1 Nissan (April 1-2) – Shabbat Rosh Chodesh Nissan – “Day of Ten Crowns”. Shabbat Tazriya, Shabbat Hachodesh.
Torah Reading: Lev. 12:1-13:59, Num.28:9-15, Ex.12:1-20, Haftora: Ezekiel 45:16-46:18
First opportunity for the Blessing on blossoming fruit trees (see Siddur – special sheet on this blessing available from Ascent upon request)
8 Nissan (Apr.8-9) Shabbat Metsorah, Shabbat HaGadol Torah Reading: Lev. 14:33-15:33; Haftorah: Malachi 3:4-24
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”).
13 Nissan (April 14) 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.
Bedikat (search for) Chametz at night by candle
14 Nissan (April 15) Erev Pesach – Birthday of Maimonides and the Maharal.
Burn the chametz before five hours after sunrise (ask your local rabbi for exact times and details)
Seder Night. This year the Seder will take place on Friday night, April 19th [plus Shabbat (Saturday evening, April 20th outside of Israel]. 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 matza, the times shouldn’t be a problem). The same requirements apply for the afikomen matza 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 16) 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).
16 Nissan (Saturday night, April 16th) Beginning of the counting of the Omer.
16-20 Nissan (Apr 17-21) Chol HaMoed –“Intermediate” Days of Passover.
21 Nissan (Apr. 21-22) 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 matza-munching meal in the final hours of Passover instituted by the Ba’al Shem Tov himself. Add four more cups of wine to do it Chabad-style.
22 Nissan (Apr.22-23) Last day of Passover outside of Israel.
Shabbat Achrei, Torah Reading: Lev. 16:1-18:30; Haftorah Malachi 3:4-24. Outside of Israel this parsha will be read the coming Shabbat.
29 Nissan (Apr.29-30) Shabbat Kedoshim; Shabbat Blessing of the New Month; Erev Rosh Chodesh; Torah Reading: 19:1-20:27; Haftorah: I Shmuel 20:18-42; Pirkei Avot (after Mincha) Chapter 1.
30 Nissan (Apr.30-May 1) First day of Rosh Chodesh Iyar; Zefat Liberation Day, celebration of the local miracles in 1948.
MAY YOU HAVE A LIBERATING SPRING MONTH OF NISSAN!