Selling Chametz and Checking Chametz - Renting an Apartment for Passover
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Question
This year, when Passover begins on Saturday night, I live in Beit Shemesh and will be leaving my apartment for the entire Passover, renting an apartment in Jerusalem for the entire holiday. I planned to leave on Friday before Shabbat. Can I sell the entire apartment with its contents? Do I need to perform the checking of chametz? Is it permissible for me to give the apartment to a neighbor on Shabbat so he can eat chametz there? Should I sell the apartment on Friday or on Thursday? Do I need to perform the checking of chametz in the apartment I am renting in Jerusalem? Is there any point in coming to Jerusalem on Thursday to perform the checking of chametz there instead of in my apartment in Beit Shemesh?
Answer
Hello,
In principle, you can sell the 'chametz in the house' and 'rent out' the house to a non-Jew for the entire Passover. [But not 'sell the house'].
If you do this on Thursday before sunset, you will not be obligated to perform the checking of chametz at all. However, you will miss the mitzvah of checking chametz.
Therefore, it is better to delay the sale of chametz of part of the house until Friday, so you can fulfill the mitzvah of checking chametz in that part which has not yet been sold on Thursday evening - the night of checking chametz.
It is not possible to sell the entire house in the sale of chametz and simultaneously allow someone to use it.
You are obligated to perform the checking of chametz in the apartment you are renting for Passover.