat oven to 325. Grease and starch 

a 9 x 13" pan or 2 9" round pans. Beat both 

sugars and oil in mixer until well blended. 

Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each 

addition. Sift together potato starch, ground 

almonds, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and 

salt. Slowly add to egg mixture, mixing till just 


69

lended. Stir in apples and vanilla. Pour into 

prepared pan. Bake 1 hour and 15 minutes, or 

until a toothpick inserted in the center comes 

out clean. Allow kugel to cool while preparing 

the glaze. Melt margarine in a small saucepan 

over low heat. Stir in both sugars and salt. 

Cook over low-medium heat for 2 minutes. 

Add pareve whipping cream and boil for 2 

minutes stirring constantly. Poke holes in the 

kugel with a toothpick. Pour the glaze over the 

kugel. Serve warm or at room temperature. 

MUSHROOM THUMBPRINTS 

30 thumbprints 

POTATO BALLS 

5 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed 

¼ cup oil 

1 large onion, diced 

2 extra-large eggs, slightly beaten 

1½ tsp. salt 

¼ tsp. black pepper 

1 cup potato starch 

1 beaten egg, for brushing 

MUSHROOM FILLING 

1 tbsp. olive oil 

4 large shallots, finely diced 

3 cloves garlic, crushed 

1 8-oz. container mushrooms, finely diced 

1 

⁄3 cup water plus ½ tsp. chicken soup mix 

or 1 ⁄3 cup chicken broth 

1 tbsp. red wine vinegar 


1 

⁄8 tsp. ground thyme 

MUSHROOM SAUCE 

Oil, for sautéing 

1 small onion 

1 8-oz. container mushrooms, sliced 

(preferably button) 

2 tbsp. olive oil 

1 tsp. salt 

½ tsp. pepper 

½ tsp. dried dill 

1 level tbsp. potato starch 

1 tbsp. oil 

½ cup almond milk 

½ cup water plus 1 tsp. onion soup mix or 

½ cup onion broth 

To make the potato balls: Place potatoes in 

a medium-sized pot. Fill with water to cover 

and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. 

Boil until fork-tender-about 20 minutes. Drain 

potatoes and mash. While potatoes are boiling, 

heat oil in a large frying pan. Add onions 

and sauté until golden-about 15 minutes. 

Add onions to mashed potatoes. Add in eggs, 

salt, pepper and potato starch. Mix until well 

combined. Preheat oven to 350. Heat olive oil 

for the mushroom filling in a medium-sized 

frying pan. Add shallots to the pan and sauté 

over medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring 

70 

occasionally, Add in garlic and mushrooms 

and stir for 5 minutes. Add in chicken broth, 

red wine vinegar, lemon juice and thyme. Raise 

heat stirring constantly until all the liquid 

is totally absorbed. Remove from heat and 

set aside. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment 

paper. Using a 1½ inch scoop, prepare 

30 potato balls. Place 3 across each row on 

the baking sheet. Make an indentation in the 

center of each potato ball with your thumb 

and slightly enlarge the center. Fill each center 

with 1 tsp. of the mushroom filling. Brush each 

thumbprint with the beaten egg. Bake for 30 

minutes. To make the mushroom sauce: Heat 

oil in a small frying pan. Add onions and sauté 

for 8 minutes. Add mushrooms, salt, pepper 

and dill and continue to sauté for an additional 

5 minutes. In a small saucepan combine potato 

starch, oil, almond milk and broth. Bring to 

a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly 

until thickened. Add in the sautéed mushroom 

mixture and stir. To serve: Drizzle 1 tbsp. of 

mushroom sauce on a small plate and place 2 

mushroom thumbprints on top with 1 leaning 

over the others for design. Note: This can also 

be served as a nice side dish 

MARINATED MUSHROOMS 

Serves 10-12 

1½ lb. fresh button mushrooms or baby 

bella mushrooms 

¾ cup oil 

½ cup red wine vinegar 

1 ½ tsp. salt 

1 tsp. sugar 

½ tsp. dried basil 

¼ tsp. ground thyme 

6 peppercorns 

1 clove garlic, halved 

1 bay leaf 

In a medium saucepan combine all of the 

ingredients except for the mushrooms and 

bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes. 

Add in the mushrooms (button mushrooms 

can be marinated whole and baby bellas 

in quarters). Mix well so that the mushrooms 

are well coated. Simmer uncovered for 3 minutes. 

Turn off flame. Transfer to a container 

and chill overnight. 

CARROT MUFFINS 

Yields: 24 muffins 

2 cups raw baby carrots, or 2 cups regular 

carrots, peeled and cut into chunks 

1 cup crushed pineapple 

1 cup shredded coconut 

2¼ cups almond flour 

1¼ cups potato starch 

1 tsp. baking powder 

1 tsp. baking soda 


1 tsp. salt 


1 cup oil 

1¾ cup sugar 

2 tsp. vanilla extract 

3 eggs 

Preheat oven to 350. Line two muffin tins 

and set aside. Place carrots, crushed pineapples 

and shredded coconut into food processor 

fitted with the S blade. Blend until it becomes a 

thick mixture and smooth. Set aside. In a large 

bowl combine almond flour, potato starch, 

baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. 

Stir well and set aside. Beat oil and sugar 

until well blended, then add vanilla extract. 

Alternately add dry ingredients and eggs, 

beating well after each addition. Add in carrot 

mixture. Beat until combined. Divide batter 

evenly into prepared muffin tins, filling almost 

to the top. Bake 28-30 minutes until lightly 

browned and set. 

CABBAGE-WRAPPED CHICKEN* 

6-8 chicken breasts 

1 head of cabbage 

2 cups frozen chopped spinach, thawed 

2 16-oz. cans tomato sauce 

1 tbsp. salt 

1 tsp. black pepper 

1 tbsp. garlic powder 

3 cloves garlic, minced 

3 cubes, frozen parsley 

Slice the chicken breasts in the thickness, 

so you should have very thin cutlets. Then cut 

them into 2 strips. Slice the cabbage in half, 

from top down. Unwrap the leaves carefully, to 

retain as many big leaves as possible. Wash and 

check the leaves and soak in a bowl of water 

with a tsp. of salt. In a separate bowl combine 

tomato sauce and seasoning. Spoon thawed 

spinach on top of each chicken strip. Wrap 

each strip in a cabbage leaf with the seam on 

the side of the chicken-the spinach should 

be fully covered on the other side. If the leaf 

is not big enough, use more than one. Use as 

many leaves as needed to ensure the chicken is 

wrapped well. Layer wraps, seam-side down in 

a 9 x 13" pan, positioning them tightly next to 

each other. Pour sauce over wraps and bake at 

350 covered for one hour and uncovered for 40 

minutes until top is golden.

MOCHA PRALINE ICE CREAM 

Serves 16 

PRALINE POWDER 

1 cup sugar 

1 cup ground nuts 

MOCHA ICE CREAM 

6 eggs, separated 

1 cup sugar, divided 

2 tbsp. vanilla sugar, divided 

1 8-oz. container pareve whipping cream 

1 tbsp. coffee granules, dissolved in 

1 tsp. hot water 

FUDGE LAYER 

½ cup margarine (1 stick) 

1½ cup confectioners’ sugar 

3 egg yolks slightly beaten 

2 oz. bittersweet chocolate 

2 tbsp. vanilla extract 

To make the praline powder: Place the 

sugar in a small pan over medium heat and allow 

it to slowly dissolve, then change to an amber 

color. It may take up to 5 minutes for the 

sugar to dissolve, but watch it carefully because 

it turns from liquid to amber very quickly and 

you don’t want it to burn. (The sugar will melt 

more smoothly if you don’t stir it too much.) 

Once the sugar is mostly liquid and has turned 

a deep amber color, stir in the ground nuts. 

Then pour the mixture onto a prepared piece 

of aluminum foil and allow it to cool. Break 

into pieces and place in food processor. Pulse 

until you have a grainy powder. Place 1 ⁄3 of the 

crumbs on bottom of a 9 x 13" baking pan and 

reserve the remainder to top the dessert later. 

To make the ice cream: Beat the egg yolks in 

a large bowl. Gradually add ½ cup sugar and 

1 tbsp. vanilla sugar. Beat until light yellow in 

color. Slowly add in pareve whipping cream 

until light and fluffy. Fold in coffee and set 

aside. In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites 

until soft peaks begin to form. Slowly add in 

the remaining ½ cup sugar and 1 tbsp. vanilla 

sugar. Fold yolk mixture into white mixture 

and mix well. Pour the ice cream into the pan 

over the praline powder. Meanwhile prepare 

the fudge layer. Melt the margarine in a 

saucepan over low heat. Add confectioners’ 

sugar and stir until completely melted. Add 

in beaten yolks and whisk. Add chocolate and 

vanilla extract. Stir until the mixture begins to 

bubble. Cool completely and pour over frozen 

mocha ice cream layer. Freeze for 3 hours. Top 

with remaining praline powder. Garnish with 

chocolate syrup if desired. 

MAPLE BUTTERNUT SQUASH PIE 

WITH CRUMB TOPPING 

Serves 12 

1 butternut squash, peeled and cubed 

1 cup almond milk 

4 eggs 

½ cup brown sugar 

¾ cup maple syrup 

1½ tsp. cinnamon 

½ tsp. salt 

MAPLE GLAZED PECANS 

2 tbsp. margarine 

¾ cup pecan halves 

1 tbsp. real maple syrup 

CRUMB TOPPING 

¾ cup crushed lady fingers (approx. 

9 lady fingers) 

3 tbsp. brown sugar 

2 tbsp. oil 


Preheat oven to 350. Place the cubed butternut 

squash in a medium-sized pot. Cover 

with water. Bring to a boil over medium-high 

heat and cook for about 20 minutes, until the 

squash is fork-tender. Drain and mash finely. 

Add in the remaining pie ingredients and 

mix well. Transfer to a 9 x 13" baking pan or 

a 10" round oven-to-tableware and bake on 

the middle rack of the oven for 30 minutes. 

Meanwhile, prepare the maple glazed-pecans 

and the crumb topping: For the maple-glazed 

pecans, melt the margarine in a small frying 

pan. Add in the maple syrup and pecan halves 

and stir until completely coated and fragrant. 

Transfer to parchment paper and allow to cool. 

Once cool, transfer to a ziplock bag and pound 

to form coarse pieces. For the crumb topping: 

Crush the lady fingers and transfer to a small 

bowl. Add in the remaining crumb ingredients 

and mix well. After 30 minutes, remove the pie 

from the oven. Sprinkle the chopped maplepecans 

over the pie, then top with crumb topping. 

Return to oven and bake an additional 

25-30 minutes. 

VERY BERRY ICE CREAM ROLL 

20-25 servings 

1 56 oz. container Klein’s pareve vanilla 

ice cream, softened 

1 pint Klein’s passion fruit sorbet 

1 pint Klein’s raspberry sorbet 

BLUEBERRY PUREE 

1 pint blueberries or 1 12-oz. bag frozen 

blueberries 

1 pinch salt 

½ tsp. almond extract 


1 tbsp. vanilla sugar 

1 tbsp. sugar 


1 tbsp. maple syrup (or substitute 

1 additional tbsp. sugar) 

1 tsp. potato starch, dissolved in 

2 tbsp. water 

To make blueberry puree: Place blueberries 

in blender. Add salt, almond extract, 

lemon juice, vanilla sugar, sugar and maple 

syrup. Puree or blend. Transfer to a small 

saucepan and stir in potato starch and water 

mixture. Bring to a slow boil over medium-low 

heat. Stir constantly while the mixture turns 

a deep purple color, thickens very slightly 

and begins to bubble around the edges. Turn 

off heat and cool. Wrap a baking sheet with 

aluminum foil, then line with a sheet of parchment 

paper. Transfer softened ice cream to 

mixer. Beat until ice cream becomes smooth 

and spreadable. Evenly spread the ice cream 

on the baking sheet. Freeze for an hour or 

more (check for firmness). Smear blueberry 

puree in a very thin layer over the frozen ice 

cream. Freeze until firm (at least ½ an hour). 

Meanwhile, remove sorbets from freezer (You 

want to work efficiently so sorbets only soften 

and don’t melt). Place one flavor sorbet in 

mixer and beat to a spreadable consistency. 

Smear lengthwise to halfway point over the 

blueberry layer. Rinse mixer. Repeat with 

second flavor sorbet. Smear over second half 

lengthwise. Freeze for an hour (or until firm). 

Remove frozen baking sheet from freezer. Allow 

to stand for a few minutes. Prepare a large 

piece of aluminum foil (to transfer when rolled 

up). Lift up aluminum foil from baking sheet 

lengthwise. Begin to roll lengthwise, carefully 

peeling aluminum foil and parchment paper 

away. When totally rolled, place seam-side 

down on prepared foil. Wrap carefully and 

return to freezer. 

BUBBY’S CANDY* 

About ½ c. ground nuts 

1½ cup sugar 

1½ cup honey 

3 cup assorted whole unsalted nuts, such 

as cashews, filberts, almonds and pecans 

Prepare a cookie sheet lined with parchment 

paper and sprinkled with ground nuts. 

In a skillet, over medium-high heat, combine 

sugar and honey. Mix well over heat for about 

5-10 minutes. To test for readiness, take a 

small spoonful of mixture and drop into a 

cup of freezing water. If it becomes taffy-like, 

mixture is ready. Add assorted whole, unsalted 

nuts. Mix and pour into prepared cookie sheet. 

Let harden. Break into small pieces. 

71

PESACH RECIPE SUBSTITUTION LIST 

RECIPE CALLS FOR … 

USE… 

1 oz. baking chocolate (unsweetened) 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder plus 1 tablespoon oil or melted margarine 

16 oz. semi-sweet chocolate 6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder plus ¼ cup oil and 7 tablespoons granulated sugar 

14 oz. sweet chocolate 

1 cup confectioners’ sugar 

1 cup sour milk or buttermilk 

3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder plus 2 2/3 tablespoons oil and 4 ½ tablespoons of 

granulated sugar 

1 cup granulated sugar minus 1 tablespoon sugar plus 1 tablespoon potato starch pulsed in a 

food processor or blender 

1 tablespoon lemon juice in a 1 cup measure, then fill cup with non-dairy creamer. Stir and 

steep 5 minutes 

1 cup vanilla sugar 1 cup granulated sugar, 1/3 cup water, boil to syrupy 

Butter – in baking or cooking 

Use margarine in equal amounts. Use a bit less salt 

1 cup honey 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar plus ¼ cup water 

1 cup corn syrup 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar plus 1/3 cup water boiled until syrupy 

1 cup flour Substitute 5/8 cup potato starch or matzo cake meal – or a combination sifted together 

1 tablespoon flour ½ tablespoon potato starch 

1 cup corn starch 7/8 cup potato starch 

1 cup matzo meal 3 matzos ground in a food processor 

1 cup bread crumbs 1 cup matzo meal 

1 cup graham cracker crumbs 1 cup ground cookies or soup nuts plus 1 teaspoon cinnamon 

1 cup matzo cake meal 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons matzo meal finely ground in a food processor or blender and sifted 

2 cups matzo farfel 3 crumbled matzos 

8 oz. cream cheese 1 cup cottage cheese pureed with ½ stick butter or margarine 

1 cup milk (for baking) 1 cup water plus 2 tablespoons margarine or ½ cup fruit juice plus ½ cup water 

Curry powder 

Eggs 

Meat binder 

Thickener – sauces - puddings 

2 tablespoons ground coriander 1 tablespoon black pepper 2 tablespoons red pepper 2 

tablespoons turmeric 2 tablespoons ground ginger makes 2/3 of a cup 

To avoid Pesach egg substitutes add one extra egg white and ½ teaspoon of vegetable oil for 

each yolk eliminated when baking. Use only egg whites as the dipping to coat and fry meats. 

1 med. potato finely grated for 2 lbs. meat/poultry 

1 tablespoon potato starch for 1 tablespoon cornstarch or 2 tablespoons flour 

72 


PESACH TIPS 

by reprinted with permission from YatedNe’eman April 14, 2015 

SEVEN SUGGESTIONS FOR THE PESACH 

HOSTESS 

1. DON’T BE A MARTYR 

If hosting multiple guests for Pesach is 

too much, be honest and say so. Consider 

limiting or eliminating the guest list, or 

in viting one married couple at a time. Nobody 

likes to be an unwanted house guest, 

or feel like a burden. 

2. INVITE EARLY 

You should have your guest list figured out 

by Purim, especially if some of your guests, 

(married children) live overseas. If your 

guests outnumber your sleeping quar ters, 

this will give you ample time to find other 

accommodations nearby. (Good luck with 

that.) 

3. SPRUCE UP THE GUEST QUARTERS 

This doesn’t have to take a lot of time, or 

cost a bundle. Just make sure the room 

is clean and inviting. Confirm that there 

are enough beds, pack and plays, plump 

pillows and a matching linen set. A reading 

light and thirsty towels are also essentials. 

If you want to be extra nice, consider a 

guest basket con taining a water bottle, 

hand cream, pampers and wipes for the 

baby, safety pins, and other such items. 

Make sure there is enough closet space for 

their clothes. 

4. COMMUNICATE YOUR WISHES 

RESPECTFULLY 

Every household has its rules. Even though 

your guests might have grown up in these 

four walls, many years have gone by since. 

Inform them, politely and respectfully, 

about things that are important to you. 

(e.g. No food in the bedrooms, coats on the 

Coat rack, no phone calls after a certain 

hour.) If said nicely before any mishaps occur, 

these rules will be appreciated by all. 

5. THINK ABOUT BREAKFAST 

When hosting guests, it’s important to keep 

the house well-stocked. Breakfast foods 

(eggs, milk, lady fingers and yogurts) are 

es pecially vital, because it’s usually too 

early to borrow from a neighbor or go out 

to the store. 

6. IF YOU NEED HELP, ASK 

In an ideal world, your guests will offer 

to set or clear the table, wash the dishes, 

en tertain the children... but sometimes 

even the sweetest house guests need to be 

reminded. Just remember to smile and 

speak softly, instead of confronting rude 

behavior. 

Last but not least… 

7. SMILE AND THE WORLD SMILES 

WITH YOU 

Be a gracious hostess, even if you’ve had 

it. Try to nip arguments or unpleasant exchanges 

in the bud. If you’re about to lose 

your temper, excuse yourself and go take a 

nap. You’ll feel much better when you wake 

up, and you will wonder why you were 

upset in the first place. 

The mess and chaos will be gone before 

you know it, but the memories linger. 

Chag someach! 

SEVEN TIPS FOR PESACH GUESTS 

(This includes married children, their spouses 

and the grandchildren) 

1. BE REALISTIC 

Coming to Mommy’s hotel for yom tov? 

Cross out the “hotel” part and you’ll be 

fine. Chances are, your mother is just as 

frazzled, harried and overworked as you 

are, even if she didn’t have to travel with 

five little kids. Plus, she’s at least twenty 

years older. 

If you’re expecting concierge service, perhaps 

you’d better check into a hotel. 

2. BE CLEAR ABOUT YOUR PLANS 

Let your hostess (or parents) know ex actly 

when you’re planning to arrive, or the time 

of your flight, which of your children sleep 

in a crib, any special diets or hang-ups 

(kids eat everything smothered in ketchup), 

and what you’re planning to bring. A 

bottle of wine or bouquet of flowers would 

be very much appreciated, unless you’re 

told otherwise. 

3. RESPECT THE RULES OF THE HOUSE 

Yes, we know you grew up here, but the 

rules might have changed. And your 

parents aren’t twenty anymore. We said it 

earlier, but it bears repeating. Don’t assume 

that ev eryone will be thrilled to keep you 

company ‘til dawn as you get over your 

jetlag. 

4. FREE VACATION? AN OXYMORON 

Unless your parents have a live-in, you are 

responsible for your own mess. 

Your kids turned the playroom upside 

down? Make sure they clean up. Served 

an early breakfast? Ditto. The high-chair 

tray doesn’t automatically wash itself, and 

dirty dishes don’t have wings. Hang up wet 

towels and make your beds. Do your own 

laundry. 

Be considerate and thoughtful even if your 

hostess (Mom) tells you not to both er. She 

doesn’t really mean it. 

5. BE A SPORT (DON’T SWEAT THE 

SMALL STUFF) 

Was your flight delayed? Suitcase with all 

the kid’s clothes got lost? Nobody remembered 

to pick you up from the airport? 


73

Just grin and bear it. Your hostess isn’t 

interested in hearing you kvetch about how 

unfair life is. Just smile and concen trate 

on how wonderful it is to be together with 

family. If you don’t feel that way, just fake it 

you make it. 

6. BABYSITTING SERVICE NOT 

INCLUDED 

Your children are your pride and joy. They 

are also your exclusive responsibili ty. Don’t 

dump them on Bubby and Zeidy, or your 

younger siblings, unless they beg for the 

privilege. 

7. GRATITUDE, GRATITUDE, GRATI- 

TUDE 

We can’t stress this enough. Express your 

appreciation often, and effusively. After you 

arrive home, send a warm and personal 

thank you note. It makes all the difference 

(and will probably get you in vited again.) 

MARRIED KIDS MOVING IN FOR 

PESACH? 

Enjoy the nachas, and be grateful they’re going home in a week! 

Three in 10 young adults in the US now live with par ents, statistics show. This is the highest 

number since the 1950’s. In 1980, only about 11 percent of young adults lived in their parents’ 

homes, since the then-strong econo my encouraged them to gain independence more 

quickly. 

Today, a whopping 29 percent of 25 to 34 year olds either never moved out of their parents’ 

home, or came back to roost because of the economy, says a Pew report. Among 18 to 24 

year olds, that figure is even higher. A full 53 percent of young adults in that age group live 

at home. 

“These statistics show that the recession has exacer bated a trend that was already under 

way since the 1980s ... living at home longer and boomeranging back more frequently,” says 

Barbara Ray, coauthor of “Not Quite Adults: Why 20-Somethings Are Choosing a Slower 

Path to Adulthood and Why It’s Good for Everyone.” 

Here’s another surprise. Most grown kids don’t mind living with mom and dad. Of those 

living at home, 78 percent say they’re happy about their living arrangements, and 24 percent 

say it’s been good for their relationships with their parents. 

So if you’re exhausted from cleaning up after your grown kids, take heart: they’re going 

home after the chag. 

74 


PESACH TORAH 5778 

וירד מצרימה 

“And he went down to ‏”מצרים We know a rule 

that whenever there is a need for a ל – to, in 

the beginning of a word the Torah, on occasion, 

puts a ה at the end of the word to get the 

same translation. If this is the case – that we 

end up with the same translation – why do we 

go with a letter at the end of the word instead 

of the beginning? From here we can learn 

in important lesson about speech. Namely, 

that even when we have to say something, we 

should wait as long as possible to say it. By 

doing so we may realize it needn’t be said at all 

and we will also be in the habit of having more 

time to think before saying anything. 

voice! – that I should listen to his אשמע בקולו 

501. = אשר The word 

קריעת ים סוף 

The גמרא brings down לו)‏ ‏(סוטה a seeming 

argument. At the סוף ‏,ים R’ Meir says every 

Jew wanted to jump into the סוף ‏.ים R’ Yehuda 

says לא כך היה המעשה – this was not how it 

was and only נחשון בן עמינדב jumped in. Really 

one can say that there is no argument, R’ 

Yehuda agrees that everyone wanted to jump 

in, but he says לא כך היה המעשה even though 

they thought about it נחשון did it – that is the 

‏.בפועל important thing – doing it 

place that was a bad influence on them, and 

that had caused them to sink to the 49 th level of 

That is why they left so quickly, so they ‏.טומאה 

could start to become holier right away and get 

closer to Hashem. 

ואכלתם את המצות במקום קדש 

מצות are commanded to eat the כהנים The 

מפרשים in a holy place. Many קרבנות from any 

tell us that we too – when we eat מצות on 

Pesach – it should be in a holy place! This 

means that the place we eat our מצות – our 

mouths – should be holy! They should be free 

of any לשון הרע or improper speech! 

מועדים לשמחה 

The שפת אמת points out that it does not say 

מועדים – festivals of rejoicing, but מועדי שמחה 

festivals to rejoice. He says that we לשמחה 

should take the simcha from each yom tov 

and store it up for use throughout the year! 

Therefore, the ל speaks of the future when we 

will use this stored up simcha. 

דורשי ה'‏ לא יחסרו כל טוב 

R’ Meir m’Parmishlan says: Why is it that those 

who seek Hashem are not missing from all 

good? Because לא יחסרו – they are not missing 

anything because - כל טוב!‏ … they are happy 

with what they have and they truly believe that 

whatever Hashem has given them is exactly 

how much they should have and what they 

need. 

דצ"ך עד"ש באח"ב 

מכות The value of the shortened list of the 

= 501. When Moshe first came to פרעה and 

asked to go out of Egypt for 3 days to serve 

אשר said: Who is Hashem פרעה Hashem, 

שאינו יודע לשאול 

Maybe the one who doesn’t ask does so 

because he knows everything! The truth is 

though, nobody knows everything. In fact, a 

wise man once said the תכלית of wisdom is to 

teach you that you don’t know everything. We 

also have many hints to this fact. We end off a 

in the middle of the last line because ספר תורה 

we never get to finish our learning and thus 

complete our knowledge. We also begin each 

new גמרא on דף ב'‏ also as a hint … we never 

know everything! 

Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld זצ"ל felt that 

the only way that the Yidden would be able to 

reclaim Eretz Yisroel was with Hashem sending 

Moshiach and giving it to us. He would 

ציון במשפט תפדה ‏:פסוק bring a proof from the 

= redeemed( with judgment will be ציון ) 

תלמוד = ושביה בצדקה ‏.תלמוד בבלי ‏)בגמטריא(‏ 

… in the zchus of our learning we will ירושלמי 

land. get back our אי"ה 

Why is it that the בנ"י left מצרים in such haste? 

They were commanded to leave so they knew 

that they would receive Hashem’s protection. 

The בעל התניא says that the Yidden leaving 

location. was more than just a change in מצרים 

It was also so that the Yidden would leave a 

מרור 

Throughout the סדר we do things to remind 

us of the bitterness of our stay in ‏.מצרים Why 

must we remember the bitterness. Why can’t 

we just remember that Hashem redeemed us 

and saved us from such a bad place? When we 

remember how bitter it was for us in מצרים we 

remember how much the מצריים hated us and 

made our lives so bitter. When we remember 

this fact, we realize that the bitterness was a 

‘gift’ from Hashem. He made the Egyptians 

hate us, so we would not assimilate with them. 

שפת אמת 

The מדרש tells us that the Jewish women 

would go to the fields upon giving birth and 

ה'‏ ‏.ה'‏ leave their children to be protected by 

did this by helping them survive underground 

despite the efforts of the מצריים to try to kill 

them. Right before the בנ"י left ה'‏ ‏,מצרים had 

them emerge from the ground and return to 

עשרת their families. This is why it says by the 

מארץ who took you out ה'‏ … I am הדברות 

but מצרים – from ממצרים It doesn’t say ‏.מצרים 

since he מצרים – from the land of מארץ מצרים 

literally took the children מארץ – out of the 

ground! 


75

TOYS AND GAMES ON SHABBOS AND YOM TOV 

We thank Rabbi Doniel Neustadt who originally compiled this list 

The following is a list of many of the 

more popular games that are played 

by both children and adults, along 

with the halachic ruling if they may 

be played on Shabbos or Yom Tov. 

The list, of course, is not complete 

and if you have any questions they 

can be addressed to Rabbi Fuerst 

773.539.4241. 

Permitted games and toys: 

Binoculars – Adjusting the focus is 

also permitted. 

Blocks 

Board or Dice Games – Battleship, 

Chutes and Ladders, Risk, Trouble, 

etc. 

Cards – After the game is over, the 

cards may not be sorted by color, type, 

etc. 

Checkers, Chess, Dominoes 

Dolls 

Hide and Seek, Hopscotch, Jump 

rope, Tag 

Lego, Tinkertoy, Bristle Blocks – 

Most poskim allow playing with these 

on Shabbos including Rabbi Fuerst. 

Monopoly – Play money is not prohibited. 

Pick-up-stix – If the game is usually 

played with the score being recorded, 

it is forbidden to play even if the score 

will not be recorded. If it is usually 

played without recording the score, 

then it is permitted. 

Junior Scrabble– Only if it is a game 

where score is normally not kept. 

Tent – It is permitted to drape a blanket 

over a table or a single chair so 

that children can play underneath. It 

is prohibited, however, to place a blanket 

over an empty space in between 

two or more chairs. 

Tricycle – It may be ridden in an enclosed 

area only. 

Forbidden games and toys: 

Bells, rattles, phones, whistles – Any 

object whose purpose is to make noise 

is Rabbinically forbidden. 

Bicycle riding – It is prohibited because 

it is generally ridden out of an 

enclosed area and is made to also go 

long distances (outside of the tachum). 

It is considered “light” muktzeh, 

which may be moved if the space 

it occupies is needed. 

Boggle – Since it usually entails writing 

words and recording the score, it 

is Rabbinically forbidden to play even 

if the words or the score will not be 

written. Placing the cubes in the individual 

slots may also be considered 

writing, since the letters remain fixed 

in the board. For this reason, Junior 

Boggle may also be prohibited. 

Clay, Playdough – These could involve 

aspects of the forbidden Shabbos 

Labors of “Kneading,” “Building,” or 

“Writing.” 

Etch-A-Sketch, Magna Doodle 

Electronic and computer games 

Models – Toys composed of parts 

which are screwed together are prohibited 

because of the prohibition of 

“Building”. These include airplane or 

train models, etc. 

Paper airplanes and boats – These can 

be played with, but not assembled. 

Scrabble, Deluxe Scrabble – Because 

this usually requires writing the score, 

it is forbidden to play even if the score 

will not be written. Deluxe Scrabble 

may also be considered “Writing”, 

since the letters remain attached to the 

board. 

Snowballs, snowman – Snow that fell 

before Shabbos or even during Shabbos 

is definitely not muktzeh. However, 

a snowman or snowballs should 

not be made on Shabbos. Writing in 

the snow is prohibited. 

Tile pictures 

Tree-climbing – It is Rabbinically 

forbidden. 

Weaving Lanyards –Yarn, plastic, and 

other materials are all prohibited. 

Questionable games and toys: 

Puzzles – The issue is whether putting 

together shaped pieces to form a word 

or a picture is considered “Writing.” 

Poskim allow them only when they 

are not in a frame and the pieces are 

not tightly fitted together. 

Wind up toys–Most poskim allow 

wind-up toys (cars, robots, etc. without 

batteries) including Rabbi Fuerst, 

while other poskim disagree. 

76 


Great 

summer program 

coming up! 

Serious learning. 

Great trips, 

sports, leagues, 

and lots more! 

PDC is 

back!!! 

BY 

BNEI TORAH 

FOR 

coming soon.... 

7 WEEK PROGRAM 

Wednesday, June 27 – Tuesday, August 14 

RABBI DOVID RIFKIND, Director 

RABBI NAFTOLI CHAYN, Head Counselor 

RABBI YERUCHAM BORENSTEIN, Asst Head Counselor 

QUestions or for 

an application 

773-279-8400 

aicamps.com 


77

WHAT THEY DIDN’T TEACH YOU IN 

GRANDPARENTING SCHOOL 

Joel Rebibo 

reprinted with permission from Hamodia, April 20, 2016 

Is it ever OK to say no to a grandchild? Even if 

it makes him cry? 

I’m not talking about saying no to a child 

who’s about to cross a busy street or is reaching 

for a bottle of Drano. That’s obvious. I mean 

a child who’s breaking the house rules, like 

not jumping on the couch. You could try and 

pretty it up by saying it’s a safety issue — you’re 

concerned the kid will fall and hurt himself — 

but everyone knows you just don’t want him 

jumping on your couch. It’s a rule, and rules 

are to be obeyed. 

This past Sukkos, we had a “big” Shabbos with 

lots of grandchildren, bli ayin hara. The sukkah 

is big, but not big enough to have a bedroom, 

so we stacked the mattresses up in a corner 

before the meals. Obviously, a pile of mattresses, 

with the potential for fun and danger, is a 

magnet for grandchildren. After a few gentle 

warnings, I laid down the law: No one climbs 

the mattresses. The mattress mountain could 

collapse and someone could get hurt. 

A little while later, a granddaughter, who’s 

two and a half years old and barely reaches 

my knee, started dragging a chair over to the 

pile. “No,” I said. She looked me straight in 

the eye, signaling that she’d heard me but was 

unimpressed, and continued dragging the 

chair toward the pile. “No,” I said, a little more 

forcefully. 

She kept going, climbing up onto the chair and 

starting to reach for the mattresses, and I said, 

“NO!” and took her off the chair. 

She burst into tears and loud wailing and I got 

dirty looks from my children, the parents of all 

those grandchildren. You’d think I’d broken the 

rules, not the kid. And maybe I had. I broke 

the golden rule that says never interfere in 

your children’s way of raising their children, 

no matter how much you may disagree with it. 

In getting involved, in an assertive way, I was 

passing judgment on the laissez faire approach 

of the parents. And that’s crossing a line. 

Having said that, I’ve noticed that parents 

these days don’t like to use the little “N” word 

with their children. There’s lots of patient explaining 

and attempts at gentle — very gentle 

— persuasion. It’s not that they don’t have any 

rules, they do, but they’re kind of soft, and the 

enforcement is smothered in love, to mask any 

bitter taste. 

When we grew up, and when we raised our 

kids, there were rules and consequences for 

breaking them. Today it’s different. That’s 

why my “No” — unyielding and free of any 

mutchie-kutchie — shocked not just the 

grandchild but all the young parents around 

the table. 

But maybe things have changed. And young 

parents understand that to raise frum children 

today, you have to help them build strong egos 

— which doesn’t go together with pounding 

on the table and issuing ultimatums — create 

an atmosphere of joy in the home, especially 

surrounding mitzvos, and foster a loving 

relationship between parent and child, which 

is the paradigm of the relationship between 

Hashem and us. 

After all, the goal of chinuch is not to get the 

child to behave at home, in our presence, but 

to get him to do the right thing when he’s on 

his own. As Shlomo Hamelech said (Mishlei 

22, 6), “Chanoch lanaar ... gam ki yazkin lo 

yassur mimena — Train up a child in the way 

he should go; and when he is old, he will not 

depart from it.” 

One of my sons, Menachem, an avreich who 

is a remarkably patient father, pointed out to 

me that many of the latter-day Gedolim were 

very careful about not overdoing the discipline 

with their own children. He showed me a copy 

of the will of Harav Meir Auerbach, zt"l, the 

Imrei Bina, which was found in the library of 

the Gerrer Rebbe, the Imrei Emes, zy”a, and 

given to Harav Yitzchak Yedidya Frenkel, zt”l, 

the Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv. 

“My children, I ... fear that I may have sinned 

in my youth and lest, chas v’shalom, when I was 

raising you I rebuked you too harshly ... and 

caused you pain, please forgive me...” 

Reb Aryeh Levin, zt”l, wrote an almost identical 

will. In fact, he borrowed Rav Auerbach’s 

original to copy, and apologized to Rav Frenkel 

for the delay in returning it. “My tears ruined 

what I had copied, and therefore I’m returning 

it to you only now, after I copied it for the fifth 

time.” 

(If Reb Aryeh Levin was so overwrought about 

the possibility that he might have been too 

tough on his children, what are the rest of us 

supposed to do?) 

Harav Moshe Feinstein, zt”l, wrote, “Sometimes 

it is better to treat children gently, 

sweetly, because ... then, the child will accept 

what you tell him with joy and will recognize 

that you, his father and mother, want only 

what is good for him, even when he’s young; he 

will then willingly do what you tell him to do.” 

Harav Aryeh Leib Hacohen, the son of the 

Chofetz Chaim, spoke of what it was like 

growing up in the home of his father: “We 

were a little careful [as children] when it came 

to honoring our father, but not at all careful 

when it came to fearing him. We never had a 

chance to fulfill that because he treated us like 

a friend, a brother. ... His words and rebuke 

were coated with oil. ... He was never strict 

about our sitting in his place or speaking out 

of order. … He watched over us day and night, 

to make Torah and mitzvos dear to us; he was 

completely dedicated to this.” 

Pesach is about transmission of mesorah, 

78 


v’higadeta l’vincha. In his commentary on the 

Haggadah, Harav Yaakov Moshe Charlap, zt”l, 

the Rav of Shaarei Chessed, says that Seder 

night is a propitious time for bringing children 

back to their parents, and parents back to their 

children. Even the rasha is there asking his 

question, because he really is hoping for an 

answer, a way back. 

The Divine presence is revealed on this night, 

Rav Charlap adds, like at no other time of the 

year. And as the Gemara says (Shabbos 30b), 

the Shechinah dwells not from sadness … 

but from the joy that comes from fulfilling a 

mitzvah. 

Pesach is an opportunity to appreciate how 

hard our children work at parenting and how 

blessed we are to be able to see the mesorah 

being transmitted to the next generation. 

While we aren’t on the front lines of raising 

our grandchildren, there is something we can 

do to help. Says Reb Moshe Feinstein, concluding 

an essay on child-rearing: “And after all 

this, you need to daven to Hashem Yisbarach to 

have success in their chinuch…” 

Says the Chofetz Chaim in the Mishnah 

Berurah, “Always, a tefillah should be on the 

lips of the father and mother, to daven for their 

sons that they be Torah-learners, tzaddikim 

and possessors of good middos.” 

Amen, ken yehi ratzon, for all of our children 

and grandchildren everywhere. 

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79

CREATING MEMORIES 

Spending quality time with your elderly loved ones 

Aliza Simon 

reprinted with permission from The Wellspring, April 2017 

Having an elderly parent or grandparent over 

for yom tov? Here are ten beautiful ways to 

spend time with a loved one who is exhibiting 

early signs of dementia. People with dementia 

often return to long-term memories of 

childhood. Their minds seem to only recall 

their younger years, and this is often where 

connections can be made. Try one or more of 

the following activities to create a connection 

with them. 

1. Create a memory bag 

Fill the bag with items reminiscent of their 

late teens/ early twenties. Scented products 

work well for this, as scents are strongly tied 

to memory. Try including soap, perfumes, or 

things that will remind them of yom tov. 

2. Look through photo albums 

Photo albums with pictures from their childhood 

or young adulthood are best for this. 

Enjoy the nachas together with them! 

3. Read out loud 

If your parent has a favorite book, read it out 

loud to them and let them hold the book and 

feel the pages. Encourage them to enjoy the 

distinctive “old book smell.” Reading aloud 

works especially well with poetry, as the cadence 

of the words are familiar and calming. 

4. Listen to a playlist of favorite music 

Play songs that feature music from their teenage 

or young adult years. 

5. Sing old songs 

Sing the zemiros and songs they loved to sing 

in their younger years. 

6. Go on a nature walk 

Use nature to integrate sensory experiences 

into conversation. Listen to birdsong, touch 

the wet grass, smell the roses, and feel the 

sunshine on your shoulders. Ask what their 

favorite outdoor activities were during their 

youth and try to safely recreate similar scenarios 

if possible. 

7. Look through old cookbooks 

Our bubbies spent a great deal of their young 

adult years cooking for their families. Discuss 

origins and variations of old family recipes, or 

better yet, cook with those old family recipes 

and share the results with your loved ones. 

Think Pesach lukshen and nut cakes. 

8. Enjoy favorite treats 

Look for candy or other indulgences that 

were commonplace when your loved one was 

young. Even simple things, like an orange, can 

be a treat to someone who remembers it as the 

special food they had on Shabbos. 

9. Bring back old skills 

Did your mother quilt, crochet, or knit? Put a 

homemade quilt or skein of yarn in her hands 

and let her feel the weight of the quilt and the 

scratchiness of the yarn. You may be surprised 

to find that she can still crochet or knit a little 

bit, even though she has serious memory or 

cognitive deficits. Often, the muscles remember 

what the brain has forgotten. 

10. Daven together 

Although your mother or grandmother may be 

for getting your name, she may still remember 

and enjoy the words of tefillah she’s been 

saying for years. Start the day with some basic 

prayers to foster a connection between yourselves 

and with Hashem. 

Your loved one may be different from the 

person you have always known, but they still 

long for connection and companionship. You 

can encourage that connection by using these 

activities to enrich both of your lives. 

80 


GIVING THANKS 

“This matzah that we eat, for what reason?” (Haggadah shel Pesach) 

Faigy Peritzman 

reprinted with permission from Family First April 5, 2017 

In Devarim (16:3) it says: “For seven days you 

shall eat the bread of affliction, for in haste you 

went out of the land of Egypt.” Rashi explains 

that “bread of affliction” reminds us of the 

slavery in Mitzrayim. Yet the second half of 

the pasuk seems to imply that we eat matzah 

be cause there was no time during our hasty 

salva tion for the dough to rise. 

Ramban explains that matzah encompasses 

both aspects. To appreciate the salvation, we 

must understand the enslavement. 

Let’s give a mashal. An orphan is raised by his 

uncle, who gives him everything to succeed. 

When the nephew gets married, he says to his 

uncle. “By the way, thanks a lot.” 

get more heat?” She stood there with a sweet 

smile, bundled in several sweaters. 

I’d sneak down to the cellar and raise the heat, 

despite others’ demands, because I couldn’t 

leave her freezing. 

Our recognition of salvation extends to spiritual 

salvation as well. Our forefathers were 

idol worshipers. Yet we merited becoming the 

Cho sen Nation and receiving the Torah. 

The Zohar says that the slavery in Mitzrayim 

was not a physical slavery; Pharaoh enslaved 

us with magic. There was no power besides 

Hashem that could release us from such imprisonment. 

as solitary as today. Pesach was approaching, 

and I invited her for a meal. 

The Zohar says that Hashem sends angels to 

each Seder table to listen to us recount His nissim. 

They relate to Hashem our uniqueness - a 

nation that rejoices in the yeshuos of the King. 

The Ramban says at the end of parshas Bo: 

There’s nothing better for the Heavens than 

the creations on Earth recognizing and giving 

thanks to the One Who created them. (ibid.) 

The conversation during the meal moved to 

her past, but Sara was reluctant to discuss 

that. “There’s nothing in my past - there’s only 

today.” 

That’s it?! Shouldn’t he go into detail with his 

thanks? 

That’s why there’s a mitzvah to expound on the 

story of Yetzias Mitzrayim - to remember the 

slavery and give thanks for the salvation. (Rav 

Shlomo Brevda) 

Her name was Sara bas Sara, and she lived on 

the top floor of my building in Matters dorf. 

This was before the renovation rage had hit the 

area, and the building was old and drafty. I had 

the dubious distinction of being responsible 

for the heating of the building. There was only 

one huge metal furnace, deep in the bowels of 

the building, which provided a few hours of 

heat a day for the entire build ing. 

Problem was, the first floors would get unbearably 

hot and the top floors would stay icy. 

Irate neighbors would call, each complaining 

that since they paid for the heat, they were 

entitled to have it perfect. 

Sara also called or knocked during those howling 

winter days. Yet her tone was differ ent. “I 

feel so bad to bother you ... is there any way to 

That’s why, says Rav Chatzkel Levenstein, “if 

Hashem had not taken our fathers out of Mitzrayim 

... we’d still be enslaved to Pharaoh.” 

The Gra connects this to every individual. 

In Ha Lachma Anya, we say: “Now we are 

here.” Some times we’re in a particular physical 

or spiritual state and cannot fathom being 

anywhere else. Yet we conclude, “Next year 

we’ll be free.” We trust that Hashem will save 

us. (ibid.) 

A tentative friendship developed that win ter. 

Sara was the epitome of refinement - a Russian 

giyores in her fifties 

living alone. She’d 

drop in and I’d serve 

her strong tea as we 

schmoozed. 

I couldn’t fathom 

what she dealt with, 

wak ing each day 

to an empty, frigid 

apartment, knowing 

that tomorrow 

would probably be 

Then her whole face lit up, blue eyes glowing 

with a warmth that spread across her thin 

features. “A yehudiah - that’s all I am. I’m so 

grateful to Hashem for allowing me the zechus 

to live every day as a member of His people. 

Can you imagine how empty my life would be 

without the fulfillment of Torah?” Sincerity 

and love marked every word. 

I was humbled by this one woman’s jour ney 

from the bleak Russian steppes to a fourthfloor 

freezing apartment. And I was awed by 

the fire that warmed her - a flame fueled by 

gratitude to her Creator. 


does not assume 

responsibility for the 

Kashrus or business practices 

of any product or service 

advertised in this Pesach Guide 


81

LET IT PASS 

Sarah Chana Radcliffe M. ED. C. PSYCH. 

reprinted with permission from Family First, April 5, 2017 

During this busy season, keep the complaints 

to yourself 

Pesach is also called Passover. "Pass over," as 

we know, means to ignore something, to skip 

it, to move on. At this time of year, this concept 

is especially important. 

Husband to wife: "Look at this plate you just 

washed — it’s still got bits of cheese on it." 

Wife to husband: "You’re talking about bits of 

cheese on a plate that I — not you, mind you, 

but I — just washed, after washing hundreds 

of plates, peeling dozens of potatoes, cooking 

tens of kugels, to feed all your relatives because 

they can never make the Seder themselves and 

certainly not invite us, and you have the nerve 

to talk about cheese on a plate?" 

See what we mean? It would have been better 

if he had just let the cheese issue pass over for 

now. 

PICKING BATTLES 

Knowing how to pick one’s battles is a perennial 

issue, not reserved for any special time of 

year. However, during busy holiday seasons 

(i.e., most of the Jewish year), one must become 

a master of this skill. Failure to grasp its 

essential principles can result in lots of painful 

conflict and family misery. 

Ten-year-old son to Mom: "Why does Tatty 

get so mad at me when I forget to pick up the 

bathroom towel? He yells at me like I’m the 

worst person ever. I feel like he hates me. The 

rebbe tells me I’m the best and he wishes every 

kid was like me.... Can’t I make a mistake at 

home sometimes?" 

Making a federal case out of a small issue 

makes one battle feel like a hundred. The rule 

is: Show little emotion for little issues. When a 

child does serious damage to herself, another 

person, or valuable property, then of course a 

parent should sound intensely concerned (this 

does not mean that yelling is ever appropriate; 

yelling generally indicates that a person has 

succumbed to anger). 

However, a parent ought to be able to guide 

children to pick up, their towels, make their 

beds, wash their plates, and so on, with little 

fanfare: If parents are experiencing frustration 

in this educational task, they can turn to professional 

resources (books, courses, psychologists) 

for fresh, nonaggressive strategies and 

solutions. 

GENERAL GUIDELINES 

In family life; the following guidelines for picking 

battles will often be helpful: 

If you’ve complained about something to your 

spouse or teenager in the last hour, don’t offer 

any other complaint, criticism, or correction 

(other than one that is necessary to avoid 

significant danger or loss). 

If your spouse or child can see (and attend to, 

if necessary) his or her own error (e.g., they’ve 

spilled a beverage), don’t mention it at all. 

If your loved one has made a costly error (e.g., 

crashed the car while texting), offer sympathy 

and support; refrain from “educating” in any 

form (criticism, lecture, reminders). People 

tend to be highly motivated to avoid repeating 

their own costly errors and don’t need or 

benefit from external correction. 

If your family member has made an error that 

isn’t typical (e.g., showed up late when he/she 

is almost always on time), don’t mention it 

other than to show concern (“Is everything all 

right?”). 

If your loved one’s behavior already evoked 

consequences (e.g., your teen’s illegal parking 

resulted in a fine he must pay), say nothing 

(unless the repetition of a behavior indicates 

that the built-in consequence is insufficient to 

correct the behavior on its own). 

If your loved one did something accidentally 

(e.g., misplaced a bill or personal item), don’t 

comment. You, and everyone else in the world, 

make similar errors due to absentmindedness, 

rushing, overwhelm, or simply failure to be 

perfect. 

If you’re “out-of-ratio” - nowhere near your 

80/20, 90/10, or 95/5 percentiles for goodfeeling/not-good-feeling 

communications with 

the loved one, then reserve your complaints for 

serious issues. 

If problematic behavior occurred when your 

loved one was under pressure (exhausted, 

overwhelmed, in physical distress, or ill), don’t 

comment on it. 

If you’re not in a good mood, don’t issue a 

complaint to anyone about anything. 

If none of these factors are at play and you’ve 

already exhausted the more pleasant ways 

of trying to educate your loved one about a 

particular behavior (such as looking for and 

praising the desired “target” behavior), then go 

ahead and complain. Otherwise, just let it pass. 

Especially on Passover. 

82 


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85

BRINGING AN END TO GALUS EDOM 

Rabbi Aryeh Z. Ginzberg 

reprinted with permission from Hamodia, December 27, 2017 

Over the last number of years, as Klal Yisrael’s 

calendar page turns to Parashas Vayechi, communities 

throughout the country dedicate this 

Shabbos to the topic of kvod hameis. 

Numerous articles have been written on 

this topic, many from this author, about the 

significance of the sanctity of life and of the 

requirement to prolong one’s life, regardless of 

the level of functionality of that life. 

We often quoted the Chazal, “Yafah shaah 

achas b’Olam Hazeh, mikol chayei Olam Haba 

— greater is one hour of life in this world, than 

an eternity in the next world.” Chazal refer to 

the opportunity to accomplish, gain zechuyos, 

and do chessed for others that cannot be done 

in the Heavenly world. 

We are all familiar with the famous story of the 

Vilna Gaon, who was on his deathbed and began 

to cry. His students questioned his crying 

and said, “Rebbi, how can you cry when you 

are heading to a lichtige Gan Eden in reward 

for all that you. accomplished in this world?” 

The Vilna Gaon grabbed hold of the strings of 

his tzitzis and lovingly kissed them and said to 

them, “How can I not cry when I will soon be 

leaving the world that is so filled with mitzvos 

that by just putting on a four-cornered garment 

with tzitzis one fulfills a mitzvah in the 

Torah? 

And so, when first asked to write once again 

about the topic of kvod hameis, I declined, because 

what else can I add to what has already 

been said and written? That was my decision 

until the incredible timing of a phone call 

changed my perspective and made me realize 

how very important this issue of kvod hameis 

is. 

Two weeks ago, I participated in a program for 

500 Jewish university students, mostly either 

totally unaffiliated or marginally affiliated at 

best. It was a one-day forum, entitled “The 

Resiliency of the Jewish People.” The dedicated 

organizers of this program had divided it into 

two parts. 

The morning session would host several speakers, 

each focusing on a different historical 

period of Churban for the Jewish people that 

had lasting ramifications. 

There was a session on the Churban Beis 

Hamikdash and the Yidden going into galus; 

another on the Spanish Inquisition and a third 

on the Holocaust. 

The second part, held in the afternoon, would 

focus on the historical periods of rebuilding 

following the Churban, one session on the 

Chashmona’im, and yet another on the creation 

of the State of Israel in 1948. 

I agreed to participate in this innovative 

program, was given the topic of the “Churban 

Bayis” and was given an hour for my presentation. 

Immediately following me, was an acclaimed 

historian and author of the Holocaust 

period who was slated to bring to the forefront 

the absolute horrific destruction and suffering 

that Klal Yisrael went through during 

this period. I decided to stay and listen to his 

presentation. 

While his presentation was enlightening and 

informative, he went into graphic detail of the 

use of the crematoria by the Nazis, yemach 

shemam. From my vantage point of the stage, I 

looked out at the crowd of young students and 

saw many of them sitting uncomfortably, some 

squirming in their seats having to listen to the 

presenter’s graphic description of the crematoria. 

At first, while sitting there, I couldn’t 

understand why he chose to speak about this 

particular aspect of the Holocaust in such 

detail and why I needed to hear it. Less than an 

hour later, I understood. 

After his presentation, I left the forum and was 

in my car heading to my next appointment, 

when my phone rang. On the other end of the 

line was a dear friend, the expert and advocate 

for kvod hameis, a person who has dedicated 

his life to chessed shel emes, Rabbi Elchonon 

Zohn. With his organization, NASCK — The 

National Association of Chevra Kadisha, he, 

perhaps more than anyone else, has raised 

the issue of kvod hameis to a place where it 

deserves to be, in the hearts and minds of 

every Yid. 

The purpose of his call was to share with me 

another one of his creative ideas to help spread 

the idea of the importance of kvod hameis to 

the non-traditional Jewish communities. He 

then shared with me an astounding statistic 

that totally overwhelmed me: in certain Jewish 

communities around the country, the rate of 

Jewish families that choose cremation instead 

of burial is almost 70%! Nationally, it is about 

40%. I was shocked, as I am sure that you are, 

at the level of disregard for our most sacred 

mesorah of burying our dead in the same manner 

that our Avos Hakedoshim did from the 

beginning of time. 

After concluding the call, I couldn’t ignore the 

coincidence of the timing of this call. I just sat 

through an hour-long lecture on the horrific 

fate of Klal Yisrael in the Holocaust, that even 

after all the colossal suffering and murder of 

millions of Yidden, the Nazis had to even take 

away the opportunity to allow its victims to be 

buried with kevuras Yisrael and instead burned 

their heilige bodies in the crematoria. 

And immediately afterward, I receive this 

phone call from Rabbi Zohn on the painful 

statistic of how many Yidden today, in a free 

country, in a medinah shel chessed, choose 

themselves, to do to their loved ones what the 

Nazis did to our parents and grandparents just 

decades ago. 

86 


It was at that moment that I decided to take 

pen in hand and once again reach out to 

Acheinu Bnei Yisrael to take this issue very 

much to heart and let everyone do their part 

to increase the awareness of the value of life in 

this world and the significance of kvod hameis 

for those who have left this temporal world. 

Many months ago, a very wonderful Yid from 

the Five Towns community reached out to me 

with a painful she’eilah. His father unfortunately 

suffered a major stroke more than a year 

ago and has remained in a comatose state ever 

since. Months earlier, he was transferred to a 

facility that is about an hour’s drive from his 

son’s home. For the first few months, he visited 

his father every single day after leaving work 

before he went home. Then he limited his visits 

to once a week and lately he has been going 

every other week. 

The she’eilah that he asked me was a difficult 

and painful one. He explained that his father 

is in a coma and has no knowledge on any 

level that he is there to visit him. He has a very 

full day with a large growing family at home 

and each visit which is an hour’s travel time 

each way, takes out more than two and a half 

hours out of his already hectic day, leaving 

him physically and emotionally drained. Yet 

he feels terrible that he is not providing the 

proper kibbud av that is required of him and 

the infrequency of his visits to his father is 

greatly troubling him. 

His she’eilah to me was, what is his requirement 

to his father under these circumstances 

and how often should he go. He made it very 

clear that he would follow whatever I instructed 

him to do. 

I am sure that my Rabbinic colleagues reading 

this also share my uneasiness paskening this 

type of she’eilah. On one hand, the mitzvah of 

kibbud av is a mitzvah rabbah and is not meant 

to be an easy mitzvah to perform. On the other 

hand, the son’s responsibility to his own family 

and his own well-being is of paramount importance 

as well. I took the easy way out and 

told him I would consult with Harav Dovid 

Feinstein, shlita, on his she’eilah and get back to 

him in a few days. 

A few days later, a friend, Rabbi Binyamin 

Koval, the Rosh Kollel of the Flatbush Morning 

Kollel, shared with me the most incredible 

insight that he had heard in the name of the 

then-zakein hador, Hagaon Harav Aharon Leib 

Shteinman, zt”l, that will be life-changing for 

many. 

An elderly Yid was approaching his 100th 

birthday and he was greatly troubled. He 

explained, “I need to understand why I am 

zocheh to have this arichus yamim. My father 

died at 46 and his father before him at 41. I am 

a simple person, not learned or accomplished, 

why am I zocheh to live now until the age of 

100 (and beyond)?” 

He decided to present the she’eilah to the Gadol 

Hador Rav Shteinman to receive guidance on 

what he could answer his father. What the 

Rosh Yeshivah answered was absolutely incredible 

and it could only come from someone 

whose vision of the happenings in this world, 

big or small, is worlds apart from our own. 

The Rosh Yeshivah responded, “Tell your 

father the following reason why he is zocheh 

to arichus yamim. Hakadosh Baruch Hu is 

working to bring an end to Galus Edom. The 

zechus that Edom had all these years was the 

great kibbud av that Esav had for his father. 

And so, Hashem in the tekufah acharonah was 

meshaneh teva ha’olam [changed the nature 

of the world] allowing people to live longer. 

Klal Yisrael, in caring for their elders longer, 

can generate additional zechuyos of kibbud av 

which is k’neged the zechus of Edom, thereby 

being able to (finally) bring an end to Galus 

Edom.” 

In other words, this person was zocheh to 

arichus yamim, so that more zechuyos could 

be generated by his children and thereby additional 

zechuyos for Klal Yisrael. 

What an absolutely incredible insight into the 

darchei ha’olam. What our simple eyes see as 

a good fortune of growing old, is really part 

of Hashem’s plan to bring the Geulah for Klal 

Yisrael. 

After hearing this idea, I quickly called the 

fellow who asked me the previous she’eilah and 

shared it with him. I suggested that he should 

keep the Rosh Yeshivah’s insight in mind when 

trying to determine what his course of action 

should be in juggling his obligation to be with 

his father and his obligation to himself and his 

growing family. 

This person called me again several months 

later. He just got up from the shivah for his 

father, but wanted to express his hakaras hatov 

to me. He explained that ever since I shared 

with him the thought of Rav Aharon Leib, he 

once again began to visit his father several 

times a week. 

However these times he wasn’t burdened with 

wondering what good his visits were accomplishing 

when his father was not even aware of 

his presence. Now every time he got into his 

car for the hour’s drive to his father, he had in 

mind that he was contributing to bringing the 

end of Galus Edom. This so motivated him that 

he went enthusiastically, and it invigorated his 

family as well, as they all supported his efforts 

not only on their behalf, but on behalf of all of 

Klal Yisrael. 

There you have it. It’s all interconnected. Kvod 

hameis and kvod hachai should be viewed by 

us as not burdensome or insignificant (chas 

v’shalom), but rather as bringing an end to 

this bitter Galus that we are in, one zechus at 

a time. 

May it happen speedily in our day. 

This article is written l’zecher nishmas Sarah 

Chaya bas Reb Aryeh Zev, a”h. 


87

ONE FINAL ACT 

As told to Chaia Frishman 

reprinted with permission from Family First, April 5, 2017 

That night, some of my family sat in 

a small simchah hall in Boro Park, 

celebrating the sheva brachos of a 

relative. And some of my family stood 

guard at my father’s bedside, in nearby 

Maimonides Medical Center, where 

he’d been a patient on and off for the 

past 18 months. The juxtaposi tion of 

emotions, a microcosm of life cycles. 

Our family was no stranger to Maimonides. 

As one of the first frum 

families living near the hospital, our 

home was a headquarters of chesed for 

many people there. My father’s walk 

home from shul Friday night always 

included a stop at the emergency 

room to corral some last-min ute visitors. 

It was common for us to have 

ten extra guests for meals, some even 

stay ing for weeks at a time. 

But now, my father was frail and 

spent. That night, we knew the end 

was immi nent. There was no longer 

any discernible brain activity, nor 

could he be fed, even by G-tube, 

because his digestive system was shutting 

down. Maxed out on medication 

to stabilize his blood pressure, my 

father’s deterioration was swift. 

As the evening wore on, the room 

filled with family from the sheva 

brachos. We said Shema and Nishmas, 

and watched the num ber on the 

monitors reveal the impending flatlining 

of his heart rate. 

Suddenly, my father’s pressure stopped 

dropping. A religious physician’s assistant 

who was assigned to our family 

for that shift was dumbfounded. 

Meanwhile, from the room next door, 

emanated a cacophonous medley of 

cries, screaming, and harsh words. 

"There’s no reason for Jewish burial!" 

My cousin Leibish ran to see if he 

could help. 

The nurse on call, familiar with the 

Jew ish concepts of sanctity of life and 

death, solicited his assistance. “Please 

explain to the family why they should 

not arrange for their mother’s cremation.” 

Leibish asked them what was holding 

them back. “Ach, it’s so expensive to 

bury. Why not cremate and be done?” 

I worked with the chevra kaddisha. A 

few phone calls and the impediment 

of an expensive kevurah was out of the 

way. They acquiesced. 

My cousin Leibish quickly returned to 

my father’s side to report the proceedings. 

He turned to me: “Gitty, run, go 

do the prep aration for the taharah.” 

“But Tatty... I can’t leave!” 

“Just go. Once the taharah is started, 

they’re less likely to change their 

minds.” 

I looked over at my father’s bedside. 

My mother nodded and I left 

the room. As I did, I was suddenly 

reminded of Tatty’s acts of kindness: 

paying for burials of the poor, working 

to find burial plots for those who 

had none. 

Slowly, and meticulously, I began to 

work, explaining the significance of 

each action to the family. They looked 

comforted and I felt relief for this 

neshamah’s elevation, yet distraught 

for my father, who was still hanging 

between life and death. 

Finally, I took off the gloves and the 

gown. I walked back into my father’s 

room. Those present asked how the 

preparations went: “Arleydigt (is it 

done?)” 

“Arleydigt (it’s done),” I nodded. 

We looked over at the monitors. 

My father took his last breath. 

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2018 Pesach Guide

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