Pesach Project

Bedikat Chametz- Searching for Chametz

For Bedikat Chametz, one needs to accomplish 2 things:

1) search and destroy the Chametz

2) Nullify the Chametz

The Torah says we only need to do one of these things, but our Rabbis tell us that we should do both. Bedikat Chametz is done at night because this is when most people are home from work, and this is when the candle is useful. Bedikat Chametz should be done right after tzeit hacochavim. One should not work for a half hour before the bedika. Also, one should not eat for half an hour before the bedika. A person shouldn’t learn Torah when it’s time for the bedika. One who davens with a minyan at this time should still daven before the bedika. Anyone who davens later with a minyan should first do the bedika then daven. Someone who davens at home should daven before the bedika.

Who Searches For The Chametz:

The person that searches for the chametz should be the owner of the house. If the property of the house is rented, the people that live in the house should search for the chametz. One may have a shaliach to assist him during the search. However, the shaliach must be payed. If the shaliach begins the search, the bracha should be said by him. The Shaliach should be a male, but if he is not available, a girl or a boy under bar mitzvah may complete the search. If the father of the household leaves the house, he must appoint someone to do the bidikah.

Selling The Chametz:

Many people have a minhag to sell their chametz to a non-jew, and sign a contract that when pesach is over the person must return the chametz. A person's rabbi is usually the one that takes care of the selling. When you sell your chametzt, your Rabbi is not actually buying the chametz but is acting as a representative in the selling. Many people like to avoid selling chametz unless they actually need to. However, everyone should sell their chametz even if they think they got rid of everything. People that are not married should still sell their chametz, they are allowed to sell their chametz to the parents. Chametz should be sold until the 6th hour, but not after. When you sell chametz, you are legally selling it, so the value of the food should be written on the contract. The chametz should not stay in the jews house, especially if the chametz is sold to a non-jew. The non-jew should have access to the chametz he bought. He should be given a key, or have somewhat access to the chametz. The chametez should not be unavailable to the non-jew. If he does not have access, the sale could be invalid. The contract must include what chametz is being sold, the location of the chametz, and how to receive access to it. The non-jew must understand that he is buying all the chametz, that he is renting the property where the chametz is being held, and that he is buying it now and the remainder is a loan.

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Bracha:

One can’t talk between the bracha and the start of the search. If one does talk, then the bracha has to be repeated unless the words have to do with the bedika. One shouldn’t talk about anything other than the bedika. If one forgets to say the bracha, one can say it as long as the bedika isn’t finished yet. If a messenger is doing the bedika, he makes the bracha. If the owner is present, then he should say the bracha. One bracha covers for every place one looks.

One can’t talk between the bracha and the start of the search. If one does talk, then the bracha has to be repeated unless the words have to do with the bedika. One shouldn’t talk about anything other than the bedika. If one forgot to say the bracha, one can say it as long and the bedika isn’t finished yet. If a messenger is doing the bedika, he makes the bracha. If the owner is present, then he should say the bracha. One bracha covers for every place one looks.

With What?

Selling the Chametz

If one goes away for Pesach and doesn’t want to clean the entire house, he should sell or rent the house to a non-Jew and make sure the transaction is done before sunset of the 14th of Nisan to make sure he is not responsible for performing the Bedika. One room in the house shouldn’t be sold so the owner can perform Bedika to fulfill the mitzvah of Bedikat Chametz. After Pesach, the non-Jew is asked if he is ready to get the money back. If not, then the Rabbi buys it back from the non-Jew. Usually, he gets a better deal so he can get money for his services. People who sell their Chametz should wait a little bit on Motzei Pesach before eating it, so the Rabbi gets a chance to buy back the Chametz, so he doesn’t steal from the non-Jew. The Rabbi should buy it back as fast as possible so the people don’t end up eating the stolen Chametz.

What Should You Be Looking For:

When you search for chametz you are looking for any large piece of chametz that is bigger than a kziet, or anything that tempts you to eat it. You do not need to look for small pieces, for example you should not look under a carpet but you should look under the refrigerator. One minhag is that if the house has been cleaned before the time of bedicat chametz then you only need to ask if each spot was cleaned.You must check the places that are unexpected to have chametz in them.

What Needs To Be Checked:

Any place that has had chametz in it, even once, must be throughly checked. Any place that chametz was mistakenly put must be checked as well. All places that children were in must be looked at. Pockets should be checked, but many do this before the bedikah because they do not have time. Even clothing after the bedikah should be checked before the burning. Clothing that has been to the cleaners or has been freshly laundered do not need to be checked.

Bitul Chametz:

Bitul Chametz- It means nullifying the chametz. It must be done the morning of Yud Daled Nissan (Erev Pesach). Some would even do this in the night before following the Bedikah as an extra precaution just in case one forgets to do it the next morning. In the morning, the Bitul is said on all chametz (known and unknown). The Bitul the night prior was only on unknown chametz. The bitul or the burning don't have a bracha. The burning of the chametz comes before the Bitul. The reason is because one must first burn their chametz to complete the mitzvah of Beor Chametz. Bitul must be done before the 6th hour when it is still allowed. It is better if a person understands it when saying it in Aramaic. They can first say it in their first language, and after recitr it in Aramaic. A woman (married or unmarried) can make their own Bitul, although some are uncertain if they own their own chametz. Kol Chamira is said for Bitul chametz. It should be said in a language that you understand.

Burning the Chametz:

A kziet of chametz should be saved and burned to fulfill the mitzvah of biyur chametz. The minhag is to burn the chametz, but some have the minhag to burn the lulav and aravot. If one is not able to burn the chametetz, one can crumble the chametz and wash it down the sink or flush it down the toilet. One is not allowed to put the chametz in the garbage because it is still in your property, and you know where it is. However, one is able to put the chametz in the bag, and take it out of their property.