Chametz (also spelled chometz or hametz) refers to leavened foods prohibited during the Jewish holiday of Passover (Pesach). It specifically means any product made from one of the five grains—wheat, barley, rye, oats, or spelt—that has come into contact with water and been allowed to ferment or rise (leaven).

The Passover Chametz Search (Bedikat Chametz)The Chametz search, known as Bedikat Chametz (בְּדִיקַת חָמֵץ, “searching for chametz”), is a traditional ritual performed on the night before Passover begins (the evening of the 14th of Nisan, after nightfall, unless it falls on Shabbat, in which case it shifts earlier). It serves as the climax of the extensive pre-Passover house cleaning, ensuring no chametz remains in the home. 

How It Is Traditionally Done 

Preparation: The home is thoroughly cleaned of obvious chametz in the days or weeks leading up to the search (this includes clearing pantries, vacuuming, etc.). To make the search purposeful and not in vain, it is customary to hide about 10 small pieces of bread (or sometimes cereal) in various spots around the house beforehand. These serve as “finds” during the ritual.

Tools: The search is done by the light of a candle (traditionally a beeswax one, as it produces less smoke and drips less), using a feather to sweep up crumbs and a wooden spoon (or similar) to collect them into a paper or cloth bag. Modern families sometimes use flashlights.

The Search: Everyone (often involving the whole family, with kids enjoying the “hunt”) goes through the entire home—rooms, closets, drawers, cars, offices, and any place where chametz might have been brought during the year. The candlelight helps illuminate corners and crevices.

After the Search: Any chametz found is collected. The next morning (or as soon as possible), it is burned in a ritual called Biur Chametz (burning of chametz). A declaration called Bitul Chametz (nullification of chametz) is recited, stating that any unseen or forgotten chametz is considered ownerless and like the dust of the earth, so it has no value and does not violate the prohibition.