By Rabbi Ya'aqob Menashe
http://www.atorahminute.com/2010-03-01
Thirty days before Pesah, one should inquire about the halakhoth (laws) of Pesah. We learn this from the fact that Moshe Rabbenu, 'a"h, explained the laws pertaining to Pesah Sheni (which takes place one month after Passover) on Pesah (Passover) itself.
From this, there are those who learn that the laws of all Holidays must be learnt a month before the Holiday, whereas others say that this only applies to Pesah. Pesah has an additional reason as to why one must study one month in advance, and that is because its laws are complex and numerous.
Even though the Gemara (Talmud) also mentions that one must give Derashoth (homilies) from a month before Pesah, the Shulhan 'Arukh (Code of Jewish Law) does not mention this aspect. The custom nowadays is that the Derashoth are given on Shabbath Haggadol (usually the Shabbath before Pesah) when the Rabbis of the communities expound on the Holiday and then give Halakhoth (laws) pertaining to Pesah.
Selling chometz
On the 29th day the issue was what to do if you have multiple residences and you will be spending Pesach only in one.
The rule is that you kasher the house in which Pesach will be celebrated and sell the chometz in the other houses.
Simple enough, however, there's a catch that we learn about from R. Yosef Shusterman of Chabad of Beverly Hills (http://www.chabad.org/search/keyword_cdo/kid/9266/jewish/Shusterman-Yosef.htm).
According to R. Shusterman, you need to sell the chometz in the community in which the house is located.
For example, let's say you have a house in Manhattan New York but you'll be spending Pesach in Manhattan Beach California. The chometz must be sold - or a Manhattan NY rabbi must be authorized to sell chometz - on New York time since Pesach comes in earlier there than in California.
The rabbi has a number of other interesting comments on Pesach preparations; the audio is worth hearing.
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