The Halchot of Pesach

Here are two documents avout the Halachot of Pesach. The first covers making matzah for Pesach. You can see the steps we went through to bake the Sephardi Shmura Matzah that you can buy from our website.

The second document is about kashering your kitchen for Pesach. It covers kashering vessels, ovens, and appliances. The second part of this document is about doing work on erev Pesach. This year, erev Pesach is Shabbat, so there are special halachot that apply and we will soon publish in a new series.

Passover Guides Galore

Passover is coming, and we’ve loaded our webpage with all the various guides you need for Pesach. We have guides from the OU, the Jersey Shore, Orthodox Rabbinate, Rabbi Borosan’s Sephardi Pesach List and Guide, Star-K’s Petfood list, and even a guide to Kosher for Passover Trader Joe’s Food.

Go to our page at https://www.etzahaim.org/pesach-guides and download your Pesach guides now.

Also don’t forget to sell your chametz at https://www.etzahaim.org/chametz or order your Sephardic Mehadrin Shmera Matza at https://www.etzahaim.org/matzah.

A Purim Letter from Rabbi Tal

Dear Etz Ahaim Members and Friends,

משנכנס אדר מרבין בשמחה

As we approach Purim, I would like to extend my heartfelt blessing that the joy and happiness of this holiday remain with us throughout the year, Amen. 

I’d like to share a few important points with the community:

Zecher L’Machatzit Hashekel

This year, the amount given in remembrance of the half-shekel is $11. As in previous years, a basket will be placed in the main sanctuary for contributions, which can be made before or after Mincha on Ta’anit Esther.

The Purim Meal – This Year on Friday

Since Purim falls on Friday this year, halachic authorities mention two different timings for performing the Purim meal:

Some begin the meal in the morning, after Shacharit, to ensure it does not interfere with the Shabbat meal on Friday night.

Others hold that the meal should be in the afternoon and continue until Shabbat begins. Those choosing this option should first pray Mincha and then start the meal approximately three seasonal hours before Shkia (sunset). Bediavad, one may begin anytime before Shkia.

When the time arrives to light Shabbat candles (6:45 PM), women should light them as usual. 

One should make sure to stop the meal before Shkiah without saying Birkat HaMazon Before. Then, one should recite the Mizmorim and Kabbalat Shabbat. Arvit may be prayed at this point or after the meal (If attending Arvit at the Beit Knesset, the women should remain at the Seudah so that Hamotzi does not need to be repeated). The bread should then be covered, and Kiddush is recited. If he drank wine at the Purim Seudah, he should not say HaGefen during Kiddush, and rather only say the Vayichulu and the Birkat HaShabbat blessing. Then he should cut from the two whole loaves of bread (Lechem Mishneh) without washing his hands and without blessing HaMotzi since he had already done so in the beginning of the Purim meal. At the end of the meal he should say Birkat HaMazon with Retzeh VeHachalitzenu and he should still say Al HaNissim. 

Purim Minyanim at Etz Ahaim

To accommodate these two opinions and to give the option to decide, we will hold two Mincha and Arvit minyanim on Purim:

  • 1:30pm

  • 6:50pm

Following the 6:50pm Mincha, there will be a general Arvit at the Beit Knesset. Additionally, I will host another Arvit at my home between the Purim meal and the Shabbat meal.

Please feel free to call me for any questions or clarifications in regards to Purim and especially the Purim meal.

Wishing you a joyous and meaningful Purim!

Best regards,

Rabbi Eliyahu TalDear Etz Ahaim Members and Friends,

Mehadrin Sephardi Matzot

Mehadrin Sephardi Matzot
$30.00 $40.00

We are excited to offer Mehadrin Sephardi Matzah under the strict supervision of Rabbi Eliyahu Tal of Congregation Etz Ahaim.

This matzah is now only $30 per pound this year. A savings of 25% off last year’s price. We are also including a pamphlet of the Halachot of Pesach from Yeshivat Mital HaShamayim in every box.

If you are not Sephardi, please consult with your Rabbi about eating soft matzah on Pesach.

Pre-Order Yeshivat Mital HaShamayim Purim Publication

Yeshivat Mital HaShamayim - ישיבת מטל השמים

בס״ד

We are excited to announce our a revived version of Yeshivat Mital HaShamayim’s Commentary on Megillat Esther, featuring commentary on Megillat Esther and Hilchot of Purim — including Teshuvot written from the מנחת אליהו on halachic questions regarding Purim. BeEzrat HaShem, the second version will include a cleaner layout and more commentary.

You may register to pre-order the hardcover edition below for $20. A PDF of the sefer will also be distributed for free once finished. The cost of the book after pre-order will be $25.99. All profits go towards funding Yeshivat Mital HaShamayim.

Support Israel Through Our Mishloach Manot

To our beloved Etz Ahaim community,

Purim is right around the corner, and we can hardly believe it. On Purim day, the Daughters of Etz Ahaim will be delivering a Mishloach Manot package to each family of Etz Ahaim as a collective gift from the kahal.

Last year, we gave the community a chance to do another mitzvah through these Mishloach Manot, an important and beautiful mitzvah on its own. We’re excited to announce that we’ll again be providing an opportunity to give tzedakah through Mishloach Manot donations!

Those who help sponsor Etz Ahaim's Mishloach Manot can look forward to their donations benefiting Israel. Twenty percent of all the proceeds will go to a fund supporting Israel. We appreciate any amount from $18 to $360, or more. With Israel on all of our minds and in our hearts, we feel it is crucial to take every opportunity possible to support Am Yisrael in our actions, whether big or small.

Please feel free to make your donation online at etzahaim.org. You can also mail your donation checks to 230 Denison St, Highland Park, NJ 08904. Please make them out to “Daughters of Etz Ahaim” and put "Mishloach Manot" in the memo.

Am Yisrael Chai!

Daughters of Etz Ahaim