Ask the Rabbi
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Pesach and the Month of Nissan
- Erev Pesach
Question
what if you listen to the siuyum but you do not go to the seudah or partake of the seudah-did you fulfiill the obligation and not have to fast
Answer
Shalom,
The reason first born do not generally fast nowadays on the eve of Passover is because they participate in a mitzvah meal. Classic mitzvah meals include those held for a Brit or Pidyon HaBen. As it is not always possible to have a brit every Passover eve, the widespread custom is to partake of a siyum meal. What exempts the first born is the participation in such a meal, since the eating there is of a mitzvah status and therefore it overides the fast. So one does have to partake of the meal, and not just hear the siyum.
Blessings.

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