Several contemporary poskim mention that it is not advisable to pour gasoline or other combustible materials over the chametz before burning it, for then the chametz becomes inedible—“destroyed”—by the gasoline, etc., rather than by the fire, and as mentioned before, this should be avoided. Note, however, that if the end of the fifth hour arrives and the chametz is not yet burned, gasoline etc. should quickly be poured over the remaining chametz so that it becomes inedible.
One should recite the daytime kol chamira, which nullifies the chametz, after the burning of the chametz but before the sixth hour of the day begins.
One who forgot or neglected to recite the proper blessing the night before during the search for chametz may recite the blessing at the time of the burning.
CUSTOMS AND HIDDURIM OF BURNING CHAMETZ
There is a custom to burn other “mitzvah” items along with the chametz, e.g., the ten pieces of chametz that were hidden for the bedikah, the wooden spoon used for the bedikah, hoshanos, lulav, leftover oil and wicks from the Chanukah candles; fingernails (which, according to halachah, should be burned).
The chametz should be thrown into the fire with one’s right hand.
There is a view that holds that the fire must be started with wood, not gas, coal or paper.
It is preferable to burn the chametz in one’s own yard or at least in one’s own vessel. It is also preferable for one to burn his own chametz and not to appoint someone else to do it for him.
WHEN BURNING IS NOT AN OPTION
If one has a great deal of chametz left before Pesach and finds it impractical to burn it all, he should not just deposit it in the garbage. The garbage is liable to remain on his property (in his garage, on his tree-lawn, etc.) after the time for beiur chametz, and this could result in the violation of a Biblical prohibition. Even moving the garbage into the street does not solve the problem, since technically the chametz which is in the garbage can or bag is still “his property.” Contemporary poskim offer several possible solutions:
- Before the deadline arrives, pour a chemical substance over the chametz which will render it completely inedible.
- Leave the garbage can on the street and renounce possession of it (by declaring it hefker in the presence of three adult males). The can may still be used on Pesach.
- Include the garbage can and its chametz contents with the items being sold to a non-Jew (mechiras chametz). In this case, the garbage can may not be used on Pesach.
Chametz reminders
Many people get rid of all of their actual chametz and assume that they have nothing to sell to a non-Jew. Even so, it is a good idea for them to sell their chametz because it is possible that they possess chametz without realizing it—in deodorants, shaving lotions, or colognes which may be chametz if they contain denatured ethyl alcohol.
Parents who have children in yeshivos or seminaries must remember to specifically include their children’s chametz when selling or nullifying their own chametz.
One who owns shares of stock in a chametz food company (or in a conglomerate which owns such a company) should sell those shares to a non-Jew together with the rest of his chametz. Such stocks should not be bought or sold during Chol ha-Moed.
