As soon as possible after tz’ait ha’kochavim, at nightfall of 14 Nissan, Bedikat Hametz should be done.  The search for hametz is made by candlelight and no speaking is permitted, except for matters pertaining to the bedikah, after the berachah is recited. For a detailed discussion of Bedikat Hametz and its laws see pages 16-19. The following berachah is recited before Bedikat Hametz.

Following Bedikat Hametz, all hametz that was found should be wrapped well and set aside in a safe place to be burned the next morning.  The following Bitul (nullification) is recited. This declaration should be said in the language that the person understands best in order for it to take effect.  More details may be found on pages 19-20.

The Reason for Bedikat Hametz – The Search for Hametz

On the  evening before Pesah, the 14th of Nissan, we must make a bedikat hametz — an inspection of all areas where hametz may have been brought during the year.  There are two reasons for the bedikah, even though Bitul, nullification of hametz, follows it:
1. We are accustomed to eating hametz all year; therefore, if by chance one was to find hametz during Pesah, he might, unthinkingly, eat it.  Consequently, the Hachamim ordained that we search the house before Pesah to eliminate every possibility of finding hametz. 

2. Perhaps, there are those who won’t make the Bitul with enough sincerity, therefore bedikah is necessary for finding and disposing any remaining hametz.  Bitul must also be recited in case some hametz was overlooked or one did not know about it. He declares it ownerless by reciting the Bitul.  (See section on Bitul page 19.)

Prohibition of Work Before the Bedikah 
Since the bedikah should begin immediately after tz’ait ha’kochavim (40 minutes after sundown) when most people are home, one should not start something that may cause him to forget the bedikah. 

• One should not eat a regular meal, start a task, or sleep one half-hour before Bedikat Hametz. 
• One may appoint someone to remind him to do the bedikah on time.  He may then begin to do work or eat within one half hour before Bedikat Hametz, provided he stops when it is time to do the bedikah.
• One must even stop learning Torah when the time for Bedikat Hametz arrives. However, he does not have to stop learning a half-hour before. 
• He may delay the bedikah in order to pray Arbit first. 
• One may not start eating a regular meal (more than a 2-oz. portion of bread or cookies) a half-hour before the bedikah.  Included in this prohibition is any cooked food made from the five grains, which constitute his meal.  (A snack is permitted.) However, fruit, vegetables, fish and meat are permitted.  In general, it is better not to become involved in eating a meal as he may forget Bedikat Hametz.

How to Make Bedikat Hametz
When the search for hametz (Bedikat Hametz) is conducted at nightfall of the 14th of Nissan, the house must be thoroughly clean.  Only the hametz that will be eaten that night and the next morning should be set aside in a safe place. The house should be orderly as well as clean to ensure that the bedikah is done properly and be as easy as possible.  If there is a mess, i.e., under the beds, it will prolong the search and make it difficult. Every area where it is likely that hametz was brought must be searched during the bedikah.  One must make a thorough bedikah — a passing, quick inspection is not sufficient.  The Chatam Sofer exerted himself to a very great extent when he made Bedikat Hametz.  We are told that he even inspected places that could be considered beneath his dignity — he would even stick his head inside the chicken coops! 

• It is customary to place ten pieces of hametz all through the house before the bedikah. Obviously, great care should be taken that these pieces of hametz do not leave crumbs.  Therefore, it is advisable to wrap them in foil. 
• The pieces should be less than a k’zayit in total. 
• One must be careful to remember where every piece was placed.  In case he did not find a piece during bedikah, he is not required to do it over again.  Reciting the Bitul is sufficient.

Berachah Before Bedikat Hametz 
As soon as possible, after tz’ait ha’kochavim (40 minutes after sundown), Bedikat Hametz should be done. 

• The berachah should be recited before beginning the bedikah.
• One should preferably not speak during the bedikah — except for matters relating to the bedikah — until the search is completed.  If, inadvertently, he spoke about other matters, the berachah need not be repeated. 
• If it is too difficult for one to conduct the bedikah alone, he may enlist the help of some family member or friend.  They, too, should hear the berachah before making their search.  However, it is best that the owner of the house be involved.
• If the owner of the house is away, whoever conducts the bedikah should recite the berachah. 
• Women and children under bar mitzvah should preferably not conduct the bedikah as it is a difficult task. 

With What Are We Bodek? 

•  The bedikah should be made with candlelight.  Since it may be dangerous, one may start with a candle then switch to a flashlight.
•  It is not necessary to turn off the electric lights.  Places that are not lit by overhead lights should be searched with a flashlight.  Sometimes it is easier to see the area being searched with a flashlight if the overhead light is extinguished. 

Places One Is Obligated to Search 
All places owned (or rented) by a person requires Bedikat Hametz.  These include his business office, store, garage, car.  Even if he will not be going to these places during Pesah, a bedikah must be made. 

•  Traveling to another location is not considered an interruption and a new berachah is not necessary.  However, if it is difficult for him to personally go there, he may send someone else who was present when the berachah was recited. 
•  If it is impossible to make the bedikah at his home or business on nightfall of 14 Nissan (i.e., he will be away for Pesah), he should do Bedikat Hametz at night, without a berachah, before he leaves.  He must also make the Bitul — nullifying any hametz that was not found there. 
• If he forgot to make the bedikah before he left his home or business and is too far away to return, then Bitul is sufficient. 
• Bitul is sufficient for any second home that was not in use before Pesah.  However, if it was used within thirty days before Pesah, then bedikah is mandatory. 
•  If one “sells” his house or rents it out before 14 Nissan, he does not have to make a bedikah and Bitul is sufficient. 
•  If one leaves his primary home on the eve of 14 Nissan, a rabbi should be consulted regarding Bedikat Hametz. 

Places Not Requiring Bedikat Hametz 

• One is not required to make a bedikah in places where hametz is not brought. 
• Areas containing hametz that is sold to a gentile does not require bedikah.
• Hametz that may be found under large objects, i.e., the refrigerator or washing machine, and is totally inaccessible does not require bedikah and Bitul is sufficient. 
• The pockets of one’s clothing do not require bedikah at Bedikat Hametz time. Rather, they should be cleaned beforehand.

​One Who Forgot Bedikat Hametz 

• One who forgot Bedikat Hametz at nightfall of the 14th of Nissan must do so in the morning of the 14th, by candlelight and with a berachah. 
• He may not do any work prior to the bedikah. 
•  If one didn’t remember until the holiday, then he makes the bedikah on the holiday with a berachah.  In case he found hametz on yom tov itself, then at that time he must cover it and burn it after yom tov on Chol HaMoed. 
• If one did not remember about Bedikat Hametz until after Pesah, he still makes a bedikah but without a berachah. 

Bitul Hametz
Immediately following Bedikat Hametz, he recites the Bitul — a declaration nullifying all hametz that was not found and removed. 

• The Bitul is written in Aramaic.  However, it must be said in a language that he understands best, in order for it to be valid. 
• Even if one appointed someone else to make the bedikah , he should still recite the Bitul himself, wherever he may be. If he cannot, then is wife should recite the Bitul for him. 
• Great care must be taken with any hametz that remains after the bedikah that will be used for that evening or the next morning.  In the (unlikely) event, that it is misplaced, another bedikah must be done without a berachah.  If it still is not found after the second bedikah, a second Bitul is recited.

On Erev Pesah, starting from midday and onward, it is prohibited from the Torah a) to eat hametz;  b) to own hametz; and  c) to derive any pleasure from hametz. The Rabbis decreed that we should refrain from deriving pleasure or owning hametz one hour before then so that a person will not make a mistake and have hametz after midday. In addition, the Rabbis also decreed that it is forbidden to eat hametz two hours before midday, for the same reason. The hours are derived by dividing the day into twelve parts, from dawn until nightfall (tz’ait).  Since most people are unfamiliar with these times, a Rabbi should be consulted (or a reliable calendar).