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Customs of Shabbat Hagadol
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- Many communities recite special hymns during the morning services on Shabbat haGadol. The main theme of these hymns is the laws of Passover, which are presented in verse form in order to make it easy for people to become acquainted with the laws of the Festival.
- On the Shabbat preceding Shabbat haGadol, Psalm 104 and Psalms 120-134 [the fifteen psalms that begin with Shir haMa'alot, which are recited every Shabbat throughout the winter] are said for the last time of the year.
- We read part of the Passover Haggadah on Shabbat haGadol, beginning from the paragraph that begins with the words: Avadim hayinu, "We were slaves" until the words "to atone for all of our sins." One reason for this is that the redemption began on Shabbat haGadol. Another reason is to familiarize the children with the contents of the Haggadah, in fulfillment of the mitzvah of You shall tell your children on that day. Yet another reason is that the reading from the Haggadah on Shabbat haGadol is like a rehersal for the Seder night, and helps us to become more familiar with the text.
- In some Sephardic communities, it is customary, when greeting one another on this Shabbat, to add the title of the day: Shabbat haGadol mevorach, a blessed Shabbat haGadol.
- From as long ago as the days of the Tanna'im and Amora'im, it has been customary in Jewish communities throughout the world for the outstanding Torah scholar of the congregation to address all the people on this Shabbat. The purpose of this address is to teach the people the ways of G-d and instruct them in the laws of Passover. The rabbi explains how utensils must be prepared for use on Passover, how to remove the chametz, and the laws concerning the baking of matzot. His purpose is to ensure that the people not err in the slightest degree in their observance of the Festival. It is also customary for the rabbi to add other material that speaks to the heart, as well as subjects of topical interest.
- When Shabbat haGadol falls on the day before Passover [and all of the preparations have already been made], it is customary to move this special sermon to the previous Shabbat, so that the congregation can learn all of the applicable laws in time to prepare for the Festival
- It is an ancient custom in some communities, on the day before Shabbat haGadol, to bake a small quantity of bread from the flour which has been reserved for making the matzot. This bread is referred to as the "challah of the poor" or the "synagogue challah," and is distributed to the poor in the community. Each person would fulfill this custom in accordance with his means. The wealthy would prepare a large quantity of this special challah, and those less well off would prepare a smaller quantity.
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