One Must Check For Hametz As Soon As The Time Comes

One Must Check For Hametz As Soon As The Time Comes Day: Thursday Date: March 20, 2014 Parshat: Shemini, Para Source: Yalkut Yosef: 431 One may not eat a kebetzah (approximately 2 ounces) of any of the five grains within a half hour before the time for bedikat hametz. Less than that amount, or any amount of fruits and vegetables are okay to eat at that time. One may not begin a project or start any melacha within a half hour of the bedika. Likewise, one should also not begin a personal Torah study session from the time of the bedika until he has finished it. Even if he always has a session at that time. If however, he started learning before the time, he may not interrupt his learning just to search for hametz. Instead he should search later. A public session, for example a shiur, or an evening kollel, however, is okay since everybody will remind each other to check when it's over so no one will forget. If one has the opportunity, he should pray Arvit before checking for hametz. One who is fatigued and therefore is not able to search for hametz effectively, may take a short nap and make sure to have someone wake him up after a half hour or so. However that is only okay if the nap is taken at the beginning of the time. But if it's any later one may not nap before checking. The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org