Why do you have to check for Chametz at night? Surely it would be easier to see the Chametz during the daytime?

It took a visit to Canada for us to understand the answer.

We spent the morning at Black Creek Village, a recreation of a 1860's settlement in Toronto. Although it was daylight, and bright, without electricity most of the houses were extremely dark inside, even near the windows (which were all small by modern standards). And the residents would not light candles or gas lamps during the day as they were expensive.

It soon became clear that the residents could actually see somewhat better at nighttime - once they lit candles or lamps, shedding some more light inside.

Perhaps that is why it was, in fact, more efficient and useful to search for Chametz after nightfall: they really needed the use of candles.


haggadah Section: Cover
Source: Original