113

Chametz should not be found in your domain seven days

The Luchos - Ten Commandments
מִצְוָה עֲשֵׂה - Positive Commandment
מִצְוָה לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה - Negative Commandment
Holidays – חֲגִים

Chametz must not be present in your domain during all seven days of Pesach.

This mitzvah forbids chametz from being found in one’s possession during the seven days of Passover. Unlike the previous mitzvah, which prohibits chametz being seen, this prohibition is broader — even hidden chametz or chametz stored away is forbidden. To fulfill this mitzvah, Jews must destroy or nullify chametz before the festival begins, ensuring complete disassociation from it. Our Sages stated explicitly in a number of places, "One transgresses, 'It may not be seen,' and 'It may not be found.'". The laws of these two mitzvos are explained in the beginning of tractate Pesachim. There it is also explained which things are prohibited by the verse, "It may not be seen...in all your territories" and which are prohibited by the verse, "It may not be found in your homes".

Commentary & Classical Explanation:

  • Rambam (Hilchot Chametz U’Matzah 2:2): Teaches that possession of chametz during Pesach, whether seen or unseen, is a Torah violation.
  • Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 14): The root is to eliminate chametz entirely, reinforcing the symbolic message of humility and dependence on Hashem, represented by matzah.
  • Talmud (Pesachim 5b–6a): Distinguishes between “bal yera’eh” (not to be seen) and “bal yimatzei” (not to be found), emphasizing the Torah’s double prohibition.
(Source: Chabad.org)
שִׁבְעַ֣ת יָמִ֔ים שְׂאֹ֕ר לֹ֥א יִמָּצֵ֖א בְּבָתֵּיכֶ֑ם כִּ֣י ׀ כׇּל־אֹכֵ֣ל מַחְמֶ֗צֶת וְנִכְרְתָ֞ה הַנֶּ֤פֶשׁ הַהִוא֙ מֵעֲדַ֣ת יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל בַּגֵּ֖ר וּבְאֶזְרַ֥ח הָאָֽרֶץ׃ - פָּרָשַׁת בֹּא
Exodus 12:19 - "For seven days, leavening shall not be found in your houses, for whoever eats leavening that soul shall be cut off from the community of Israel, both among the strangers and the native born of the land."

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Holidays - חַגִּים

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Mitzvot related to the Jewish festivals — their observance, rituals, prohibitions, and spiritual significance. This includes Torah-commanded holidays like Pesach, Shavuot, and Sukkot, as well as rabbinic celebrations such as Purim and Chanukah.

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Holiness - קְדֻשָּׁה

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Represents the concept of  spiritual intentionality, purity, and sanctity—set apart for a higher purpose.

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