The Meaning in the Matzah

Matzah, a central symbol of our upcoming season of liberation, harkens back to the biblical story of the Israelites and their hurried journey out of enslavement in Egypt towards freedom and service of God. There was no time to let the dough rise to make bread so instead they made matzah.

In its simplest form, bread contains just two ingredients -- flour and water. When mixed together and baked immediately, this flour and water mixture produces matzah, the unleavened bread eaten during the festival of Passover. If the mixture is given time, however, these two ingredients interact chemically with leaven in the air and change in a radical way. The mixture rises and becomes the dough that bakes into what we know as leavened bread. A small difference in process produces a profound difference in product.

“Anyone can be changed by the themes of Passover,” writes Rabbi Rachel Barenblat, affectionately known by her online persona, the Velveteen Rabbi. “It can resonate if you are ready.” It is not lost on me that Passover comes roughly six months after Yom Kippur. It is our springtime semi-annual spiritual check-in, a chance to see how we are doing in our relationships and with ourselves. After six months, we are indeed ready and the time is right.

So, what can we learn about our relationships and ourselves from matzah, known as lechem oni, the bread of our affliction? What is the meaning in the matzah for us and our community?

Matzah symbolizes the removal of puffiness and haughtiness from our hearts. We literally search our homes and figuratively search ourselves for the chametz, the leavening, that has been left behind. In doing this, we prepare our homes and ourselves for true transformation from slavery to freedom.

We recognize that our environment matters. Matzah and bread are made of the same ingredients. They are different based on the circumstances in which they are produced. The same is true for us. Who we are and who we become is greatly impacted by that which happens around us. Passover is a time to commit ourselves to creating a world where we and all peoples can be our best selves.

Finally, matzah reminds us that there is beauty in the fragility of life. Activist and educator Tamara Cohen writes, “Some of us do not get the chance to rise like golden loaves of challah, filled with sweet raisins and crowned with shiny braids. Rushed, neglected, not kneaded by caring hands, we grow up afraid...there are some ingredients we never receive.”

We have “cracked surfaces” and “rough edges” like matzah. Passover is an opportunity to bless these parts of ourselves and each other and to be brave enough to see our matzah-like brittleness and beauty.

As we lift the matzah at our seder tables this season, may its message inspire us, may its meaning bring us comfort and courage, and may we be moved to better our world and ourselves.

Chag Sameach. Happy Passover.

Rabbi Amy Hertz

Rabbi Educator