Question:I’m planning on being abroad the entire Pesach. Do I still need to perform bedikas chometz before I travel? (I’m flying a week before Pesach.) Answer: Generally speaking, one who travels away from his house within a month of Pesach is obligated to perform bedikas chometz before he departs (Shulchan Aruch Siman 436 Se’if 1). However, if the house in question will not be in use the entire Pesach, you can choose to lease/sell the entire house, as well as all chometz within, to a non-Jew from 13 Nissan (instead of the default sale on the 14 Nissan). This way, there is no obligation of bedikas chometz, because the apartment has been sublet to a non-Jew for the duration of Pesach before the obligation of bedikas chometz begins (c.f. Mishna Berura ibid s.k. 32). One important detail that should be kept in mind is that a person who is renting a property should ensure that they have permission from the landlord to sublet the property (to a non-Jew for the duration of Pesach), otherwise this it is questionable if this is a viable option. |
Pesach
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