From: Andrew in Paris

Dear Rabbi,

I am studying abroad this year and will be observing Passover for the first time without my family. I seem to remember something about first-borns fasting on the day before the holiday. Do I have to do this if I’m not in my parents’ home? Thanks.

Dear Andrew,

It is an ancient and widespread practice for the firstborn to fast on the Eve of Passover in memory of the miracle which saved the Jews from the plague that slew the firstborn of the ancient Egyptians. This fast should really take place on the actual date that it occurred, namely the fifteenth of Nisan, which is Passover night. But by then the festival has already begun and we do not fast on a festival.

There are different customs associated with this fast. Less common practice intends to recall that at least one person of every Egyptian household died and therefore has every firstborn male or female fast, whether from the father or the mother. Accordingly, even if there is no firstborn, the oldest of the children fast. However, the prevalent custom is that only firstborn males of the mother fast. A person who fits this criteria fasts even when not in his parents’ home, and even when he has his own home and children.

This fast is generally treated with leniency so that if there is a meal connected with a mitzva such as a brit mila or a siyum (a completion of the study of a Talmudic tractate) the firstborns participate in this. It has become the usual practice to arrange for a siyum to take place in the synagogue after the morning prayers so that the firstborns who are present may partake of this meal (usually consisting of light foods), and having broken their fast for a mitzva, are then allowed to eat during the day.