2025 SCHEDULE OF PASSOVER SERVICES AND EVENTS

WEDNESDAY,  APRIL 2, 4:00-4:30 PM: SHMURAH MATZAH DRIVE-BY AT CHABAD
Because the spiritual emphasis of the first night of Passover is to strengthen our emunah (faith in G‑d), and the spiritual strength of the second night of Passover is refuah (healing), it is best to have some matzah each night, to receive the blessing and spiritual powers of the Matzah of that evening. Eating it on the same day and time it was eaten originally, is a testament to the strength and eternity of the Jewish people. The optimal time to eat it is at the Seder, after nightfall, on the nights of Monday, April 22 and Tuesday, April 23, in Asheville, NC, this year.  

THURSDAY, APRIL 10: SEARCH FOR CHAMETZ

  • Fast of the Firstborn
  • Bedikat Chametz: formal search for Chametz after nightfall, at 8:27 pm

FRIDAY. APRIL 11:

  • Burn Chametz at Chabad – 11:30 am
  • Reminder to light the pre-existing candle to use for Yom Tov candle lighting
  • Light Shabbat candles by 7:42 pm

SHABBAT, APRIL 12, SHABBAT HAGADOL - THE GREAT SHABBAT!
The  Shabbat which precedes Passover is called Shabbat haGadol, the Great  Sabbath, for many and varied reasons.  There are many special customs associated with this Shabbat. It was in Egypt that  Israel celebrated the very first Shabbat haGadol on the tenth of  Nissan, five days before their redemption. On that day, the Children of Israel were given their first commandment which applied only to that Shabbat, but not to future generations: "On the tenth day of this month [Nissan]... each man should take a lamb for the household, a lamb for each home" (Exodus 12:3).

SHABBAT, APRIL 12: EREV PESACH, FIRST SEDER NIGHT

  • Finish eating Chametz before 11:17 am
  • Annual Community Seder, 7:30 PM
  • Light the Yom Tov candles after nightfall, 8:40 pm, from a pre-existing flame
  • Eat the Shmurah Matzah after nightfall

SUNDAY, APRIL 13: FIRST DAY OF PASSOVER

  • Passover Services, Hallel, and Torah Reading: 10:00 am
    Followed by light refreshments
  • 2nd Seder Night: light candles after nightfall, 8:41 pm, from a pre-existing flame
  • Eat the Shmurah Matzah after nightfall
  • Count the Omer after nightfall

MONDAY, APRIL 14: SECOND DAY OF PASSOVER

  • No CHS this afternoon – Pesach
  • Holiday ends at 8:42 pm

Friday, April 18: Day 4 of Chol Hamoed
- Light a pre-existing 2-day candle
- Light Shabbat candles by 7:48 PM
- count the Omer, night 6

Shabbat, April 19: Shevi'i Shel Pesach
- Shabbat services, 10:00 AM
- Light Yom Tov candles after 8:47 pm, from the pre-existing flame
Bracha is "lehadlik ner shel yom tov", no shehecheyanu
- Count the Omer, night 7 

Sunday, April 20, Acharon Shel Pesach, final day of Passover
- Morning Services, Hallel and Torah Reading: 10:00 am
- Yizkor Sermon & Memorial Service: 11:45 am
- Pesach Refreshments following services 
- Count the Omer after nightfall, night 8

Passover Ends: Sunday evening, April 20, at 8:48 pm

Monday, April 21, Isru Chag
The day following a festival is called Isru Chag ("tied to the festival"). 
Tachnun (confession of sins) and similar prayers are omitted
- Hebrew language classes resume today
- Count the Omer after nightfall, night 9