Bedikat Chametz

"Bedikat chametz" or the "search for bread" is one of the many customs associated with Passover is to search for, collect, and destroy any chametz (leavening or grain that ferments) in the house. The search is traditionally conducted with a beeswax candle, using a feather, wooden spoon, and a paper bag for collecting any chametz found.

On the evening before Passover, as soon as the sun is down, gather the household together, light the candle, and recite the following blessing:

Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech haolam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu al biur chametz.


בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה, יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ, מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָֽׁנוּ בְּמִצְותָיו, וְצִוָּֽנוּ עַל בִּעוּר חָמֵץ.


Blessed are You, our G!d,  Ruler of the world,  who sanctifies us with mitzvot and calls upon us to remove chametz.

Next, hold the lit candle and search for chametz in every room, as well as any other area of the home that may have chametz, such as the basement, attic, garage, or car. Keep an eye out for runaway cheerios!


When you’re done, take all the chametz that was found in the search, wrap and seal it, and place it in a conspicuous spot. This chametz will be joined with all remaining chametz in your home, and burned the next morning. Food intended to be sold or eaten later should similarly be carefully put aside.

The following morning, the morning before Pesach, it is customary to burn the chametz that was found during the search or otherwise put away.

Kol chamira vachamia d’ika virshuti, dachamiteih ud’la chamiteih, d’vaariteih ud’la baariteih, livtil v’lehevei k’afra d’ara


כָּל־חֲמִירָא וַחֲמִיעָא דְּאִכָּא בִרְשׁוּתִי דַּחֲמִתֵּהּ וּדְלָא חֲמִתֵּהּ, דְּבַעֲרִתֵּהּ וּדְלָא בַעֲרִתֵּהּ, לִבְטִיל וְלֶהֱוֵי כְּעַפְרָא דְאַרְעָא.


Any leaven that is in my possession, whether I have seen it or not, whether I have removed it or not, shall be unclaimed and considered as the dust of the earth.

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