Splitting of the Red Sea
The seventh day of Passover – the 21st of Nisan, marks the end of the seven days of the festival and is characterized by being a “yom tov”, that is, a festival day on which work is prohibited – like the first day of Passover.
The number seven plays a central role in the Jewish holidays and commandments in general: the central holidays are seven days long, the seventh month – Tishrei, is full of holidays, Shabbat is the seventh day of the week, and more.
Splitting of the Red Sea
Our sages of blessed memory tell us that on this day, the miracle of the “splitting of the Red Sea” took place:
After the Israelites left Egypt on the 15th of Nisan, Pharaoh regretted letting them go and immediately recruited his army to pursue the Israelites. After a few days, the Israelites reached a dead end: behind them – the Egyptians, on the right and left – a dangerous desert, and in front of them – the Red Sea.
Throughout that night, a thick cloud separated between the Egyptian camp and the Israelite camp, so the Egyptians could not harm them. God instructed Moses to raise his staff, a strong wind began to blow on the sea, the waters ‘split’ and stand like a wall on both sides, and the Israelites cross the path created in the middle of the sea. After the Egyptians see the miraculous miracle that happened to the Jews, they try to seize the opportunity and enter the sea en masse.
At this point, God instructs Moses to raise the staff again, and the waters – that stood like a high wall – return to their natural state, while they drown the Egyptian army. When the Israelites emerge from the other side and see their enemies drowning in the depths, they burst into a song of thanks to God for all the miracles He performed with them. To commemorate this amazing event, we celebrate the holiday “Seventh Day of Passover” every year.
Holiday Eve
On the holiday, like on Shabbat, it is forbidden to light a new fire. But since on the holiday itself it is permitted to cook and transfer fire from existing fire (on Shabbat even this is forbidden!) – it is better to leave a burning fire for the holiday, on the stove or in a long-lasting candle, so we can create new fire from them.
Candle Lighting
The details of the laws of candle lighting can be found in the previous chapters.
The blessing we recite after lighting the candles is: “Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to light the Yom Tov candle.”
In the lighting of the holiday candles, as well as in Kiddush – we do not bless “Shehecheyanu” on this holiday.
Mincha Prayer
We pray Mincha like on every holiday eve. We first say “Korbanot” and then “Ashrei”. In the “Amidah” prayer, we add “Ya’aleh V’Yavo” for Passover and finish the prayer with “Aleinu L’Shabei’ach”.
Maariv Prayer
We begin with the recitation of Psalm “Shir HaMa’alot” and continue with the Maariv prayer as on every holiday. In the “Amidah” prayer, we pray the “Prayer of the Three Pilgrimages” – a special prayer for Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot. Then we count the “Sefirat HaOmer”, and conclude the prayer with “Aleinu L’Shabei’ach”.
Festival Meal
The joy of the holiday “The Seventh Day of Passover” should be greater than the joy of the first holiday days, and one should increase in festive meals, drinking wine, and singing songs.
The order of the “Kiddush”:
Take the cup with your right hand and pass it to the left. With the left hand, we place the base of the cup in the middle of the right palm, while the four taller fingers ‘hold’ the side of the cup, and the thumb supports from the side.
Before the beginning of the Kiddush, one should look at the holiday candles burning on the table, and at the time of the blessing “Borei Peri HaGafen”, look at the wine in the cup. Afterward, we say a special blessing in honor of the holiday: “Who has chosen us from all people and elevated us above every language”. The full version appears in the prayer book under the title “Kiddush for the Three Pilgrimage Festivals”.
As the “Seventh Day of Passover” is a direct continuation of the first holiday, we also say: “This holiday of Matzah”, as we say on the first holiday. We finish the Kiddush and drink the wine.
After the Kiddush, we “wash hands” for eating the matzah:
Take the cup with your right hand and fill it with water. Pass it to your left hand, and with it, pour 3 pours on the right hand, and then 3 more pours on the left hand. Then, we bless: “Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us about the washing of the hands”, and wipe the hands well. Do not speak after the blessing.
We bless “HaMotzi” on two whole matzahs and then we eat the holiday meal.
At the end of the meal, we bless the “Grace After Meals” and add: “Ya’aleh VeYavo” and the “Harachaman” special for the holiday.
Holiday Night
On the night of “The Seventh Day of Passover”, it is customary to stay awake all night and study Torah. The reason for this is because at the time of the “Splitting of the Red Sea”, the children of Israel reached a very high level of faith in God, seeing the miracles and wonders he performed with them. Today, to strengthen faith, much Torah study is required.
In many communities, it is customary to read the ‘Song of the Sea’ with a large crowd, to tell the wonders of God, to dance, and to rejoice.
Festival Day
Morning Prayer
The “Shacharit” prayer begins as every Sabbath: “Birkot HaShachar” (Morning Blessings), “Korbanot” (Offerings), “Hodu” (Give Thanks), “Pesukei d’Zimrah” (Verses of Praise) and “Birkot Kriat Shema” (Blessings of the Shema). During the “Amidah”, we pray the “Shalosh Regalim” (Three Pilgrimage Festivals) prayer, after that we recite “Chatzi Hallel” (Half Hallel), “Shir Shel Yom” (Psalm of the Day), and then we read from the Torah.
Torah Reading
For the “Kriat HaTorah” (Torah Reading) of “Shvi’i shel Pesach” (Seventh day of Passover), we take out two Torah scrolls. In the first scroll, five men are called up, and we read the song that the Children of Israel sang – this very morning, on the 21st of Nissan, thousands of years ago – after they crossed the sea, from the portion “Beshalach”. This song is called “Shirat Hayam” (Song of the Sea), and it is customary to stand during its reading in the Torah.
In the second scroll, one person is called up for the “Maftir” and reads a section dealing with the Passover sacrifices from the portion “Pinchas”.
The “Haftarah” for the festival is taken from the Book of Samuel and begins with the words “Vaydaber David” (And David Spoke).
Remembering Souls
After the Torah reading, a special prayer is said to remember the souls of deceased relatives, called “Yizkor” (He will remember). Anyone whose parents are both still alive leaves the synagogue, and only those who have lost a parent or both parents remain inside. The content of the prayer is that God ‘will remember’ the soul of the deceased, that their soul will enter paradise, and we will give charity for the elevation of their soul after the holiday.
Musaf Prayer
We pray the “Musaf for Shalosh Regalim”, incorporating sections relevant to the festival “Shvi’i shel Pesach” (Seventh day of Passover).
In the “Musaf” prayer, it is customary for the Kohanim (Priests) to bless the congregation with the “Birkat Kohanim” (Priestly Blessing). On holidays, an additional prayer is added during the Priestly Blessing – a prayer that all our dreams will come true, beginning with the words “Ribono Shel Olam” (Master of the Universe). This prayer is recited by the congregation while the Kohanim ‘chant’ the words: “V’Yasem Lecha Shalom” (May He Grant You Peace), at the end of the “Birkat Kohanim”.
After the “Musaf” prayer, we say “Aleinu L’Shabeach” (It is Our Duty to Praise) and “Sheish Zechirot” (Six Remembrances) and conclude the prayer. Afterwards, we customarily recite chapters of “Psalms” as they are divided into the days of the month.
Festival Meal
The “Kiddush” order:
Take the cup in the right hand and pass it to the left. Using the left hand, we place the base of the cup on the middle of the right palm, with the four higher fingers ‘holding’ the side of the cup, and the thumb supports from the side.
Say the verse: “Ele Moadei Hashem Mikraei Kodesh Asher Tikreu Otam Bemoadam” (These are the set times of the Lord, the sacred occasions, which you shall celebrate each at its appointed time) and continue with “Savri Maranan” and the blessing of the grape juice/wine. During the blessing of “Borei Pri Hagafen” (Creator of the fruit of the vine), one should look at the wine in the cup, and then drink the wine.
After the Kiddush, we wash hands for the eating of the matzah:
Take the basin in the right hand and fill it with water. Pass it to the left hand, and with it pour three times on the right hand, and then three more times on the left hand. Then say: “Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech HaOlam, Asher Kidshanu Bemitzvotav Vetzivanu Al Netilat Yadayim” (Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us concerning the washing of hands), and thoroughly dry the hands. One should not speak after the blessing.
Say “Hamotzi Lechem Min Haaretz” (Blessing on Bread) on two whole matzahs and then enjoy the festival meal.
At the end of the meal, we recite the “Birkat HaMazon” (Grace After Meals) and we add to it: “Ya’aleh V’yavo” and the special “Harachaman” for the holiday.
Mincha Prayer
We pray the beginning of the Mincha (afternoon) prayer as on any Shabbat, but without the Torah reading. We first say “Korbanot” (sacrifices), then “Ashrei” and “Uva Letzion”. In the “Amidah” prayer, we say the “Tefillat Shalosh Regalim” (Festival Prayer), and finish with “Aleinu L’Shabeach” (It is Our Duty to Praise).
Mashiach’s Meal
On the first day of Passover, which is the Seder night, we primarily focus on the story of the “Exodus from Egypt” and the redemption that happened in the past. The second holiday – “Shvi’i Shel Pesach” (The Seventh Day of Passover) – we dedicate to faith in the complete redemption that will occur in the near future, God willing, by our righteous Mashiach.
The founder of the Chassidic movement, known by his nickname: ‘The Baal Shem Tov’, called the third meal – which is eaten after Mincha prayer – as: “Seudat Mashiach” (Mashiach’s Meal), because on this day there is a revelation of Mashiach in the world, and this is a special time to ask God to take us out of exile.
In order to internalize and ‘sense’ the approaching redemption, it is customary at Mashiach’s meal to eat matzah and drink four cups of wine, corresponding to the four expressions of redemption mentioned in the Exodus from Egypt. The Lubavitcher Rebbe encouraged this custom and instructed everyone to make a “Seudat Mashiach” (or to participate in one) and to publicize it to others.
Evening Prayer
We pray the evening prayer as on any weekday, but in the “Amidah” prayer, we add “Atah Chonantanu”. Afterwards, we count the “Sefirat HaOmer”, and conclude the prayer with “Aleinu L’Shabeach”.
Havdalah
After the evening prayer, everyone returns home and performs “Havdalah” (Separation). The text of the “Havdalah” is like every Saturday night: we start with saying “Hineh El Yeshuati” and continue until “Hamavdil Bein Kodesh Lechol”.
The difference is that in this “Havdalah”, we do not recite the blessing of the “Besamim” (spices) and “Meorei HaEsh” (fire), and therefore there is no need for spices and a candle.
End of the Holiday
At the end of the holiday, one must wait a few minutes until it is possible to eat chametz (leavened food). During this time, the Rabbi travels to a non-Jew to buy back the chametz that was sold to him.
Care should be taken not to eat chametz in the house in areas where Passover utensils are still present.
All Passover utensils should be packed securely and stored in a place that remains closed until the next Passover.
Abroad? – Last Day of Passover
Outside of Israel, we also celebrate the day after “Shvi’i Shel Pesach”, and it is called: “Acharon Shel Pesach” (The Last Day of Passover).
This day is a holiday in every respect, and all the customs of the holiday are observed: Kiddush, prayers, and holiday meals.
The customary practice is to eat “Matzah Shruyah” (Matzah that has come into contact with water or any other drink) on the last day of Passover (only outside of Israel), and from this day forward, we resume the practice of moistening our fingers with “Mayim Acharonim” (final water) and passing them over our lips before reciting the “Birkat Hamazon” (Grace After Meals).
“Isru Chag”
The term “Isru Chag” refers to the 22nd day of Nisan, which is also the day following each of the “Three Pilgrimage Festivals”: Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot.
Our sages encouraged us to continue the joy of the holiday even after its formal conclusion, saying: “Anyone who extends (=ties and adds an extra day) the holiday with food and drink, it is as if they have built an altar and offered a sacrifice on it.”
When the Temple existed, every Jew was obligated to fulfill the mitzvah of “Aliyah Laregel”: to ascend to Jerusalem on Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot, known as the “Three Pilgrimage Festivals”. Some of the “pilgrims” would stay in Jerusalem even the day after the holiday, which is the origin of the custom to celebrate the following day as well.
Today, we observe “Isru Chag” with the following customs:
- We do not fast on this day.
- We endeavor to have festive meals.
“Mimouna”
“Mimouna” is a popular holiday celebrated by many communities in Israel, usually on the evening following the last day of Passover, the 22nd of Nisan.
Name Origin
Some believe that the name “Mimouna” comes from the name of Maimonides’ father, Rabbi Maimon ben Joseph, who died on this day.
Another theory is that the name derives from the Arabic word “Maimun”, which means fortune. People believe that this day is a special time for finding a livelihood and a match.
However, the most common and accepted explanation is that the name derives from a distortion of the Hebrew word “Emunah” (faith). It is so named because on Mimouna, the public expresses its faith that redemption will come in this month. This corresponds to the blessing of our sages: just as the Children of Israel were redeemed from Egypt in the month of Nisan, so too will the future redemption occur in the month of Nisan.
The halakhic origin of this holiday comes from the fact that it is celebrated on “Isru Chag”, when, as mentioned, a festive meal should be held in joy.
After Passover
“Chametz that ‘passed over Passover’”
Chametz that was in a Jew’s possession during Passover is forbidden to eat or benefit from even after Passover has passed. Therefore, when going to buy chametz after Passover in different stores, two things should be thoroughly checked:
- Did the seller properly sell his chametz before Passover, and thus the chametz was not in his possession, and therefore it is permissible to eat it or benefit from it. Therefore, it should be checked whether the store has a certificate from a certified rabbinical authority on ‘chametz sale approval’.
- If it involves baked goods, bread, and the like – it should be confirmed that it was baked after Passover.
“Pirkei Avot”
From the Shabbat after Passover until Rosh Hashanah (and in different communities until Shavuot), it is customary to say after Shabbat Mincha prayer one chapter from the tractate “Avot”, also called “Pirkei Avot”.
The uniqueness of this tractate is that, unlike the rest of the Mishnaic tractates which deal with laws and Halachot, this tractate deals with moral issues, good traits, and etiquette. Studying these matters is suitable for the summer and vacation days, during which a more ‘permissive’ atmosphere prevails.
The parts of “Tachanun” are not said in prayers until after Rosh Chodesh Iyar.
