Pre-Pesach
1) Rabbi Botnick is collecting ma'os chittim for individuals and for mivtzoim to ensure people are able to perform the mitzva of matzo properly. This year's need has increased exponentially. Your participation is greatly appreciated! Click here to participate.
2) Rabbi Botnick is available at +1 (613) 688-2025,1 Sunday-Thursday 1:30-4:00 pm and in the mornings on Friday for Pesach shailos until the Erev Shabbos before Pesach.
3) If you are aware of anyone who does not have and who would use shmura matzo for the mitzvah, please contact Rabbi Botnick or have that person do so.
4) To sell chometz:
a. Start by downloading the shtar here. If you need help understanding it, please call Rabbi Botnick. (For an English but less comprehensive form, click here. The Hebrew one is preferable. The less comprehensive one is designed for mivtzoim). When filling out the shtar, please:
i. Remember to isolate one room or area cordoned off by a mechitza among the places you list to sell your chometz.
ii. If you make a mistake, don’t cross it out. Start a new shtar.
iii. Indicate specific areas within each address where chometz will be in the notes column.
iv. If you will not be at the location on Pesach include access information in the notes column or attach a key.
v. One line underneath your list of addresses and specific areas within the address, draw a line across the page. Leave enough space under your details to sign after making a kinyan with Rabbi Botnick as per the next step.
b. When completed, arrange to meet with Rabbi Botnick to make a kinyan. He will, then, take the shtar from you. If you are unable to meet, please call Rabbi Botnick at +16136882025,1 to make other arrangements.
5) Bedikas Chometz is on Sunday evening (April 21) this year. All chometz that is to be eaten on Monday morning must be isolated, henceforth, as well as the chometz that is to be burned. The first bittul is recited.
6) Ta’anis B’choros-is on April 22, this year. We plan to make a siyum in shul. If anyone, who needs to, is unable to attend the siyum, please be sure to contact Rabbi Botnick in advance to make alternative arrangements.
7) Chometz may be eaten until 10:39 am Monday (April 22) morning.
8) The area that you have designated to lease to the non-Jew to sell your chometz inside of should be sealed before the time of the burning of the chometz which is before 11:48 am, Monday morning. The second bittul is recited.
9) Braces or the like must be dealt with on Monday morning. If unsure what to do, please contact Rabbi Botnick.
10) Items needed for the sedorim should be prepared on Monday, this year.
11) The Sederorim should begin after 8:32 pm. Chatzos is 1:01 am the afikomen
should be finished before this time on Monday evening.
12) On the first day of Yom Tov in mussaf, we will switch to saying morid hatal.
13) On Tuesday evening, we begin to count sefiras ha’omer.
14) On Wednesday evening, we add ato chonontono (One who doesn’t daven maariv must say “Boruch hamavdil bein kodesh l’chol” before doing melocha.) We also begin to say v’sen brocha in shmone esrei.
15) On Thursday, the first day of chol hamoeid, hallel switches to “half hallel“, each morning. We begin to learn meseches Sotah
16) On Erev Shabbos, candles must be lit before: 7:45 pm.
17) On Motzo'ei Shabbos, we add ato chonontono (One who doesn’t daven maariv must say “Boruch hamavdil bein kodesh l’chol” before doing melocha.)
18) On Sunday night, Shvi’i shel Pesach, it is our custom to stay up all night learning (until 4:06 am). Among other things, we learn this ma’amar.
19) Bring what you will need for Moshiach’s Seudah before Yom Tov (Sunday) or when needed on Tuesday, the last day of Pesach.
20) Moshiach’s Seudah is on Tuesday afternoon, the last day of Pesach, after mincha which will be at 5:45 pm.