Halakha: Using a flashlight for Bedikat Chametz
The first Mishna in Pesachim states:
“The night of the fourteenth of Nisan, we search for Chametz by the light of a candle.”[1]
Does this mean that we have to use an actual candle when we do Bedikat Chametz?
“The rabbis taught in a Braita: We don’t search for Chametz by the light of the sun nor by the light of the moon, nor by the light of a torch; Rather, one searches by the light of a candle because the light of a candle is effective for searching.”[2]
There are a few basic questions as to why we should specifically use a candle as opposed to other forms of light:
Why don’t we use natural light such as the light from the sun or the moon?
The Gemara explains that natural light does not reach all of the areas in the house such as small holes and cracks.
Why don’t we use a torch?
The gemara brings several opinions. Some indicate that a torch is not a good source of light – because it flickers or it does not cast light where a person is looking. Others suggest that people using a torch will not check properly – they are afraid of the torch spreading fire and won’t use it to check small spaces and crevices.
Do we have to use a candle specifically?
The beraita can be interpreted as a directive to specifically use a candle, or it can be read as a suggestion to use a candle because natural light and torches are problematic. If there is an alternative light source that does not have the problems associated with natural light and torches, may we use that? What about something that specifically mimics a candle?
Can we use a flashlight?
A flashlight does not seem to have the problems of a torch, it’s not dangerous and is in fact safer to check small places like holes and cracks. It also doesn’t have the problem of natural light, which can’t get into some of these spaces.
On the other hand, some flashlights cast a wide beam which is not as effective a light source as a concentrated candle. This could be solved with a bright penlight.
If the issue is efficient illumination that is not dangerous then a bright flashlight or overhead lights that shine everywhere should be fine and maybe even better than a penlight. Although if the candle is meant to focus our attention so our eyes don’t glide over places, illuminating larger areas is problematic. Still, a penlight seems acceptable.
Nevertheless, we must consider that the beraita does not merely say not to use natural light or a torch, but rather specifically states we should use a candle. Furthermore, the custom has been to use a candle for hundreds of years. Perhaps we must use a candle to properly fulfill our obligation to check for chametz?
What’s the practical halakha?
Shulchan Aruch rules that we should not search with a torch. Rather we should use a wax candle.[3]
Mishna Berura cites the opinion that we don’t use a torch because we will be worried about our house catching fire and won’t use it to check holes and crevices. The candle ensures we search thoroughly.[4]
He adds further qualifications to the candle to ensure a thorough bedika. We don’t use a candle made from tallow because it will ruin anything it drips on to and we don’t use oil since it spills easily. He rules that a bedika using a torch does not fulfill the mitzvah and one must redo the search again using a single candle. Yet if they used tallow or fat then, bdi’avad (after the fact) they fulfilled their obligation. Acharonim debate whether this also applies to searching with a light from oil, or if one must redo the bedika.[5]
The primary concern in these cases does not seem to be the focus of the illumination, but rather whether the light source impairs a person’s ability to thoroughly search all areas.
Rav Hillel Poisic (1851-1953) ruled that the reasons we use a candle also apply to electric lights – they don’t shine into the holes and the crevices, and we may be afraid of the electrical current as one does not want to get electrocuted and therefore one may not check thoroughly.[6]
Rav Poisic’s reasoning does not fit in with today’s penlights – which are both a safer and more efficient source of light than a candle.
HaRav Ben Zion Abba Shaul (1924-1998) was asked if an electric light, like a flashlight, may be used for Bedikat Chametz. He answered that it is best to use a regular wax or paraffin candle for bedikat chametz. If one doesn’t have those types of candles, they should use a thin electric candle, like an electric flashlight which can get into holes and crevices. But one should not make the blessing on this search.[7]
Rav Ovadiah Yosef (1920-2013) and the Chazon Ish both preferred using a candle, but permitted making a blessing on a bedika using an electric light.[8]
Rav Shmuel HaLevi Wosner (1913-2015) ruled that the halakhically preferable way to perform this mitzvah is using a candle, but as the primary mitzvah is to search for chametz effectively, if one doesn’t have a candle they can use an electric candle to check properly.[9]
Rav Shmaryahu Yosef Nissim Karelitz (1926-2019) rules that bedikat chametz must be done with a candle, but this does not mean electric lights must be shut off. He believes that overhead electric lights do not have the same problems as natural sun or moonlight the beraita opposes.[10] However, this is a lone opinion and it does seem halakhically preferable to turn off the lights, at least for part of the bedika.
Rav Mordechai Eliyahu (1929-2010) suggests a compromise. While he allows one to recite a bracha when using a flashlight for bedika, he adds that it is best to light a match or candle, say the bracha, start searching and then continue the rest of the time with a flashlight.[11] This way one fulfills the mitzvah accordinging to all opinions – they have searched for chametz using light from a candle, and have searched in the most effective way possible. This seems to be the best course of action, especially for those who prefer not to use a candle.
[1] TB Psachim 2a
[2] TB Psachim 7b-8a
[3] Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 433:2
[4] Mishna Brura 433:8
[5] Mishna Brura 433:9
[6] Shu”t Hillel Omer, Orach Chaim 231:
[7] Shu”t Or L’Tzion (Chelek Gimmel 7:5)
[8] Chazon Ovadia, Pesach 5763, Part I pages 38-39
[9] Shut Shevet HaLevi 1:138
[10] Chut HaShani (Pesach Chapter 2:3 note 4)
[11] Hilchot Chagim 6:15
