The laws of Pesach-Summary & Review-Part 2-Thirty days before Pesach 2

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Thirty days before the festival:-Part 2 [Chapter 1]

G. Bedikas Chametz for one who is traveling:

• One who will be traveling from home before Pesach must check his house prior to leaving if he does not plan to sell his Chametz in that area to a gentile. See Halacha 6 for the full details of this issue.

H. Buying Hagada’s: [Chapter 1 Halacha 4]

• One is to buy a personal Hagada for each of his children.
• The Hagada’s are to contain pictures and designs in order to arouse the interest of the child.

I. Buying Pesach vessels: [Chapter 1 Halacha 4]

• One is to buy beautiful vessels in honor of Pesach and have them set on the table for the night of the Seder.
• Those Chametz vessels that are difficult to clean and Kasher, is best not to be used and one should rather buy a new vessel for Pesach.
• Some write that it is always proper to have a Pesach set of vessels rather than to Kasher, in order to avoid complications.

J. Purchasing Nuts and sweets: [Chapter 1 Halacha 4]

• One is to purchase nuts [and/or sweets] to distribute to the children on the Seder night. It is a Biblical obligation of Simchas Yom Tov to purchase nuts [and/or sweets] for his children, and to distribute it to them during Pesach.

K. Purchasing Jewelry and clothing: [Chapter 1 Halacha 4]

• It is a Biblical positive command and obligation for one to rejoice and be of happy spirit throughout all seven days of Pesach, including Chol HaMoed. This obligation applies to oneself, his wife, his children and his entire household [even non-relatives]. The head of the household is responsible for rejoicing his household during this time.
• One is to buy his wife [and adult female children and other adult female household members] jewelry or clothing in accordance to his affordability.]
• If one cannot afford to purchase clothing or jewelry, then he is to purchase them new shoes in order to fulfill this Mitzvah.
• One is to purchase sweets for his children for Yom Tov.

L. Not to say “This is for Pesach”-Setting aside products for Yom Tov rather than for Pesach [Chapter 1 Halacha 5]

• Meat: One is not to say regarding meat or poultry, that “This meat is for Pesach” or “Buy me this meat for Pesach”. Rather one is to say, “This meat is for Yom Tov” or “Buy me this meat for Yom Tov.”
  • Writing: One is likewise to avoid writing this statement, such as on a shopping list. Rather one is to write “Purchase list for Yom Tov.”
  • Live animal: This statement is especially forbidden to be said regarding a live animal, and particularly against a goat or sheep.
• Other items: It is proper to avoid saying the above statement of “This is for Pesach” regarding any item, even fish and non-meat products. This however is with exception to things which need to be guarded from becoming Chametz, such as kernels.
• Bedieved: If one said the above statements on food, or other items, they nevertheless remain permitted to be eaten. However, if one said this regarding a sheep, or goat, whether alive or regarding pieces of meat, then one is to completely avoid eating the meat, even after Pesach. One may however sell the meat, and in a case of great loss or great need, one may even be lenient to eat it. If the goat/sheep or meat does not belong to him, his statement is meaningless, and the meat may be eaten by its owner.
  • What is the law of one asked his wife to buy lamb chops for Pesach? Seemingly, according to all, the meat may still be eaten, as the statement was not made at the time of ownership.
  • What is the law if after buying the lamb chops one said this lamb meat is for Pesach? If the father of the house said this, then one is not to eat it even after Pesach, unless there involves a great need or great loss. One may give or sell the meat to others. If the statement was said by other family members, the meat remains permitted to be eaten.
  • May one say “This meat is for Pesach Sheiyni”? One is to avoid doing so.

M. Pesach complaints: [Chapter 1 Halacha 6]

• One may not say “How troublesome is Pesach”, as this is similar to the statement of the wicked son.
• Nevertheless, today people are not careful in the above and some have learned merit to justify these statements.

N. Maos Chitim: [Chapter 1 Halacha 7]

• It’s a widespread custom amongst all Jewish communities, that each community collects charity from its residents in order to distribute them to the poor people of that community.