When Erev Pesach Falls on Shabbat

Erev Pesach (the day before Passover) is one of the busiest days of the year, and since this year (2025) it is on Shabbat, there are several issues that are unique to this year.

Thursday, April 10 (12 Nissan)

Typically, first-born males fast on Erev Pesach. However, it is customary for them to take part in a brit (ritual circumcision) or siyum (celebration marking the completion of a tractate of Mishnah or Talmud) to avoid fasting. Fasting is prohibited on Shabbat. Therefore, for Pesach 2025, the firstborns will be fasting on Thursday. As usual, you can attend a bris or siyum as an alternative to fasting.

Thursday Night April 10 (13 Nissan)

Bedikat Chametz (searching for the bread):

Leavened bread, known as chametz, is forbidden throughout all eight days of Pesach. You may not eat nor possess any bread, cakes, cookies, crackers, and any other item made from wheat, barley, oats, spelt or rye, unless prepared in a special Pesach way.

The night before Pesach, we search the house for any chametz that may be left in the house. You should place ten pieces of bread around the house before the search begins. You should conduct the search on Thursday night this year, Pesach 2025. After completing the search, we recite the first kol chamira, a text found in any haggadah or Passover prayer book. We recite this passage to nullify any chametz that may have not been found. Chametz to be eaten on Friday and Shabbat is stored in a safe place, where it won’t get mixed with the Pesach foods.

Friday Morning April 11 (13 Nissan)

The burning of the chametz takes place Friday morning, but if necessary, you have until Shabbat begins. Consult a Jewish calendar for the correct time in your area. Do not say the second kol chamira after burning the chametz!

The sale of chametz will take place Friday morning at the usual time. After the burning, you may not use any of the items that were sold.

Be sure to take the trash to the curb or dumpster before Shabbat if it contains any chametz.

You should make sure to take care of all the preparations usually made for the Seder and the holiday on Friday. You can grate the horseradish, check the leaves, make the charoset, and roast the shankbone and egg before Shabbat.

Other than the challah, all Shabbat foods should be kosher for Pesach and cooked in Pesach utensils. Candlesticks can’t be moved on Shabbat. Therefore, you should not put them on a chametz tablecloth.

Friday night April 11 (14 Nissan)

One must eat bread at all the Shabbat meals. You should not eat the challah over the Pesach utensils and tablecloths. Prepare the exact amount you need for the members of your household, for you do not want to be stuck with leftovers. It is best for you to serve small rolls, as they leave fewer crumbs, and to eat over a tissue or napkin, which can be flushed down the toilet when done. Wash your hands from any chametz residue, and then continue with your Shabbat meal. For those who are concerned about having chametz around, there is also the option of eating kosher for Passover egg matzot (which may be preferable for those with braces). Consult your rabbi to know how much of it must be consumed.

Shabbat Day April 12 (14 Nissan)

You may not eat any chametz after the fourth hour on Shabbat morning. Consult a Jewish calendar for the exact time in your area. One may not eat Passover matzot this entire day. We eat the meal early in the morning, so that the challah is finished at the proper time. We use the same procedure Shabbat day as we did Friday night.

After you finish eating the challah, wash your hands and rinse your mouth well, making sure to leave no residue of chametz. Use a dry, chametz toothbrush, and remember that no toothpaste may be used. You must get rid of any leftover chametz by crumbling it over the toilet and flushing it.

When done, recite the second kol chamira. You then continue the Shabbat meal, eating only Passover foods and no matzah.

For seudah shlishit (the third meal), one should eat meat, fish or fruit sometime in the afternoon. Do not eat too much; you want to have an appetite for the matzah at the Seder.

Many people utilize the long Shabbat afternoon as an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the text and translation of the Haggadah in advance of the Seder. It’s also a good idea to take a nap, but be sure not to verbally express that you are taking a nap in preparation of the Seder.

Do not make any preparations for the Seder, such as setting the table, washing the dishes, or making the salt water, until after Shabbat is over.

Insert Havdalah into the Kiddush at the Seder. Follow your Haggadah for the correct text and procedure.

For a more detailed look at Pesach preparations and practices for 2025, check out our 10 Minute Passover Guide.