Likutei Halachot: Searching for Chametz
The purpose of the search is to remove the chametz, which represents the sitra achra (incorporation of evil forces) – from which arises all earthly desires…
Translated by Rabbi Dov Grant
Excerpts from Likutei Halachot, by Rebbe Natan of Breslev
Bedikat Chametz 1 – Smashing our earthly desires
Hilchos Birchas Hapeiros 5:8
On the night of the fourteenth of Nisan we search for the chametz
We need to check and search well for chametz in order to remove it. We also need to search for it by lamplight, in accord with the Gemara (Pesachim 7b). There the necessity to search for chametz is derived, from the linking of a verse that prohibits the finding of chametz to a different verse that discusses both finding and searching. The necessity to search by lamplight is then derived by a subsequent link to a verse that includes searching and lamps (Mishlei 20:27): “A man’s soul is a lamp of Hashem, searching out all the innermost parts”.
The inner purpose of all this is the rectification of lost objects – for which one must search well. This is the main aspect of “a man’s soul is a lamp of Hashem, searching, etc.”. For the neshamah/soul is termed the ‘lamp’ that needs to search out all the innermost parts, wherein resides all the earthly desires of the wicked, corresponding to (ibid. 13:25) “the innards of the wicked feel want”. There we must search for the lost objects. This means that each of us must try to break our desires for Hashem and thereby search for the lost objects in all the “innermost parts”.
This is an aspect of the removal of chametz through the search by lamplight. The purpose of the search is to remove the chametz, which is the sitra achara (incorporation of evil forces) – from which arises all earthly desires – thus resulting in the finding of all lost objects. The main thing is to “rest and do nothing” (as Rebbe Nachman was wont to say – see Likutei Moharan II 49). This means that a person should not go after his evil desires, from which are all lost objects. Once this is done all lost objects will automatically be discovered.
Bedikas Chametz 2 – Illumination of Mashiach
Hilchos Birchas Hashachar 5:18
On the night of the fourteenth of Nisan we search for the chametz
All our holy books comment that the fourteenth hints to an aspect of David, whose name (dalet-vav-dalet) adds up to fourteen. Although they expound at length on this, nevertheless they don’t explain adequately how far the matter goes. According to our way, “knowledge will be easy for the one that understands”.
The main power to remove chametz before Pesach comes from the hidden extension of the illumination of David, the Mashiach, through who is completed the illumination of the meitzach haratzon. And by way of this, we draw upon ourselves the force of illumination of the great and enormous mochin/intellects that are drawn out during Pesach. Through this we remove chametz on the fourteenth of Nisan, when the moon – an aspect of David – is full. Understand this well.
Bedikas Chametz 3 – Revealing Da’as/Knowledge
Hilchos Pesach 3:10
On the night (lit. light) of the fourteenth of Nisan we search for the chametz by lamplight
The “light” of the fourteenth is a revelation of da’as/understanding, arising from the illumination of the previous thirteen days from the beginning of Nissan. These days are an aspect of great da’as and mercy, corresponding to the settled mind of “an elder” – meaning the thirteen rectifications of age. Through this da’as, we can reveal concealed matters. This corresponds to the removal of chametz: To remove the chametz and concealment and reveal da’as, that is an aspect of matzah. Therefore, we search for chametz specifically on the night of the fourteenth, since by way of the completion of da’as in the aspect of thirteen, we are able to check for chametz and remove and reveal the concealed.
This is the meaning of “by lamplight”. The Gemara derives the need to search by lamplight from (Mishlei 20:27) “A man’s soul is a lamp of Hashem, searching out all the innermost parts”. The inner meaning of this is, that by way of lamplight – meaning da’as/understanding {corresponding to “a man’s soul is a lamp of Hashem” and (Iyov 32:8) “the soul from the Almighty permits them to understand“} – by way of this, it’s good to check for chametz: To reveal that which had been concealed and remove evil and the sitra achara, bringing the wicked to repent.
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Rabbi Dov Grant has his own website at http://likuteihalachos.blogspot.com. You may contact him at ravdgrant@gmail.com
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