We have everyday brachot — some recited once a day, some several times a day (e.g., before eating, or after using the toilet). And we have brachot that we get to say just once a year.

Preparing for Pesach/Passover is an opportunity for the latter: We search for chametz only once in preparation for Pesach, so the bracha over that action is recited just this once.

The bracha formula is familiar (go God!); the ending is not: commanding us al bi’ur chametz / about removing chametz. Like many bcommanded Jewish actions, the details of fulfillment are provided or developed by the discussion among sages older and newer, and by custom or tradition.

(bi’ur means to clear, remove, destroy, eradicate, extirpate)

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱ’לֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ עַל בֵּיעוּר חָמֵץ

baruch atta adonai eloheinu melech ha’olam asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu al bi’ur chametz.

Praised are You, Adonai our God, sovereign of eternity, for imbuing our lives with sanctity by commanding us to remove chametz.

Click here (link) for a guide to the ceremony of bi’ur chametz, and watch below for a charming (IMHO) video.

chag sameiach!