It’s Never Too Early!

Our sages teach that we should begin preparing for Pesach at least thirty days before the holiday. That time has arrived! Now is the time to start cleaning our homes of chametz, dusting off our Haggadot, and reviewing the laws and customs of Passover. Whether it’s understanding the intricacies of the Seder or making sure our kitchens are properly kashered, a little preparation now can make the holiday experience much smoother and more meaningful.

This Shabbat, we mark the second of the four special Shabbatot leading up to Pesach—Shabbat Parah. We will read from Bamidbar about the Parah Adumah, the red heifer, whose ashes were used in the purification process for those who had come into contact with death. This reading served as a timely reminder in ancient times: in order to partake in the Korban Pesach,the paschal offering,  one had to be spiritually ready. Today, it serves as our own wake-up call—Pesach is fast approaching, and now is the time to prepare!

To make your preparations easier, I want to share some excellent resources with you:

📌 Kashering & Cleaning for Pesach – The Rabbinical Assembly’s Pesach Guide provides detailed instructions on preparing your home for the holiday, including which foods require special Passover certification. You can access it here: Pesach Guide 5785

📌 Food & Product Lists – The CRC’s Passover Guide offers an extensive list of kosher-for-Pesach foods and other useful information: CRC Pesach Guide 2025

📌 Haggadot for Every Family – If you’re looking to personalize your Seder, Sefaria has a fantastic collection of Haggadot that you can customize: Explore the Haggadah

📌 Join Our Community Seder! – Mark your calendars! MKT will be hosting a Second Night Seder on Sunday, April 13. This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate together. Reserve your spot here: MKT Seder Reservations

If you have any questions about Pesach preparations, kashering your kitchen, or leading a Seder, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I am happy to help make your Pesach experience as smooth and meaningful as possible.

Wishing you and your families a Chag Kasher V’Sameach—a happy, healthy, and kosher Passover!

Rabbi Bradley Tecktiel