Q. When doing bedikas chometz at the Pesach hotel can one say the brocho if searching only with a flashlight? If no flashlight available, can one use the table movable electric cfl light with an extension cord?
A. Many Poskim permit using a flashlight for bedikas chometz as it is more useful and practical than a candle. (Sheorim Hametzuyonim Behalocho 71: 4, Nitey Gavriel – Pesach 1: 17: 19, Shmateso D’Moishe p.348 relates that HoRav Moishe Feinstein zt”l used a flashlight himself in his later years.) It would certainly be recommended in a hotel where lighting matches in the rooms may not be allowed.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that you can use the movable desk or table lamps available in the room if you don’t have a flashlight. If the light is too bright he recommends keeping the shade on, or to partially cover the light bulb with cardboard or similar material thus avoiding one of the “avuka” effects by directing the light towards the area searched.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a
Important Numbers
