Torah Portion: Bo
No leaven may be eaten (Shemos 13:3).
It is a negative commandment to not eat chametz (leavened bread etc.) during the festival of Passover, as it says: No leaven may be eaten (Shemos 13:3).
Among the roots of this commandment is what we have written regarding Passover: to remember the miracles of the Exodus from Egypt.
This commandment applies in all places and at all times, to both men and women. One who transgresses this prohibition and willfully eats a kezayis (size of an olive) of chametz during Passover is liable for kareis-excision. If the chametz was eaten un-intentionally, the person is obligated to bring a chatos (fire offering).
No chametz may be seen in your possession. No leaven may be seen in all your territories (Shemos 13:3).
It is a negative commandment that no chametz may be seen [i.e., owned] in any of our dwelling-places during the seven days of Passover, as it says, No chametz may be seen in your possession. No leaven [se’or] may be seen in all your territories (Shemos 13:3). Now, these are not two negative commandments, about two separate matters, but rather one subject, as our Sages said: “The verse begins with chametz (leavened food), and concludes with se’or (leaven) — to tell you that chametz is the same as se’or” (Beitza 7b). In other words, there is no [legal] difference between chametz (leavened food) and se’or, which is the leavening agent for the dough.
Among the roots of this commandment is what we have written regarding the other laws of Passover: to remember the miracles of the Exodus from Egypt.
This commandment applies in all places and at all times, to both men and women.
