The Bedikat Chametz

The search for Leavening

Before the search the father says a blessing:

Barukh atah Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha-olam, asher kidshanu b'mitzvohtav v'tzi-vanu al Biur Chametz.

Blessed art thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who has set us apart by your commandments and has commanded us regarding the removal of the Chametz.

The family, lead by the father in the light of a candle, searches for leftover leaven (usually the mother has left some crumbs for them to find). They take care to search in cupboards and drawers. Using a feather they brush any crumbs onto a wooden spoon and place them in a bag or piece of cloth.

After the search the father renounces ownership of any unfound Chametz:

Everything leavened in my sphere of influence that I have not seen and have not removed shall be regarded as a non-existing, ownerless entity, as the dust of the earth.

The next morning the family takes the package of leavening outside and burns it.

The father then recites the final renouncing of the Chametz:

Everything leavened in my sphere of influence and ownership, whether I have seen it or not seen it, whether I have removed it or have not removed it, shall be regarded as a non-existing, ownerless entity, as the dust of the earth.

In this traditional Jewish ceremony we see the family cleansing their home from leavening/sin and then asking the Lord's to overlook any which may remain. We know and acknowledge the impossibility of removing all leaven/sin but the attempt should be made.

 

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