Chapter 6:

Bitul (Nullification of) and Biur (Destroying) Chametz

1. Reasons for Bitul
2. After the search, one must nullify the chametz by reciting a statement of bitul (nullification.)¹
3. There are two reasons given for this declaration: Either it is an official relinquishment of financial ownership over the chametz (“hefker”),² or it is a personal statement of disassociation from the chametz by stating that it is like “the dust of the earth.”³ Since it is questionable whether one can achieve either of these objectives via an agent,⁴ every person should make this declaration on their own in a language they understand.⁵

Text of Bitul

The English declaration to make at night following the bedika, is: “All leaven (chametz) and anything leavened that is in my possession, which I have neither seen nor removed, and about which I am unaware, shall be considered nullified⁶ and ownerless⁷ as the dust of the earth.”⁸

Setting Aside Chametz for Biur

Some chametz should be set aside at night⁹ for biur, which is to dispose of or destroy the chametz in the morning before Pesach begins.¹⁰ However, if one disposed of all their chametz and does not have any remaining chametz for biur, it is unnecessary to obtain chametz in order to dispose of/destroy it on Pesach eve.¹¹

Biur Procedure

Before the end of the fifth hour of the day (calculated from sunrise),¹² one should dispose of or destroy the chametz. Although there is a custom to burn the chametz,¹³ one should not do so unless using a controlled fire, preferably managed by knowledgeable professionals. If one does not have access to such a fire, it is better to dispose of the chametz by throwing it into a public garbage can, flushing it safely down the toilet, or eliminating it from your possession in some comparable manner.¹⁴

Second Bitul

After that (also prior to the end of the fifth hour), you make a second nullification declaration to include chametz that you are aware of: “All leaven and anything leavened that is in my possession, whether I have seen it or not, whether I have observed it or not, whether I have removed it or not, shall be considered nullified and ownerless as the dust of the earth.”¹⁵

Garbage Cans

Any chametz that you have thrown into the garbage prior to the nullification statement should preferably be removed from your property, or at least set at the curb. If necessary, the garbage can may be placed outside of your house.¹⁶ If there is no other option, the garbage may even be placed in a trash container inside your house, until it can be properly discarded.¹⁷

Times to Stop Eating/Benefiting from Chametz

One should not eat chametz after the end of the fourth halachic¹⁸ hour.¹⁹ One may not benefit from chametz after the end of the fifth halachic hour.²⁰ You can usually find the conversion of the halachic times into AM times posted in shul or on some Jewish websites. You may use the later times if various options are listed.²¹