Leaven—Chametz

May 11, 2009

by: Cheryl Hauer, International Development Director

The Search and Removal

As defined by the rabbis, all yeast-based baked goods must be removed from every Jewish home through a two-step process. It begins with B’dekat Chametz, or the search. This involves a painstaking examination and cleaning of every place in the house where foods are eaten or stored and a ceremonial investigation of every nook and cranny of the home by candlelight on the night before the seder (Passover meal). Rabbi Moshe Isserles, a 16th-century Polish sage, required that the search for chametz include checking even one’s pockets. Other rabbis have taught that the hunt must extend to things that might be in those pockets other than bread crumbs. For instance, any funds derived from theft, robbery, fraud, or some other unrighteous process must also be considered chametz.

During the medieval period, a custom developed which involved every member of the family in the ritual hunt for chametz. Ten pieces of bread were hidden throughout the house before the official search began, and it was incumbent upon the children to find them. Today, many Jewish families adhere to this tradition, placing the ten pieces of bread in small plastic bags, each marked with a question relating to Pesach or a clue to where the next bag might be found. Though the tradition is centuries old, some of the hiding places are much more modern, including the glove compartment of a car or inside a computer case.

The second step in this process is called bee’ur, or removal, of chametz and must be accomplished both physically and mentally. Physically, every crumb of chametz must be burned on the morning before the seder. In the days of the Temple, the sacrifice of the Passover lamb occurred during the hours of noon to sundown, and since the sacrifice could not occur in the presence of chametz, the tradition was established that the chametz be burned during the morning hours. Mentally, the owners of the home must declare that all chametz has been removed to the best of their ability and then disown any that might be left, declaring it to be as ownerless as the dust of the earth.

The Spiritual Significance

This seemingly obsessive search for and destruction of chametz has spiritual as well as ritual significance. In Judaism, yeast has come to symbolize arrogance because yeast bread raises itself up, above the level of matzah, or unleavened bread. But this happens only because it is filled with pockets of hot air. Yeast also symbolizes the evil inclination, and in the New Testament, sin itself. Just as yeast causes fermentation in bread and wine, a helpful process, it becomes sour when not controlled. Similarly, forces such as desire and ambition, which are often the catalyst for progress in our lives, can lead to discontent and corruption if not guarded carefully. Thus on Passover, the Jewish people not only remember their deliverance from Egypt at the hand of God, but they also remind themselves of the need for humility and surrender as they continue their journey with Him today.

Chametz vs Matzah

Many Jewish commentators believe that one cannot understand the true significance of chametz unless it is carefully compared to matzah. On the surface, this is an easy comparison: bread made with yeast as opposed to its unleavened counterpart. But the sages teach that even a comparison of the words themselves is significant.

A look at the letters proves that the words are very similar indeed: (chametz), (matzah). Each contains a mem and a tzadde. One contains a hey, while the other contains a chet, but these letters look very much alike. And yet, one word indicates arrogance and evil while the other symbolizes humility and goodness. The rabbis tell us that there is an important lesson here. Sometimes, it is very hard to tell good from evil. On the surface, they can look very much alike, and even our haughtiness can sometimes seem very righteous indeed.

It is only by humbling ourselves before the Lord and surrendering to Him like the flat matzah, that the differences become clear, and we are able to rid our lives of the chametz of arrogance and sin.