1. The most important of the preparations for Pesach was on the Sabbath of the 'hagadol' haftarah.
   On the original Pesach in Egypt, the preparation was by taking a lamb or kid without being afraid of the Egyptians, because they trusted God.
2. In order to deserve to leave Egypt, each Israelite had to prepare himself for the Exodus:
   
   1. Taking a lamb or kid on the tenth of Nisan.
   2. Slaughtering the animal on the fourteenth of Nisan.
   3. Putting some of the blood on the lintel and the two doorposts (Exodus 12:7).
   4. Asking the Egyptians for articles of silver, gold and clothing (Exodus 12:35).
   5. Circumcision.
   6. Eating the meat, roasted, with matsahs and maror (Exodus 12:8).
   7. Baking the dough into matsahs (Exodus 12:39).
   8. They did not prepare provisions for the journey (Exodus 12:39): I remember the kindness of your youth (Jeremiah 2:2).
   9. They had to be ready to go at a moment's notice: eat it with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your stick in your hand ... in haste ... (Exodus 12:11).
3. Even today, the Jews pay great attention to preparations for Pesach and to ensure that the Festival is observed properly.
4. What is unique about Pesach is not just that it is the most important of the Festivals but that some of the mitsvot connected with it apply before it starts and after it is over.
   Hamets is already forbidden from 'one third of the day' (a fixed time in the morning, which varies a bit year by year, usually between nine and ten o'clock in the morning) on the day before Pesach; and any hamets which was kept knowingly or unknowingly during Pesach (other than that sold to a non-Jew) may not be eaten or even used, even by another Jew, even after Pesach.

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