#19: Erev Pesach on Shabbat (Part 9)

Rabbi Eli Ozarowski
  1. No preparations for the Seder may be made until after Shabbat ends, due to the prohibition of hachanah (preparation on Shabbat for after Shabbat, or in this case, for Yom Tov). This even includes activities which do not involve melachah, such as setting the table, heating food, or arranging the Seder plate (Kaf Hachaim 444:45). Some poskim permit taking food out of the freezer on Shabbat afternoon without verbalizing why one is doing so (see #2 below) if doing so after nightfall will prevent the food from being ready in time for the meal at night (Piskei Teshuvot 514:1), while others forbid this (Shemirat Shabbat K'hilchatah ).
  2. One may rest on Shabbat afternoon in order to be awake for the Seder at night, and one should encourage children to do so as well. However, most poskim do not allow explicitly stating that one is resting for this purpose, as that would constitute hachanah (Mishnah Berurah 290:4; R. Rimon, “Erev Pesach Shechal B’Shabbat,” p.85).

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Dedicated by Fran Broder as a zechus for the hostages to be released safely to their families and may everlasting peace come to Eretz Yisrael in the merit of learning Hilchos Shabbos.