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The Counting of the Omer (Sefirat HaOmer) is the mitzvah of counting the 49 days between the second day of Passover and the festival of Shavuot. This counting begins on the night of the 16th of Nissan and continues daily until seven weeks are completed.

More than just marking time, this practice expresses the connection between two fundamental moments: the physical liberation from Egypt, celebrated in Passover, and the spiritual liberation, represented by the receiving of the Torah in Shavuot.

Thus, each day counted is not just a number, but part of an ongoing process of spiritual preparation for one of the most significant events in the history of the People of Israel.

The seventh day of Passover, which begins tonight (Tuesday night), commemorates the Parting of the Red Sea, when the People of Israel crossed safely and their oppressors were definitively defeated.

This moment marked the conclusion of the liberation of Egypt, which took place over the course of a week.
For this reason, this day is Yom Tov, a sacred date. It represents not only the exodus from Egypt, but complete redemption, when danger was completely removed and freedom became definitive.

During Passover, chametz is not limited to just visible bread or dough. According to Jewish law, chametz is any food made from five types of grains—wheat, barley, rye, oats, and spelt—that has fermented after coming into contact with water.

In practice, this includes a wide variety of products, such as cakes, biscuits, pasta, beer, whiskey, and many other foods and beverages derived from these grains.

Therefore, preparation for Passover requires special attention, not only to avoid consuming chametz, but also to ensure that none of these products remain in a person's possession throughout the entire festival.

O seder Passover follows a precise structure composed of fifteen steps, starting from kadesh (sanctification with wine) until Nirtzá (the conclusion). The first seder The first one is tonight (Wednesday night), and the second one is tomorrow night (Thursday night). This order is organized in Haggadah and guides the entire evening experience.

Each stage has a specific meaning, involving blessings, symbolic foods, questions, and answers. This structure ensures that the story of the Exodus from Egypt is conveyed in a clear, engaging, and tradition-faithful way.

Thus, the seder It is not just a festive meal, but a carefully organized ceremony in which every detail contributes to reliving and transmitting the experience of redemption.

Before the start of Passover, there is an obligation to completely remove all chametz — fermented grain-based foods — in the person's possession. This process includes searching for chametz (bedikat chametz), which must be done tonight (Tuesday night), and its elimination the following day.

During the search, the house is carefully checked to ensure that no trace of [something] remains. chametzThis care is not limited to consumption: the Torah also prohibits possessing chametz during Passover. Thus, preparation involves both practical actions and a rigorous awareness of the presence of any leavened product.

O Shabbat HaGadol It is the Shabbat that precedes Passover and holds special significance in Jewish tradition. Its name, "the Great Shabbat," is associated, among other explanations, with events that occurred before the Exodus from Egypt, when the People of Israel began to actively prepare for redemption.

On this Shabbat, it is customary for the community rabbi to give a special talk, explaining the laws of Passover and spiritually preparing the congregation for the holiday. Thus, Shabbat HaGadol It is not just a date on the calendar, but a time of study, preparation, and transition to the Passover experience.

During the Passover Seder, there is an obligation to drink four cups of wine, distributed throughout the night at specific moments in the ceremony. This practice was instituted by the Sages and is linked to the four expressions of redemption mentioned in the Torah: "I will take you out," "I will save you," "I will redeem you," and "I will take you."

Each cup is drunk at a distinct point in the Seder, following the narrative of the Exodus from Egypt. Thus, wine is not merely a festive element, but an essential part of the Seder's structure, reinforcing the experience of freedom and celebration.