The Times and Schedules
of the Passover Holiday

Chapter 1

It is important to remember that in Judaism the day begins at night. That is, Shabbos, for example, starts at night and continues to the next day until nightfall Saturday night. Holidays also begin at night.

In the Torah it says "It was night and it was day...." all throughout the six days of Creation. There was darkness before there was light. Thus, the night comes before the day. So we start our "days," meaning that we start our 24-hour days when night begins, and it runs until the next night. So every "day" runs from night to night.

Therefore, Shabbos starts Friday evening when the sun goes down. Consequently, Shabbos ends Saturday night after the night begins.

Passover is the same way, but there's an additional wrinkle. While the Holiday itself starts on the night of the 15th of Nisan, the day before, the 14th of Nisan, is also a semi-Holiday.

For example, on the 14th day of Nisan, we must stop eating and owning chometz a few hours after dawn, as we have learned. So that means that chometz is forbidden some time before Passover actually begins.

In addition, many types of activity are forbidden on Erev Pesach after midday. It is forbidden even to give someone a haircut at that time. It is also forbidden to wash laundry, and most types of weekday activity. It is best of all cooking is done by then, but it is certainly permitted to cook and otherwise prepare food for the Yom Tov (Jewish Holiday).

In ancient times, Erev Pesach was the busiest time of the year. We brought the Passover lamb to the Holy Temple on the day of the 14th of Nisan. It was sacrificed that afternoon, and eaten later that night. So, in other words, the Passover Sacrifice was offered, slaughtered, and so forth, on the 14th day of Nisan, during the afternoon. It was eaten the night of the 15th of Nisan.

The night of the 15th of Nisan is the first night of Passover.

To restate: on the 14th of Nisan we stop eating and owning chometz, around 9:00 in the morning. Later that night, on the 15th of Nisan, we hold the Seder. In ancient times, we ate the Passover Sacrifice, along with matzah and the bitter herb, during the Seder. Today we can't offer the Sacrifice, so we just make the Seder and eat the matzah and bitter herb.

When the Messiah comes, we will once again bring the Passover Sacrifice each year on the 14th of Nisan.

So again: on the day before Passover begins, we have already cleaned out and destroyed any chometz from our homes and possessions. If there were a Holy Temple, we would bring the Passover Sacrifice that day, in the afternoon, and afterwards we would begin roasting them. When there's a Holy Temple, it is also required by the Torah that we bake matzos on Erev Pesach in the afternoon as well. Where there is a Holy Temple, we must eat the Pesach Sacrifice together with Matzos that were baked that same Erev Pesach afternoon.

That night, the night of the 15th of Nisan, we would take our sacrificed Passover lambs, and bring them to the place we make the Seder. We make the Seder, we drink the Four Cups throughout the night, we eat matzah, bitter herb, (and the Passover Sacrifice when there is a Holy Temple). This is at night, the first night of Passover.

Here it is again, in a timetable. First, when there is a Holy Temple:

Morning of the 14th day of Nisan (also known as Erev Pesach): Burn our chometz. They probably spent the rest of the morning preparing for the Seder, and finally, before noon, bringing their animals to the Holy Temple for the various Sacrifices. They were required to bring a lamb for the Korban (Sacrifice) Pesach, and another animal (lamb, goat, or cow were all permitted) for the Korban Chagigah (Holiday Sacrifice).

Afternoon of the 14th: Attend to the lamb at the Holy Temple for Sacrificing etc. The Kohen-priests did the actual work, of course.

Late afternoon: Roast lamb as the Torah commands. Bake Matzos.

Cook other foods for Seder.

Evening: Attend the Priestly ceremonies of the Holy Temple.

Beginning of Nighttime: The 15th day of Nisan has begun. Once the stars have come out, take lamb to Seder and begin Seder. Tell the story of the Exodus (i.e., say the Hagadah).

Night of the 15th of Nisan: During the Seder, the Korban Pesach and the Korban Chagigah would be roasting nearby. At the right time in the Hagadah, they would wash their hands, eat Matzah, and eat the Korban Chagigah for the main part of the meal. Once they were no longer hungry they would eat for dessert the Korban Pesach, together with Matzah and the Bitter Herb. They would then say the Blessings After the Meal, and drink the Third Cup of Wine. Then they finished the Seder. During the time of the Second Holy Temple, after the Blessings After the Meal they would all go up to the roof of the house and sing Hallel (Psalms of Praise).

If Erev Pesach is on Shabbos, as happens every so often, the Chagigah was not brought Erev Pesach, and therefore was not eaten at the Seder.

Can you picture thousands upon thousands of Jews, from all over the land of Israel, every one of them standing on the roofs of Jerusalem, singing Hallel! The Talmud says that it seemed like all the roofs of the city were bursting. It must have been the most glorious sight ever seen and heard!

Late Night of the 15th of Nisan: They drank the Fourth Cup of Wine, and finished the Seder.

Morning of the 15th of Nisan: Attend Priestly Ceremonies at Holy Temple.

Now here's how it runs today:

Morning of the 14th day of Nisan: Burn our chometz.

Afternoon of the 14th: Cook all food for the Seder. Set up the table for the Seder.

Late afternoon: Sleep. If you are able, attend Matzah baking. It is not required when there is no Holy Temple, but nevertheless many people bake Matzos on Erev Pesach these days.

Evening: Attend the Prayers at the synagogue. At the right time, which is before the stars come out in the sky, learn or say the passages about the "Bringing of the Passover Sacrifice."

After the Stars Come Out: The 15th day of Nisan has begun. Pray the Nighttime Prayer. Go home and begin the Seder. Tell the story of the Exodus (i.e., say the Hagadah).

Night of the 15th of Nisan: During the Seder, at the right time in the Hagadah, eat the Afikoman to remember the Passover Sacrifice. Some people recite the "Eating of the Passover Sacrifice" to relive the Commandment.

Late night of the 15th of Nisan: Say Halel (Psalms of Praise), finish the Seder.

Morning of the 15th of Nisan: Attend Prayers at synagogue. Go home, eat a Festive Meal, retuirn to the synagogue for the Afternoon Prayer.

If you live outside of Israel:

Nighttime: It is now the 16th of Nisan: Begin a repeat of last night (but omit the recital of the "Bringing of the Passover Sacrifice"). After the stars come out, and after the Nighttime Prayers, go home and begin the Second Seder, just as you did last night.

The sixteenth day of Nisan is also Yom Tov (Holiday). Repeat as yesterday. Pray the Afternoon Holiday Prayers. When the stars come out, pray the weekday Nighttime Prayer, with Yaaleh V'yavo, the special insertion that mentions the Holiday.

In the land of Israel, afternoon of the fifteenth of Nisan:

Go to the synaogue and pray the Afternoon Holiday Prayers. When the stars come out, pray the weekday Nighttime Prayer, with Yaaleh V'yavo, the special insertion that mentions the Holiday. The sixteenth of Nisan in Israel is only semi-Yom Tov. You may drive your car home from the synagogue, unless it also happens to be the Sabbath (in this case, Friday night).

May Hashem rebuild the Holy Temple soon, soon, speedily, in our days!