The Passover 2008 Calendar

Fast of the Firstborn. All firstborn males are required to fast. To be exempt from fasting, one can participate in a meal marking the fulfillment of a mitzvah; such a meal is generally held in the synagogue after morning prayers on this day.

Did you remember to sell your chametz? Your local rabbi (click here to find your local Chabad rabbi) can help, or e-mail your “Authorization for the Sale of Chametz” form.

Search for the chametz after dark (click here for the exact time). Recite the blessing prior to the search, and the nullification of the chametz (Kol Chamira) following the search. Click here for more information on the search and removal of chametz.

Have you sold your chametz? Final call! Your local rabbi (click here to find your local Chabad Rabbi) can help, or e-mail your “Authorization for the Sale of Chametz” form.

Burn your remaining (unsold) chametz before the sixth seasonal hour (click here for the exact time). Leave behind challah loaves to be eaten during tonight's and tomorrow morning's Shabbat meals. Though it isn’t forbidden to eat chametz until the end of the fourth seasonal hour tomorrow morning, since it is impossible to destroy chametz on Shabbat – the chametz must be destroyed today.

This year, when burning the chametz, we do not recite the passage wherein we declare all chametz in our possession to be null and void. Instead this passage is recited tomorrow morning. [The Yehi Ratzon, however, is recited while burning the chametz.]

Both Shabbat meals should be completely Kosher for Passover with the exception of two ounces of challah per person per meal. (It is forbidden to eat matzah on the day before Passover.)

Light Shabbat candles, reciting blessing 1. Click here for the blessings, and here for local candle lighting times.

The challah is carefully consumed over a paper napkin or tissue. Afterwards, the paper, together with any remaining chametz crumbs, is flushed down the toilet. Extra care should be taken that no chametz crumbs should fall on the floor.

The morning services are recited early in the morning in order to allow enough time to start the Shabbat meal and eat the challah before the end of the fourth seasonal hour (click here for the exact time). Once again, the challah is carefully consumed over a paper napkin or tissue. Afterwards, the paper, together with any remaining chametz crumbs, is flushed down the toilet. Extra care should be taken that no chametz crumbs should fall on the floor. After the fourth seasonal hour, it is forbidden to consume any chametz.

During the fifth seasonal hour of the morning (click here for the exact time) the nullification of the chametz (Kol Chamira) -- the one normally recited while burning the chametz -- is recited.

It is customary to recite “The Order of the Passover Offering” after the afternoon Minchah prayers. Since it is "Shabbat Hagadol," a large section of the Haggadah is traditionally read after Minchah, too.

Light the Passover candles after nightfall, using an existing flame. Recite blessings 2 & 4. Click here for the blessings, and here for local candle lighting times.

Complete Hallel is recited during Maariv (evening) services.

First Seder: The Seder contains the observance of many Biblical and Rabbinic Mitzvot, including: eating Matzah, eating Marror (bitter herbs), drinking four cups of wine, relating the story of the exodus to our children, reclining as a symbol of freedom, etc. (Click here for a How-To Seder guide.)

To locate a public Seder near you, please click here.

The first night of Passover is referred to as “leil shimurim” (a night of guarding), based on Exodus 12:42.

Morning service. Full Hallel is recited. Two Torah scrolls are taken out of the ark.
Torah reading: Exodus 12:21–51 and Numbers 28:16–25.
Haftarah: Joshua 3:5–7, 5:2–6:1, 6:27.

Beginning with the Musaf Amidah, we recite “morid hatal,” the prayer for dew, and we omit the prayer for rain. This practice continues until Shemini Atzeret, the day after Sukkot.

The Priests bless the congregation with the Priestly Blessing during the Musaf prayer.

Festive lunch meal.

Complete Hallel is recited during Maariv evening prayers, followed by the “Counting of the Omer.” We count the 1st day of the Omer. The counting of the Omer is recited during each of the next forty-nine days, leading up to the holiday of Shavuot on the fiftieth day. The 49 days embody the 49 steps of self-improvement — beginning with the departure from our “personal” Egypt, until our arrival at Mount Sinai, when we are ready to accept the wisdom of the Torah.

Light candles for the 2nd day of Passover after dark, using an existing flame, and recite blessings 2 & 4. Click here for the blessings, and here for local candle lighting times.

Second Seder: The Seder contains the observance of many Biblical and Rabbinic Mitzvot, including: eating Matzah, eating Marror (bitter herbs), drinking four cups of wine, relating the story of the exodus to our children, reclining as a symbol of freedom, etc. (Click here for a How-To Seder guide.)

Morning service. Full Hallel is recited. Two Torah scrolls are taken out of the ark.
Torah reading: Leviticus 22:26–23:44 and Numbers 28:16–25.
Haftarah: II Kings 23:1–9, 21–25.

The Priests bless the congregation with the Priestly Blessing during the Musaf prayer.

Festive lunch meal.

Evening prayers. Atah Chonantanu is added in the Amidah. Following the Amidah, count the 2nd day of the Omer.

After nightfall, perform the Havdalah ceremony, omitting the blessings on the spices and on the candle flame.

Nightfall marks the beginning of Passover’s intermediate days. Between the first two and the last two days of Passover, we may resume much (not all) of our regular, workday activities (except on Shabbat, when regular Shabbat observances are kept); but, of course, we continue to eat Kosher for Passover foods exclusively. It is customary to drink a glass of wine or grape juice each day, in celebration of the festival.

Morning service: In many communities, throughout the intermediate days of Passover, tefillin are not worn.

Half Hallel is recited. Two Torah scrolls are taken out of the ark. Torah reading: Exodus 13:1–16 and Numbers 28:19–25. The Musaf Amidah is recited. During all of the Intermediate Days, Yaaleh Veyavo is inserted during all prayers and in the Grace After Meals.

The Intermediate Days are observed with limited work restriction.

After nightfall, count the 3rd day of the Omer.

Morning service: In many communities, throughout the intermediate days of Passover, tefillin are not worn.

Half Hallel is recited. Two Torah scrolls are taken out of the ark. Torah reading: Exodus 22:24–23:19 and Numbers 28:19–25. The Musaf Amidah is recited. During all of the Intermediate Days, Yaaleh Veyavo is inserted during all prayers and in the Grace After Meals.

The Intermediate Days are observed with limited work restriction.

After nightfall, count the 4th day of the Omer.

Morning service: In many communities, throughout the intermediate days of Passover, tefillin are not worn.

Half Hallel is recited. Two Torah scrolls are taken out of the ark. Torah reading: Exodus 34:1–26 and Numbers 28:19–25. The Musaf Amidah is recited. During all of the Intermediate Days, Yaaleh Veyavo is inserted during all prayers and in the Grace After Meals.

The Intermediate Days are observed with limited work restriction.

After nightfall, count the 5th day of the Omer.

Morning service: In many communities, throughout the intermediate days of Passover, tefillin are not worn.

Half Hallel is recited. Two Torah scrolls are taken out of the ark. Torah reading: Numbers 9:1–14 and Numbers 28:19–25. The Musaf Amidah is recited. During all of the Intermediate Days, Yaaleh Veyavo is inserted during all prayers and in the Grace After Meals.

The Intermediate Days are observed with limited work restriction.

Light candles for the 7th day of Passover, and recite blessing 3. Click here for the blessing, and here for local candle lighting times.

Evening prayers. After the Amidah, count the 6th day of the Omer.

It is customary in many communities to remain awake all night, studying Torah, in commemoration of the great miracle of the Splitting of the Sea, which occurred on the 7th day of Passover.

Morning service. Partial Hallel is recited. Two Torah scrolls are taken out of the ark.
Torah reading: Exodus 13:17–15:26 and Numbers 28:19–25.
Haftarah: II Samuel 22:1–51.

The Priests bless the congregation with the Priestly Blessing during the Musaf prayer.

Festive lunch meal.

Evening prayers. After the Amidah, count the 7th day of the Omer.

Light candles for the 8th day of Passover after dark, using an existing flame, and recite blessing 2. Click here for the blessing, and here for local candle lighting times.

Morning service. Partial Hallel is recited. Two Torah scrolls are taken out of the ark.
Torah reading: Deuteronomy 15:19–16:17 and Numbers 28:19–25.
Haftarah: Isaiah 10:32–12:6.

The Yizkor memorial service is recited following the Torah reading.

The Priests bless the congregation with the Priestly Blessing during the Musaf prayer.

Festive lunch meal.

On this final day of Passover we strive for the highest level of freedom, and focus on the Final Redemption. Following the Baal Shem Tov’s custom, we end Passover with “Moshiach’s Feast” — a festive meal complete with matzah and four cups of wine, during which we celebrate the imminent arrival of the Messiah. The feast begins before sunset and continues until after nightfall.

Evening prayers. After the Amidah, count the 8th day of the Omer.

After nightfall, perform the Havdalah ceremony, omitting the blessings on the spices and on the candle flame.

Nightfall is the official end of Passover (for the exact time, click here). Wait an hour to give the rabbi enough time to buy back your Chametz before eating it.

The day following the holiday is known as Isru Chag. It is forbidden to fast on this day.