Passover 18

Rochtzah, Motzi, Matzah: We wash our hands as we normally do for a meal with bread. Before us, are, depending on custom, either two whole matzot plus a broken one (half of which we have put away for Afikomen), or one whole matzah plus the broken one. As previously mentioned, matzah is a symbol of freedom, but also the "poor bread" of slaves. On every holiday we say the hamotzi blessing on two whole loaves. Now it is different. Those following the older custom now recite the HaMotzi blessing on the one and a half matzot; whole for freedom, broken for poverty and slavery. The Mishnah (the core work of the Talmud) says that we wrap the broken one in the whole one. This, of course, assumes soft matzah, not the cracker-like matzot most people are used to. (Not that they are not acceptable, but we must realize that cracker-like matzot are a thirteenth-century innovation). One must call into question both the erudition and the integrity of those who consider soft matzot to be invalid. We then recite another blessing for the mitzvah of eating matzah. The wrapping of the two together is a powerful symbol of the cycle of good and evil, freedom and slavery. Each person then eats an olive's bulk of the matzah. I have noted in an earlier post that opinions differ widely as to how much that is, all the way from 3 grams to 60 grams. If these matzot are not sufficient to provide an olive's bulk for each participant, a small piece of the matzot from the Seder plate is given to each, supplemented with other matzot from the package. In the more common custom (endorsed by the Kabbalists) of three matzot, the blessing of Hamotzi is said grasping the top and bottom whole matzot, then dropping the bottom one and reciting the second blessing for the mitzvah of eating matzah on the top whole matzah, and the middle broken matzah. We eat the matzah leaning to our left. It is vital to bear in mind that this simple act of eating the matzah is the fulfillment of one of the 613 Biblical commandments. The Zohar calls this matzah the "Bread of Faith", and the "Bread of Healing". The usual custom of dipping the bread in salt is performed by Sepharadim on this matzah as well. Ashkenazim forgo the salt, so as to keep the taste of the matzah pristine. Most Yemenites dip the matzah in Charoset, as stated in the writings of RAMBAM. There is a Talmudic saying that a child cannot recognize his father until he begins eating bread. The Hasidim say that one cannot recognize one's Father in Heaven before he tastes matzah. It is a very unique spiritual experience, connecting so many dots in our lives, and the lives of our people. I have mentioned earlier that one 17th century rabbi wrote that the entire olive's bulk must be swallowed together. There have been numerous cases of choking as a result. Rabbi Ovadia Yosef wrote a responsum showing how this view is completely groundless. One shouldn't stop to chat while eating it, but it can, and should, be eaten in a normal manner. This is a moment of grandeur and transcendence. We touch Eternity.