Pesach commences this year Wednesday night, 5 April 2023  
 
Rabbi's Message
 
Dear Friends,

On the first night of Pesach (5 April this year) Jews all over the world will sit down to a Seder which might be the most popularly celebrated Jewish tradition.

The Torah commands us to “remember the day you went out of Egypt”. If one has a strong imagination one can sometimes re-experience an event that happened to him/her as if it was happening again. Therefore in the Haggadah we read that one is meant to see himself as if he went out of Egypt, that is we should “re-live” the story of the oppression and liberation as if it was happening to us now. We must to the best of our abilities imagine ourselves in Egypt and experiencing the liberation.

What is the purpose of this memory?

One reason is that if we relive it in the physical world, Hashem once again relates to us in this miraculous manner of liberation, helping us become liberated from our inner “Egypt” i.e. our inner constriction and enslavement, whether it be ill health, lack of essential needs, addictions, inner turmoil, lack of spiritual meaning and sense of purpose etc.

One of the most well-known parts of the Haggada is Vehi She-amda - many actually sing this paragraph which reads: And this (Hashem’s blessings and the Torah) is what kept our fathers and what keeps us surviving. For, not only one arose and tried to destroy us, rather in every generation they try to destroy us, and Hashem saves us from their hands.

The message is clear just as G‑d saved us in the past, He will surely save us again for He stands with us always.
 
I would like to recommend that in addition to remembering the exodus from Egypt, remember and relive a personal exodus from a personal Egypt where you thought you were in a pickle - a difficult situation in any of the above ways, yet have managed to get out of it and are now in a better state. Everyone has many such moments they could relive in their own life, and let the past be prologue, for just as Hashem helped you then, surely Hashem will once again be there for you and help you out of your present Egypt as well.

Fruma and I wish you a very Kosher and happy Pesach.

Rabbi Nochum Schapiro
 
 
 
Sell Your Chametz
 

Any chametz left undisposed must be sold to a non-Jew. Since there are many legal intricacies involved in this sale, a rabbi acts as our agent both to sell the chametz to the non-Jew on the morning before Pesach and also to buy it back the evening after Pesach ends.

Use this online form to quickly delegate a rabbi to sell your chametz for you.
 
 
 
 
Maot Chittim
 

As Pesach approaches, I would like to give you the opportunity to contribute towards 'Maot Chittim,' the Mitzva of assisting others with Pesach necessities.

All money contributed is distributed directly and with the strictest of confidence to families within the community, either in the form of Pesach products, vouchers or money.

The distribution is managed by Rebbetzin Fruma Schapiro. If you know of anyone who is under financial pressure and could use the assistance, please contact Rebbetzin Schapiro directly.

To donate please click on the link below or you can drop off the money in an envelope at Chabad marked 'Maot Chittim' attention Fruma.

Learn more about this important Mitzvah!
 
 
 
 
Shmurah Matzah
 

Traditional handmade Shmurah Matzah is recommended for your Pesach Seder.

Shmurah means watched, and it is an apt description of this Matzah, the ingredients of which (the flour and water) are watched from the moment of harvesting and drawing.

Shmurah Matzot are round, kneaded and shaped by hand, and are similar to the Matzot that were baked by the Children of Israel as they left Egypt. It is thus fitting to use Shmurah Matzah on each of the two Seder nights for the Matzot of the Seder plate.

Pop-into Chabad to collect your complimentary Matzah as our Pesach gift.
 
If you would like additional Matzot, click on the link below to order your Matzah today.

 
 
 
 
 
Moshiach's Seudah
 

Shabbat, 23 April 2022 - Last day of Pesach

Just when you thought you had seen it all! This day, the final day of Pesach, emphasizes an even higher Freedom! It is dedicated to our imminent and final redemption.

Following the custom of the Baal Shem Tov, founder of Chassidism, Pesach concludes with a "Feast of Moshiach." This festive meal complete with Matzah and, yes, four cups of wine, begins before sunset. It is the perfect way to spiritually take leave of Pesach and open our consciousness to the coming redemption.
 
 
 
Further Reading
 
Pesach is a great time to reconnect with our history and traditions. Take a few moments and read some interesting and new handpicked Pesach features from our site, from the practical to the esoteric. You’ll find something to share with your family, and perhaps gain a new perspective on Pesach.
 
 
 
Five Insightful Links for Your Seder
           

Pesach this year begins on Wednesday night, 6 April and concludes Thursday night, 13 April 2023.

As you are preparing to celebrate the Seder, we'd like to present you with five useful links that will help you discover the meaning and reasons behind the special customs and Mitzvot for the Passover Seder.

These links are part of a big section which we host on our site. We invite you to click, read stories and history, find many answers to your questions, watch hundreds of Pesach-related videos and more! Click here to visit our Pesach section.

Wishing you easy preparations for Pesach!
 

Haggadah Tidbits

Give everyone something to say.
Here are fifteen short and juicy explanations to accompany your Seder.
READ MORE »

   
 
 

Why Do We Spill the Wine on Pesach Night?
Why do we spill the wine when we mention each one of the Ten Plagues, and what are we supposed to do with the spilled wine?
 
READ MORE »

   
 
 

Why Do We Hide the Afikoman?
The simple reason that we put the afikoman aside or hide it, is because we will eat this matzah only near the very end of the Seder, and we don’t want it to get mixed up with the other matzahs at the table. 
 
READ MORE »

   
 
 

  What is a Seder?
The Seder is a marathon feast that includes reading, drinking wine, telling stories, eating special foods and singing.
 
READ MORE »

   
 
 

  What is the Significance of the Four Cups of Wine?
G‑d uses four expressions of redemption in describing our Exodus from Egypt and our birth as a nation.
 
READ MORE »