During Passover, Jews abstain from Chametz "any food product made from wheat, barley, rye, oats or spelt that has come into contact with water and been allowed to ferment and “rise.” On the 14th of Nissan, it is tradition to search the house high and low for chametz. Known as Erev Pesah, it is tradition to do so by candlelight, with a feather and spoon in hand.

This is a less common kavanah, or meditation, that is at times added:  God of our ancestors, just as I have removed all chametz from my home and from my ownership, so may it be that I merit the removal of the evil inclination from my heart.

But we don't just have to burn the chametz and the candle, feather, and spoon. We can burn all that we no longer wish to have in our homes, in our lives, in our spirits, in ourselves.

Here are some suggestions for what to leave behind:

Fear, Anxiety, Stress, Anger, Imposter Syndrome, Unworthiness, Negative energies that serve no purpose, Outdated belief systems that no longer serve you

Our beloved friend & Cantor, Daniela Gesunteit, suggested a Metaphorical chametz — what do we want to take out of our homes from the past year, and turn to “dust that has no ownership” and burn? Take a piece of paper and write down your Metaphorical chametz and let's burn them together. 


haggadah Section: Conclusion