chametz

Chametz, or hametz, is a Hebrew term for foods made from one of the five grains—wheat, barley, rye, oats, and spelt—that have fermented and risen. In Jewish law, chametz refers to any dough or product containing such leavened grain that has become leavened beyond its original state, in contrast with unleavened bread (matzah).

During Passover, chametz is forbidden to eat, own, or benefit from. Observant households remove chametz from the home and perform bedikat chametz, a formal search for hidden chametz conducted on the eve of the holiday using a candle, a feather, and a spoon to collect crumbs, which are then burned in biur chametz.

To avoid ownership during Passover, many communities arrange mechirat chametz, the sale of chametz to a non-Jew through a rabbi or agency. Some Jews also perform bitul chametz, a formal declaration of nullification of any remaining chametz and any personal intent to benefit from it.

On Passover, bread and other leavened foods are replaced by matzah, unleavened bread, and many products certified as kosher for Passover. Some traditions address kitniyot—rice, legumes, and similar items—which are not technically chametz but are avoided by many Ashkenazi Jews during the holiday.

Overall, chametz denotes leavened grain products that are restricted during Passover, with ritual preparation, legal mechanisms for sponsorship or disposal, and dietary substitutions that align with the holiday’s commemorative observances.