Introduction
The Gemara in Pesachim (Daf 3b) says that one is forbidden to work on Erev Pesach after midday. In the Yerushalmi Talmud, it is explained that the people would bring the Korban Pesach after midday, and since they were bringing the Korban, it is considered like Yom Tov. Some hold that, since in our days, we don't bring the Korban Pesach, it isn't forbidden to do work after midday. However, the overwhelming majority of the Rishonim say that even after the destruction of the beit hamikdash, this restriction still applies.
Nachmonades offers a different reason. He says that if people will work on Erev Pesach, they won't have enough time to bake matzoh or prepare for the Seder night.
It's forbidden to do melachot after midday (approximately 1:00pm) on Erev Pesach. Besides the prohibition, one will not see any blessing from their work, for even if they thinks they will make money from the work, they will lose money in a different way. Therefore, the barbers and all other stores that are not selling food need to close the store before midday.
If a Jew forgot to get a haircut before midday, they are allowed to get a haircut at home from their family or give themselves a haircut. Alternatively one could just ask a non-Jew to cut their hair.
Similarly, one is allowed to ask a non-Jew fix things in house after midday, even if they are paying for the work.
When three conditions are met, one is allowed to work after midday.
They must be working for free, and not being paid. They cannot be paid after the chag either.
It must be for the sake of Yom Tov or Chol Hamoed.
They must not install anything, They can only fix things.
Besides from these three conditions, one can do minor tasks, like changing a tire or unclogging a sink. We are lenient if they are fixing something simple that anyone could fix.
One is allowed to brush their shoes, iron their clothes for yom tov or Chol Hamoed, and one is allowed to cut their nails just as we are allowed to cut nails on Chol Hamoed, but ashkenazim should cut their nails before midday. If they forgot though, they can cut their nails after midday.
Laundry is forbidden after midday, but if it was started before midday but the machine ran later than midday, it’s allowed.
Anything permissible on Chol Hamoed is also permissible on Erev Pesach.
Therefore, if there one is trying to avoid a big financial loss, even if isn't for the sake of the Chag it is permissible, as long as they are avoiding the loss of actual money, and not future profit. For example, if somebody is driving on the highway and their car got totaled, and it will be stolen if it is not fixed by an expert, they are allowed to fix it.
If one is preparing food, cooking, baking, or even fixing the fridge, they can do them since these activities are for the sake of Yom Tov, and they need the fridge for Yom Tov.
A pauper who doesn't have money to buy food for Pesach is allowed to work on Erev Pesach even if it is not related to Pesach.
For any simple work such as changing a tire or unclogging pipes, it is permissible to hire someone to do on Erev Pesach.
Anything for the public, like keeping a grocery store open, is allowed to be done on Erev Pesach.
In places where the custom is not to work before midday, one may not work before midday. Therefore, one should take a haircut the day before on the 13th. Since the custom in our community is unclear, it is better to take a haircut on the 13th. Nevertheless, if one forgets, they can take a haircut on the 14th before midday, and by a non-Jew even after midday.
Food that Can be enten on Erev Pesach
Bread and anything that contains chametz can be eaten until the end of the fourth hour, from the beginning of the day (approximately 10:30am). After that time, chametz may not be eaten, and the mouth should be cleaned.
We still may keep chanetz in our possession until an hour later.
The Rabbis instituted a law that we are not allowed to eat matza on Erev Pesach because we want one to have anticipation and an appetite for the matza at the Seder that night.
Any matza that we cannot fulfill the obligation of matza with at the Seder night and tastes different than regular matza may be eaten on Erev Pesach until the 10th hour, which is approximately 4:00pm. Sephardim are allowed to eat matza ashira (egg matzah).Ashkenazim cannot eat matzah ashira on Erev Pesach.
Matza balls may be eaten on Erev Pesach since they cannot be used as matza for the Seder night.
Fried Matza with a lot of oil can also be eaten on Erev Pesach.
Children under the age of 5 are allowed to eat matza on Erev Pesach.
Eggs, vegetables, fruit, cheese, fish, and meats may be eaten on Erev Pesach, but after 4:00pm, we should eat less because we want to have a proper appetite for the Seder.
If you have a custom to eat rice on Pesach, you are allowed to eat rice.
Meatballs mixed with matza meal of cake meal should not be eaten on Erev Pesach if you can taste the matza meal or cake meal.
Lettuce and charoset can be eaten on Erev Pesach even though it is be part of the Seder.
Wine has a unique halacha. One should not drink the majority of a reviit or a reviit (44-86 grams), because it fills his stomach. Any more or any less is fine to drink.
All of the halachot above were written generally, but a person shouldn’t eat things that might ruin their appetite.
Good things to do on Erev Pesach
It is highly recommended to go to a mikvah after midday.
It is important to learn the laws of Korban Pesach because just as praying is a replacement for sacrifices in our days, learning about Korban Pesach is used as a replacement for the Korban Pesach until Moshiach comes (menachot 110b).
There is a great segulah for protection and success to read the special prayer of Rabbi Shimshon of Ostropoli. There are many stories of people who read this prayer during the holocaust and were miraculously saved from the Nazis.
It is important to nap on Erev Pesach, especially for children, since we want everyone to be awake for the Entire Seder and we want the children to ask questions.
It is very important to buy special clothes for our family to show appreciation for the hard work they do.
(the sources of all the Halachot is from the Sholchan Aruch Siman 468 and Siman 471)
I wish you all a chag sameach,
Rabbi Tal