Don’t Forget Eiruv Tavshilin (Second Days of Yom Tov)!
Even if you do not intend to cook food for Shabbos during Yom Tov you must nevertheless prepare an eiruv tavshilin on Thursday, Chol Hamoed, and recite the appropriate blessing over it in order to be permitted to light Shabbos candles while it is still Yom Tov. If you are being hosted as a guest during Yom Tov, ask a Rav regarding the permissibility of relying on your host’s eiruv tavshilin.
For those who have the custom of gebroktz (wet matzah products) on Acharon Shel Pesach, the consensus is that it is permitted to prepare kneidlach (matzah balls) and the like on Friday afternoon (Shvii Shel Pesach).
We must take care that all foods that are being cooked for Shabbos must be completed well in advance of Shabbos, so that they could be eaten on that day if necessary – on erev Shabbos. Otherwise, it is forbidden to prepare for Shabbos during yom tov, even though we have an eiruv tavshilin.
Many people celebrate a se’udas moshiach at the conclusion of the eighth day of Pesach following the minhag (custom) of the Baal Shem Tov. This year, one must remember to bring the matzah and wine needed for se’udas moshiach to shul