~ Dear beloved members of our community,

As we approach the holy days of Pesach, our hearts are called to something deeper than preparation alone. The Torah does not merely recount a story of redemption—it speaks to each of us, in every generation, in every moment.

Our sages teach that a person must see themselves as if they personally left Egypt. This is not poetic language—it is a directive for the soul. Each of us has our own Mitzrayim, our own narrow places that confine us. Whether it is worry, hardship, or the burdens we quietly carry, Hashem in His infinite compassion gives us the כוח—the inner strength—to break free.

But true freedom is not only what we leave behind—it is what we choose to become. On Pesach, we are reminded that we are a people of emunah, a people who walk forward even when the path is not yet clear. Just as the ים סוף did not split until the first step was taken, so too in our lives, salvation often begins with courage.

In these final days before Yom Tov, let us prepare not only our homes, but our hearts. Let us increase in kindness, in patience, in לראות את הטוב—seeing the good in one another. A gentle word, a forgiving heart, a renewed commitment to Torah and mitzvot—these are the vessels that hold true blessing.

May the Ribbono Shel Olam bless each and every one of you with peace in your homes, simcha in your hearts, and the clarity to recognize the miracles—both open and hidden—that surround you.

And may we all merit a Pesach that is not only kosher, but truly meaningful… a Pesach of redemption, of growth, and of deep connection to Hashem and to one another.

Chag kasher v'sameach

Rabbi Daniel & Yael

El-Gad & Family

There are three positive commandments (things we do) and five prohibitions (things we must not do) related to Pesach.

⭐ THE 3 POSITIVE COMMANDMENTS

אכילת מצה

🫓 Eating Matzah

On the first night of Pesach we eat Matzah. (In the Diaspora, the first two nights). Matzah reminds us that the Jewish people left Egypt very quickly before their dough had time to rise. During the rest of Pesach it is forbidden to eat Chametz, but technically there is no formal obligation to continue eating Matzah.

והגדת לבנך

📖 Telling our children the story of the Exodus from Egypt

On the first night of Pesach (in the Diaspora, the first two nights) we tell our children the story of:

➡️ the slavery in Egypt

➡️ how HaShem redeemed us

We do this by reading and explaining the Haggadah at the Seder.

This mitzvah includes many beautiful traditions:

🍷 Drinking the four cups of wine

🪑 Reclining like free people

🥬 Eating maror (bitter herbs)

🍎 Eating charoset (reminds us of the bricks)

❓ Asking the Four Questions

All these traditions help us tell the story and remember what happened.

השבתת חמץ

🧹 Renouncing ownership of any Chametz food

Before Pesach, we must renounce any Chametz that belongs to us, declaring it "hefker" (ownerless) — this is called "bitul".

The Rabbis (Chazal) added the obligation to physically remove Chametz (bi'ur) from all our spaces: home, car, office, etc.

How do we dispose of Chametz?

🗑 Throw it in the garbage outside the house

🔥 Burn it

🐦 Give it to birds or fish

🎁 Give it away or sell it to a non-Jew

This must be done on the eve of Pesach, the 14th of Nisan, until the fourth hour of the morning.

⛔ THE 5 PROHIBITIONS

איסור אכילת חמץ

🚫🍞 Not eating Chametz or Se'or

During Pesach it is forbidden to eat Chametz.

Chametz is any food made from these five grains:

🌾 wheat

🌾 barley

🌾 rye

🌾 oats

🌾 spelt

If these grains ferment or rise, they become Chametz.

Se'or or yeast, is the sourdough starter. We should not use it or keep it during Pesach.

איסור אכילת תערובת חמץ

🚫🥨 Not eating foods that contain Chametz

It is also forbidden to consume any food that contains Chametz.

Examples mentioned in the Gemara:

🧀 Kutach ha-Bavli—kind of a cottage cheese with pieces of Chametz

🍺 Shechar ha-Madi — a grain-based drink (like beer)

בל יראה

👀🚫 Chametz should not "be seen" in our property

This is not literal. It means that no Chametz that belongs to us may be present anywhere.

בל ימצא

🔎🚫 No Chametz may be found in our possession

These two mitzvot, the last one and this one, are essentially identical, the same prohibition, expressed in two verses. and exceptional case in the enite Torah.

Therefore, the Sages quote them together.

בל יראה בל ימצא

"No Chametz should be found in your possession during Pesach."

איסור אכילת חמץ ערב פסח אחר חצות היום

⏰🚫🍞 Not eating Chametz on the eve of Pesach

On the day before Pesach, we must stop eating Chametz from the sixth hour of the day.

The Rabbis moved this prohibition earlier:

👉 Chametz may only be eaten until the end of the fourth hour of the day.

These hours are calculated by dividing the time between sunrise and sunset into twelve equal parts.

📅 For 2026:

🌙 Tuesday, March 31 (night): Bedikat Chametz (searching for Chametz in our properties) starts at 8:00 p.m.

📆 Wednesday, April 1 (Erev Pesach):

🕙 Eat Chametz until: 10:57 a.m.

🕚 Dispose of it and do Bitul before 12:11p.m. (Times based in South Florida)

Wishing all our dear friends, family, and community a warm and joyful Pesach Kasher VeSameach.

May this special time remind us of the beauty of freedom — not just in our history, but in our everyday lives. A chance to let go of what holds us back, and to grow with faith, hope, and gratitude.

May your homes be filled with love, laughter, and meaningful moments around the Seder table.

Dear Friends!

As we prepare for the upcoming festival of Pesach—a time of freedom, dignity, and renewal—we are reminded that true celebration is only complete when every member of our community can partake with joy and peace of mind.

Our sages instituted the sacred tradition of Kimcha DePischa (Maot Chitin), ensuring that families in need have the means to purchase matzah, wine, and all essentials for Yom Tov. This is not merely charity; it is a communal responsibility and a profound expression of our shared values.

I asking each of you to open your hearts and extend your hands. Give generously, according to your ability, so that no home is left without the necessities of the chag. In doing so, you are not only providing material assistance, but also restoring hope, dignity, and simcha.

Let us come together as one community, united in chesed, ensuring that this Pesach truly embodies the spirit of "Kol dichfin yeitei v'yeichol"—all who are hungry, let them come and eat.

May your kindness be a source of blessing for you and your families, and may we all merit a Chag Kasher V'Sameach.

With blessings,

Rabbi Daniel El-Gad

2676 NE 204 terrace

Miami, FL 33180

"Ner Avraham" congregation &

"Even HaTorah of Aventura"

~Shevii Shel Pesach~

🌊 1. The Miracle of the Splitting of the Sea

Shevi'i shel Pesach commemorates the moment when the Red Sea split (Kriyat Yam Suf), allowing the Israelites to escape Egypt.

• This wasn't just a physical miracle—it was a total transformation of reality

• Nature itself bent to divine will

• The people reached a level of faith so strong that miracles became possible

👉 Spiritual takeaway:

This day carries the energy of breaking barriers—especially situations that feel "impossible" in your life.

⸻

🙏 2. A Day of Complete Emunah (Faith)

At the sea, the Israelites reached one of the highest levels of emunah (faith) in history.

• Even more than at the Exodus itself

• They saw clearly that everything comes from God

👉 Blessing of the day:

You can tap into deep trust, letting go of anxiety and control, and believing that things will open—even when you don't see how.

⸻

🎶 3. The Song of the Sea (Shirat HaYam)

On this day, the Israelites sang Shirat HaYam, a song of gratitude and recognition.

• Singing represents alignment between heart and mind

• It's considered a moment of prophetic clarity

👉 Spiritual power:

Expressing gratitude on this day (even before your "miracle" happens) can open spiritual channels.

⸻

🔓 4. Energy of Personal Breakthroughs

Just like the sea split, many believe this day has a special energy for:

• Breaking emotional blocks

• Overcoming fears

• Escaping "inner Egypt" (limitations, habits, negative patterns)

👉 It's a powerful time for:

• Prayer for difficult situations

• Letting go of what holds you back

• Starting fresh internally

⸻

👑 5. Revelation of Divine Kingship

At the sea, God was revealed as King in a very direct way.

• The famous declaration: "Hashem will reign forever"

• A deeper awareness that everything is guided

👉 Blessing:

Clarity, direction, and feeling guided rather than lost.

⸻

✨ 6. Why It's Considered So Powerful

In Jewish thought, Shevi'i shel Pesach is unique because:

• It combines freedom + faith + revelation

• It represents the moment when freedom became real and permanent

• It's not just leaving something negative—it's stepping into a new reality

⸻

💡 How to Connect to Its Energy

Even in a simple, personal way, people often:

• Reflect on what "sea" they need to cross

• Pray for something that feels stuck or impossible

• Express gratitude (even for things not yet visible)

• Strengthen trust that things will work out

⸻

🌟 In one sentence:

Shevi'i shel Pesach is the day when the impossible becomes possible—when faith opens paths that didn't exist before.