Shalom All,
Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook, “Rav Kook,” the first chief rabbi of the modern state of Israel, would describe this extra discussion that always took place during his family’s Passover seder. Every year, they would ask the question, “This matzah – what is the reason for it?” And every year the Haggadah would answer the question with Exodus 12:39, “And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough that they had taken out of Egypt, for it was not leavened, since they had been driven out of Egypt and could not delay.”
The discussion would then ensue when one guest at the seder would invariably point out that 21 verses earlier in Exodus 12:18 it is written, “In the first month, from the fourteenth day of the month at evening, you shall eat unleavened bread until the twenty-first day of the month at evening.” This passage, the guest would argue, suggests that the Israelites knew they were going to need unleavened bread two weeks before Passover began. So do we eat matzah because our ancestor left in haste or because they were commanded to to bring it along?
It shouldn’t surprise any of us that they answer is “yes.” Or more precisely, “both.” The commandment, the rabbis argue is a commandment, an obligation, to specifically eat matzah on the first night of Passover. The rest of the week it is voluntary. While one is prohibited during the rest of Passover from eating any leavened product, one is not required to continue to eat matzah. The rest of the holiday, the matzah we eat is done out of love and trust.
Our ancestors left Egypt at a moment’s notice. It doesn’t matter that some knew it was coming, the Israelites didn’t. They left when they were told. They left in haste and didn’t have time to let their dough rise. They left and trusted that God would take care of them in the wilderness.
Today, our wilderness is, thankfully, more civilized, but our observance of Passover, and the matzah we eat, still shows our love and trust in the One who redeems and saves.
Passover, this year, begins on Friday, April 15th, we won’t have Shabbat services that evening, so that you all may enjoy your seders with family and friends. Then, on April 16th, for the first time in three years, we will be hosting an in-person, 2nd Night Community Seder starting at 6:00. I am so excited at the prospect of a Traditional (normal) Passover celebration. There is more information about the seder in this bulletin. There is limited space so please get your reservations and checks to Temple as soon as possible.
I hope to see you there.
Chag Sameach everyone.
Happy Passover.
Rabbi Todd