share torah logo

Deuteronomy 16:4 - Eliminate chametz completely?

Deuteronomy 16:4 - דברים 16:4

Hebrew Text

וְלֹא־יֵרָאֶה לְךָ שְׂאֹר בְּכָל־גְּבֻלְךָ שִׁבְעַת יָמִים וְלֹא־יָלִין מִן־הַבָּשָׂר אֲשֶׁר תִּזְבַּח בָּעֶרֶב בַּיּוֹם הָרִאשׁוֹן לַבֹּקֶר׃

English Translation

And there shall be no leaven seen with thee in all thy border for seven days; nor shall any thing of the meat, which thou dost sacrifice on the first day at evening, remain all night until the morning.

Transliteration

Ve-lo yera'e lekha se'or be-khol gvulekha shiv'at yamim ve-lo yalin min ha-basar asher tizbach ba-erev ba-yom ha-rishon la-boker.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְלֹֽא־יֵרָאֶ֨ה לְךָ֥ שְׂאֹ֛ר בְּכׇל־גְּבֻלְךָ֖ שִׁבְעַ֣ת יָמִ֑ים וְלֹא־יָלִ֣ין מִן־הַבָּשָׂ֗ר אֲשֶׁ֨ר תִּזְבַּ֥ח בָּעֶ֛רֶב בַּיּ֥וֹם הָרִאשׁ֖וֹן לַבֹּֽקֶר׃
וְלֹֽא־יֵרָאֶ֨ה לְךָ֥ שְׂאֹ֛ר בְּכׇל־גְּבֻלְךָ֖ שִׁבְעַ֣ת יָמִ֑ים וְלֹא־יָלִ֣ין מִן־הַבָּשָׂ֗ר אֲשֶׁ֨ר תִּזְבַּ֥ח בָּעֶ֛רֶב בַּיּ֥וֹם הָרִאשׁ֖וֹן לַבֹּֽקֶר׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Prohibition of Chametz During Pesach

The verse (Devarim 16:4) states: "וְלֹא־יֵרָאֶה לְךָ שְׂאֹר בְּכָל־גְּבֻלְךָ שִׁבְעַת יָמִים" ("And there shall be no leaven seen with thee in all thy border for seven days"). Rashi explains that this refers to the prohibition of owning or seeing chametz (leaven) during Pesach. The Torah emphasizes that not only must one not eat chametz, but one must also ensure it is not visible in one's possession. This is derived from the phrase "לֹא־יֵרָאֶה" ("shall not be seen"), which the Sages interpret as an active obligation to search for and remove chametz before Pesach (Pesachim 2a).

Prohibition of Leaving Over the Korban Pesach

The second part of the verse states: "וְלֹא־יָלִין מִן־הַבָּשָׂר אֲשֶׁר תִּזְבַּח בָּעֶרֶב בַּיּוֹם הָרִאשׁוֹן לַבֹּקֶר" ("nor shall any thing of the meat, which thou dost sacrifice on the first day at evening, remain all night until the morning"). Rambam (Hilchot Korban Pesach 9:1) explains that this refers to the Korban Pesach (Paschal sacrifice), which must be consumed entirely by midnight of the 15th of Nisan. Leaving any meat over until morning violates this mitzvah. The Talmud (Pesachim 83b) derives from this verse that the proper time for eating the Korban Pesach is only until chatzot (midnight), based on the principle that the Torah uses the term "לַבֹּקֶר" ("until morning") to indicate the earlier part of the night.

Spiritual Significance

The Midrash (Mechilta Bo 12) connects the prohibition of chametz to the idea of removing arrogance (symbolized by leaven) from one's heart. Just as chametz puffs up dough, arrogance inflates a person's ego. The haste in consuming the Korban Pesach—without leaving leftovers—symbolizes the urgency of spiritual growth and the need to internalize the lessons of Yetziat Mitzrayim (the Exodus from Egypt) without delay.

Practical Halachic Implications

  • Bedikat Chametz: The obligation to search for and destroy chametz before Pesach (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 431).
  • Bitul Chametz: The declaration nullifying any unseen chametz (Pesachim 6b).
  • Korban Pesach: The requirement to finish eating the sacrifice by midnight (Rambam, Hilchot Korban Pesach 9:1).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Pesachim 5a
The verse is discussed in the context of the prohibition of leaven during Passover and the requirement to remove all leaven from one's possession.
📖 Pesachim 21b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the timing and the extent of the prohibition of leaven during the seven days of Passover.
📖 Chullin 83a
The latter part of the verse regarding the meat sacrifice is discussed in relation to the laws of sacrifices and the time frame within which they must be consumed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does 'no leaven seen with thee in all thy border for seven days' mean?
A: This verse refers to the commandment of removing all chametz (leaven) from our homes and possessions during Passover. According to Jewish law (halacha), we must not own or see any chametz in our domain for the entire seven days of Passover. This is based on the Torah's command to eat matzah and avoid chametz during this time (Exodus 12:15-20). Rashi explains that this includes even chametz that belongs to others - it must not be visible in our boundaries.
Q: Why can't we leave the Passover sacrifice meat overnight?
A: The second part of the verse teaches that the meat of the Korban Pesach (Passover sacrifice) must be eaten the same night it is offered and cannot be left until morning. The Rambam (Hilchot Korban Pesach 9:7) explains this as preventing any spoilage or improper treatment of the sacred offering. This also teaches us to fulfill mitzvot promptly and not delay them.
Q: How do we apply the commandment about leaven today without the Temple?
A: Even though we don't have the Temple today, we still strictly observe the prohibition against chametz during Passover. We perform a thorough search (bedikat chametz) the night before Passover, nullify any remaining chametz (bitul chametz), and sell what we can't dispose of through a rabbinic arrangement (mechirat chametz). We also use special Passover utensils and eat only kosher for Passover foods for all seven days (eight days outside Israel).
Q: What's the connection between removing leaven and the Passover sacrifice?
A: The Talmud (Pesachim 5a) connects these two commandments as both representing our haste in leaving Egypt - we ate matzah (unleavened bread) because we left quickly, and the Passover sacrifice had to be eaten immediately, reflecting our readiness for redemption. The Ramban explains that removing chametz represents removing arrogance (symbolized by leaven), while the Passover sacrifice represents our dedication to Hashem - both essential for spiritual growth.
Q: Why is this verse important in the Torah?
A: This verse contains two fundamental Passover observances that commemorate our Exodus from Egypt: 1) The complete removal of chametz, symbolizing our break from slavery and impurity, and 2) The proper treatment of the Passover sacrifice (when the Temple stood), representing our service to Hashem. Together, they teach that physical freedom must be accompanied by spiritual elevation. The Sages derive many practical halachot from these words that shape how we observe Passover today.