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You Can’t Call The Rav On Shabbos, Make Sure You Know What To Do

“There is a very unique opportunity this year,” the Rebbe said on 13 Nissan 5741, “for which we can assist many Jews in relation to special laws that apply in this calendar configuration. Erev Pesach is on Shabbos Hagadol and there is a lot of confusion regarding the Shabbos day meal: How do we set up (a part-chametz, part-pesachdik) meal? What do we do with the hamotzi leftovers? How do we observe seuda shlishis? How do we partake in an optimal way that satisfies both our duty to enjoy Shabbos and to prepare properly for Pesach—both being obligations of the same Torah? These are questions that even the most learned, elevated Jews may encounter.

“…we are obligated to learn how to act in any particular circumstance, but in this (rare) occurrence, even the learned one is lost! And he can’t just phone the Rav, because on Shabbos, he may not call—how could he possibly have known earlier every detail of the issues that may arise throughout Shabbos? Ideally, he would have learned all the relevant halachos as they are stated in Shulchan Aruch, because any gap in knowledge negatively affects his personal practice of the law right now; no resolution to learn them in the future will help him at this moment, on Shabbos Erev Pesach!

“Right now (Thursday night, on the thirteenth of Nissan) there is no other choice but to thoroughly review these matters of law over the next twenty-four hours, so that all practicalities are known as commanded by Hashem, the Commander of all mitzvos, and King of all kings, so that both Shabbos and erev Pesach obligations are fulfilled in the most legitimate way, in a manner that this Shabbos will be truly gadol—great.”

The Rebbe emphasized that this call is especially critical to those who are considered top-tier scholars. He noted that when it comes to our simpler brethren, they have no pretensions in relation to their learning of the halachos, and when there was discussion regarding the Shabbos erev Pesach event, they faithfully read from the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch or another summarized compendium of laws (even in English!) as many times as needed until they were versed in the laws.

But those who feel such study is beneath them—who consider it inferior to rely on some abridged version of the law, insisting they must learn Shulchan Aruch with the commentaries—may neglect this important review. “Yet, our obligation is especially to these top learners,” the Rebbe cautioned, “to warn them that this review must happen now, so that on Shabbos, they are versant and active.”

Some Important Pointers And General Calendar

– Shabbos, 7th of Nissan: The Shabbos Hagadol drasha in shul occurs a week early

– Thursday, 12th of Nissan: The Fast of the Firstborn is pushed back to Thursday

– Before Friday, 13th of Nissan: We sell our chametz early—all contracts must be signed early, before the Rav arranges the sale with the non-Jew on Friday

– Thursday night, eve of 13th of Nissan: We perform bedikas chametz [early] and state our nullification of all chametz (aside from what is put away for Shabbos)

– Friday morning, 13th of Nissan: We burn the chametz

– Friday, 13th of Nissan: We get rid of all chametz, aside from a small amount of hamotzi put away for both Shabbos seudos

– Shabbos morning, 14th of Nissan: We [daven early so we can] wash early for the seuda, so that hamotzi may be eaten before the end-time for eating chametz, then flush and nullify the remainder. We proceed with a pesach’dik Shabbos meal.

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In the Beis HaMikdash, many laws are adapted when Pesach falls this way, as will be elaborated upon in the Law of Redemption sections throughout the full booklet. May it be Hashem’s will that we shall practice them this year!

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Much more important information is available in the full guide, which is available for sale throughout Crown Heights stores and available as a download by Clicking Here

Please note that these halachos apply in general situations; if you are unsure whether the halacha applies to your particular situation, please consult a Rov.

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