בס”ד 26 April 2024 - י״ח בניסן ה׳תשפ״ד‎

Pesach Mitzvos

Pesach Mitzvos nowadays

Lamb and goat kid (8 weeks old) The Rambam list sixteen mitzvos associated with the korban Pesach (that could be either a goat or lamb) that could be done when the Beis Hamikdosh was in existence. However, there are still some mitzvos on Pesach that we can do nowadays. There are three positive mitzvos nowadays:  of disposing of chometz on the fourteenth of Nissan and eating matza on the first night of Pesach and telling over the story of the exodus on the first night of Pesach. There are five negative mitzvos: not to eat chometz from noon on the fourteenth day of Nissan; not to eat chometz all seven days of Pesach; not to eat mixtures containing chometz all seven days of Pesach; chometz should not be seen (in your possession) the entire Pesach; chometz should not be found (in your possession) the entire Pesach.

Mitzvos of the Seder night

Wine and MatzaOn the first night of Pesach there are two positive commandments required by the Torah with an additional three mitzvos added by the Rabonon, Sages. The two positive Torah mitzvos are the eating of matza on the first night of Pesach and relating then the story of the exodus from Egypt. The three additional rabbinical mitzvos on this night are the drinking of four cups of wine; the eating of the maror, bitter herbs; the reciting of the Hallel (Psalms of praise). Outside of Eretz Yisroel performance of all these five mitzvos are also required by our sages on the second night of Pesach.

Awareness of these mitzvos

A lot of haggodas have reminders before the reciting of the brochos for these mitzvos and a special wording to say out that one is about to perform a mitzva. The starting words of this are known as LiShem Yichud etc. Even those who do not say this version should consciously be aware of the mitzva they are about to do. This is to fulfil an opinion that “Mitzvos Srichois Kavana”, the performing of a mitzva requires specific intention.