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Checking for Chametz (Leavened Food)

The first thing to do in order to get ready for Passover is a deep spring cleaning. It is time to remove all leavened products from the house. There is an ancient ceremony that is performed to check if the house if free of 'chametz' or leavened food: 'Bedikat Chametz' or Checking for Chametz.

Introduction

The ceremony requires a feather, a wooden spoon, and a candle. It is customary to make sure there are 10 pieces of chametz to be discovered, in order to be able to say the blessing. The candle is used to illuminate every corner. The chametz is swept with the feather onto the wooden spoon. Then the feather, spoon, and chametz are burned outdoors.

Photo by Rabbi Moish Soloway

Ingredients

  • 1 feather

  • 1 wooden spoon

  • 1 candle

Preparation

The blessing to say before burning the chametz is:


Baruch Ata Adonay

Eloheinu Melech Ha Olam

Asher Kideshanu Be Mitzvotav

Ve Tzivanu al Biur Chametz


Blessed are You, Lord our God

King of the Universe

Who has Sanctified us by His Commandments

And has Commanded Us to Burn Chametz

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