Bedikat Chametz

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Bedikat Chametz

  1. The mitzvah of Bedikat Chametz applies right at Tzet HaCochavim of the night of the 14th of Nissan. [1]
  2. If one usually follows רבינו תם, some say that one should make sure to start the Bedika after Tzet HaCochavim of רבינו תם. [2] and some say that one should begin before Tzet HaCochavim of רבינו תם at the time of accepted Tzet HaCochavim (while it’s still slightly light outside). [3]
  3. If one is praying with a minyan one should pray first and then perform Bedika. However, if one is praying at home, preferably one should appoint someone else to do Bedika while one prays, otherwise, pray first, unless one usually prays at home in which case some say one should check first and some say one should pray first. [4]
  4. If one is going to come home after Tzet HaCochavim one should appoint someone a שליח so that it can be done at the proper time. However, if the man is working at night and wants to fulfill the mitzvah himself, he may appoint his wife to do Bedika (with a Bracha) on the whole house except for one room and then do Bedika (with a Bracha) in that room when he returns. [5]

What

  1. One must remove all Chametz even crumbs. [6]
  2. Chametz that’s buried in the cracks in the floor or between the back of a cabinet and the wall and people can’t reach one doesn’t have to do Bedika there. [7]

Who

  1. One who is sick must appoint a שליח to do Bedika in his place. [8]
  2. One who is an Onen, one who is in the first day of mourning, must appoint a שליח to do Bedika in his place. [9]

Leaving for Pesach

  1. If a person leaves one’s house more than 30 days before Pesach and doesn’t plan to return for Pesach one doesn’t have to do Bedika but rather just do Bitul when the times comes wherever one is. [10]
  2. If a person leaves one’s house within 30 days of Pesach and doesn’t plan to return for Pesach one must do Bedika with a candle the night before one leaves and then do Bitul Chametz afterwards, however the Bedika is done without a Bracha. [11]
    1. Since one is not going to be home for Pesach it’s sufficient to do a proper Bedika according to the law by just looking for the Chametz (though not just a superficial look) and one doesn’t have to drive oneself crazy like one does every year. [12]
  3. However if possible it’s preferable to appoint a שליח to do Beidika for oneself at the proper time. [13] Some say that it’s better to do it oneself before going rather than have a non-family member (such as a neighbor) do it for oneself. [14]
  4. If one plans on returning before Pesach if there’s a fear one will return on Erev Pesach without time for Bedika one should do it before going, otherwise do it when one returns. [15]

Renting one's house to a non-Jew

  1. If one is renting out one’s house and the Chametz in it to a non-Jew for Pesach one will have exempted oneself from Bedika but it’s not proper to do so, rather it’s correct to rent one’s house except for one room and do Bedika without a Bracha in that room before one leaves for Pesach. [16]
    1. The room which one leaves not rented in order to Bedika should be a room which one usually brings Chametz otherwise there’ll be no obligation of Bedika and one will have accomplished nothing by leaving that room not rented. [17]

Renters

  1. If the owner/landlord has the keys at the time of the Bedika, then the owner is obligated in Bedika. [18]
  2. If the renter has the key to the house at the time of Bedika (14th at Tzet HaCochavim) and he has made a halachic acquisition (paying with cash), then he’s obligated to do Bedika. [19]
  3. However, if the renter has the key to the house but didn’t do a halachic acquisition, many say that the owner is obligated and some say that the renter is obligated. [20] Certainly the owner or renter can be appointed a שליח by the other and fulfill the obligation of Bedika. [21]
  4. A person who rents a house for Pesach, the areas which one will put one’s food utensils and actual food should be checked perfectly well. The rest of the house should be checked well, however, the areas which are private areas and the renters are not supposed to open (explicitly mentioned or implicitly understood) the renters do not have to Bedika on those areas. [22]

Hotel Guests

  1. If one arrives in the hotel before the 14th at night and plans on staying Pesach, then one should perform Bedika in the room with a Bracha. [23] Some maintain that one should check without a Bracha. [24]
    1. If the room is cleaned well one should bring Chametz into the room before doing Bedika. [25]
  2. If one arrives in the hotel on the day of the 14th, if the hotel did a Bedika on the 14th at night one doesn’t need to do Bedika, however, if the hotel didn’t do Bedika, one should do so with a Bracha. [26]
  3. If one is a guest in the hotel only for the 14th and plans on leaving before Pesach one should still do Bedika but without a Bracha. [27]

Yeshiva Student

  1. If a Yeshiva student is leaving the Yeshiva before Pesach and isn’t returning on Pesach, if it’s within 30 days of Pesach, he should check the night before he leaves, without a Bracha but with a candle. [28]
    1. In such a case one shouldn’t eat, work, or learn prior to performing Bedika just like one who performs Bedika on the 14th. [29]
  2. If a student in Yeshiva is in Yeshiva on Pesach, he is obligated to perform Bedika in his dorm room and if it’s done on the 14th at night it should be done with a Bracha. [30] However, some hold that the Bedika should be made without a Bracha. [31]
  3. However, if the Yeshiva decides to sell all the rooms to a goy for Pesach, then there’s no obligation to perform Bedika. [32]

Going to a relative for Pesach

  1. If one is staying at a relative for Pesach and has a room where will one be staying one should participate in the Bedika by listen to the Bracha on the Bedika and then checking the room one will be staying in. [33]

Bungalow Colony

  1. If one leaves one’s bungalow colony house within 30 days of Pesach one has to Bedika before one leaves, however if one leaves longer than 30 days before Pesach one doesn’t have to Bedika and it’s sufficient to do Bitul Chametz on the Chametz in that house unless one is going to come to the house on Pesach in which case one has to Bedika before Pesach. [34]

Office

  1. One has to do Beidka in one’s office (if one brings food there), however, one doesn’t have to do it on the night before Pesach, but rather one should do so at a time before one leaves the office before Pesach. [35]

Areas which were cleaned before Pesach

  1. One has to clean the house before Pesach and still do Bedika (with a Bracha) the night before Pesach. [36]
  2. If one cleaned a closet completely by removing every single vessel, checked using an electric light and there no small confined areas or hidden places in the closet then it’s considered checked and doesn’t require Bedika. However, if there are areas which require close examination (like getting down on one’s hands and knees) one should still do Bedika at the appropriate time. [37]

Cracks

  1. Nowadays, one doesn’t have to check in the cracks in the floor because no one actually hides Chametz in the few and small cracks in the floor. [38]
  2. If a piece of Chametz is too difficult to reach one doesn’t have to go crazy in order to remove that Chametz (and Bitul is sufficient). [39]

Where?

  1. One only has to check in area where one would have brought Chametz. [40]
  2. If one has small children one must do Bedika in all rooms in the house because one doesn’t know where Chametz was brought. [41]
  3. One should do Bedika on the area where one plans to eat after the Bedika for that night and the next morning and then one should check that area again in the morning. [42]
  4. In an apartment building one person should check the stairwell, closets, etc. for everyone after having made a Bracha for Bedika in his own house (without making interruptions that aren’t relevant to the Bedika). [43]
  5. The minhag is not to do Bedika in the areas where one stores Chametz and is going to sell to a goy for Pesach. [44]

Books

  1. One shouldn’t have to check one’s books. [45] Some say that one should check one’s books for crumbs. [46] If one is going to check one may do so in advance and doesn’t have to wait until the night of the 14th. [47]
  2. Benchers and Zemiros booklets of the rest of the year should not be used on Pesach but rather sold to a non-Jew with Mechirat Chametz. [48]

Pockets

  1. One should check the pockets of clothing in which one sometimes puts Chametz. [49] Many permit checking the pockets before the night of the 14th. [50]
  2. If one never put Chametz in the pocket, some say that one doesn’t have to check but others hold that one must check because Chametz may have been placed there inadvertently. [51]

Renting or selling the house to a non-Jew

  1. If one is not going to be home on Pesach and sell the house to a goy, it’s improper not to do Bedika. [52]

One's office

  1. Some say that one should do Bedika in the place where one works at night using a candle. [53] while others say that that it doesn’t have to be done on the night of the 14th rather one should do it the last day one is there before the 14th of Nissan. Additionally, it doesn’t have to be done with a candle nor does one have to put out pieces of Chametz. No bracha is made on this bedika. [54]

One's car

  1. It’s proper to check one’s car(s) for Chametz on the night of the 14th using a flashlight, otherwise, one should check it during the day. No Bracha is required for performing Bedika in a car. [55]

The Shul

  1. A gabbai or other appointed individual should perform Bedika in the Shul or Bet Midrash. Some say that one should make a Bracha on this Bedika [56], and some say that one shouldn’t make a Bracha [57] and it’s preferable to have the one doing the Bedika to make a Bracha for Bedika of his home and then do Bedika in the Shul (without making an interruption not relevant to the Bedika). [58]
    1. One doesn’t have to do Bitul Chametz after Bedika of the Shul or Bet Midrash [59] unless it belongs to an individual in which case one should do Bitul Chametz. [60]

Eating or working before Bedika

  1. A person shouldn’t start a job or start eating (a KeBeitzah of bread) from a half hour before Tzet HaCochavim, until one has done Bedika. [61] However, one may continue to eat fruit a half hour before Tzet HaCochavim, but not after Tzet HaCochavim. [62]
  2. A person shouldn’t start learning from Tzet HaCochavim until one has done Bedika. Some add that one may not learn from a half hour before Tzet HaCochavim and some permit until Tzet HaCochavim. [63]
  3. If one began to learn, work, or eat during the day and continued into the night, according to Sephardim one doesn’t have to stop to do Bedika, and according to Ashkenazim one must stop at Tzet HaCochavim in order to perform Bedika. [64]

Candle

  1. One should check using a single wax candle and not a torch (or even two candles together). [65]
  2. If one is unable to use a candle, one should use a flashlight. [66] Some say that one can fulfill the obligation with a flashlight but the minhag is to use a candle or to begin with a candle. [67]
  3. One doesn’t have to turn off the electric lights while performing the Bedika. [68]
  4. See also Flashlight for bedikat hcametz

If one didn’t do Bedika

  1. If one didn’t do Bedika at night one should do so during the day before the sixth hour (halachic hours) and if one forgot to do it before the sixth hour one should still do it on Erev Pesach with a Bracha. [69] One can only do Bitul Chametz after the Bedika until the sixth hour of Erev Pesach. [70]
  2. If one didn’t do it before Pesach, do it on Pesach unless one did Bitul Chametz before Pesach in which case one shouldn’t do Bedika on Pesach with a Bracha. [71]
  3. If one didn’t do Bedika during Pesach, do it after Pesach without a Bracha. [72]
  4. Any Bedika not at the appropriate time should be done with a candle. [73]

If one finds Chametz

  1. If one finds Chametz on Yom Tov one shouldn’t burn it but rather cover it and then burn it after Yom Tov. [74] some say that nowadays one should have a non-Jew flush it down the toilet. [75]
  2. If one finds Chametz on Chol HaMoed one should burn it but not make a Bracha if one either did Bitul Chametz or selling of Chametz to a non-Jew before Pesach. [76]
  3. Some say that if one sold one’s Chametz before Pesach and then one finds Chametz on Pesach, one should store it away with the other Chametz that’s sold to the non-Jew and not burn it. [77]

Minhag in performing Bedika

  1. Nowadays when people clean the house of Chametz in advance, it’s enough to check to see if that area was cleaned from Chametz and if it wasn’t to remove the Chametz. [78]

Scattering 10 pieces of Chametz

  1. The minhag is to scatter 10 pieces of Chametz to be found during the Bedika. [79] Nowadays when people clean the house of Chametz in advance, some say that one must scatter these pieces, while others maintain that it’s still not an obligation but only a minhag. [80]
  2. These pieces should be hard Chametz that doesn’t cause crumbs and it should be placed in an area that’s protected from children or mice. [81] Additionally, it may be advisable to wrap it so that it doesn’t make crumbs. [82]
  3. One should be careful not to loss any of the pieces. [83]

Bracha

  1. Before the Bedika one should make the Bracha of Asher Kidishanu BeMitzvotav VeTzivanu Al Biur Chametz. [84] If one accidentally made the Bracha of Al Bitul Chametz after the fact one has fulfilled the obligation. [85]
  2. One may not speak between the Bracha and beginning the Bedika, and if one did make an interruption not related to the Bedika one must make another Bracha. [86]
  3. After one began it’s preferable not to speak until one completes the Bedika, however it’s permissible to speak even in matters not related to Bedika. [87]
  4. If one didn’t make the Bracha before beginning Bedika one can make it as long as one hasn’t finished Bedika. Nonetheless, if one has finished the Bedika, one should make it without Shem UMalchut in the morning before burning the Chametz and some say that one may make it then with Shem UMalchut. [88]
  5. One may make the Bracha on the Bedika with many people listening and then split up for each person to check an area in the house. [89]If someone didn’t hear the Bracha and it’s difficult to finish the Bedika without that person’s help, he may help without making a Bracha. [90]
  6. If one is checking two houses one may should make only one Bracha and do Bedika on both. [91]
  7. There’s no Shehecheyanu on the Bedika. [92]
  8. Some say that one should wash one’s hands before performing Bedika. [93]

How much is enough?

  1. A person doesn’t have to make themselves crazy, one just to be reasonable not to overwork oneself so that one can enjoy the Seder. [94] It’s a judgment call and one should do a peripheral check (not too peripheral). [95]

If one found Chametz after the Bedika

  1. If one found Chametz after the Bedika one doesn’t have to recheck the house. [96]

If one did Bedika before the night of the 14th

  1. If one did Bedika during the day of the 13th to the light of a candle one should do Bedika the night of the 14th without a Bracha. [97]
  2. If one did Bedika during the night of the 13th to the light of a candle, one doesn’t have to do Bedika on the 14th at night if one was careful not to bring Chametz there and if one wants to do Bedika it should be done without a Bracha. [98]

References

  1. ↑ S”A 431:1, Mishna Brurah 431:1. See Maaseh Rav (#178) who says that the Gra would begin Bedika slightly before Tzet HaCochavim.
  2. ↑ Halichot Shlomo (vol 1, 5:10)
  3. ↑ Moadim UZmanim (Vol 4 Siman 286 pg 46), Piskei Teshuvot 431:3
  4. ↑ Mishna Brurah 431:8
  5. ↑ Sh”t Teshuvot VeHanhagot 2:114. Listen to “Bedikas Chametz part 1” (min 3:30) by Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz who asks on this. [Personally, (Ike Sultan) don’t think there’s any question on the Teshuvot VeHanhagot, just see Mishna Brurah 431:8.]
  6. ↑ Chazon Ish 116:18
  7. ↑ Piskei Teshuvot 433:4
  8. ↑ Halichot Shlomo (vol 1, 5:8)
  9. ↑ Halichot Shlomo (vol 1, 5:8)
  10. ↑ S”A 436:1
  11. ↑ S”A 436:1
  12. ↑ Rav Schachter on [OU Pre-Pesach Webcast 5771] between minutes 2:30 and 5
  13. ↑ Mishna Brurah 436:1
  14. ↑ Piskei Teshuvot 436:1
  15. ↑ Mishna Brurah 436:9
  16. ↑ Rav Schachter on [OU Pre-Pesach Webcast 5771] between minutes 2:30 and 5
  17. ↑ Rav Yisrael Belsky on [OU Pre-Pesach Webcast 5771] between minutes 10:30 and 11:30
  18. ↑ S”A 437:1, Mishna Brurah 437:2, Halachos of Pesach (pg 98)
  19. ↑ S”A 437:1, Mishna Brurah 437:2, Halachos of Pesach (pg 98)
  20. ↑ S”A 437:1, Mishna Brurah 437:2, Halachos of Pesach (pg 98)
  21. ↑ Mishna Brurah 437:2, Halachos of Pesach (pg 99)
  22. ↑ Rav Yisrael Belsky on [OU Pre-Pesach Webcast 5771] between minutes 16:45 and 19:15 explaining that we assume that the children didn’t put Chametz there and they are even renting those private areas
  23. ↑ Chovat Hadar (end of Sefer Dinei Bedikat Chametz), Siddur Pesach KeHilchato 12:8, Chag HaMatzot (Halachot VeMinhagim 5:32), Otzar Halachot vol 2 pg 124, Rav Schachter on [OU Pre-Pesach Webcast 5771] between minutes 2:30 and 5, Piskei Teshuvot 437:1
  24. ↑ Sh”t Kinyan Torah 1:120, 5:33
  25. ↑ Rav Schachter on [OU Pre-Pesach Webcast 5771] between minutes 2:30 and 5
  26. ↑ Siddur Pesach KeHilchato 12:8, Piskei Teshuvot 437:1
  27. ↑ Halichot Shlomo 5:19, Piskei Teshuvot 437:1
  28. ↑ S”A 436:1 writes in general that a person leaving one’s home within 30 days of Pesach and places on returning after Pesach should do Bedika the night before leaving. Torat HaYeshiva 14:2 applies this also to a Yeshiva student.
  29. ↑ Kovetz MeBet Levi (Nissan 5761 pg 85)
  30. ↑ Halichot Shlomo (vol 1, 5:17), Dinim VeHanhagot 17:18 quoting the Chazon Ish, Siddur Pesach KeHilchato 12:9, Kovetz MeBet Levi (Nissan 5756), Chut HaSheni (Pesach pg 88), and Torat HaYeshiva write that a yeshiva student should perform Bedika in his dorm with a Bracha if it’s done on the 14th.
  31. ↑ Teshuvot VeHanhagot 1:287, Chovat Hadar (end of Sefer Dinei Bedikat Chametz), Mishpat HaSechirut 5:32
  32. ↑ Torat HaYeshiva 14:4
  33. ↑ Rav Schachter on [OU Pre-Pesach Webcast 5771] between minutes 6 and 7
  34. ↑ Rav Yisrael Belsky on [OU Pre-Pesach Webcast 5771] between minutes 11 and 12
  35. ↑ Rav Yisrael Belsky on [OU Pre-Pesach Webcast 5771] between minutes 8 and 11
  36. ↑ Rav Yisrael Belsky on [OU Pre-Pesach Webcast 5771] between minutes 12:45 and 15:45
  37. ↑ Rav Yisrael Belsky on [OU Pre-Pesach Webcast 5771] between minutes 12:45 and 15:45
  38. ↑ Rav Schachter on [OU Pre-Pesach Webcast 5771] between minutes 16 and 16:30
  39. ↑ Rav Schachter on OU Kosher Pre-Pesach Webcast 5770 between minutes 5:00 and 5:30
  40. ↑ S”A 431:1, Mishna Brurah 431:4
  41. ↑ Rav Schachter on [OU Pre-Pesach Webcast 5771] between minutes 6 and 7
  42. ↑ Halichot Shlomo (vol 1, 5:2)
  43. ↑ Piskei Teshuvot 433:3
  44. ↑ Mishna Brurah 436:32 quotes those who obligate a Bedika and those who exempt and so it’s preferable to sell it on the 13th. However, Halichot Shlomo (vol 1, 5:3) writes that the accepted minhag is not to do Bedika in those areas and only have it sold afterwards.
  45. ↑ Halichot Shlomo (vol 1, 5:6), Or Letzion 1:32, Halachos of Pesach (Rabbi Eider) quoting Rav Moshe Feinstein
  46. ↑ Chazon Ish 116:18, Maaseh Rav #178, Piskei Teshuvot 431:4 in name of many poskim
  47. ↑ Orchot Rabbenu (vol 2 pg 6) regarding the practice of the Steipler and Chazon Ish.
  48. ↑ Halachos of Pesach (Rabbi Eider; pg 72)
  49. ↑ Mishna Brurah 433:47
  50. ↑ Piskei Teshuvot 433:7, Kaf HaChaim 433:89, Halachos of Pesach (pg 71) in name of Rav Moshe Feinstein
  51. ↑ Mishna Brurah 433:47 obligates checking even if one never put Chametz in there, however, S”A HaRav 433:43 and Kaf HaChaim 433:87 hold that one doesn’t need to check but it’s praiseworthy.
  52. ↑ Halichot Shlomo (vol 1, pg 101 note 14)
  53. ↑ Halichot Shlomo (vol 1, 5:4)
  54. ↑ Rabbi Sobolofsky at yutorah.org between minutes 2 and 4
  55. ↑ Halichot Shlomo (vol 1, 5:5) writes that one should check the cars on the night of the 14th and if not then it should be cjecked on the day. Halichot Shlomo and Halachos of Pesach (pg 71) in name of Rav Moshe Feinstein hold that no Bracha is made on this Bedika.
  56. ↑ Mishna Brurah 433:10, S”A HaRav 433, Sh”t Teshuvot Vehanhagot 1:287
  57. ↑ Sh”t Maharsham 5:49, Aruch HaShulchan 433:12
  58. ↑ Piskei Teshuvot 433:6
  59. ↑ Mishna Brurah 433:43, Aruch HaShulchan 433:12
  60. ↑ Halachos of Pesach (Rabbi Eider; pg 73)
  61. ↑ S”A 431:2, Mishna Brurah 432:5-6
  62. ↑ Mishna Brurah 432:6
  63. ↑ Mishna Brurah 431:7
  64. ↑ S”A and Rama 431:2, Mishna Brurah 431:12
  65. ↑ S”A and Rama 433:2, Mishna Brurah 431:3
  66. ↑ Halichot Shlomo (vol 1, 5:11), Piskei Teshuvot 431:2
  67. ↑ Halachos of Pesach (pg 86) quoting Rav Aharon Kotler and Rav Moshe Feinstein that the flashlight sufficies.
  68. ↑ Halachos of Pesach (pg 86) quoting Rav Moshe Feinstein, Piskei Teshuvot 431:2 saying that such is the minhag
  69. ↑ S”A 435:1, Mishna Brurah 435:5
  70. ↑ Mishna Brurah 435:1
  71. ↑ S”A 435:1, Mishna Brurah 435:3,5
  72. ↑ S”A 435:1
  73. ↑ Mishna Brurah 435:4
  74. ↑ S”A 446:1
  75. ↑ Piskei Teshuvot 446:2
  76. ↑ Piskei Teshuvot 446:1
  77. ↑ Piskei Teshuvot 446:1 quoting Mikrei Kodesh 1:74
  78. ↑ Halichot Shlomo (vol 1, 5:1), Piskei Teshuvot 433:8, Or Yisrael (vol 35, pg 100-102, article by Rav Shlomo Wolfson)
  79. ↑ Rama 432:2, Mishna Brurah 432:13
  80. ↑ Shaar HaTzion 432:12 quotes the Emek Halacha who maintains that nowadays when people clean the house in advance one must put out these 10 pieces of Chametz so that the Bracha on Bedika isn’t a Bracha Levatala. However, Halichot Shlomo 5:12 argues that one can still make the Bracha without putting out these pieces because the Bedika includes checking that the areas have been cleaned properly, nonetheless it’s still the minhag to do so.
  81. ↑ Mishna Brurah 432:12
  82. ↑ Halachos of Pesach (pg 80)
  83. ↑ Mishna Brurah 432:13
  84. ↑ S”A 432:1
  85. ↑ Mishna Brurah 432:3
  86. ↑ S”A 432:1, Mishna Brurah 432:5
  87. ↑ S”A 432:1, Mishna Brurah 432:6
  88. ↑ Mishna Brurah 432:4
  89. ↑ S”A 432:2
  90. ↑ Mishna Brurah 432:11
  91. ↑ S”A 432:2 writes that with one Bracha one can perform Bedika in many houses. Mishna Brurah 432:7 quotes a dispute whether one should make another Bracha once one moved from one courtyard to another courtyard. Halichot Shlomo 5:13 rules that one should make one Bracha for Bedika in two houses even if they are in different courtyards.
  92. ↑ Bear Hetiev says it’s includes in Shehecheyanu of Yom Tov, Pri Megadim M”Z 431:2 says it’s not a mitzvah of Simcha, מאירי says there’s no Shehecheyanu on Bedika which is just done to prevent you from a prohibition.
  93. ↑ Mishna Brurah 432:2
  94. ↑ Rav Schachter on [OU Pre-Pesach Webcast 5771] between minutes 19:30 and 21
  95. ↑ Rav Yisrael Belsky on [OU Pre-Pesach Webcast 5771] between minutes 24 and 25
  96. ↑ Mishna Brurah 438:4, Halichot Shlomo 5:22
  97. ↑ Mishna Brurah 433:1
  98. ↑ Mishna Brurah 433:1
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