Erev Shabbos (Thursday & Friday)

• Taanis Bechoros is on Thursday. Any siyum or seudas mitzvah should be held that day.
• Bedikas chametz is done Thursday night with the usual bitul.
• Biur chametz takes place Friday morning, as in a regular year—by the end of the fourth hour.
• If not burned on time, chametz may still be burned throughout Friday.
• Bitul chametz (Kol Chamira) is not said during Friday’s burning, since chametz remains permitted until Shabbos morning.
• Chametz may be eaten until the halachic cutoff on Shabbos morning.
• After eating chametz on Shabbos, one should rinse the mouth, use a dry toothbrush, and/or precut dental floss.
• If chametz wasn’t burned before Shabbos, it must be flushed down the toilet.
• Since this year Erev Pesach does not fall on a weekday, both Mizmor L’Sodah and Lamenatzeach are recited.
• Haircuts, shaving, and nail cutting are permitted all day Friday, as it is not technically Erev Pesach.

Shabbos (Erev Pesach)

• While chametz may technically be eaten, most avoid it aside from challah used for the seudos.
• Kol Chamira must be recited on Shabbos morning.
• No Seder preparations may be done on Shabbos, so all setup (tables, pillows, etc.) should be completed on Friday.
• One should not say they’re napping on Shabbos to be rested for the Seder, but children may be told to nap for that reason.

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Shalosh Seudos on Shabbos

To fulfill the requirement for two daytime meals:

1. Daven early.
2. Make Kiddush and eat challah, fish, etc.
3. Recite Birchas Hamazon.
4. Wait 20–30 minutes (or less if necessary).
5. Wash again and eat challah before the chametz deadline. Dispose of leftovers in the toilet.
6. After Mincha, eat a light meal (fish, meat, or fruit) to fulfill Shalosh Seudos. Don’t overeat—leave room for the Seder.

• One may use matzah in a bag for lechem mishneh.
• Some hold egg matzah is acceptable on Erev Pesach instead of challah. If following this view, avoid using Pesachdik utensils.
• Those eating egg matzah should consume two full matzos per meal for it to count as a full seudah with Birchas Hamazon.
• Kiddush and Hamotzi may be made outside (porch/yard) with the meal continued indoors, but this involves halachic complications.

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