Why we should bake matzah |
Even
before B’nai Yisrael left Egypt they were already commanded to eat matzah. In
Parshat Bo (Shmot 12:8), they received the mitzvah to eat matzah with the
Korban Pesach (Pascal Lamb): They
shall eat the meat that same night; they shall eat it roasted over the fire,
with matzah and marror. While
they were in Egypt (Shmot 12:17), B’nai Yisrael were already informed that
there would be a holiday in the future called Chag HaMatzot: You shall
observe the matzot for on this day I brought your ranks out of the land of
Egypt; you shall observe this day throughout the ages as an institution for all
time. Once
they were already out of Egypt (Shmot 12:39), B’nai Yisrael baked their matzot: And they
baked matzah cakes of the dough that they had taken out of Egypt, for it was
not chametz (leavened), since they had been driven out of Egypt and could not
delay; nor had they prepared and provisions for themselves. In
Dvarim 16:3 we are taught not to eat chametz with the Korban Pesach as well as
throughout the holiday: You
shall not eat chametz with it; for seven days you shall eat matzot, lechem oni
(bread of distress) - for you departed from the land of Egypt hurriedly- so
that you may remember the day of your departure from the land of Egypt as long
as you live. What is
Lechem Oni (Bread of Distress)? According
to Rashi (quoting Sifrei), lechem oni is bread that reminds us of the
affliction to which they were subjected to in Egypt. Chizkuni
points out that poor people, when given a small amount of flour do not have a
vessel at hand to make proper dough. They also do not have enough time to spare
to wait for the dough to rise before baking it. Therefore, they throw the
mixture of flour and cold water into the heated oven or stove and bake it
quickly. In the
Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 460:2 we learn that the Rosh (Rabbi Asher ben Yechiel
1250-1327) would take part in the baking of the matzot, overseeing the
production, hurrying those working there and helping with the flattening of the
dough. It is fitting for everyone to involve themselves in this mitzvah. When you
bake matzah, you feel what it was like for B’nai Yisrael when they departed
from Egypt. By baking matzah we are preparing ourselves for the “Bechol Dor
vaDor,” aspect of the holiday where in every generation we are obligated to see
ourselves as if we personally left Egypt. While
Pesach is still three months away, when you plan your Pesach preparations, don’t
forget to make time to visit a matzah bakery! |