1) On the Eve of the 14th of Nisan, Erev Pesach, every Jewish homeowner is required to perform "Bedikas Chometz- The search for unleavened bread".
This search must be done at the beginning of the night (according to some opinions soon after sunset, and according to other opinions after Tzeis HaKochavim, the emergence of 3 stars).
2) From half an hour before sunset, no eating or other chores may be started.
The Bedikas Chometz must be done via the light of a single wick candle and not with a cluster of candles or a torch.
Today's days it is permissible to use a single beam flashlight for Bedikas Chometz, and this may even be better than using an actual candle, as many people are afraid to go to close to the place they are searching with a candle, and thus will do a more thorough job with a flashlight.
However, the Bracha on Bedikas Chometz should be made while holding a candle and the search should begin with the candle for a bit and only then switch over to the flashlight. (Psak of Rav Moshe Feinstein and Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zichronam L'Vracha and others. Maran HaRav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv shlita, however, maintains that in places where one isn't afraid to use a candle, L'Chatchilah it is better to use a candle the entire time and not a flashlight as not to change from the Minhag Yisroel.)
QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and Answers. Taken from the Q & A pages on the Halacha For Today website.
Although the answers I give to questions are taken directly from the Sifrei HaPoskim, and aren't my own, they are still for study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha.
Questions can be emailed to HalachaForToday@Yahoo.com
Reader's Question:
I want to better understand the concept of "baking" matzos and why is that considered a mitzva.
In the Torah, the mitzva is to "eat" matzos during Pesach or the first night. Where does it state that baking matzos is a mitzvah?
Answer:
Of course the primary Mitzvah is to eat Matzah, However, the preparation of the Mitzvah, the grinding the flour, the making the dough and the entire process of baking Matzos is a Mitzvah in its own right.
See Shulchan Aruch Siman 460:2 and Mishna Berura S" K 5-7 for the following reasons to bake Matzos yourself.
1) Mitzvah Bo Yoser M'Beshelucho, it's a greater Mitzvah when done by yourself as opposed to having others do it.
2) MaHaril rules that this applies to all Mitzvos, not just baking Matzah for Pesach.
3) We don't rely on women or less learned people (who commonly bake) to be careful in the many aspects and intricate halachic requirements of Shmura Matzah baking
4) According to the Arizal, sweating and getting "into it" during the baking of the Matzos is a Tikun (spiritual remedy) for the "great sin" i.e. Hotza'as Zera L'Vatalah.
CHIZUK CORNER
As a Zechus for the Refuah Shelaima of one of the Gedolei HaDor, the Telzer Rosh Yeshiva , HaRav Chaim Stein Shlita, R' Chaim Yaakov ben Chasya Miriam, B'soch Sha'ar Cholei Yisroel, we will B'Ezras Hashem post here each day a short inspirational thought to help us all improve our lives and grow in our service of our Father in heaven, HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING MEANINGFUL FOR THIS SECTION, PLEASE EMAIL IT TO ME. THANK YOU AND TIZKEH L'MITZVOS!
אל תתיאש מן הרחמים
Chizuk Corner
After saying the yehi ratzon following tekias shofar, the tzaddik Reb Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev once cried out to Hashem, "Sweet Father! If the malochim that were created from my קשר"ק(the תקיעה, שברים, תרועה, and תקיעה) are weak, then let the holy and healthy malochim created by the yidden's hard work before Pesach, (in קראצן, שארן, רייבען, and קשר'ן)-(scratching, scraping, scrubbing and kashering), come in their place."
In the home of the tzaddik Reb Osher of Stolin, much effort was expended to properly clean out the chometz from the cracks in the tabletops. The chassidim suggested to their Rebbe that it would be easier to get new tables. The tzaddik responded, "If I buy new tables, with what will Reb Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev defend the Yidden?"
Submitted by daily reader, M.F. ; Taken from the
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