Torah Calendar
11-24 Nissan, 5786
March 29-April 11, 2026
For this week's study schedule & classes, CLICK HERE
Attributes of the month of Nissan: Ruling permutation of the letters of HAVAYAH is the first in the order of permutations: YOD KEH VAV KEH, contained in the initial Hebrew letters of Yismechu Hashamayim Vetagel Ha'aretz -- "Let the heavens rejoice and the earth exult" (Psalms 96:11). The month's corresponding letter is: HEH; Human attribute: SPEECH; Body Part: RIGHT FOOT; Tribe: JUDAH; Constellation: RAM (Aries).
We are now in the final count-down of days before Pesach. As we work to clean out the Chametz and make our other preparations for the festival, let's remember to cleanse ourselves inwardly and offer our personal prayers from the heart for all that we need personally and collectively.
The first ten days of Nissan correspond to the letter Yod of A-D-N-Y; the four days of checking the Paschal lamb from 11-14 Nissan correspond to the Dalet The fifty days from the first day of Pesach to the eve of Shavuot correspond to the Nun and Shavuot itself corresponds to the Aleph, signifying our complete acceptance of the kingship of G-d through our service in this period.
Please spare a thought for the many who cannot afford Matzot and other Pesach needs. In this period it is customary to give Kimcha d'Pischa -- special charity to the poor to cover their "flour" (kimcha) and other Pesach needs.
Tuesday March 31 / 13 Nissan
Sale of Chametz: Those who would lose financially by destroying their Chametz may take advantage of the rabbinic ordinance of Mechirat Chametz -- selling of the Chametz to a gentile with the proviso that if he fails to pay by a specified date, the Chametz will return to the ownership of the Jew after Pesach. The sale of Chametz should be arranged by Tuesday evening and may be performed on your behalf by your local rabbi.
Tuesday evening March
31 / Eve of 14 Nissan
Bedikat Chametz, the "Search for Chametz"
Directly after the evening prayers it is customary to perform the search for chametz by the light of a candle in our homes and any other premises we occupy. For detailed guidance on how to perform the search, click here.
Wednesay April 1 / 14
Nissan
Eve of Pesach
The customary Fast of the Firstborn commemorating the redemption of the Israelite firstborn in Egypt is observed today. In many synagogues it is customary to complete the study of a Talmudic Masechta (tractate) and celebrate the siyyum with a festive meal, giving the firstborn the opportunity to waive their fast in order to participate in this mitzvah-feast.
Biur Chametz, the "Destruction of Leaven": Consumption of Chametz is permitted only in the earlier part of the morning. Consult your local rabbi for the time limit in your area. All remaining Chametz must be burned before the late morning. For detailed guidance on Biur Chametz, click here.
Wednesday night April
1 / 15 Nissan
First night of Pesach: SEDER NIGHT
The Pesach Seder: For a complete guide to the Pesach Seder on this most important night in the Torah calendar, click here.
Thursday April 2 / 15 Nissan
First day of the Pesach festival.
Thursday night April 2
/ 16 Nissan:
Second night of Pesach. Second Seder (Diaspora)
First night of the Omer count (Israel & Diaspora)
In Israel at the end of
the evening prayer service and in Diaspora
after the main part of the Seder we commence
the Counting of the Omer in
which we will count 49 days until the
Festival of Shavuos, time of the Giving
of the Torah, which was the main purpose
of the Exodus from Egypt. For details
on Counting the Omer, click
here.
Today is the Yahrzeit of Levi son of Jacob.
Friday April 3 / 16 Nissan
Second day of Pesach. Chol HaMoed in Israel; Second day Yom Tov in Diaspora. In Temple times today is the day on which the Omer barley offering was presented at the Altar with accompanying animal sacrifices.
Friday night-Saturday
April 3-4 / 17 Nissan
Shabbat Chol HaMo'ed
Sabbath of the Intermediate days of the festival of Pesach. After the Shacharit prayer, "half" Hallel is recited. It is customary to read Shir HaShirim, the "Song of Songs", before the synagogue Torah reading. The Torah reading is Exodus 33:12-34:26; Haftara: Ezekiel 37:1-14, Prophecy of the revival of the dry bones.
Sunday-Tuesday April 5-71
/ 18-20 Nissan
Chol HaMo'ed
Chol HaMoed -- intermediate days of the Pesach festival.
Tuesday night-Wednesday
April 7-8 / 21 Nissan
Seventh day of Pesach
Yom Tov commemorating the miraculous Crossing of the Red Sea and looking forward to the Final Redemption, may it come soon in our times. In Israel the Feast of Mashiach is celebrated today in the late afternoon with some drinking four cups of wine as on the Pesach Seder night.
Wednesday night-Thursday
April 8-9 / 22 Nissan
ISRU CHAG Israel
In Israel today is Issru
Chag, the day after the festival,
when we still wear our festive clothing
and eat a festive meal to allow the
Pesach joy to linger with and strengthen
us as we return to our weekday lives.
In Diaspora the Pesach festival continues today with the Yom Tov of the Eighth
Day of Pesach. The Feast
of Mashiach is celebrated in the afternoon with some drinking four cups
of wine as on the Pesach Seder night.
Thursday night-Friday
April 9-10 / 23 Nissan
ISRU CHAG Diaspora
Today is Issru Chag in the Diaspora, when we still wear festive clothing and eat a festive meal to allow the Pesach joy to linger with and strengthen us as we return to our weekday lives.
Friday night-Saturday
April 10-11 / 24 Nissan
Shabbat SHEMINI
Torah reading: Parshas SHEMINI describing the induction of Aaron and his sons into the priesthood and giving the laws of kosher and unkosher species of animals, birds and fish etc. Haftara: Jeremiah 7:21 -8:3, 9:22 -23