The Passover Calendar—2012

Did you remember to sell your chametz? Your local Chabad rabbi can help, or complete an online "Authorization for the Sale of Chametz" form by clicking here.

Search for the chametz after dark (click here for the exact time). Recite the blessing prior to the search, and the nullification of the chametz (Kol Chamira) following the search. Click here for more information on the search and removal of chametz.

Fast of the Firstborn. For a male firstborn to be exempt from fasting, he must participate in a meal marking the fulfillment of a mitzvah; such a meal is generally held in a synagogue after morning prayers on this day.

Have you sold your chametz? Final call! Your local Chabad rabbi can help, or complete an online "Authorization for the Sale of Chametz" form by clicking here.

Stop eating chametz before the end of the fourth seasonal hour (click here for the exact time).

Burn your remaining (unsold) chametz before the fifth seasonal hour (click here for the exact time).

It is customary to recite the "Order of the Passover Offering" after the afternoon Minchah prayer.

Light the Passover candles, reciting blessings 3 & 4. Click here for the blessings, and here for local candle-lighting times. Click here for a summary of the laws of Yom Tov.

Complete Hallel is recited during Maariv (evening) services.

First Seder: The Seder contains the observance of many Biblical and Rabbinic mitzvot, including: eating matzah, eating maror (bitter herbs), drinking four cups of wine, relating the story of the Exodus to our children, reclining as a symbol of freedom, etc. (Click here for a How-To Seder guide.)

To locate a public Seder near you, please click here.

The first night of Passover is referred to as leil shimurim (a night of guarding), based on Exodus 12:42.

Morning service. Full Hallel is recited. Two Torah scrolls are taken out of the ark.
Torah reading: Exodus 12:21–51 and Numbers 28:16–25.
Haftorah: Joshua 3:5–7, 5:2–6:1, 6:27.

Beginning with the Musaf Amidah, we recite morid hatal, the prayer for dew, and we omit the prayer for rain. This practice continues until Shemini Atzeret, the day after Sukkot.

The Priests bless the congregation with the Priestly Blessing during the Musaf prayer.

Festive lunch meal.

Complete Hallel is recited during Maariv evening prayers, followed by the "Counting of the Omer." We count the 1st day of the Omer. The counting of the Omer is recited during each of the next forty-nine days, leading up to the holiday of Shavuot on the fiftieth day. The 49 days embody the 49 steps of self-improvement—beginning with the departure from our "personal" Egypt, until our arrival at Mount Sinai, when we are ready to accept the wisdom of the Torah.

After dark, light candles for the 2nd day of Passover, using an existing flame, and recite blessings 2 & 4. Click here for the blessings, and here for local candle-lighting times.

Second Seder: The Seder contains the observance of many Biblical and Rabbinic mitzvot, including: eating matzah, eating maror (bitter herbs), drinking four cups of wine, relating the story of the Exodus to our children, reclining as a symbol of freedom, etc. (Click here for a How-To Seder guide.)

Morning service. Full Hallel is recited. Two Torah scrolls are taken out of the ark.
Torah reading: Leviticus 22:26–23:44 and Numbers 28:16–25.
Haftorah: II Kings 23:1–9, 21–25.

The Priests bless the congregation with the Priestly Blessing during the Musaf prayer.

Festive lunch meal.

After nightfall, count the 2nd day of the Omer, and perform the Havdalah ceremony, omitting the blessing on the candle and spices.

Celebrate Passover's intermediate days. Between now and the last two days of Passover, we may resume much (not all) of our regular workday activities; but, of course, we continue to eat Kosher for Passover foods exclusively. It is customary to drink a glass of wine each day, in celebration of the festival.

Morning service: In many communities, throughout the intermediate days of Passover, tefillin are not worn.

Half Hallel is recited. Two Torah scrolls are taken out of the ark. Torah reading: Exodus 13:1-16 and Numbers 28:19–25. The Musaf Amidah is recited. During all of the Intermediate Days, Yaaleh Veyavo is inserted during all prayers and in the Grace After Meals.

The Intermediate Days are observed with limited work restrictions.

After nightfall, count the 3rd day of the Omer.

Morning service: In many communities, throughout the intermediate days of Passover, tefillin are not worn.

Half Hallel is recited. Two Torah scrolls are taken out of the ark. Torah reading: Exodus 22:24–23:19 and Numbers 28:19–25. The Musaf Amidah is recited. During all of the Intermediate Days, Yaaleh Veyavo is inserted during all prayers and in the Grace After Meals.

The Intermediate Days are observed with limited work restrictions.

Morning service: In many communities, throughout the intermediate days of Passover, tefillin are not worn.

Half Hallel is recited. Two Torah scrolls are taken out of the ark. Torah reading: Exodus 34:1-26 and Numbers 28:19–25. The Musaf Amidah is recited. During all of the Intermediate Days, Yaaleh Veyavo is inserted during all prayers and in the Grace After Meals.

The Intermediate Days are observed with limited work restrictions.

Morning service: In many communities, throughout the intermediate days of Passover, tefillin are not worn.

Half Hallel is recited. Two Torah scrolls are taken out of the ark. Torah reading: Numbers 9:1–14 and Numbers 28:19–25. The Musaf Amidah is recited. During all of the Intermediate Days, Yaaleh Veyavo is inserted during all prayers and in the Grace After Meals.

The Intermediate Days are observed with limited work restrictions.

Since Shabbat occurs during the festival, an "eruv tavshilin" is prepared prior to the festival, so that it should be permitted to prepare food for Shabbat during the festival.

Light candles for the 7th day of Passover, and recite blessing 2. Click here for the blessing, and here for local candle-lighting times.

Evening prayers. After the Amidah, count the 6th day of the Omer.

Festive holiday meal, complete with the holiday kiddush.

It is customary in many communities to remain awake all night, studying Torah, in commemoration of the great miracle of the Splitting of the Sea, which occurred on the 7th day of Passover.

Morning service. Half Hallel is recited. Two Torah scrolls are taken out of the ark.
Torah reading: Exodus 13:17–15:26 and Numbers 28:19–25.
Haftorah: II Samuel 22:1–51.

The Priests bless the congregation with the Priestly Blessing during the Musaf prayer.

Festive lunch meal.

Evening prayers. After the Amidah, count the 7th day of the Omer.

Light candles for the 8th day of Passover before sunset, using an existing flame, and recite blessing 3. Click here for the blessing, and here for local candle-lighting times.

Festive holiday meal, complete with the holiday kiddush.

Morning service. Half Hallel is recited. Two Torah scrolls are taken out of the ark.
Torah reading: Deuteronomy 14:22 and Numbers 28:19–25.
Haftorah: Isaiah 10:32–12:6.

The Yizkor memorial service is recited following the Torah reading.

The Priests bless the congregation with the Priestly Blessing during the Musaf prayer.

Festive lunch meal.

On this final day of Passover we strive for the highest level of freedom, and focus on the Final Redemption. Following the Baal Shem Tov's custom, we end Passover with "Moshiach's Feast"—a festive meal complete with matzah and four cups of wine, during which we celebrate the imminent arrival of the Messiah. The feast begins before sunset and continues until after nightfall.

Evening prayers. After the Amidah, count the 8th day of the Omer.

After nightfall, perform the Havdalah ceremony.

Nightfall is the official end of Passover (for the exact time, click here). Wait an hour to give the rabbi enough time to buy back your chametz before eating it.

The day following the holiday is known as Isru Chag. It is forbidden to fast on this day.