Note 68 — II. OUR DUTIES. (continued 3)

(1.) ‏בדיקת חמץ‎ “the searching for leavened bread” on the eve of the 14th of Nisan.68 The head of the family, or his deputy, examines his residence thoroughly, and keeps the chamets, which he has found, in a safe place till the next morning. This searching, like every other performance of a religious duty, is preceded by a blessing, viz., ‏ברוך … אשר קדשנו במצותיו וצונו על ביעור חמץ‎ “Blessed art thou … who hast sanctified us by thy commandments, and hast commanded us concerning the removal of the leavened bread.”69