[Avodah] Text for Bittul Chametz

[Micha Berger]

On Thu, Apr 12, 2012 at 04:56:54PM +0000, kennethgmiller at juno.com wrote:
: In the longest versions, there are three phrases:
: - dachazitay ud'la chazitay
: - dachamitay ud'la chamitay
: - d'viartay ud'la viartay
...
: From Jastrow's dictionary, I got the impression that "chazi" and
: "chami" are synonyms, with little or no difference between them, other
: than "chazi" being more common in Bavel, and "chami" being more common
: in Eretz Yisrael.

When I repeat it in English, just in case bitul chameitz is in Aramaic
because you ought to say it in your native language, I render it:

- which I saw or didn't see,
- which I noticed or didn't notice,
- which I destroyed or did not destroy.

Chama also means to guard, to watch. I therefore took it as a more
conscious activity than simply seeing. (Compare to listening vs
hearing.) Chasa can happen accidentally, chama cannot. At least, KNLAD.

Notice, though, that this is a daisy-chain, and only makes sense as:
- which I saw or didn't see,
- of those I saw -- which I recognize or didn't recognize,
- and of those that I saw and noticed were lumps of chaimeitz -- which
  I destroyed or did not destroy.

Your question implies the daisy-chain continues, the next step only
elaborating one of the two predicates in the previous clause:
- and of those I saw, identified as chameitz, but did not destroy --
  they shall be ownerless etc...

Tir'u baTov!
-Micha

-- 
Micha Berger             Today is the 9th day, which is
micha at aishdas.org        1 week and 2 days in/toward the omer.
http://www.aishdas.org   Gevurah sheb'Gevurah: When is strict justice
Fax: (270) 514-1507                            most appropriate?