These halachos of Bedikas Chametz, Searching for Chametz, are based on the rulings of the Mishna Berura, reflecting Ashkenazi practice.
Introduction
- Introduction: On a Torah level, to fulfil the positive requirement to remove Chametz from one’s possession before Pesach (‘tashbisu’) and avoid the prohibitions of on owning Chametz on Pesach (‘bal yeraeh’ and ‘bal yimatze’), it would suffice to perform ‘bittul’ on the Chametz one owns by stating that one considers one’s Chametz as if it was nothing and making it ownerless.
- However, Chazal were concerned that if one’s Chametz was of a significant value, one would not nullify it wholeheartedly, thus not saving oneself from these prohibitions. Furthermore, there would still be a risk that one may come to eat the Chametz if it is readily available in the house. Therefore, Chazal instituted a requirement to search for and remove any Chametz from one’s possession prior to Pesach.
- Furthermore, they required that one still perform ‘bittul’ on one’s Chametz, in case one did not search properly and still had Chametz left in one’s possession over Pesach.
Timing
- Bedikas chametz should be performed at the start of the night, ie immediately after nightfall, on the 14th of Nissan. Chazal instituted that it should be performed at night as this is a time when candlelight is more effective (as it contrasts to the darker surroundings) and is when people are typically at home and doing it at the start of the night ensures one does not forget to do bedikas chametz, or do it in a rush, without due care, at a late hour. (SA 431:1, MB1, 11)
Starting Activities at the Time of Bedikas Chametz
- In a similar fashion to other mitzvos, around the time one can start performing bedikas chametz, one is not allowed to start doing work, eating a meal or learning Torah.
- Snack: The prohibition to start a meal or work applies from half an hour before the time of bedikas chametz.
- However, it is permitted to eat a snack, defined as up to a kebeitza (about 50cc) of bread, pas haba bekisnin (such as cakes, biscuits etc), or large quantities of fruit and non alcoholic drinks in this time (for the full definition of what food is permitted, see our discussion above about what food one may eat as a snack before the megillah).
- However, once the time for bedikas chametz has arrived, even a large snack which will take significant amount of time to eat should be avoided so that one doesn’t delay starting the mitzvah, as it is ideally performed at the start of the night. (MB 431 SK6, BHL DH Velo Yochal)
- Learning Torah: There is a dispute as to whether it is prohibited to start learning within the half hour before the time of bedikas chametz, or only once the time for bedikas chametz has arrived.
- The strict opinions only forbid doing so if one is learning alone but if one asked someone to tell them when the time of bedikas chametz arrives this is also permissible. (MB 431:7, SH 6)
- Davening Maariv before Bedikas Chametz: When one normally davens Maariv at shul immediately after nightfall, one should daven then and do bedikas chametz afterwards. If one is davening Maariv alone, one should still daven on time at nightfall and where possible, another member of the house should be instructed to start bedikas chametz at nightfall as well so that both mitzvos are done on time, else one should perform bedikas chametz immediately on concluding Maariv. (MB 431:8)
- If one started to eat, work or learn in a permitted fashion, ie whilst it was still daytime, one should nonetheless stop at nightfall in order to do bedikas chametz at the start of the night (SA 431:2, MB11, 12)
