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Halacha

A Quick Rundown of Halachot in Preparation for Pesach

Cleaning:
It is a requirement that one must clean his or her house from Chametz prior to Pesach. This requirement to be free of Chametz requires the homeowner to clean all areas of the house which will be used over Pesach and is typically a place where Chametz is brought. Such a place requires thorough cleaning and Bedika with a candle the night prior to Erev Pesach.

Places that one plans on not using over Pesach should be cleaned from all obvious signs of Pesach and closed off and clearly labeled as Chametz. Bedika does not need to include such areas.

Places where Chametz is not supposed to be brought do not need to be specially cleaned for Pesach and Bedika does not need to include such places.

Biur Chametz:
It is a universal tradition to burn the Chametz one finds prior to Pesach in a bonfire Passover Eve. This year, due to the Coronavirus, this may not be possible for many and a communal bonfire is definitely not in our cards. Therefore, the Chicago Rabbinical Counsel recommends flushing the Chametz down the toilet (in a fashion that won’t clog pipes) and what cannot be flushed disposed of in the trash outside below other trash order to fulfill the Biur of Chametz in 2020/ תש”פ ( https://www.kesher.org/pesach ). Some communities have recommended making the Chametz unedible by pouring bleach over it.

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Passover Seder:

The basic ingredients of the Passover Seder: Romaine Lettuce ( https://oukosher.org/passover/articles/halacha-round/ )/Horseradish, Matza, Potato (or other vegetable) with saltwater, Matza, Wine, the telling of the Haggada and story of Yetziat Mitzrayim are known to most everyone.

Four Cups: Size
The size of the cup for the four cups must be a Revi’it. This size is a matter of dispute among poskim — the shittot range from 2.5 fluid oz (75cc) to 5.1 fluid oz (150cc).

Eating of the Matza: one must eat a Kzayit L’Shem Mitzva.

It is a personal requirement to repeat Sippur Yetziat Mitzrayim. This requirement can be fulfilled through reading verbally through the Haggada.

Afikomen:
The Afikomen should be the last thing eaten the night of the seder.

This is obviously meant as merely an overview of the Halachot. What is permissible to eat Pesach Eve (l’tayavon) and to what hour has not been covered here along with a myriad of other Halachot. Thus it is recommended that a more in depth reading of the halachot or ask your local orthodox rabbi to cover the halachot. Nevertheless, I hope this will be helpful in making Passover 2020 a success.

Further possible resources:
https://judaism.stackexchange.com/questions/56333/what-are-the-minimum-required-sections-of-the-hagadah-that-must-be-said

https://www.ou.org/holidays/passover/ritual-guide-passover-seder/

https://torahmitzion.org/learn/halachot-pesach-cleaning/