Torah Calendar
12-28 Nissan , 5785
April 10-26, 2025
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 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.
Thursday April 10 / 12 Nissan
FAST OF THE FIRSTBORN
The customary Fast of the Firstborn commemorating the delivery of the Israelite firstborn in Egypt is this year brought forward to 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.
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 Thursday evening. To arrange online, click here..
Thursday evening April 10 / 13 Nissan
SEARCH FOR CHAMETZ
Search for Chametz (Bedikat Chametz): Since this year the eve of Pesach falls on Shabbat, the customary "Search for Chametz" in our homes by the light of a candle is performed this evening after the evening prayer service, as soon as possible after nightfall. For detailed guidance on how to perform the search, click here.
Friday morning April 11 / 13 Nissan
All remaining Chametz besides the food for Friday and the Shabbat challah loaves and other Chametz foods must be burned in the earlier part of the morning. For detailed guidance on procedure in a year like ours when the eve of Pesach falls on Shabbat, click here.
Friday night-Saturday
April 11-12 / 14 Nissan:
Pesach Eve and Shabbat HaGadol
The Torah reading is Tzav, Leviticus 6:1-8:36, setting forth the laws of the sacrificial rituals in the Temple. Special haftarah for Shabbat HaGadol Malachi 3:4-24 prophesying G-d's coming Day of Judgment.
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 remains of Chametz Shabbat foods should be disposed of (e.g. flushed down the lavatory) at this time.
It is customary to read the main narrative portion of the Pesach Haggadah on Shabbat afternoon in preparation for tonight's Pesach Seder. Many also have the custom of reciting special readings about the sacrifice of the Paschal Lamb, which was performed in the Temple on the afternoon of 14 Nissan.
Saturday night April 12 / 15 Nissan
First night of Pesach: The Pesach Seder: For a complete guide to the Pesach Seder on this most important night in the Torah calendar, click here.
Sunday April 13 / 15 Nissan
First day of the Pesach festival.
Sunday night-Monday April
13-14 / 16 Nissan:
Second night of Pesach:
Second Seder Night (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. Every night from tonight until the eve of Shavuos we count the Omer as soon as possible after nightfall.
Monday April 14 / 16 Nissan
Second day of Pesach. Chol HaMoed in Israel; Second day Yom Tov in Diaspora.
Tuesday-Friday April 15-18 / 17-20 Nissan
Chol HaMoed -- Intermediate days of the Pesach festival.
Friday night-Saturday April
18-19 / 21 Nissan
Seventh day of Pesach
Shabbat and Yom Tov commemorating the miraculous Crossing of the Red Sea and looking forward to the Final Redemption soon in our times. In Israel the Feast of Mashiach is celebrated today at the Third Meal of the Shabbat with the customary drinking of Four Cups of wine. At this meal, the Breslover Chassidim customarily tell the story of the Baal Shem Tov's attempted pilgrimage to Israel and his miraculous delivery from shipwreck and kidnap.
Saturday night-Sunday April 19-20 / 22 Nissan
In Israel today is Issru Chag, the day after the festival, 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.
In the Diaspor,a the Pesach festival continues today with the Yom Tov of the Eighth Day of Pesach. The Feast of Mashiach is celebrated on Sunday afternoon with the customary drinking of Four Cups of wine.
Monday April 21 / 23 Nissan
In Diaspora, today is Issru Chag, the day after the festival, 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.
Thursday night-Friday April 24-25 / 27 Iyar
Today is Yom HaSho'ah, Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Friday night-Saturday April
2-26 / 28 Nissan:
Shabbat Parshat SHEMINI
Blessing the coming month of Iyar
Torah reading Shemini Leviticus 9:1-11:47 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.
Shabbat Mevarchin: Blessing the coming month of Iyar. Rosh Chodesh, the New Moon, is on Sunday night-Tuesday April 27-29. The Molad (junction of the sun and the moon) will be on Sunday April 27 at 08:306 (and 2 chalakim) p.m.