Passover Chametz: Search, Nullification, and Burning Guide

Chametz refers to any food made from wheat, barley, rye, oats, or spelt that has been in contact with water for more than 18 minutes without being baked. During Passover, it's forbidden to eat, own, or benefit from chametz. This commemorates the Exodus when the Israelites left Egypt so quickly that their bread didn't have time to rise. Removing chametz symbolizes removing spiritual 'puffiness' - ego and pride - from our lives.

On the night before Passover eve (the 14th of Nisan), after nightfall, we conduct a formal search for chametz. Use a candle for light, a feather to sweep crumbs, and a wooden spoon to collect them. Before searching, recite the blessing: 'Baruch... asher kidshanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu al biur chametz.' Many place ten pieces of bread around the house to ensure finding something. Search all rooms where chametz might have been brought.

After the search, recite the Kol Chamira (nullification formula): 'All chametz in my possession which I have not seen and have not removed, shall be nullified and become ownerless like the dust of the earth.' This is said in Aramaic. By declaring any unfound chametz ownerless and worthless, we fulfill the requirement not to 'own' chametz even if some was accidentally missed. A second, expanded nullification is said the next morning after burning.

On the morning before Passover (14th of Nisan), all remaining chametz must be burned (biur chametz) by the end of the fifth halachic hour of the day. Gather the chametz found during the search, plus any chametz left from breakfast, and burn it. After burning, recite the expanded Kol Chamira that includes chametz 'that I have seen and that I have not seen, that I have removed and that I have not removed.'

Since destroying large quantities of chametz can be costly, the rabbis instituted the practice of selling chametz to a non-Jew before Passover. The sale is legally binding and is typically arranged through a rabbi who acts as an agent. The chametz remains in your house (usually in a designated cabinet) but legally belongs to the non-Jew during Passover. After the holiday, the rabbi buys it back. This should be arranged before the morning of the 14th.

Bedikat chametz: Night of the 14th of Nisan, immediately after nightfall. Eating chametz: Forbidden from the end of the fourth halachic hour on the 14th. Owning chametz: Forbidden from the end of the fifth hour. Biur chametz: Must be completed by the end of the fifth hour. These 'hours' are calculated by dividing daylight into twelve equal parts, so times vary by location and date. Check the Am Hazak app for exact times in your location.