Translating into "the search for leaven", the Bedikat Chametz is a tradition taking place on the evening before the first night of Passover--or two nights before should that evening fall on Shabbat. Traditionally this search was done with a feather and a wooden spoon, used to sweep the leaven into a bag, and a candle (as in pre-electricity days this was the only way to see in dark spaces while searching). The leaven in the bag was then burned the following morning, along with the feather and spoon, inside the bag.

In modern times, it is acceptable to use a flashlight and a small plastic brush and dustpan; both of the latter must be washed afterwards to properly rid the house completely of leaven.

On this evening, the household is gathered together after nightfall, the candle is lit, and the following blessing is recited:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יהוה אֱלֹהֶינוּ מֶ֫לֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִרְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו, וְצִוָ֫נוּ עַל בִּעוּר חָמֵץ

Barukh attah Adonai eloheinu melekh ha-olam, asher kideshanu bemitzvotav vetzivanu al bi’ur chametz.

(BAH-ROOKH AH-TAH AH-DOH-NAI EH-LOH-HEH-NOO MEH-LECH HAH-OH-LAHM / AH-SHER KEE-DEH-SHAH-NOO BEH-MITZ-VOH-TAHV VEH-TZEE-VAH-NOO AL BI-UR KHA-METZ)

Blessed are You, LORD our God, King of the universe, Who sanctifies us with His commandments and commanded us regarding the removal of chametz

To ensure that the blessing is not made in vain, it is customary to take 10 pieces of bread, representing the Ten Plagues of Egypt, wrapped in a flammable material and hide them around the house to be found. In some households the search is made primarily into a game for the children to participate in, while in others the final search is to be made by the father of the house--signifying the role of G-d as our father (male manifestation) in clearing us from bondage and sin, which leaven symbolizes. It is acceptable to do either, or combine both, as best fits your household.

The next morning, at least an hour before midday, the chametz is burned while reciting the Kol Chamira, a declaration relinquishing all unknown chametz that could have been missed in the search from your ownership.

כָּל־חֲמִירָא חֲמִירָא וַחֲמִיעָה דְּאִבָּא בִרְשׁוּתִי, דְּלָא חֲמִתֵּהּ וּדְלא בִעַרְתֵּהּ וּדְלָא יְדַעְנָא לֵהּ לִבָּטֵל וְלֶהֱוֵי הֶפְקֵר בְּעַפְרָא דְאַרְעְא

All chametz and anything leavened that is in my possession, whether I have seen it or not, whether I have observed it or not, whether I have removed it or not, shall be considered nullified and ownerless as the dust of the earth. ”

With that the removal of chametz   was completed.


haggadah Section: Introduction