The Mystical Month To Come

2) CALENDAR REMINDERS

1 Nissan (March 29-30) - Rosh Chodesh. First opportunity for the Blessing on blossoming fruit trees.

7 Nissan (Apr.4-5) Shabbat Vayikra, Torah Reading: Lev. 1:1-5:26; Haftorah: Isaiah 43:21-28, 44:1-23.

12 Nissan (April 10) Bedikat (search for) Chametz at night by candle

13 Nissan (April 11) Yahrzeit of Rabbi Yosef Caro, (1488-1575) the author of "the Shulchan Aruch", the Code of Jewish Law, and the Tzemach Tzedek, (1789-1866) the third Lubavitcher Rebbe.
Burn the chametz within five hours after sunrise (ask your local rabbi for exact times and details)

14 Nissan (April 11-12) Shabbat Tzav, Shabbat HaGadol, Torah Reading: Lev. 6:1-8:36; Haftorah: Jeremiah 7:21-8:3; 9; 22, 23. In the afternoon, hear the Rabbi's special talk and read the Haggada from "Avadim hayinu" (We were slaves") until "asher nisba l'avoteinu" ("which He swore to our Fathers")
Because this Shabbat is also Erev Pesach great care is taken with the eating of chametz and it is only eaten in a restricted area of the house. The food for this Shabbat is already cooked in the Passover (Pesach) pots. Extra care is taken that these pots not come in contact with the chametz. The deadline for the eating of chametz is noon. Check with your rabbi for the exact time in your area.
Birthday of Maimonides and the Maharal.

14 Nissan Evening:
Seder Night. This year the Seder will take place on Shabbat evening, April 12th [plus Sunday evening, April 13th outside of Israel]. Because of that, one should prepare all necessary items for the Seder before Shabbat.
Be sure to eat a big piece of matzah (½ a handmade round one or all of a square machine one) within a short time after saying the blessings (if you don't talk until you finish eating your matzah, the times shouldn't be a problem). The same requirements apply for the afikomen matzah at the end of the meal too. Each of the four cups of wine should also be drunk quickly, in a few successive swallows. If the required four cups is too much, you can dilute your kosher-for-Passover wine with some kosher-for-Passover grape juice. It is preferable to have a percentage of wine in all the cups than to have some cups all juice and some all wine.

15 Nissan (April 13) First Day of Passover. Torah Reading: (Ex. 12:21-51, Haftorah: Joshua 3:5-7, 5:2-6:1, 6:27); Morning Prayer: Last time to mention Geshem (rain) in the Amidah; change at Musaf to Tal (Dew). Sunday nite: beginning of the counting of the Omer.

16 Nissan (April 14) Second day of Passover outside of Israel

16-20 Nissan (April 14-19) Chol HaMoed --"Intermediate" Days of Passover

21 Nissan (April 18 night -19 day) Seventh (and in Israel last) Day of Passover. Torah reading: Ex.13:17-15:26; Haftora: ** Samuel 22:1-51.
Mashiach Seuda: A chassidic custom for one more matzah-munching meal in the final hours of Passover instituted by the Ba'al Shem Tov himself. Add for more cups of wine to do it Chabad-style. Outside of Israel the Mashiach Seuda is held the next day, 22 Nissan.

22 Nissan (April 19-20) Outside of Israel, eight and last day of Passover. Torah Reading: Deuteronomy 15:19-16:17; Haftora: Isaiah 10:32-12:6. Mashiach Seuda (see above).

28 Nissan (April 25-26) Shabbat Shmini; Torah Reading: Lev. 9:1-11:47; Haftara: Samuel II 6:1-7:17; Pirkei Avot (after Mincha) Chapter 1.

30 Nissan (April 28) First day of Rosh Chodesh Iyar.
Yahrzeit of Rabbi Chaim Vital and Tsfat Liberation Day.

MAY YOU HAVE A LIBERATING SPRING MONTH OF NISSAN!