Chametz Search And Destroy

RABBI DONIEL NEUSTADT (Torah.org)

The following article may be at variance to local Kashrus Agencies. When in doubt, contact your local reputable Agency. In Australia, direct any questions to [email protected] or visit www.kosher.org.au

Question: Should ten pieces of chametz be hidden throughout the house before the search for chametz takes place?

Discussion:

The poskim differ in their views regarding this practice. There are four basic approaches:

1. The Rama[1] states that the custom is to hide pieces of chametz around the house before the search takes place. Since it often happens that no chametz is found during the course of the search, the blessing over the bedikah could possibly be a berachah l’vatalah. To avoid this eventuality, one would be required to hide some chametz before the search begins.
2. Although l’chatchilah pieces of chametz should be hidden, the Rama himself holds that if they were not, the blessing would nonetheless be valid, for the mitzvah is to search for chametz, even in the event that one does not find any.
3. Many poskim[2] hold that one need not be concerned about a berachah l’vatalah at all and one need not hide any chametz before the search.
4. Some poskim[3] hold that the practice of hiding chametz should be abandoned. They are concerned that some pieces may be lost or overlooked, with the result that chametz will remain in the house over Pesach.

The Mishnah Berurah agrees with the poskim who are not concerned about the possibility of a berachah l’vatalah. He nevertheless states that it is not proper to discontinue a long-standing Jewish custom[4]. Indeed, the majority of homes today observe this time-honored practice[5].

Nowadays, there is an additional reason for maintaining this custom. The halachah demands that the home be thoroughly searched during bedikas chametz. Any place into which chametz may have been brought during the year must be checked. In many homes, unfortunately, the search has become merely ritualistic, taking but a few minutes with no serious search conducted. One reason why the bedikah has become perfunctory is that today, homes are thoroughly cleaned and scrubbed for days or even weeks before the search takes place. Consequently, most people assume that no chametz will be found and are satisfied with going through the motions. Although there is a possible justification (limud zechus) for people who conduct such a perfunctory bedikah[6], many other poskim do not agree with this leniency and require that a proper bedikah be conducted.

In order to satisfy the views of all poskim, it is recommended that one hide chametz around the house before the bedikah. Since the searcher is aware that there definitely is some chametz to be found, he will necessarily have to conduct a proper bedikah. Therefore:

• Unless one has a custom to the contrary, ten[8] pieces of bread should be hidden in various places around the house before the bedikah begins.
• Care must be taken that the pieces are wrapped well so that no crumbs will escape. Only hard pieces should be used. The exact location of the pieces should be recorded and carefully checked. Upon concluding the search the pieces must be properly discarded[9].
• Each piece should be smaller than 1 fl. oz.[10]
• The custom has become that the pieces are hidden by household members who are not going to be searching the house[11]. However, the searcher himself may also hide the pieces[12].
• Some poskim[13] rule that a person who is leaving home for Pesach and therefore conducts his bedikah in advance of the 14th of Nissan without a blessing[14], need not hide pieces of chametz.

Question: Must one actually burn the remnants of his chametz on erev Pesach, or can one get rid of the chametz in another way?

Discussion:

There are two views in the Mishnah[15] concerning the proper procedure for fulfilling the mitzvah of tashbisu, the Biblical command to destroy all chametz before Pesach. The basic halachah is that tashbisu is accomplished by getting rid of chametz in any of the following ways: burning it; crumbling it and throwing it to the winds; crumbling it and throwing it into an ocean or river; flushing it down the toilet[16]. L’chatchilah, though, it has become customary to follow the view of Rav Yehudah who holds that burning in fire is the only valid method for getting rid of chametz (beiur chametz[17]). In addition to the halachic consideration, kabbalistic and chasidic literature teach that there is a special significance to actually burning the chametz, as burning symbolizes the destruction of the evil inclination and the power of tumah[18].

There is a debate among the latter poskim[19] as to whether the mitzvah of beiur chametz applies if one does not happen to own any chametz. There are poskim who contend that one who does not possess any chametz should buy some so that he can fulfill the mitzvah of beiur chametz. While many authorities do not agree with this stringency, all agree that it is proper to leave (and not sell to a non-Jew) at least a k’zayis (about 1 oz.) of chametz in order to properly fulfill the mitzvah of beiur chametz[20]. Since, as mentioned earlier, the proper way to fulfill the mitzvah of tashbisu is by burning the chametz, we shall review the relevant halachos:

Question: How is the chametz burned?

Discussion:

The proper time to burn the chametz is during the fifth hour[21] of the day of erev Pesach[22]. The chametz must be completely burned—to the degree that even a dog would not be able to eat it[23] —by the time the fifth hour ends. [Chametz which has turned into charcoal is sufficiently burned[24]. ]

A loaf of bread or a chunk of cake should be thinly sliced so that the fire will be able to consume it totally[25].