Pesach 5781 | Passover 2021
Please read below for our Pesach information
Pesach Service Registration
Due to Coronavirus health precautions, not only do you need to pre-register, but please be aware to check for updates in case there are any changes.
Sign up link for Shaarei Simcha in Fisher Hall, CLICK HERE
Sign up for Main Sanctuary Services, CLICK HERE
Chametz Sale 2021
Dear Friends,
Pesach preparations are under way. As most of us know, the Torah prohibits us from not only eating, but also owning, chametz on Pesach. The sale of chametz is a time-honored tradition in Jewish Law enabling us to more easily observe this prohibition. It is a complicated procedure and it is customary to have a Rabbi familiar with the requirements handle the sale.
Some of you have sold your chametz through BMH-BJ in previous years, and I encourage everyone to do so. I am ready – and would be honored - to act as your agent and assist you in this important tradition.
By filling out the attached form, you appoint me as your agent to sell your chametz on your behalf. You may mail the form to my office, email it to clergyassist@bmh-bj.org, or bring it in to me personally. I would love the opportunity to meet and speak with you and assure you that everything will be handled properly and according to Jewish Law.
The form can also be filled out and submitted online at https://www.bmh-bj.org/form/chametz-sale-2021.html. The deadline for submission is March 18, 2021.
Please note that there are many in our community who find it difficult to celebrate Pesach. It is a financial hardship for them. A contribution to my discretionary fund earmarked for Maot Chitim – Passover Food, will make it easier for those in need to have kosher food for Pesach. Your generosity is most appreciated.
Best wishes to you for a Chag Kasher v’Sameach, a joyful and kosher Pesach.
Warmly,
Rabbi Chaitovsky
Chametz Sale
The sale of chametz is a time-honored tradition in Jewish Law. To sell your chametz through Rabbi Chaitovsky please fill out your information online at https://www.bmh-bj.org/form/chametz-sale-2021.html. Forms are also available in the main office or you can download it and print it yourself. If you need help, please call the office, so we can help you sell your chametz over the phone. The deadline for submission is March 18, 2021.
Pesach Schedule
Pesach 5781, March 27-April 4, 2021
Virtual Class Series for Pesach
Pep and Prep with Rabbi Chai, Tuesdays at 7:30 pm, March 9 and 16
March 9, Pandemic Pesach 2.0
March 16, Melody and Meaning, the Lessons of Daieinu
Pesach and Kabbalah with Cantor Marty, Thursdays at 7:00 pm, March 4, 11, 18
Shabbat Hagadol Drashah Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at 7:00 pm
Pesach in Sedom… and Pesach in your home.
All Classes can be accessed by joining https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2853509174
Complete Pesach Schedule
Please note: 5781 (2021) is one of the rare years when the day before Passover falls on Shabbat. Please pay close attention to the following schedule, because many details are different than other years.
Pre-Pesach, Thursday, 25 March 2021
Taanit Bechorot / Fast of Firstborn
Shacharit 6:30 am (Sanctuary) with Siyum immediately after (in person and also on Zoom at the regular Zoom link)
Fast begins 5:34 am / Fast ends 7:55 pm
Bedikat Chametz / Search for Chametz after nightfall 7:46 pm
Pre-Pesach, Friday, 26 March 2021
Burn your remaining (unsold) chametz before the beginning of the sixth seasonal hour by 11:54 pm.
Leave behind challah loaves or rolls 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.)
No in-person or online Mincha/Maariv
Candle Lighting 7:00 pm
Erev Pesach, Shabbat, 27 March 2021
Shacharit 7:30 am (Fisher Hall), 10:15 am (Main Sanctuary)
Latest time to EAT Chametz 10:56 am
Latest time to NULLIFY Chametz 11:54 am
No in-person or online Mincha/Maariv
Candle Lighting 8:01 pm / Seder to follow
1st Day Pesach, Sunday, 28 March 2021
Shacharit 9:15 am (Fisher Hall), 10:00 am (Sanctuary)
No in-person or online Mincha/Maariv
Candle Lighting and Second Seder – 8:02 pm
2nd Day Pesach, Monday, 29 March 2021
Shacharit 9:15 am (Main Sanctuary only with Mechitzah)
No in-person or online Mincha/Maariv
Havdalah 8:02 pm
Chol Hamoed, Tuesday, 30 March 2021
Shacharit 6:30 am (Main Sanctuary) with pre-registration
Mincha/Maariv 6:00 pm (Zoom)
Chol Hamoed, Wednesday, 31 March 2021
Shacharit 6:30 am (Main Sanctuary) with pre-registration
Mincha/Maariv 6:00 pm (Zoom)
Chol Hamoed, Thursday, 1 April 2021
Shacharit 6:30 am (Main Sanctuary) with pre-registration
Mincha/Maariv 6:00 pm (Zoom)
Special Zoom Yizkor Service at 6:30 pm (for those who cannot come in person on Sunday)
Chol Hamoed, Friday, 2 April 2021
Shacharit 6:30 am (Main Sanctuary) with pre-registration
Candle Lighting 7:05 pm
7th Day Pesach, Shabbat, 3 April 2021
Shacharit 8:30 am (Fisher Hall), 10:00 am (Sanctuary)
No in-person or online Mincha/Maariv
Candle Lighting 8:08 pm
8th Day Pesach, Sunday, 4 April 2021
Shacharit 8:30 am (Fisher Hall), 10:00 am (Sanctuary)
Yizkor service will be recited (Sanctuary and Chapel) during morning service after the reading of the Torah.
No in-person or online Mincha/Maariv
Havdalah 8:09 pm
Best wishes to you for a Chag Kasher v’Sameach, a joyful and kosher Pesach!
For a comprehensive guide on Passover, home preparation, rituals, and food, please refer to:
CRC Passover Guide
OU Guide to Passover
Scroll K Pesach Guide
The Minimalist Guide to Passover and Seder from Anshe Sholom Congregation in Lakeview, Illinois. For those who may never have made Pesach, or have not done so in a very long time, especially if you are solo this year. From shopping to kashering to doing a seder.
Preparing Your Home for Passover - more information for this special Pesach
International Rabbinic Fellowship Pesach 2020 Guide
A Guide to a Concise but Halachik Seder