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Only edition of this monograph on the laws and customs of Erev Pesah by R. Hayyim Eliezer Hausdorfh (Hoizdorf, 1864-1940). R. Hausdorfh was also the author of Ḥanukat ha-bayit (Jerusalem, 1861). The title page informs that the text is compiled from the Shulhan Arukh and later decisors. There is an introduction on the verso of the title page and then the text, comprised of the halakhot on the top of the page and detailed glosses below. At the end is the text for selling Hametz.
Among the normal Erev Pesah activities effected its occurring on Shabbat are the fast of the firstborn males: Since one is prohibited to fast on Shabbat, the firstborn should fast on Thursday. The 12th of Nisan. The fast is not held on Friday to avoid entering Shabbat feeling uncomfortable because of the fast. Immediately following the fast on Thursday evening, those firstborn responsible for searching for chametz who are able to make the search without eating should do so. If not, they should either have a light bite of fruit or other food of which people do not usually make a meal, or they should appoint others to make the search for them so they may eat a regular meal. Those firstborn who exempt themselves from the fast by participating in a seudat mitzvah are not exempt from the prohibition against eating before the search for chametz. The Search For Chametz: The search for chametz takes place on Thursday night (the eve of the 13th of Nisan) at the exact time and under the exact same circumstances it normally takes place on the eve of the 14th of Nisan in other years. One starts the search immediately with nightfall (tzayt Hakochavim- appearance of the stars) on Thursday night. The blessing for the search is recited as well as the text for voiding the chametz (bitul chametz) which follows. The chametz should then be placed in a safe place until the appropriate time for burning it the next day. DESTRUCTION OF THE CHAMETZ (BIUR CHAMETZ): It is preferred that one burn the chametz on Friday before midday (chatzot) as one normally does on erev Pesach in other years. One should not void the chametz after the destruction of the chametz since he will still be eating chametz for the rest of Friday and during part of Shabbat. The final voiding of chametz (bitul) should take place on Shabbat, erev Pesach.
FOOD FOR SHABBAT: One should leave enough bread for two meals on Shabbat. Those who wish to follow the opinion, which states that if necessary one can eat the third Shabbat meal before midday should leave enough bread for three meals. There should be enough whole loaves or rolls to have lechem mishnah for two or three meals. One may also leave bread for eating on Friday after the time of biur chametz. If desired, one may burn all the bread on Friday in order to avoid possible errors on Shabbat. In that case, one should prepare egg matzah (matzah ashirah) for the lechem mishnah to be eaten at the Shabbat meals which take place before the time when chametz becomes prohibited.
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