Cleaning Out and No Chametz on Pesach
What is chametz?
Chametz is bread or food made with flour that has risen. It includes things like bread, crackers, and cookies.
What is Bedikas Chametz?
Bedikas Chametz is the search for any leftover chametz in the house before Pesach.
When does Pesach begin?
Pesach starts on the 15th day of Nissan, which is the night the Jewish people left Egypt.
What is the Seder?
The Seder is a special meal where we tell the story of the Jewish people leaving Egypt.
What vegetable do we dip in saltwater at the Seder?
We dip karpas (a vegetable, usually parsley) in saltwater at the Seder to remember the tears of the Israelites in Egypt.
Why do we clean out chametz before Pesach?
We clean out chametz before Pesach because the Jewish people didn’t have time for their bread to rise when they left Egypt. We don’t eat chametz to remember that.
What is Biur Chametz?
Biur Chametz is when we burn or get rid of the leftover chametz after the search.
What time did the Jewish people leave Egypt?
The Jewish people left Egypt at midnight, and this is remembered during the first night of Pesach.
Why do we have a Seder on the first night of Pesach?
We have a Seder on the first night of Pesach to remember the Exodus and to follow the tradition of telling our children the story of leaving Egypt.
What special bread do we eat during Pesach instead of regular bread?
We eat matzah (unleavened bread) during Pesach instead of regular bread.
How do we get rid of chametz before Pesach?
We get rid of chametz by burning it, selling it, or throwing it away before Pesach starts.
When do we search for chametz?
We search for chametz on the night before Pesach, usually with a candle to help us see.
How long is Pesach?
Pesach lasts for 7 days in Israel and 8 days in other places like America.
What do we eat at the Seder to remember leaving Egypt?
At the Seder, we eat matzah (unleavened bread), maror (bitter herbs), and charoset (a sweet mix of fruit and nuts) to remember the hardships and freedom.
What was the name of the sea the Jews crossed?
The Jews crossed the Red Sea (Yam Suf) when escaping Egypt.
Why can’t we eat chametz during Pesach?
We can’t eat chametz during Pesach because the Jewish people ate unleavened bread (matzah) when they left Egypt in a hurry.
What is the process of Biur Chametz?
Biur Chametz is when we burn or throw away all the chametz that we found after searching.
How long ago did the Jewish people leave Egypt?
The Exodus from Egypt happened over 3,300 years ago, when the Jewish people were freed from slavery.
What does "Seder" mean?
"Seder" means "order" in Hebrew, because there is a special order of prayers, songs, and food during the meal.
What number plague made the Egyptians’ water turn to blood?
The first plague made the water of Egypt turn to blood. It was called Dum.
What is the reason we don’t eat chametz on Pesach?
Not eating chametz shows that we are free from Egypt and helps us remember how fast the Jewish people left.
How do we search for chametz?
We search for chametz by going through each room of the house, looking for crumbs or food that might have chametz in it.
When is the first Seder?
The first Seder is on the 14th of Nissan, but it starts after dark, which is the beginning of the 15th of Nissan.
What are the 4 questions asked at the Seder?
*BONUS- What are these questions called? (In Hebrew)
The Four Questions are asked by the youngest child at the Seder, asking why this night is different from all other nights.
*BONUS- Ma’ Neshtanah
What did the Jews eat when they were in the desert for 40 years?
The Jews ate mann (a special bread-like food that fell from the sky) during their 40 years in the desert