As we approach the festival of Pesach, we are beset with the rather exhausting task of cleaning our dwellings of Chametz. "Chametz" is a term that is used to describe leaven of any sort, ranging from bread and cake to even the toughest of cookies. In order for an object to be classified as Chametz, it must have met a very specific demand. If flour and water come together for more that eighteen minutes, that mixture is termed Chametz. Any crumbs that may fall from that blend must be destroyed or removed from the home before Pesach. This commandment is one of the most important concerning this specific holiday.
It is explained in the works of our Rabbis that the destruction of Chametz must be a lesson to our own behavior. When an object, such as a loaf of bread, is Chametz, it elevates itself from its surroundings. In contrast, when something isn’t Chametz, such as Matza, it is lower and more flat than all around it. We learn from this eradication of Chametz how we are to annihilate the ego inside us. Resulting from this degradation of our haughty nature, we become more receptive to the lessons that can be extracted from all aspects of life. During Pesach, we are faced with more lessons on our past, present, and future than we do during all the other holidays. Consequently, we need to lower our conceit more than all other times of the year.
Our domiciles must be completely rid of all traces of Chametz by the night before the eve of Pesach. On that night, all the men and boys symbolically conduct a final search of the house, using only the light of a candle. (If one, for whatever reason, cannot make use of a candle, he could use a flashlight instead.) After nightfall, we say the blessing
Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us by His commandments, and has commanded us to remove the Chametz.
After reciting this blessing, we commence with the search silently, not uttering a word until the entire examination is complete. Many have the custom of hiding ten pieces of Chametz throughout the house before the search. If this would be done, an individual that is not included in the search must carry it out. After everything is ready and the blessing is recited, the search begins.
This hunt for Chametz is a most spiritual experience. Many of the greatest sages would sit and meditate on the different aspects of the search for hours and hours before beginning it. Many a time, they would only begin it as late as three or four in the morning! The search is the summit, the pinnacle, of the whole Chametz extermination campaign. It is here that we symbolically rid ourselves of our last vestiges of ego in preparation for Pesach. After this search is completed, our house is completely devoid of that haughtiness of character that is represented by leaven foods. Now, we are ready to enter into the festival of Pesach with humility and modesty.
After completing this last search, the Chametz that was found is carefully put away in a safe place so that it would be burned the next day. Then one makes an official declaration disowning all Chametz that wasn't found. The text must be read in any language that the reader understands, though if possible one should read it in Aramaic. The text in Aramaic goes,
Any Chametz which is in my possession which I did not see, and remove, nor know about, shall be nullified and become ownerless, like the dust of the earth.
In order to be allowed to use any Chametz that was left over from before Pesach after the holiday, one has to properly sell it through his or her Rabbi, as prescribed in Jewish Law. (For more information, browse through some of our links.)
The next day, we burn the Chametz that we found the previous night. Again we declare all our Chametz ownerless, as we did on the previous night. Now, we are ready to face the upcoming holiday with the knowledge that we have fulfilled one of its most important obligations correctly. Although it taxes our energy extremely, it still gives us a sense of cheer that we did the right thing. Have a Kosher and happy Pesach!
