Pesach Resources 5786/2026

Of all the Jewish holidays, Pesach requires the most preparation. These resources include a detailed guide to preparing your home or apartment for Pesach, as well as information on how to dispose of your chametz (leavened products) before Pesach and other practices.

Please note that Kehilat Hadar Shaare Zedek will meet on Shabbat Chol HaMoed (April 4) and Days 7-8 (April 8-9) in 5786/2026. Chag kasher v’sameach!

Z’manim

Here is a full list of halachic times for selling chametz, candlelighting, etc. for New York City in 5786/2026.

Pesach Guide

A detailed guide to preparing your home for Pesach is available as a PDF. The Pesach guide was originally compiled for Kehilat Hadar and revised by Josh Greenfield with suggestions from Rabbi Ethan Tucker and Rabbi Micha’el Rosenberg.

Hadar Institute Pesach Hotline

Hadar Institute offers a Pesach questions hotline (some questions and answers will be posted anonymously on the Hadar.org blog).

Mechirat Chametz (selling leavened products)

As described in the Pesach Guide, all chametz you do not dispose of before Pesach should be sold by a competent halachic agent; generally, this is done by signing a document authorizing a local rabbi to sell your chametz on your behalf.

KHSZ’s chametz form is now closed.

This year in New York City, chametz can be eaten only until 10:53 AM on Wednesday, April 1, and all chametz must be disposed of by 11:56 AM on Wednesday, April 1.

Ma’ot Chittin

A special appeal for funds to feed hungry communities is customarily made prior to Pesach. This appeal is called ma’ot chittin, which loosely translated means funds for bread. Various shuls and non-profit organizations do as well. In addition, a great way to both help feed hungry communities and remove chametz from your home is to donate food to a local shelter.

Ta’anit Bechorot

It is traditional for those who are first-born (bechorim or bechorot) to fast on the day before Pesach, in remembrance of being saved from the final plague in Egypt. (Incidentally, the midrash says that both women and men were affected by this plague, and the Shulhan Arukh brings the opinion that therefore women who are first-born should fast as well.) However, the widespread custom is for the first-born to participate in a siyum (completion of a major cycle of Jewish learning) on that day, and the siyum is concluded with a meal (with chametz!). The obligation to eat at a siyum supersedes the fast, therefore many synagogues will hold this siyum after morning services on that day.

Please join Hadar Institute at 8:00 AM on Wednesday, April 1 for Shacharit, followed by a siyum.