When Passover Eve fell on Shabbat, it was a rare occurrence, even in days when months were sanctified by sighting the new moon, and years could pass without this happening. Even today, with our fixed calendar system, Passover Eve falls on Shabbat only rarely.

This year (5785), Passover Eve will fall on Shabbat, and will not occur again until twenty years from now in the year 5805 (which will also feature a three-day Purim and Tisha B'Av falling on Saturday night). This unusual timing raises numerous practical questions about how to handle Shabbat meals and chametz removal.

Chametz removal

The Mishnah in Pesachim (49a) discusses the timing of chametz removal when Passover Eve falls on Shabbat. Rabbi Meir holds that chametz should be removed on Friday, while the Sages and Rabbi Elazar bar Zadok maintain it should be removed "in its time," meaning on Shabbat itself.

The Rambam and the Shulchan Aruch (444,1) ruled that chametz should be removed on Friday, though keeping some chametz for Shabbat meals is permitted. Any remaining chametz on Shabbat can be disposed of by flushing it down the toilet (Mishnah Berurah 21) or by pouring a spoiling agent on it.

In a standard year, chametz must be removed by the end of the fifth hour. When removal is moved to Friday, one might assume it could be removed anytime during the day, since chametz consumption remains permitted even on Shabbat. Nevertheless, the Mordechai, citing Rashi (Pesachim, end of Chapter 1), states that even when Passover Eve falls on Shabbat, chametz should be removed by the end of the fifth hour on Friday as a precaution to maintain consistency with regular years. The Shulchan Aruch (444,2) upholds this ruling.

In summary, when Passover Eve falls on Shabbat:

• Check for chametz on Thursday evening
• Nullify chametz after the check as usual
• Burn chametz Friday morning by the end of the fifth hour
• Don't nullify chametz on Friday (unless you don't plan to eat more)
• Nullify the remaining chametz on Shabbat before the end of the fifth hour

Handling Shabbat meals

When planning Shabbat meals, two options exist, each with challenges: using chametz foods and utensils or using kosher-for-Passover foods and utensils.

The most practical approach in modern times is to finish kashering the kitchen and storing all chametz utensils before Shabbat. On Shabbat itself, use kosher-for-Passover food with disposable dishes. Here is a practical schedule:

Friday Night Meal: Use pitas or non-crumbling bread with disposable dishes. If concerned about children carrying chametz throughout the house, eat an egg-sized portion of bread at the meal's beginning, then clear it away. For the blessing after meals, keep a small amount of bread (even in a plastic bag) on the table.

Shabbat Morning Meal: Rise early for prayers to finish in time to eat comfortably before the chametz deadline. After prayers, make Kiddush and enjoy a brief but satisfying breakfast with pitas or challah and accompaniments. Finish chametz consumption by the end of the fourth hour (approximately 10:00 a.m.). Today's variety of spreads, smoked fish, and pastrami allows for creating an honorable Shabbat meal even with these constraints.

Purchase only minimal amounts of bread for Shabbat. For leftover bread, pour a spoiling agent (like bleach or dish soap) over it and dispose of it in the toilet or outside garbage. Nullify the chametz by reciting "Kol chamira..." before the end of the fifth hour – around 11:20 a.m.

Mincha and Third Meal: The third Shabbat meal can be eaten approximately half an hour after noon (around 1:15 p.m.). Mincha prayers can be recited from this time, preferably before the meal. This can be a substantial lunch to prevent excessive hunger at the Seder, but must be chametz-free.

Kneidlach (matzah balls) are permitted at this meal, and some Sephardic Jews use egg matzah. In such cases, begin the meal before the tenth hour – around 3:50 p.m. Take care not to eat too close to the Seder to ensure appetite for the ritual matzah.

Torah Study, Between breakfast's end and Mincha time, there are roughly two to two-and-a-half free hours. Communities should organize Torah classes for adults, youth, and children during this time, including parent-child learning sessions.

In this way we can use this special Shabbat to prepare for the Seder night, so that we can enter the Seder night both from studying the Haggadah, from rest, and from the holiness of Shabbat. God willing, may we rise from holiness to holiness, and merit to achieve true inner freedom.

The post What to do when Passover Eve falls on Shabbat? appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Politicians, journalists and intellectuals are currently wrapped up in a heated debate over Israel's very character, including its Jewish identity. However, they're missing some key components in this dialogue: compassion and understanding.

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Our sages teach us in the context of dating that matchmaking is as difficult as splitting the Red Sea. Why? God split the sea so that the people of Israel could pass through it. In fact, the sages say that he split the sea into 12 parts to represent the 12 tribes. While each stream followed its own path, eventually, God brought the sea back together – so it became one unifying force yet again, and a force that ultimately vanquished the Egyptians.

This wasn't the only time that God split something open in order to create a cohesive whole. Eve was physically a part of Adam, and the result of the two of them coming together resulted in the humanity we know today. Tearing something apart is hard. But putting the pieces back together is even more difficult.

Yet, it must be done.

When it comes to Jewish law, the Sanhedrin dictated what is or is not permitted. But prayer is a highly individualistic practice and is open to many interpretations. It is this diversity in methods of worship that brings about the flourishing of the Jewish people.

Therefore, as Israel is mired in debate and controversy, it is important not to discount the opinion of the other. These discussions about the Jewish identity of the State of Israel should always be conducted with love, respect and the understanding that we are one nation.

Our sages also teach us that Ahab's generation practiced idolatry, and yet the Jewish people at the time could have very well won the war that they were engaged in because they never slandered each other. Indeed, unity is our path to redemption.

As such, I recommend the following addition to the prayer for peace in the State of Israel: "I will make them one nation in the land, in the mountains of Israel. There will be one king over all of them and they will never again be two nations or be divided into two kingdoms."

In addition to prayer, I suggest following these guidelines for respectful and productive conversations moving forward. They are what I refer to as the "Ten Commandments of productive debate:"

1. Begin by discussing what the two parties have in common – there is so much that unites us.

2. Stick to the subject at hand and try not to blow things out of proportion.

3. Focus on a single topic that is causing discord, don't use the discussion as an opportunity to tackle all of the world's problems.

4. Know how to listen. While you're listening, practice empathy and try to understand the other side's position. Listen to understand, not to take the time to formulate what you plan to say next.

5. Let the person finish their sentence, even if it sounds like they already made their point and you understood it. Take this approach because a) Maybe you didn't understand after all and b) Part of the goal of listening is to foster feelings of inclusion, not to only think about what we want to say next.

6. Be in touch with your values and be prepared to discuss them, but in a pleasant and respectful way, without hurting someone else's feelings.

7. Be humble enough to know when to say, "I agree with you." Even when others harbor drastically different points of view, there is usually some common ground.

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8. The goal isn't to win the argument but rather to build a connection. If one side wins, then they both lose. Sometimes it's enough to politely express your opinion and hear the other side's perspective as well.

9. Know how to love, even if it goes against your better judgment. Simultaneously, it's important to also stand your ground.

10. Don't argue. Speak in a gentle manner. After all, as Rav Kook said, "He who speaks in anger shows emptiness." Anger leads to distance and even war, while conversation begets listening and connection.

Amid Israel's 75th anniversary, if the Jewish people rely on the most productive tools in their arsenal – prayer, love and logic – then we will become united once again.

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