Shevii and Achron Shel Pesach-Summary of laws

Shevii/Achron Shel Pesach:

1. The meaning:

• The Joy: The Joy of Shevii Shel Pesach surpasses the joy of all the previous days of Pesach as this day is connected to the complete and final redemption.
• Time is precious-Revelation of Atzmus: The Rebbe Rashab stated: On Shevii Shel Pesach Atzmus is revealed. Every person is able to take and receive. Hence time on this day is very precious. Every moment of one’s time is to be properly utilized.
• Rosh Hashanah of Mesirus Nefesh: The Tzemach Tzedek remarked that Shevii Shel Pesach is the Rosh Hashanah for Mesirus Nefesh. On this day Nachshon plunged with complete faith into the Red sea. One draws down Mesirus Nefesh on this day for the entire year that follows.

Shehechiyanu by Candle lighting and Kiddush:^[1]

We do not recite Shehechiyanu during Kiddush [or candle lighting] of Shevi’i or Acharon Shel Pesach.

1. The night of Shevii Shel Pesach:

• Staying awake the entire night learning: On the night of Shevii Shel Pesach one is to stay awake throughout the night learning. Kerias Shema Sheal Hamita is not recited. One is to learn until Alos Hashachar.
• What to learn: It is proper to learn the Mamar “Hayam Yanos”and “Vehinif “ in Likkutei Torah. Otherwise, one may learn sections in Nigleh and Chassidus as his heart desires.
• The morning blessings: If one did not sleep at night for a period of thirty minutes the Chabad custom is to recite all the morning blessings [including Al Netilas Yadayim, Elokaiy Neshama and Hamaavir Sheiyna] from after Alos. This however is with exception to Asher Yatzar which may only be said if one went to the bathroom. One may not say these blessing prior to Alos unless one received their corresponding pleasure. See “Awaking like a Jew” Chapter 8 Halacha 7 for further details on this matter.
• Is one to recite Birchas Hatorah if he did not sleep at night? One is to recite Birchas Hatorah even if he did not sleep at all the previous night. [There is no need to try to hear the blessing from another person.] However, the blessing may only be said starting from Alos, just as is the law regarding Birchas Hashachar. [If, however, one slept at night a standard sleep then the blessing is recited even prior to Alos, if it is past midnight. If, however, he only slept a temporary sleep it is considered as if he has not slept at all, as explained in the previous Halacha, and thus the blessing may not be recited until Alos.]
• Is one to avoid Tashmish: There is no requirement to avoid Tashmish on Shevii Shel Pesach.

Q&A

• Which Alos is one to follow with regards to saying Birchas Hatorah?
• One is to be stringent in this regard to follow the opinion which states that Alos begins 72 minutes prior to sunrise. One may learn Torah until this time arrives, even though it is past the Alos of other opinions [90 minutes and 120 minutes].

• May one continue learning past Alos, prior to reciting Birchas Hatorah?
• One may not continue learning Torah past Alos [of 72 minutes], and thus he is to stop learning and recite Birchas Hatorah. However, some Poskim are lenient to allow one to continue learning past Alos, prior to saying Birchas Hatorah.

• What is the law if one recited the blessing prior to Alos?
• The blessing must be repeated after Alos. However, there are Poskim that rule one is not to repeat the blessing a second time, and is rather to hear it from another person or have in mind to fulfill his obligation within prayer.

1. Day of Shevii Shel Pesach:

• Kerias Torah: One is to stand during the reading of the Shirah. The Haftorah is from Shmuel discussing the song of David. The reason for why this Haftorah is read is because this song is similar to the song of the sea that was sung, and because it discusses the exodus from Egypt.

• Yizkor: In Eretz Yisrael Yizkor is recited on Shevii Shel Pesach after the Torah reading.
• Av Harachamim: In the Diaspora Av Harachamim is not recited. In Eretz Yisrael it is optional to recite it.

• Shevi Shel Pesach that coincides with Erev Shabbos: In Israel, recite Shnayim Mikra past midday. Eat Moshiach Seuda before 10^th hour of day. Prior to Mincha Hodu is omitted but Patach Eliyahu is said.

1. Moshiach Seuda:

• What is it? The Baal Shem Tov was accustomed to eat three meals on the last day of Pesach. This meal was referred to as Moshiachs Seuda, as on this day shines a revelation of Moshiach.
• When is it celebrated? One celebrates Moshiachs Seuda on the last day of Pesach as the third meal of the day, after Mincha. In Eretz Yisrael it is celebrated on Shevii Shel Pesach, while in the Diaspora on Achron Shel Pesach.
• The Menu: One is to drink four cups of wine. Upon drinking each cup, one is to have in mind their connection to the future redemption. One who drank without this intent is to re-drink that cup of wine.
• Niggunim of the Rabbeim: The custom is to sing Niggunim of each of the Chabad Rabbeim. Likewise, the Niggun of the Shpola Zeida is sung.
• Moshiach Tantz: It was customary at the Seudas Moshiach of the Rebbe Rayatz to perform a dance called “Moshiachs Tantz”. This was likewise performed by the Rebbe in 1951.
• Is one required to have Lechem Mishneh on by Seudas Moshiach?
• Some Poskim learn one is required to have Lechem Mishneh during every meal of Yom Tov, even in one’s third or fourth meal, just as is the law by Shabbos. [Practically it is proper to be stringent in this matter.]

1. Achron Shel Pesach-Diaspora

• Matza Shruya/Gebrochts: One is allowed and encouraged, to eat Gebrochts on the last day of Pesach in the Diaspora. One is to eat Gebrochts by both meals. This can be fulfilled by simply dipping the Matza in liquid that contains water and eat it. One may cook and Gebrochts in his regular Pesach vessels, which will also be used next year for Pesach. They do not need to be Kashered next year for Pesach use.
• Haftorah: On the 8^th day in the Diaspora the Haftorah of “Oad Hayom Binoav Laaamod” is read from Yishayahu. The reason for this is because it commemorates the fall of Sancheirev.

1. If ones meal on the last day of Pesach continues past nightfall, may one eat Chametz during this meal?

One may eat Chametz after Tzeis Hakochavim, even before saying Havdala.