Each day of Pesach — including chol hamoed — a second Sefer is taken and the maftir is read. This is from the sedra Pinchas and discusses the sacrifices offered on Pesach. Unlike Succot, an identical sacrifice is offered every day.

On Shabbat, we read from sedra Ki Tissa, in Shemot. This portion details the three Foot Festivals. At the time of the Temple, all adult males had a duty to ‘appear’ in the Temple in Jerusalem and bring a special sacrifice. This is why they are called the ‘Foot Festivals’ — as most pilgrims would make the trip on foot.

On the last day of chol hamoed (Sunday), the reading from the first sefer is taken from Behaalotcha and discusses ‘Pesach Sheni’, the second Passover held in Iyar for those who were unable to celebrate Pesach in the Temple in Nissan.

This was not an option merely because the second date was more convenient! Rather it was only offered to someone who was ritually ‘tamei’ — impure or who was too far away to reach Jerusalem in time for Pesach. I’m afraid we don’t have the option nowadays of postponing Pesach to Iyar — even if it would work out cheaper.

On the seventh day (Monday), we read the Shira from the sedra Beshalach. This tells the story of the crossing of the Red Sea — or, as it should be called, the Sea of Reeds — which took place on this day — on the seventh day following the Exodus.

On the last day, Acharon Shel Pesach (Tuesday), we read from the sedra Re’eh. This also details the Foot Festivals. Yizkor is recited on this day.

Half-Hallel, as opposed to full Hallel, is recited on chol hamoed and the last days of yomtov.

We no longer recite Mashiv Haruach — till Shemini Atzeret and we no longer insert Tal Umotor in the weekday Amida.

The counting of the Omer commenced on Tuesday evening.

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